44 Cranberry Point (20 page)

O
livia hung her robe in her chamber closet and collected her purse, preparing to leave the courthouse at the end of another long day. Couple after couple stood before her with their lives in shambles, eager to tear apart their homes, willing to destroy their children’s security. Each partner seemed intent on proving that he or she was perfectly capable of surviving without the other. There was so much anger and bitterness, so much false pride. Some days she found her task of deciding the fate of these families overwhelming.

She glanced at her watch as she headed toward the parking lot. She was meeting Grace for dinner that evening. It was the first time since Olivia’s marriage that Grace had asked to see her outside of their aerobics class on Wednesday night. They phoned each other fairly regularly and occasionally met at the Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings, but her marriage had changed their relationship. They were each discovering how to proceed under these new terms.

Olivia welcomed the opportunity to talk to her lifelong friend. There were things she wanted to discuss-things she
couldn’t really talk about with anyone else. And something in Grace’s voice told her she had concerns of her own.

Once in her car, she drove the short distance between the courthouse and The Lighthouse restaurant. Her daughter and son-in-law had done a marvelous job and she was proud of their success. Still, as a mother, Olivia worried. Justine was working too hard; she was a young wife and mother, in addition to managing the restaurant’s books and occasionally filling in as hostess.

As luck would have it, Justine was working that night. Her face brightened when she saw Olivia. “Hey, Mom,” she said with a quick hug. “It’s good to see you.”

There’d been a time in the not-so-distant past when their relationship had been strained. Justine had been seeing a much older man, and she’d felt defensive and angry at the world. Olivia had wanted so much more for her. She knew that, in some ways, Justine was still grieving over the death of her twin-Jordan had died in a tragic accident at the age of 13. But Justine had finally come to a more peaceful acceptance. Olivia felt that was because of Seth. In fact, everything had changed when Justine fell in love with Seth Gunderson.

“Where’s Jack?” Justine asked, looking past Olivia.

“The office, where else?” Jack worked far too many hours, but nothing Olivia said convinced him to delegate some of his tasks. He was involved in every aspect of the newspaper and loved his job. Now that
The Chronicle
had gone to five editions a week, his hours were even worse than they’d been before their marriage. They’d argued about it repeatedly, but Olivia supposed she might as well get used to having a part-time husband. Jack had promised this wouldn’t last much longer, but she suspected nothing was going to change until he retired.
If
then…

Justine seated her at a window table, then returned to the front of the restaurant and talked to one of the waitresses. It was still early in the evening and the restaurant was only about a third full. As soon as she had someone to cover for her, she walked back to Olivia’s table.

“Got a moment?” she asked.

“Of course.” Grace wouldn’t arrive for at least ten min-utes.

Her daughter pulled out the chair across from her. “How are things with Grandma?” she asked.

Olivia sighed and wondered how much of the story her daughter knew. Probably all of it. “We’re talking again.”

Justine smiled, obviously relieved. “Grandma’s going to marry Ben, you know?”

Olivia was well aware of that. “She sent me a letter.” It hurt that her own mother had written instead of telling her face-to-face. “I didn’t mean to hurt her,” she admitted. “Will and I had Ben investigated for her own protection, but our concern backfired.”

“I know.” At least Justine sounded sympathetic.

“Mom was upset about our lack of faith in her,” Olivia said. She must have known instinctively how her mother would feel because she’d found it necessary to hide their inquiries from Charlotte.

“What else did she say in her letter?”

“She said everyone deserves to be happy, regardless of age, and reminded me how pleased she was when I married Jack.”

“She’s right, you know,” Justine murmured.

“Of course she is.” Olivia had no disagreement with that. “She wants Will and me to treat Ben fairly and with respect. The same goes for his sons, of course.” She frowned. “I don’t think she’s met them, though, at least not yet.” With a quick shrug, she added, “Naturally I intend to respect Mom’s
wishes. It’s been a bit difficult, thinking of my mother with another man, but it’s her life and I want her to be happy.”

Justine agreed. “I never said anything when you decided to marry Jack,” her daughter said softly. “But deep down, I wanted you and Dad to get back together. I knew it would never work, but the little-girl part of me wanted my parents to love each other again.”

Olivia was shocked to see tears in her daughter’s eyes. Justine blinked furiously, as though embarrassed. “I still think about Jordan,” she whispered.

“So do I.”

Justine nodded. “Do you remember what day it is?”

