Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica's hands were full, making conversation impossible.

But Herbert could already guess what she wanted to say.

"Wondering why I'm here?" he asked with a half-smile.

Jessica nodded.

"I came to visit my grandfather's grave, and thought I'd stop by your grandmother's too. I can't even count how many meals she made for me when I was a kid."

Of course, the real reason was to keep Jessica company.

He knew today was the Thanksgiving Day, and Jessica would be here to pay respects to her grandmother and mother.

Herbert reached out, taking the offerings and flowers from Jessica's arms. “Let's do this together."

He loaded the items into the trunk, then opened the car door for her.

Once they were inside, Jessica began sharing her morning's speech therapy practice. She admitted it was still tough—even the simplest sounds wouldn't come out right.

have healed much more than before, which is why you're suddenly making some

was a ray of hope she hadn't seen in years. If her body was healing on its own, maybe her chances of speaking again were much higher

into

would have to take his

car all the way to the

out and walked together

hesitated, debating whether to call President Lawson. But he'd been told simply to pick up Mrs. Lawson and bring her home-nothing more. If he reported that she was visiting the cemetery with another man, President Lawson would probably lose his temper. That would only make work harder for everyone. No need to make trouble for himself, Allen

Jessica finished paying their respects, Secretary Allen hurried over

me to drive you back to Riverside City as

signed, **Tell him I'm not

frowned, helpless. "Mrs. Lawson, I don't understand

smoothly. "She says to tell President Lawson she won't be coming back

and steered her toward his car, holding the

caught up, his tone urgent. "Mrs. Lawson, President Lawson was

harder for him. She took out her phone and sent