Dearest Beth....I wish I were there to hug you. As I was pondering your post, I came across this rather insightful post which I consider somewhat responsive to the questions you're asking...it's funny how we always get the answer to the next question we're posing to Life. It's almost as though our very asking was in response to our Inner Being seeing that we are ready to hear/see the next piece of the puzzle.
"LOA is not something One can use to 'make' someone do what they choose not to. It is about attracting what One desires to Oneself. If this other person makes the same choice, it can work out. Yet, we have free will, therefore, we can ask for a person to come into our life that is for our highest good. Just not claim it to be a specific person, because they may not be for the highest good."