“You know how badly we need a banquet room,” her husband said again, puzzled at her decided lack of enthusiasm.
Justine didn’t answer. In talking to Robert about rebuilding—and this was obviously not the first such conversation—Seth made it clear that he hadn’t heard a single thing she’d said in the last two and a half months.
“Justine?” Seth studied her, frowning slightly.
Pointedly she looked away from him. “Actually I can see I’m not needed here. You two appear to have everything under control. I was invited to lunch, so if you’ll both excuse me I’ll join my friend.” Before Seth could question her or object, she left. If she hadn’t been so angry, Justine would’ve burst into tears; as it was, she was fighting for her composure.
When she reached her car, she heard hard footsteps coming up behind her. She turned to find Seth.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
“You aren’t even listening to me,” she said, unable to hide the hurt she felt. “I really think my idea would work, Seth.”
“I’m not letting the last five years go down the drain so you can build a tearoom for a bunch of bored women. If we’re going to rebuild, it needs to be something that involves me, too. I want to make The Lighthouse what it was always meant to be.”
“Then you go ahead and do that.” Her voice remained calm, belying her anger.
“You think a tearoom’s actually going to be some kind of improvement?”
“Yes, I do. Don’t you understand, Seth? I’ve seen more of you these last few months than I have in years. Leif is thriving. He loves having both his parents around for more than an hour a day.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
“Am I, Seth?”
He shook his head, as if he couldn’t make sense of what she was telling him. “This is a golden opportunity for us. It’s not the time to consider doing something else. We have a chance to start over—”
“Then do it,” she broke in, glaring at him. “Just do it. If you want The Lighthouse back so badly, then rebuild.” She nearly choked on the words as she whirled around and opened her door.
Seth looked utterly perplexed as she slipped inside her car, thrust the key into the ignition and drove off. In her rearview mirror, she saw him standing at the side of the street, staring after her.
Her hands trembled and she bit her lip hard. She was hurt and angry and wanted to lash out at him. He objected to her seeing Warren? Well, too bad. Warren was her friend and at the moment he seemed to be a better one than her own husband.
She walked into the foyer at D.D’s on the Cove, then scanned the room. Warren sat at a table next to the window, facing the front of the restaurant. When he saw her, he brightened visibly. He stood, and came eagerly toward her.
“Justine,” he said meeting her at the entrance. “I hoped you’d come.” He kissed her on the cheek and steered her toward his table. Every eye in the room was on them.
This wasn’t a small, out-of-the-way café like the place they’d met before. Soon everyone in town would be talking about her and Warren. So be it.
The instant they reached the table, he pulled out her chair with a flourish. Next he got the waitress’s attention and asked for a menu. Justine felt a small shock as she recognized Diana, who’d worked as a waitress at The Lighthouse. They exchanged a few stilted words, and Justine hoped Diana wouldn’t mention her presence here—with Warren—to anyone who might know her mother. Crazy as it sounded, she worried more about Olivia finding out than Seth. Her husband could not have made it plainer that he didn’t care about her feelings, so she couldn’t see any reason to be too concerned about his.
“Would you like a glass of wine?” Warren asked as she glanced over the menu.
“The way I feel right now, you can order an entire bottle.”
Warren’s laughter pleased her. “Then I will.”
He did, and he didn’t spare any expense, either, choosing a sixty-dollar bottle of chardonnay.
Despite her lack of appetite, Justine ordered the crab cakes and a small salad.
“All right,” Warren said, leaning toward her. “Tell me what happened.”
She waited until her wineglass had been filled. “Oh, Warren. I’m so upset.”
“I can tell,” he said, immediately solicitous.
“It’s Seth. He wants to rebuild the restaurant. I’d talked to him about another idea and he completely ignored me.”
He seemed a little surprised himself. “You don’t want to rebuild?”
“Not The Lighthouse. Not the way it was.” If what her mother had said was true and Warren was trying to get on her good side, hoping to be awarded the construction contract, he’d take her husband’s part in this. “For the first time since we opened The Lighthouse,” she explained, “Seth and I have time together like a normal couple. Leif is doing so well. The Lighthouse was strangling us, and now that we’ve been without it, I don’t want to return to that kind of life.”
“But the restaurant was your livelihood,” Warren said, immediately siding with her husband. “It’s only natural that Seth wouldn’t want to give up his only source of income.”
So, maybe Olivia was right, and Warren did have an agenda. “It used to be our livelihood, but Seth went to work for Larry Boone and he’s making more money as a salesman than we ever did with the restaurant.”
