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"You mean when you absconded with ht about the significance of that a hundred tiinal sentence," she said with mock sternness

"That day I caly attracted to you I’ll admit it shook me up because I’d been divorced for five years and I wasn’t interested in another relationship And then, all at once, it was like a bomb went off and I saw the future in a totally neay"

It didn’t hurt Grace’s ego any to hear this, although his interest had unsettled her in the beginning She found herself growingti Dan, but as the ly unlikely and she was growing accustomed to that reality

"I realize nohat attracted me Or, at least, part of it"

She sent hilance

"You believe Dan’s with another wo down the hurt the words still evoked

"You’ve dealt with the emotions felt by soe--what I felt about Susan’s affair"

He could be right In her heart of hearts, Grace was indeed convinced that Dan ith so to walk away fros about his disappearance didn’t add up, and she had no other answers

Grace exited the freeway in Tacoma and took the back road into the airport The route Dan had taught her

"Can I tell you my theory about the hed out loud "I can’t wait to hear it"

"Well, to , it was fate Destiny Call it what you will"

"The waitress at the PancakePalace wasn’t responsible?"

"She was merely the instruued by his theory "So, ere destined to meet"

"Without a doubt" He sounded convinced of it "I’ve coift A sort of compensation for all the pain that came with the divorce"

Grace felt her throat constrict "That’s very sweet, Cliff"

"I mean it Someday, when you’re ready, I hope we can be more than sweethearts"