A Handful of Heaven

Friends

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OLEY'S FAMILY PILLS.

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111

were

cheechakos,

How could he be so goddamn stupid? like

112

* * *

Chapter Eleven

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114

FRESH PIES, CAKES, BISCUITS, FREE TART WITH PURCHASE.

Pink.

Pink.

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He was going ta make her throw it away.

was funny.

that's

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Silence surrounded them as they each headed for their respective spots-he to the counter, she to the table. She did her usual things: she made coffee, she rearranged the pies and tarts, she dusted. But time and again her gaze returned to the man seated behind the counter.

More than once she thought of Father Michael's words: There's more to Stone Man than meets the eye.

By the next day their awkwardness with each other had passed. They were back to their silent, word-counting but comfortable routine.

Devon glanced around the post. Everything was as it should be, as it had been every day for the past month. Yet below the surface everything was different.

She felt differently today than she had yesterday. The laughter they'd shared had changed things between them. At least it had changed what she wanted from him. Nonhostility wasn't enough anymore. She wanted that laughter, that moment of caring back.

Maybe, she thought, if she could get him to help her put up the sign, they could find that closeness again. With that in mind, she stood up.

"Devon, sit down. It's still raining."

She plopped back onto her stool. "I know, but-"