Violet studied it. "An F."

"I think so too. I think that might be the reason it's marked."

"I needed to give him bigger shoes."

"That's right. And next time you'll know."

Rigg, standing again near the door, felt his heart swell in his chest. Something was happening to him. He did not fall in and out of love with the dawning of each new day. Being attracted to a woman enough to want to see her again was new to him. Watching Lorri Archer, seeing her kind ways and sweet temperament, made him wish he could see her each and every day.

Waiting in silence for Lorri and Violet to finish, Rigg remembered the words of the admiral. He knew that now was not the time to ask her about the island, but he wished he could. She had suffered a terrible loss. Was she doing all right? Or was this job just to help take her mind from the matter?

Rigg's mind stopped. He had questions certainly, but no guarantees that she Would welcome such inquiries from him. In fact, she tended to blush a bit in his presence.

219.

219.

"We're all done." Lorri was suddenly at his side. "Thank you, Violet, for helping me."

"You're welcome."

"It was good to see you, Lieutenant," Lorri began, already moving away from them.

"Do you have a car today?" he asked.

Lorri stopped, not wanting to admit that she didn't.

"It's a nice day for walking, don't you think?" Lorri asked.

"It is a nice day, but it's a nice day for a ride too."

Lorri hesitated, not wanting to take advantage or have expectations.

She didn't know it, but he'd already heard from her grandfather that the ride had not been a problem. For that reason, he pressed her, not worrying about the consequences.

"I certainly don't know firsthand, but I would imagine that you get plenty of exercise on the job."

Lorri didn't comment.

"It is Friday, and your feet might be ready for a bit of a rest."

"If you're sure it's no trouble."

"It's trouble free."

Lorri still didn't look overly convinced, but Violet suddenly took her hand.

"You can come with us," she said simply.

Rigg had to hide the pleasure he felt inside. In the face of the little girl's simple statement, Lorri said nothing more.

Again the ride was very quiet. Violet had a question, but Lorri said next to nothing. Rigg, however, was faster once they reached the Archers' driveway. He was at Lord's door before she could even move, opening it, and standing aside to let her pa.s.s.

"Thank you, Lieutenant." She was on the pavement. "I really do appreciate it."

220.

Lori Wick "You're very welcome."

Something in his tone made Lorri look at him. Their eyes held just long enough to make Lorri blush.

"I hope you have a good weekend," Rigg said gently, trying to rescue her.

"Thank you."

Lorri went to the door. She forgot to say goodbye to Violet or even to wave.

Her mother met her inside. She took one look at her daughter's face and knew exactly whose car she had heard in the driveway.

221.

Sat.u.r.day found Lorri and Ruth working in the garden. m.u.f.fin thought it was all for her benefit and was continually in Lord's way, but Lorri was patient and moved her gently aside, drawing rapturous purrs from her each and every time.

"You didn't say much about your ride home last night," Ruth commented at one point, having wanted to ask for hours.

"There wasn't much to say. It was like last week."

"He asked and you accepted?"

"Well, I guess he had to sort of talk me into it this time."

"Why was that?"

"I don't know. I don't have a thought in my head when he's around, and I just think he must feel a little sorry for me. I don't want him to offer because he finds me rather pathetic."

Lorri weeded around a group of snapdragons, and Ruth worked on the border of the lawn. The conversation, however, was far from over.

"Lorri?" Ruth called her daughter's name, having taken a moment to think it out. "Is that really how it seems to you? I mean, 222.

I haven't met this man, but I've never gotten the impression that he would be kind to you out of pity."

Lorri had to think about that. Where all this insecurity had come from she didn't know, but it plagued her. "I guess that doesn't really fit who he is, but I will say this much: Talking to Violet is ten times easier than talking to the lieutenant."

"I would imagine so."

"Why is that, Mother?" Lorri's voice held a hint of frustration.

"Children are so easy, Lorri. They're humble and guileless. We can learn so much from children."

"Like just being who you really are?"

"Yes, that among many other things."

Lorri thought about her mother's words for a long time. She didn't know when she would see the lieutenant again, but she was going to stop worrying about what he thought and just be the person she was.

"I feel like it's all my fault," a tearful Cora told Ruth. "I wasn't all that excited about becoming a grandmother, and now Janice has had a miscarriage. They wanted this baby so much."

