“I always wanted to be the perfect wife and mother,” she whispered, saddened by the memory of her failings.
Zach kissed the top of her head. “I know.”
“Then I got so caught up in everything, I wasn’t any kind of mother at all.”
“Hey, I’m not going to listen to you beat yourself up,” Zach said. “Especially when I was doing plenty wrong myself.”
His hold on her tightened slightly. “You didn’t wreck our marriage single-handedly, Rosie. I let my ego replace common sense. You were right about Janice Lamond, but I was too blind to see what she was doing.”
“I was so jealous,” Rosie confessed.
“So was I, especially when you started dating that widower.”
She didn’t know Zach had been jealous. The warm glow it gave her was childish, but she basked in the feeling, anyway. “Like I told you, we only went out that once.”
“I thought it was much more, and it confused the hell out of me.” He laughed softly and continued to stroke her back. “We were supposed to be divorced, and yet the thought of you going out with another man had me seeing red.”
Rosie loved it. “Well, you can imagine how I felt when we were married and I thought you were involved with another woman. Jealous doesn’t even begin to describe it.”
“It’s not going to happen again,” he promised her.
“I won’t get caught up in volunteering again, either,” she said. “Maybe the occasional short-term thing, but that’s it. I know how to set boundaries now.” She took a deep breath. “I’ve also discovered that I like teaching—I’d forgotten how much. The hours are great with the kids’ schedules, and when I return at the end of the day, I appreciate my home and family.”
“I’ll help around the house more,” he vowed.
“Good.” That had been another of their problems. Because she was supposed to be a stay-at-home mother, Zach—and the children, too—had come to rely on her to do everything, to fulfill every need, to be the perfect housekeeper, cook, fixer, scheduler, chauffeur and hostess. To be responsible for everything on the domestic front, in other words.
“I can make dinner two nights a week,” Zach told her. “I’ve learned a lot from the cooking channel.”
“I can handle getting dinner ready another three,” she said. Now that Rosie had more time, she’d found out she actually enjoyed cooking.
“Allison’s learned a thing or two about helping out in the kitchen,” Zach said. “I think she’d like being in charge of one dinner a week.”
“That leaves us with only one night open,” she said, thinking that perhaps they could trade off on it.
“One night a week for you and me to go on a date,” Zach said firmly.
“A date?”
“Time for us to be together, Rosie. Just you and me. Do you realize we lived in the same house and barely spoke? We talked, but we were both too busy and too distracted to really listen to each other. You’re my best friend, and I’ve missed you and missed having you in my life. I believe that not spending time with each other is what got us into trouble.”
Perhaps he was right. Perhaps that was one of the reasons their marriage had fallen apart. With Zach spending long hours at the office and her filling every spare minute with charity projects and volunteer positions, they’d lost their focus. They’d forgotten about each other; everything else had come first.
Raising herself onto one elbow, she kissed his jaw. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”
“You have,” Zach whispered. “Oh, Rosie, Rosie, it feels so good to have you in my arms again.”
“The kids want us to remarry,” she said.
Until then, neither Zach nor Rosie had said it aloud.
“I know.” She heard the hesitation in his voice. “How do you feel about it?”
Rosie nestled closer to him. “Excited…and a little afraid.”
“Me, too,” he said quietly.
They’d both said and done things that burdened the future. Could they maintain this new resolve, continue to nurture their relationship and each other?
“We need to be very sure, Zach.”
“I agree. When we do remarry, and I believe we will,” he said, kissing her again, “it has to be forever, with one hundred percent total commitment from each of us.” Zach met her eyes, a look of intensity in his. “We’ve opened that door marked Divorce and walked through it once.”
She nodded.
“It could easily become a swinging door. With every argument, every disagreement, we can decide we made an even bigger mistake by remarrying. We can turn what seems so right and good now into a living nightmare.”
Rosie understood what he was saying. “In other words, if we decide to remarry, that’s it. There’s no going back again. Ever.”
“It’s all or nothing,” he said fervently.
Rosie didn’t hesitate. She knew what she wanted and that was this man, her husband and lover, back in her life forever. “All or nothing,” she repeated. “I want it all.”
“Then, will you marry me, Rosie? In sickness and in health, till death do us part?”
“I will,” she whispered. “What are we going to tell people?” she asked after a pause.
Zach chuckled. “We’ll tell them the truth.”
“Which is?”
“The divorce just didn’t work out.”
“You’re a beautiful bride.” Grace wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.
Olivia turned away from the full-length mirror on the back of her bedroom door. She wore a new peach-colored suit, tailored and elegant, and carried a bouquet of pink rosebuds.
