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They parted outside the café and Hutch experienced an unfa of satisfaction--with the conversation, with her and even with hi Hutch arrived at the off ice in an exceptionally good , " Gail said

"I was? When?"

"Just now" She seemed to approve, however, because she sent hi vaguely puzzled "Listen, I need you to do a couple of things for me"

"Sure"

"Order me two fully assembled mountain bikes One blue and one red, coht away"

That e and they were old and not in the best condition Rather than spend the ti them updated and repaired, it would be si else?"

"Yes" He felt a bit self-conscious about this "Go online and order me a book, if you would"

"Of course Do you have the title or the author’s na the lines of Dating for Duuise her amusement, which Hutch chose to overlook He couldn’t bla to start his ro as he could spend time with Phoebe Rylander

Chapter 14

Anne Marie Roche

"Blossom Street Books" Anne Marie answered the phone in her usual pleasant tone, assu about her hours or whether a particular title had come in

"Anne Marie, this is Tim Carlsen"

Anne Marie froze and drew in a deep breath She’d known it was too ain Fortunately she was alone in the bookstore "What can I do for you, Mr Carlsen?" she asked stiff ly

He ignored the lack of welcoht to our conversation last week?" he asked It’d been ten days since she’d heard from Tim Carlsen Ten days since the Monday afternoon he’d told her he ical father Fro, wondering if he planned to follow through with his threat to take legal action

"I assu her bluntness would tell hihter’s life It was too late--and besides, the laas on her side

"Listen," Tiht Ellen’s your faical father or not isn’t relevant"

Anne Marie was prepared to battle him all the way to the Supreme Court That he’d capitulated so readily took her by surprise "Thank you," she whispered, hardly knohat else to say

"If you ever decide you’d be willing to have Ellen tested…"

"I won’t"

Undaunted, he continued "Or if one day Ellen asks about her father, I hope you’ll contact me"

Anne Marie wasn’t sure if this was a ploy "I doubt that’ll be necessary"

"At soht be a medical issue," he countered

"What do youyou’re not telling me?"

"No, not at all I just want you to realize you can calllike that ever surfaces"

"Oh"

"Don’t worry, I won’t contact you again I’d like to leave h If at any tie of heart, I’d appreciate it if you’d call me"

He slowly recited three numbers: his home, off ice and cell, which she dutifully copied down and repeated, although she didn’t plan to use any of them except in the direst of circuuess there’s nothingthe reed As far as she was concerned, the conversation was over

"If Ellen--" He didn’t f inish what he’d started to say

"What about Ellen?"

"If she ever needs anything or if you’d ever consider letting me into her life…"

"We’ve already discussed this, Mr Carlsen You have my answer"

"Yes," he said He sounded utterly defeated "Thank you, Ms Roche"