"That was just in the beginning, Cora. You haven't felt that way for a while now."

"But I was still so selfish."

Cora broke down then, and Ruth stayed close. She was in her friend's living room, hoping to find some way to offer comfort and support. But in the middle of Cora's words, Ruth thought about the different faces of grief. An unmet child, still taking form in its mother's body, was just as loved as the full-grown daughter she had lost.

223.

223.

Leonard came in from the garage just then. He had not heard the news. Ruth slipped away to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. She stood next to the stove, watching it brew up into the lid, and began to pray, tears unheeded on her cheeks.

If I didn't believe that You were in control of all, I don't know what I would do. I love You, Father. I love that You love us so completely and that You always know what's best. Cora needed to be more thankful-she knows that-but please comfort her, Lord. Help her in this grief. Help her to trust You for another day and another child.

Ruth cut off when she heard movement behind her. Leonard had come to the kitchen. He got mugs down from the cupboard and brought the cream from the refrigerator.

"This was kind of you, Ruth," he said simply, preparing a cup of coffee for his wife.

Ruth didn't comment, but Leonard still looked at her.

"You know all about grief, don't you?" he said.

Feeling helpless, Ruth shrugged a little.

"It doesn't matter, does it?" Leonard went on. "A tiny unborn person or a grown daughter-it's still so painful."

"I was just thinking that same thing."

Leonard smiled at her. "Join us with your cup, Ruth."

"Thank you, Leonard," she said, watching him head back to the living room. She did fix her own cup and returned to her friends, thankful to be there. When all three were settled in the living room, Leonard began to pray.

"What's the matter?" Max asked when Lorri suddenly grabbed her arm.

j 224.

"He's here!" Lorri said, her voice low, even though the service was over.

"Who's here?" Max said and then realized. "Where? Where is he?"

"Coming this way," Lorri got out just before Rigg slipped into the empty pew ahead of them, stayed standing, and greeted them.

"h.e.l.lo, Miss Archer."

"h.e.l.lo, Lieutenant. How are you?"

"I'm fine," Rigg answered, smiling and wondering how many times their conversations would start this way. His eyes darted to the younger woman beside Lorri, and Lorri caught it.

"This is my sister, Maxine. Max, this is Lieutenant Riggs."

Both women stood, and Max put her hand out to shake the lieutenant's.

"It's nice to meet you, Lieutenant."

"Do you prefer Max or Maxine?" Rigg asked, deciding to cut all formality.

"Max," that young woman told him, smiling at his relaxed manner.

"Max it is," Rigg said, thinking that she was as beautiful as her sister. "Are you by any chance still in high school?"

"I'm a senior."

"I have a brother who's a junior."

"Does he go to Harmony Hills?"

"No, most of my family lives up north in Santa Rosa."

Lorri hadn't known that and found herself listening closely. Max was relaxed with the lieutenant, and Lorri wished her heart was not pounding so hard, a pounding that only grew worse when she spotted her mother across the way. She knew what she must do and waited only for a lull in the conversation to do it.

"Lieutenant?" Lorri began.

225.

225.

Rigg turned to her immediately, almost as if he'd been waiting for her to address him.

"Yes."

"Would you mind terribly if I introduced my mother to you? I know she would wish to meet you."

"I would be happy to meet your mother," he said with all the kindness he could muster. She was looking very strained over the question-far worse than Friday sftern.o.bn-and he felt almost desperate to put her at ease.

"She's talking to someone right now, but maybe if you-" Lorri floundered to a halt.

"I'm in no hurry." Rigg understood the unspoken words. "I can wait as long as you like." : Lorri glanced over to find Max watching her. The younger girl gave her a sympathetic smile, and Lorri knew she looked as lost and fl.u.s.tered as she felt. She knew nothing but relief when Rigg began a conversation with Max again.

It took some minutes, but Ruth finally came their way. Many folks had cleared out, and Lorri was glad for that. Lorri watched as her mother approached and saw the very moment when she spotted the man in uniform. Her eyes darted to her daughter, who spoke right up.

"Mother, I want you to meet someone," Lorri began, letting her mother get a little closer. "Mother, this is Lieutenant Riggs, the gentleman who rescued me from the island. Lieutenant, this is my mother, Ruth Archer."