Grace sat on the bed studying her. James and Justine would arrive soon and together they’d escort her to the waterfront park where Jack, his family and Charlotte waited.
“Will Jack think so?” Olivia asked, knowing how insecure she sounded. After all these years of living as a single woman, she’d never expected to fall in love again, in love to the point that she was willing to share her home and her life with another man. Until Jack Griffin had come along…
“I think it’s so touching that Jack asked Pastor Flemming to perform the ceremony,” Grace said, digging for a tissue in the bottom of her purse. “I just know I’m going to ruin everything and cry through the entire thing.”
“You won’t,” Olivia assured her, although she wasn’t nearly as confident about herself. Every time she thought of Jack and how much she loved him, she felt like weeping with joy.
“Oh, Mom!” Justine said, dashing into the bedroom. She brought her hands together in a gesture of reverence. “You look absolutely gorgeous.”
Olivia blushed, then kissed her daughter on the cheek. “Thank you, sweetheart.”
“Are you ready?” Justine asked. “The limo’s arrived.”
Olivia looked at Grace, and her best friend threw her a bright smile and a thumb’s-up. Exhaling unsteadily, Olivia whispered, “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“James was over at Jack’s place, and he’s a nervous wreck,” Justine informed her as they walked out to the car.
“Jack?” A few hours earlier, he’d sounded completely under control.
“Eric, Shelly and the boys got here,” Justine went on to explain, “and pandemonium broke out. One of the babies spit up on Jack’s tuxedo. Eric came unglued, but then Shelly calmly cleaned it off.”
“So everything’s right with the world once more,” Olivia murmured. It’d been crazy at her house, too. Seth had picked up James, Selina and Isabella at the Seattle airport, and within an hour of their arrival, Selina had announced she was pregnant again. That was when the celebrating had begun.
“Your coach awaits you,” Justine said with a little bow as they reached the sidewalk.
And she did feel a bit like Cinderella going to the ball. Today marked one of the most significant changes in her life. It was only a matter of weeks since she and Jack had made the decision to marry, but neither was content to delay the weddi
ng. They wanted to be together.
The liveried driver stood outside the limousine, ready to help everyone inside.
“I hope to do something like this for Maryellen and Jon,” Grace said as she stepped into the car with Olivia.
“Have they set the date yet?”
Grace nodded. “The first Saturday in June.”
“Wonderful,” Olivia said. Weddings seemed to be in the air. Grace’s daughter and Jon Bowman had decided to marry; Olivia knew Grace was both delighted and relieved that Katie’s mother and father would soon be united.
“Another Saturday you’ll have to give up your stint at the Humane Society,” Olivia teased, knowing how much Grace enjoyed her volunteer work with the agency.
Jon and Maryellen’s engagement wasn’t the only news of a wedding that had reached Olivia. The controversial divorce decree she’d made last year, which had caused such a stir at the courthouse, had turned out rather well. She’d heard from Otto Benson, one of the attorneys involved in the case, that the Coxes were planning to remarry. Olivia was pleased, and wished the couple well. Everything at 311 Pelican Court seemed to be in good shape—a refreshing change.
As the limousine made its way down Lighthouse Road, Olivia looked out the side window at the cove. She loved this beautiful place, this town that was home. She glanced at Grace and smiled. Her friend was adjusting to life as a widow. Maneuvering in unfamiliar territory was never easy; Grace was bound to take a few wrong steps, but Olivia felt confident that all was well at 204 Rosewood Lane, especially now that Grace had found a cause to support. Olivia still hoped Cliff would reappear in Grace’s life, but only time would tell.
The limo pulled into the parking lot at the waterfront park. The driver rushed around and opened the door for Olivia, then offered her his hand, helping her out.
It couldn’t have been a more perfect day for a wedding. A day of bright sun and fresh spring breezes. The sparkling blue water of the cove sent shafts of reflected sunlight toward the gazebo where Jack stood waiting. Roses, lilies, irises and a dozen other flowers filled huge white baskets, carefully arranged to create a border around the white-painted gazebo.
Her mother was with her friend, Ben Rhodes. Ever since her arrest, Charlotte had been unusually quiet. Olivia was convinced this newfound respect for the law would be short-lived, however. When Charlotte wanted something badly enough, she generally found a way to get it.
Olivia blamed Ben Rhodes for the fact that she’d had to bail her own mother out of the county jail. She was determined to keep a careful eye on him. Olivia wasn’t sure the elderly gentleman was a good influence on her mother. Nor did she think it was such a good idea for the two of them to be spending so much time together. She intended to learn what she could about Ben Rhodes.