Olivia realized with a jolt that she’d been so preoccupied with what was happening in her own life she’d let the date slip. On this day, August tenth, eighteen years ago, her son had drowned. Her entire life and those of her two surviving children had been divided by that date. The time before Jordan’s death and the time after.

Wiping the tears from her face, Justine forced a smile. “I didn’t mean to get all maudlin. Let’s get back to Grandma, before we both dissolve.”

Olivia agreed and swallowed past the lump in her throat. “I stopped at Mom’s house earlier in the week and we hugged for the first time since she found out, and she forgave me. I’m sure she’ll tell you herself, but they’ve set the date for their wedding.”

Justine grinned sheepishly. “I know all about that. Grandma came in earlier today and booked the restaurant for the reception. She talked to Uncle Will, and he said he’s coming out for the wedding.”

Olivia was glad to know that, because she wanted to give Grace ample warning. When Will arrived, Olivia planned to have a long talk with her brother about his Internet relationship
with her best friend. He’d taken advantage of Grace and betrayed his wife, Georgia. Olivia was furious whenever she thought about it.

“Hi, you two,” Grace said, coming toward them. “Am I interrupting anything?”

“No, no,” Justine said, rising gracefully from the chair. “I was keeping Mom company until you got here.” She looked at Olivia, winked and was on her way.

Funny how just a few minutes with her daughter could mean so much. Olivia felt close to Justine and to her son James, too, and considered herself fortunate to have such wonderful children.

“Sorry I’m late,” Grace said as she sat down across from Olivia. “It took forever to finish up at the library.”

“Don’t worry about it. Justine and I had a chance to talk and we don’t get to do that nearly often enough.”

“I know how she feels,” Grace muttered. “You and I have barely any time together these days.”

“I’m sorry,” Olivia told her friend, and she was sincere. She
had
been neglecting their friendship, but was determined not to let that continue. “How’s your week been?”

Grace shrugged noncommitally. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. What about you?”

Olivia smiled. “The same. Jack and I are still adjusting to living together, which hasn’t been as easy as I’d hoped, but you know most of that.” She’d complained often enough during their aerobic workouts on Wednesday nights. “Mom and I are talking now and she’s forgiven me. Oh, and before I forget, Will’s coming out for the wedding.”

Grace paled visibly but didn’t comment.

“Now, what’s new with you?” Olivia asked.

To her surprise, Grace grabbed a tissue from her purse. “I have something to tell you, but I’ll probably cry.”

Olivia was aghast. “What is it?”

“Last week I got a letter from Mike Sherman, Dan’s cousin in Oregon.” She paused a moment to collect herself before continuing. “He wrote after Dan’s death and we’ve talked a couple of times since, but this came out of the blue.”

“What did?”

Grace nervously folded the edges of the linen napkin. “Mike really feels bad about this, but he thought it was time I knew that Dan borrowed thirteen thousand dollars from him. Apparently he asked for the loan a year or so before he vanished. Mike didn’t want to say anything after Dan disappeared.”

“Oh, no-he wants the money back now?”

Grace nodded. “He hated to ask, but he provided the paperwork and sure enough, that’s Dan’s signature on the promissory note. Mike said it’s been over four years and he needs the money. He seems to think I got some life insurance settlement after Dan’s body was discovered.”

Olivia knew she hadn’t. Her opinion of Grace’s dead husband had never been high but she considered the fact that he’d burdened Grace with this loan unforgivable. Especially since Dan had to know that Grace wouldn’t be able to collect on his life insurance if he committed suicide. Furthermore, the trailer he’d purchased with that money-the trailer he’d killed himself in-was a total loss.

“What are you going to do?”

Grace wadded the tissue in her hand. “What else can I do? I’m refinancing the house and paying him back the money, plus interest. It isn’t Mike’s fault that Dan chose to end his life.”

“Aren’t you going to tell him you didn’t get any insurance money?”

“No.” She shook her head. “It would only make him feel
worse about asking for the money back, and he doesn’t deserve that. Frankly I’m grateful he waited as long as he did. If he’d hit me with this any sooner, I don’t know how I would’ve dealt with it.”

“What’s that going to do to your finances?” Olivia knew things were already tight.

“I’ll survive. I’ve made it through worse times than this.”

“I know. Did you tell Sheriff Davis and Roy?”

“Roy said it was another piece of the puzzle falling into place,” Grace told her. “He was the one who originally found out about the trailer. We always wondered where Dan got the money…”

Olivia was proud of Grace for taking this latest blow in stride and refusing to let circumstances overwhelm her. She was about to say that when Grace changed the subject.