“I see,” Warren murmured thoughtfully. “Have you told Seth how you feel?”
“I made my feelings very clear.” Had Seth already forgotten the endlessly long hours and the constant struggle to meet their expenses and still make a living?
What hurt most was how matter-of-factly her husband had dismissed her. All he saw was the opportunity to add a banquet room to the redesigned restaurant. He was even willing to put them in a position of taking on more debt.
“I wish things were different,” Warren said, his eyes warm and sympathetic.
Well, maybe Olivia wasn’t right about Warren’s intent, after all. His sympathy seemed real, and it felt good to be with someone who understood her frustration.
Since Seth had started work at the boatyard, he seemed content for the first time since the fire. Not only that, he excelled at sales. Justine had real hope that their lives would finally settle into something resembling normalcy. Then, almost without warning, Seth was back to letting the restaurant obsess him.
“What am I going to do?” she asked, sipping her wine.
“Talk to him,” Warren advised.
“I already have, and he isn’t listening.” Her eyes brimmed with tears and she quickly blinked them away.
“Then do something that’ll make him sit up and take notice.” Warren gave a low, soft laugh. “You could always move in with me. That would get Seth’s attention fast enough.”
She choked on her wine. Coughing and sputtering, she said, “You’re kidding!”
Warren smiled and reached for her hand. “I wish I was. I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you, Justine. Nothing’s been the same without you. We were good together, you and me. I realize what a fool I was to ever let you go.”
He’d grown so serious it made her uneasy. Not knowing how to answer him, Justine looked away.
“I can see that I’ve embarrassed us both,” Warren said, releasing her hand. “Forget I said that.”
She smiled, silently reassuring him that all was forgiven. Fortunately she didn’t need to say anything, because Diana arrived with their salads. She frowned at Justine in obvious disapproval.
Justine pretended not to see. Despite Warren’s urging, she drank just the one glass of wine. For the rest of the leisurely meal, Warren was attentive and entertaining, working hard to distract her from her woes. After he’d paid the bill, she thanked him and left to pick up Leif from his friend’s house earlier than planned. She’d made the babysitting arrangement that morning, hoping to talk to Seth about her ideas over lunch—but that, of course, hadn’t happened.
Leif was tired and cranky an
d fell asleep in the car on the short ride home. When she arrived at 6 Rainier Drive, Seth’s car was parked out front. Actually, she was glad he was home; she’d take the opportunity to talk to him.
Lifting her still-sleeping son out of his car seat, she carried him into the house.
Justine hadn’t even stepped through the door when Seth loomed in front of her. “Exactly where did you disappear?” he demanded.
She ignored him, the same way he had her, and carried her son into his room, with Penny following her. She placed Leif in his bed and covered him with a blanket. Then she quietly closed the door behind her.
Seth stood in the hallway waiting. “I told you I met a friend for lunch,” she explained patiently.
Seth’s eyes were narrowed and accusatory. “I don’t suppose that friend was Warren Saget?”
“What if it was?” she said and walked into the kitchen, where she sorted the mail on the counter.
“You promised me you wouldn’t see him again.”
She tossed the bills into one pile and the advertisements into another. “Warren’s a friend, nothing more.”
Seth angrily paced the kitchen floor. He stopped abruptly and seemed about to say something, then changed his mind. As quickly as it had flared, the anger was gone, replaced with what appeared to be disappointment and sadness. “In other words, you feel Warren Saget is a better friend to you than I am.”
That was exactly what she’d told herself earlier. She shrugged. “Warren listens to me.” She glanced up and met his eyes. “You obviously don’t.”
Twenty-Nine
Relaxing on a lounge chair, soaking up the June sunshine—it was the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. The deck had become Maryellen’s favorite spot, and she savored every moment outside the house, brief as those times were.
Jon was taking photographs in the Olympic rain forest, one of his preferred locations. Those pictures had also been among his most popular. Her biggest fear was that his job with the portrait studio would kill his love of photography. This was the first Saturday he’d gone out on a shoot in weeks. His parents had made it possible, although he’d never admit it.
With her knitting in her lap—the baby blanket was progressing more slowly than she would’ve liked—Maryellen watched Katie chase a butterfly with her grandfather, who kept a close eye on her. Ellen was in the kitchen, making a fresh pitcher of lemonade.
“Here you go,” she said, bringing Maryellen a tall glass of lemonade, with ice and a wedge of lemon and even a fresh sprig of mint. Maryellen appreciated these appealing details, the lovely little touches her mother-in-law brought to everything she did.
