Ultimate Cedar Cove Collection. Debbie Macomber
a catchy tune, let himself out of the house.
“Mother,” her daughter said, arms folded. “I’m shocked.” Her delight was unmistakable.
“Don’t act so amused. I’m not as old as you think.”
“I know that,” Justine assured her, “but I wasn’t sure you were aware of it.”
Olivia stood on feet that felt a little unsteady. Jack’s kiss had shaken her more than she cared to admit. She walked over to the coffeepot and refilled her cup, then automatically poured one for her daughter. What had prompted this visit, Olivia couldn’t even guess.
“So how long have you and Jack been involved?”
“We’re not.”
“He was at the house when you returned from California, remember?” Justine reminded her.
“Yes, I know.” She hated the way these questions flustered her. Nothing had been settled between her and Jack. Not really. Okay, so they’d agreed to start seeing each other, but it was too early to know how significant their relationship would become.
“I asked Jack then, and he claimed you were only friends. Foolish me, I believed him.”
Justine certainly seemed to be enjoying this.
“We are friends.”
“Oh, yes,” her daughter teased.
“Justine!”
“Friends and then some.”
Olivia shook her head. “All right, if you must know…this is a recent development.”
“How recent?”
Olivia peered at her watch. “Twenty minutes.”
“Mother!”
“It’s true.” And Olivia felt good about it. Optimistic. No way of knowing what would happen, of course, especially as they hadn’t yet defined their relationship. But she couldn’t help wondering where the kissing would’ve led if they hadn’t been interrupted.
“Enough about me,” Olivia said abruptly. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”
“Well,” Justine said, sinking down in the chair recently vacated by Jack, “I came to see what you had planned for Grandma’s birthday.”
That was only an excuse; Justine could easily have asked over the phone. “I thought we’d have a small picnic.”
“Waterfront Park?”
“I hadn’t decided where, but that sounds like a good idea.” Her mother’s home was within walking distance of the waterfront area, and there’d be a lot of festivities there on the fourth. “Can you come?”
“I should be able to drop by for an hour or so.”
Not looking at Justine, she reached for her muffin. “Will Warren be with you?”
“Probably not, but we’re still seeing each other.”
Olivia was afraid of that. More than anything she wanted to ask her daughter what the future held for her and Warren, but she dared not say anything that would upset the delicate balance of her relationship with Justine.
“The truth is, Warren and I haven’t been getting along lately.”
In one way, Olivia was glad to hear that, although she chastised herself for such an ungenerous reaction; in another way, she was distressed by Justine’s evident unhappiness. If Warren was what she really wanted… “Any reason?” she asked carefully.
“Oh, I don’t know.” Justine exhaled sharply. “We’re different people.”
Different generations, too, but Olivia didn’t mention that. “You might want to remember what attracted you when you first started seeing each other.”
“I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately.” Her hands cradled the coffee mug. “I was drawn to him right away—he was so polished and successful. I’d dated other men and they were always pressuring me, wanting more from the relationship.” She hesitated. “That’s probably an oversimplification.” Lifting her mug, she stared at the coffee and then lowered it to the table without taking a drink. “Actually, I was the one to blame for past dating failures. I don’t want a long-term committment or a family.” She stared at Olivia. “I’ve told you that before. I know it upset you, and I’m sorry, but it’s the truth.”
“Warren’s already been married,” Olivia said, wanting to keep Justine talking, hoping that as her thoughts emerged, she’d gain insight into her daughter’s emotions.
“Actually, he’s been married three times.”
Olivia had only known about two of his former marriages, but wisely refrained from comment.
“His children are raised.”
From what she’d heard, Warren Saget had a daughter four years younger than Justine.
“In other words, he wouldn’t be interested in starting a second family.”
“Yeah, you could say that.”
Olivia merely nodded.
“Warren represents safety and security to me,” Justine said in a low, serious voice. “It’s comfortable being with him. It seemed that everything I objected to in other relationships isn’t a problem for him. He’s always been good to me and I didn’t need to worry about…you know.”
Olivia wasn’t sure she did, but again she held her tongue. “You’re looking sad.” Reaching over, she stroked the side of her daughter’s face.
“I am sad,” Justine repeated as though this was a revelation. “That’s exactly what I am.”
Olivia searched for something comforting to say, some wisdom she could pass on to her daughter. Unfortunately her mind was a blank. Every day she sat in court and issued judgments that would alter the way families lived their lives. But when it came to her own child, Olivia was at a loss.
“Have you decided to break it off?”
It was the wrong thing to ask. Justine instantly bristled. “That’s what you’d like, isn’t it?”
“No,” Olivia responded, sorry now that she’d said a word. “Whatever happens between you and Warren is your business. It’s obvious that you care for him.”
“I do. Sometimes he irritates me, and then sometimes he’s so kind and thoughtful…. I know what you think, Mom, what everyone thinks, but Warren’s got his insecurities, just like most people. And in his own way, he loves me.”
“I’m sure that’s true.”
Justine stood and deposited her coffee cup in the sink, as though preparing to leave. “Thanks, Mom, I feel better.”
Well, that was good, but Olivia felt confused. She had no idea what the visit had been about; she only knew she didn’t want it to end. “Isn’t your class reunion coming up shortly?”
“Next month,” Justine mumbled, reaching for her car keys. “I doubt Seth will be there in case you’re wondering.”
“I’m not,” Olivia lied. “But…why not?” she asked, surprised that her daughter had voluntarily brought up the other man’s name. Generally Justine went out of her way to avoid the subject of Seth Gunderson.
“He’s in Alaska, and this is his busiest time of year. He won’t be able to take four or five days off and fly home for a class reunion.”
“Perhaps not,” Olivia agreed mildly.
Then out of the blue, Justine looked her square in the eye and blurted out, “Falling in love with Seth would be a terrible risk.”
“Why is that?”