Jack stepped forward and took Olivia’s hand. “I don’t know what I ever did that persuaded you to marry me,” he said as he bent close to kiss her cheek, “but whatever it was, I can only say I’m grateful.”
“Oh, Jack, that’s so sweet.”
He grinned and glanced sheepishly at his best man, Bob Beldon. “Bob suggested I say that.”
Olivia rolled her eyes. She should have known. Jack was no romantic, but he made up for his lack of finesse in a dozen wonderful ways. She was pleased to see Bob and his wife, Peggy. She didn’t know them well, but since Bob was Jack’s best friend, she assumed they’d be seeing more of the couple who owned the local B and B.
There’d been some concern about Bob, she remembered, something to do with that dead guy. Jack had been rather vague about it, and for a time he’d seemed uncertain whether his friend would be available for the ceremony. Apparently whatever it was had been resolved, although from the barely restrained tension she felt in the other man, Olivia wondered. Things didn’t seem to be quite as they should at 44 Cranberry Point.
The guests gathered in a close circle around Olivia and Jack. Pastor Flemming opened his Bible and smiled up at the two of them.
“Dearly beloved,” he began.
Jack squeezed Olivia’s hand, and she returned the gesture. Jack Griffin, newsman and recovering alcoholic, was indeed her beloved, and she was his. Like so many before him, Jack had found new life and purpose in Cedar Cove. She smiled up at this man who would soon be her husband. They were the keepers of each other’s secrets…and of each other’s heart.
DEBBIE MACOMBER
44 Cranberry Point
To Leslee Borger and
her incredible mother, Ruth Koelzer
Contents
Cast of Characters
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
Chapter Fifty
Chapter Fifty-One
Chapter Fifty-Two
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Some of the Residents of Cedar Cove, Washington
Olivia Lockhart Griffin: Divorced from Stan Lockhart. Now married to Jack Griffin. Family court judge in Cedar Cove. Mother of Justine and James. Lives at 16 Lighthouse Road.
Charlotte Jefferson: Mother of Olivia, widow, lifelong resident of Cedar Cove.
Justine (Lockhart) Gunderson: Daughter of Olivia, married to Seth, mother of Leif.
Seth Gunderson: Justine’s husband. Co-owner, with Justine, of The Lighthouse Restaurant.
James Lockhart: Olivia’s son and Justine’s younger brother. In the navy. Lives in San Diego with wife, Selina, and daughter, Isabella.
Stanley Lockhart: Olivia’s ex-husband and father of James and Justine. Now lives in Seattle and divorced from his second wife.
Will Jefferson: Olivia’s brother, Charlotte’s son. Married and lives in Atlanta.
Grace Sherman: Olivia’s best friend. Librarian. Widow. Mother of Maryellen and Kelly. Lives at 204 Rosewood Lane.
Dan Sherman: Grace’s dead husband.
Maryellen Sherman: Oldest daughter of Grace and Dan. Mother of Katie.
Kelly Jordan: Maryellen’s sister, married to Paul, mother of Tyler.
Jon Bowman: Photographer, chef and father of Katie. Engaged to Maryellen.
Jack Griffin: Newspaper reporter and editor of The Cedar Cove Chronicle. Recovering alcoholic, married to Olivia Lockhart. Father of Eric, who lives in Nevada with his wife, Shelly, and their twin boys.
Zachary Cox: Accountant, remarried to Rosie. Father of Allison and Eddie Cox. Lives at 311 Pelican Court.
Cliff Harding: Retired engineer and now horse breeder living near Cedar Cove. Divorced father of Lisa, who lives in Maryland. He
has an on-and-off relationship with Grace Sherman.
Cecilia Randall: Navy wife, living near Cedar Cove. Accountant. Married to Ian Randall, submariner. Lost a baby, Allison.
Bob and Peggy Beldon: Retired. Own the Thyme and Tide Bed and Breakfast at 44 Cranberry Point. Have two adult children.
Roy McAfee: Private detective, retired from Seattle police force. Two adult children. The McAfees live at 5 Harbor Street.
Corrie McAfee: Roy’s wife and office manager.
Troy Davis: Cedar Cove sheriff.
Pastor Fleming: Local Methodist minister.
Ben Rhodes: Retired naval officer. Member of the Senior Center. Involved with Charlotte Jefferson.
One
Peggy Beldon walked into her newly planted garden, taking real pleasure in the sights and smells that surrounded her. This was her private place, her one true source of serenity. The fresh briny scent of the water off Puget Sound drifted toward her as she watched the Washington State ferry glide from Bremerton toward Seattle on its sixty-minute journey. This was a typical May afternoon in Cedar Cove—comfortably warm with just a hint of a breeze.
Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove Series Page 94
