Ultimate Cedar Cove Collection (Books 1-12 & 2 Novellas). Debbie Macomber

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СКАЧАТЬ blazed from the front windows, spilling warmth onto the porch. His heart swelled as he anticipated her opening the door, imagining her smile, her kiss….

      Jack parked and hurried up the steps to her door. He leaned against the doorjamb, struck what he hoped was a sexy pose and rang the bell.

      Only a few seconds passed before the door opened—and Jack came eye to eye with Stan Lockhart, Olivia’s ex-husband. Jack immediately straightened. He’d met Stan last May and had disliked him on sight. From the look the other man gave him now, the feeling was mutual.

      “Who is it?” Olivia called from some distance away. She was probably in the kitchen. Music from Credence Clearwater Revival played in the background.

      “Your boyfriend’s here,” Stan shouted over his shoulder.

      Jack noticed that he was left to wait on the porch until Olivia arrived. The instant she got there, she threw open the door and greeted him effusively. Grabbing his hands, she pulled him into the house.

      “I didn’t mean to interrupt your party,” he said, feeling like an intruder. He noticed she wore the bracelet he’d given her and that helped ease his mind.

      “You’re not,” she insisted, wrapping her arm around his. “You’ve met my brother, Will.”

      Jack awkwardly nodded in Will’s direction.

      “And of course you know Stan.”

      Again the brief nod.

      “We’re celebrating Mom’s release from the hospital. She’s doing really well, better than anyone expected. She’ll be coming home in the morning! The doctors assured us they got all the cancer, which is a huge relief. She’s still going to have some precautionary chemotherapy, but everything looks very hopeful.”

      “That is good news,” Jack said. His eyes narrowed slightly as he focused his attention on Stan.

      “Stan and I are old friends,” Will explained. “This was the only time we could all get together before I fly back to Atlanta.”

      Jack appreciated the explanation. “I won’t keep you,” he said. “I just stopped by on the spur of the moment to see how Charlotte’s doing.”

      “Please stay,” Olivia urged.

      He shook his head, invented an excuse and left as soon as he could. Olivia walked him out to his car but not before he saw Stan watching her. A chill went through Jack, leaving him as cold as ice. In that split second, Jack had read the other man’s look.

      Stan Lockhart was in love with Olivia and he wanted her back.

      * * *

      Grace grabbed her workout clothes and headed for the YWCA for her regular Wednesday-night class. Because of Charlotte’s surgery, Olivia had skipped the last two weeks, but she’d promised to show up tonight. Charlotte had been out of the hospital for a couple of days but she’d been staying at Olivia’s; she’d be moving home on Friday. Grace was anxious to see her friend. They’d spoken earlier in the day and Olivia had sounded short-tempered, which was unlike her. Obviously something upsetting had happened, but Olivia hadn’t had time to explain. Grace just hoped it wasn’t anything affecting Charlotte.

      She waited in the parking lot, leaning against her car, until Olivia parked in the space next to hers. Her friend climbed out of her own car and jerked her gym bag off the front seat.

      “What happened?” Grace asked.

      “Jack and I got into it earlier today,” she muttered.

      “You and Jack? But I thought—”

      “You thought wrong,” she said. “I tried to reason with him, but it was impossible.” Her face reddened.

      “So what happened? What was the argument about?”

      “He called me first thing this morning, and you wouldn’t believe what he said to me.”

      Grace practically had to run in order to keep up with her as they started toward the gym. “What did he say?”

      “He’s jealous of Stan. Good grief, Stan and I have been divorced for sixteen years! He’s been married to Marge almost that long. But that’s not the half of it.” Venting her frustration, she shoved open the gym door. Stopping abruptly, she crossed her arms. “Enough! I can’t talk about it anymore. Every time I do, I get more upset.”

      As always, the gym was bustling with all kinds of activities. Weaving through the crowded entry, Grace followed Olivia into the locker room, where they began to change into their workout clothes. Grace sat on the bench and put on her tennis shoes.

      Olivia yanked off her sweater and slacks; she wore her leotard and tights underneath. She adjusted the tights, snapping the waistband viciously. Grace cringed. Then Olivia pulled on her sweatband, disarranging her hair.

      “How are Justine and Seth doing?” Grace asked, broaching a new subject. She didn’t know what else Jack had said, but it must’ve been a hell of a fight.

      Olivia sagged onto the bench. “Poor Justine is worrying herself sick about this restaurant. She’s working too hard, and the only person she’ll listen to is Seth. I’m absolutely delighted that she’s pregnant, but I do think they might have waited a few months.”

      Grace understood Olivia’s concern. They hadn’t been married long but they’d already started on their family and a new business. To complicate their lives, Justine continued to work at the bank and, as far as Grace knew, Seth was still employed at the marina. In addition, they were having extensive remodeling done at the restaurant. Between getting bids and working with contractors, the young couple was run ragged.

      “Your mother’s doing okay?” Grace asked next.

      Olivia nodded. “Mom’s weak and she sleeps quite a bit, but she’s doing remarkably well.”

      Grace was relieved to hear that.

      Olivia glanced at her and then said, “Cliff sent the most beautiful floral arrangement. He really is very thoughtful.”

      Grace didn’t want to talk about Cliff Harding. She hadn’t seen him since the Saturday they were interrupted by Kelly. Her daughter had been rude and unfriendly and Grace was embarrassed by the way Kelly had treated him. Cliff had returned later that afternoon, but the mood was broken. She’d wanted to apologize, tell him how much she regretted Kelly’s intrusion. She’d let it slide, just as she’d allowed so many things to slide during her marriage. Cliff hadn’t brought up the subject, either, and now it hung between them like an argument they hadn’t resolved.

      “When’s Will flying out?”

      “He left this afternoon. I’m going to miss him.” Olivia gave a deep sigh. “Despite the circumstances, this was a good trip. It’s been a long time since the two of us had a chance to visit.”

      “Maybe he’ll consider vacationing here more often,” Grace said.

      “I hope he does. Will’s a wonderful man.”

      “I think so, too.”

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