“On a brighter note,” she said with a big smile, “I heard from Cliff.”

“You did?” Olivia knew her friend had made a concerted effort to win back the rancher.

Grace almost squirmed in her chair with excitement. “I have to tell you I’d nearly given up hope.”

Olivia leaned toward her. “Well, don’t keep me in suspense. Tell me what happened!”

“I drove out to his ranch with a batch of chocolate chip cookies ten days ago.”

Olivia nodded approvingly. “And?”

“I wanted to weep with frustration when he wasn’t home, but I talked to Cal and he was so encouraging. I like him a lot. He said he’d make sure Cliff knew I’d stopped by.”

“I like Cal, too.” Olivia had only met the trainer once and briefly, but she’d taken an instant liking to him. Although he was quiet, even solemn, she sensed a deep reserve of strength and character.

“Did Cliff call you?” Olivia leaned closer, eager to hear the details.

“No…actually I haven’t talked to him yet.” But Grace showed no sign of being discouraged. “I received an e-mail.”

“What did he say?”

The waitress stepped up to the table, and Olivia realized they’d been so intent on their conversation they hadn’t given any thought to food or drink. The young woman took their order for wine spritzers and left.

“Well?” Olivia pressed.

“Cliff thanked me for the cookies. He was very polite and he didn’t write anything else, but, Olivia, I feel like there’s a crack in this wall he’s erected between us. He can’t ignore me anymore. I won’t let him.”

“That’s great!”

“I’m not fooling myself. I have a long way to go, but that one message cheered me so much I’ve been walking on air ever since.”

“Have you sent him other messages?”

Grace nodded. “Every evening. I mail a card twice a week but Cal told me Cliff’s started collecting the mail himself. When I don’t send a card, I write an e-mail. He hasn’t blocked my name, so I know he’s getting those messages, too.”

Olivia reached for her menu. For the first time in months, she had the feeling that everything was going to work out between Grace and Cliff Harding.

M
aryellen tucked the latest photograph of Katie into a business-size envelope, along with a short note to Jon’s parents. She left it unaddressed and slipped the envelope in with the rest of the mail she planned to drop off at the post office Monday morning. She’d fill in the necessary information later rather than risk having Jon find an envelope with his parents’ address.

He’d been gone since early morning, and Katie was napping. Maryellen rarely had uninterrupted time these days and she relished these private moments. She was pregnant again, although she hadn’t said anything to Jon. All in due time. She wanted the situation to be perfect when she told him.

The front door opened and Maryellen walked out of the bedroom and looked over the upstairs railing. Jon was home earlier than she’d expected. He’d slipped out of the house before dawn for a day trip to the Olympic rain forest.

“Jon.” She didn’t bother to disguise her delight at having him home. When he’d left, he’d kissed her goodbye and whispered that he didn’t know when he’d return.

Now, seeing her upstairs, he smiled, set aside his camera
equipment and hurried up the stairs, his energy undiminished despite his long day.

Maryellen met him at the top of the staircase and he threw his arms around her waist. “Where’s Katie?”

“Asleep.”

He wore that special smile of his. The one that told her he’d had a good reason for rushing home. “When did you put her to bed?”

Maryellen gave a coy shrug. “About half an hour ago. What do you have in mind?”

Jon’s throaty chuckle sent shivers of excitement down her spine. “First things first. A shower, followed by something to eat and then…” He hesitated, still smiling, and brought her close. “On second thought, I’m not that hungry.”

“Oh, honestly,” she chided, but she relished his strong sexual appetite.

“Want to take a shower with me?” he whispered.

“Not now. You go, and I’ll put together a couple of sandwiches. I wouldn’t want you to faint from hunger.”

He nuzzled the side of her neck. He held and touched her often. After so many years of living alone and avoiding relationships, Maryellen hadn’t been entirely comfortable with his need for frequent physical contact. But the longer they were together, the more accustomed she became to his caresses-and the more she craved them.

“How did your day go?” he asked as he headed into the bedroom, still holding her by the hand.

“Actually it was pretty quiet. Katie and I spent some time outside and then I paid a few bills.” For obvious reasons she didn’t mention she’d also written a letter. “Did you get the photographs you wanted?”

Jon pulled her into the room with him. “I got several that should work, but the whole time I was trudging through the
forest I kept thinking how much more enjoyable it would be if you and Katie were there, too.” He released her hand, then sat on the edge of the bed to remove his shoes.

“I’ve got leftover meat loaf,” she said.

Jon looked up at her blankly.

“For your sandwiches.”

“Sure, whatever.”

