Page 54 of Into the Garden (Wildflowers 5)

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"Yes, we've been in touch with each other," I

admitted.

"I'm happy about that. I really do think you're

all good for each other. Please don't let too much time

go by before I hear from--you," she urged.

"I won't, Doctor Marlowe. Thank you for

calling," I said and hung up.

"Well?" Star asked.

"I don't know. She sounded like she believed

me. She wants me to convince Geraldine I should

return for a follow- up and call her soon."

Jade looked thoughtful.

"Cat could go back to see her, pretend she's

convinced her mother to let her go. Maybe that would

end it," she mused aloud.

"Too dangerous now," Star said. "You know

how smart Doctor Marlowe is. She'll take one look at

Cat and know everything. She's bound to ask difficult

questions."

"Maybe she won't call again," Misty hoped. "We'll stall as long as we can," Jade agreed, but

a dark cloud of concern had moved in over our

excitement, threatening to rain reality down on our

efforts to create an oasis of fantasy in this desert of

hard, sad times.

"I'm getting started on the redecorating," Misty

declared. "I refuse to let anything depress me." She attacked the project with her characteristic

explosion of energy. Before long, we were all

contributing in one way or another. Star and Jade

rearranged furniture in the living room while I

hobbled along beside Misty and helped her hang

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