Maryellen grinned.

“What’s so funny?” he growled, jumping up and catching her around the waist again. He brought her down onto the bed with him and rolled over, trapping her beneath him. He ran his fingers through her hair and his eyes softened as he gazed down at her.

In that moment, she felt his love so strongly she wanted to weep. Pregnancy made her overemotional; she remembered that from before.

Sliding her arms around her husband’s neck, Maryellen drew his mouth down to hers. Their kisses were slow and tender. After Katie’s birth-when Maryellen realized how much she’d come to love Jon-he’d refused to make love to her. Those months had been agonizing, but now it seemed there was no satisfying him-or her.

“Come into the shower with me,” he said between tantalizing kisses.

“It’s the middle of the afternoon.”

“So?”

“Jon…” Her protests were growing weaker by the moment.

“All right, all right…I’ll take my shower.” He stood up and walked into the bathroom, shedding clothes as he did. The haze of desire didn’t dissipate immediately. Maryellen got slowly off the bed and went downstairs. Times like this reminded her how fortunate she was to be loved by Jon Bowman.

She’d just finished making the meat loaf sandwiches when Jon skipped down the stairs, his shirt unbuttoned and his hair still wet from the shower. She froze when she saw that he was carrying the envelopes she’d left upstairs. Watching him carefully, she hoped he’d set them on the edge of the counter, where they usually put the mail, and leave it at that.

Her heart nearly stopped when the envelopes slipped from his hand and scattered across the floor. They both leaned down to retrieve them.

“I’ll get these. Your lunch is ready,” she said, hoping to distract him.

It didn’t work. “Who’s the letter to?” He straightened and held the unaddressed stamped envelope in his hand.

“A friend.”

He stared at it for several seconds, frowning.

“Do you want your lunch or not?”

He ignored her question. “What friend?”

“No one important,” she said, trying to squelch her panic.

“Maryellen, what friend?” he asked. “You look like a cat with feathers in your mouth. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“What’s the big deal? Just someone who stopped by the gallery recently.”

He studied her, eyes narrowed. “Do you mind if I take a look?” She knew he probably suspected another man; the truth was even worse.

She pressed her back against the counter, feeling her pulse hammer in her neck. She couldn’t answer him.

“Maryellen?”

She turned away. “It’s to your parents.”

“What?” he exploded.

“Don’t be angry,” she pleaded, her eyes closed.

He was silent for so long she couldn’t bear not knowing his thoughts. Tentatively she turned around, biting her lower lip, afraid her deception was about to destroy her happiness.

“What have you done?”

“I-”

“Is this the first time?”

She shook her head.

He groaned with frustration. “I told you how I felt about my family.”

“I know…”

He clenched his fists. “And you decided you knew better? You felt it was your duty to go against my wishes?”

“I-”

“How did you know where to reach them?”

Maryellen took a calming breath. “I found their letters.”

“Didn’t I ask you to throw them out?”

“Yes-and I did.” But until then, he’d kept the letters and that told her he still felt an attachment to his family.

“My father chose to offer me up as a sacrificial lamb. He betrayed me.”

“He’s so sorry, Jon. If only you’d talk to him, you’d see for yourself.”

“Talk to him?” he shot back at her. “
Talk to him!
I spent seven years in hell because of my so-called father. I’ll rot before I say one word to him again.”

“You don’t mean that! You can’t have that much hatred in you.”

“Obviously you don’t know me as well as you think.” He whirled around and dashed up the stairs.

Maryellen couldn’t leave things as they were. She raced after him. “Please listen,” she begged. “Your father isn’t well. He’s aged and he’s frail and-”

Jon sat on the bed and jerked on his shoes. At her words, he grew still. “You’ve seen him?”

This was possibly a worse offense. She clasped her hands behind her and nodded. “They came into the gallery…I didn’t know who they were but your father wrote me afterward and asked me to act as a mediator between you.”

“What did you tell him?” he demanded.

“I said no-all I did was mail them a letter to let them know about Katie and me and-”

“That’s bad enough.” He stood and brushed past her.

“Where are you going?”

Already halfway down the stairs, he glanced over his shoulder. “It seems I can’t trust you, Maryellen.”

“Can’t we talk? Please don’t do this.”

Jon paused at the foot of the stairs. “There’s nothing to talk about. I need time to think.”

With that, he slammed out the door.

Brokenhearted, Maryellen slumped to the floor on her knees and hid her face in her hands. If Jon couldn’t forgive his parents, it was unlikely he’d forgive her, either.