“Oh, thanks,” she said, immediately setting her knitting aside. Ellen took the chair beside hers.
“I don’t mind telling you what joy Katie has brought Joe and me,” she said, smiling at the little girl and her husband. “She’s given us a new lease on life. We’d always heard how precious grandchildren were, but we had no idea it would be anything like this.”
The feeling was mutual. “Katie adores the two of you.”
“We love her,” Ellen said simply. “From the moment we received the pictures you mailed us…It’s hard to explain. Our world changed overnight. We had a grandchild, and now we’re about to have a second one. I can’t even begin to tell you what a difference Katie has made in our lives.”
Maryellen hardly knew what to say. They never discussed their granddaughter’s father. Really, what could they say? So far, both Joseph and Ellen had abided by Jon’s wishes and had no contact with their son. As far as she knew, he hadn’t said a word to either of them. Not a single word.
“Oh, look, Joe, look!” Ellen cried out, pointing at Katie. “She wants to play hide-and-seek.”
Katie had hidden behind a flowering rhododendron bush and was peeking around, just waiting to be discovered.
Everything her daughter said and did seemed to thrill Katie’s grandparents. They were completely smitten with her and she flourished under their love and care and attention.
Surely Jon had noticed. Maryellen didn’t think he could help seeing the transformation in their daughter. Katie had gone from being whiny and difficult to a contented three-year-old once again. It was as if their daughter had absorbed the stress and uncertainty of Maryellen’s pregnancy and reflected it in her behavior. Her disposition had returned to normal soon after Jon’s parents arrived.
And yet Jon had never once commented.
“Joe, Joe,” Ellen shouted, playing along. “Where’s Katie?”
Joseph pretended he couldn’t see her anywhere, which delighted Katie to the point of giggles.
The baby kicked and stretched inside her, and Maryellen rubbed her stomach. Soon. She felt she couldn’t stand another minute, and yet Dr. DeGroot had told her she needed to be patient and do everything she could to forestall labor. Each single day improved the baby’s chances.
When bed rest was first ordered, it had seemed an impossible situation to Maryellen. She’d already miscarried one baby. Although no one had told her outright, she felt this was her last chance for a second child. Didn’t Jon realize what his parents were doing for them? They’d given Maryellen peace, they’d taken Katie into their hearts—and they’d allowed Jon to do the work he needed to do. She didn’t know how he could continue to ignore what should be so obvious.
She wanted to berate him for the way he behaved toward his parents. She couldn’t, however. Jon had to find it in his own heart to forgive them. He persisted in holding on to his hatred, yet she didn’t understand how he could.
“Where’s my Katie-girl?” Joseph asked, again pretending that he couldn’t find the little girl. He did a good job of seeming to search high and low.
Katie loved thinking she’d outsmarted her grandfather. She giggled and giggled, and Joseph acted beautifully.
Ellen laughed, and Maryellen, too, was amused by their antics.
When she couldn’t bear to remain hidden any longer, Katie raced around the bush and presented herself in true theatrical fashion. Seeking her reward, she rushed toward Joseph with her arms held wide.
Joseph caught her and, scooping her into his embrace, whirled her around and around.
Maryellen was so intent on watching them that she didn’t realize Jon’s vehicle had pulled into the driveway. He’d parked, climbed out and was standing in front of his car before she noticed. Maryellen’s breath seemed to be trapped in her lungs as Jon stared at Katie and his father.
Joseph continued to whirl her around until he saw Jon. He stopped abruptly. Katie threw her arms around Joseph’s neck and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Then she saw her father and immediately wanted to be put down.
“Daddy! Daddy!” she cried.
Joseph lowered her to the lawn, and Katie started eagerly toward Jon.
Crouching, Jon held his arms open to his little girl. Laughing and chattering, Katie fell into his embrace. Jon glanced at Maryellen, but when he saw his stepmother sitting at her side, he turned away.
“I can see it’s time for us to go,” Ellen said, unable to disguise her pain. She stood, reached for her empty glass and carried it into the kitchen.
Maryellen watched as Jon slowly straightened, Katie in his arms. Joseph faced his son and they looked at each other in silence.
“She’s a delightful little girl,” Joseph said after a long, tense moment.
Jon didn’t respond.
“I know you don’t want us here.” Joseph rubbed his hands in nervous agitation. “Ellen and I have done our best to respect your wishes, because we know that’s the only way you’re comfortable with having us near your family.”
Katie squirmed, and Jon set her down. Not understanding, she turned to her grandfather and raised her arms, demanding to be picked up.
As though asking his son’s permission, Joseph glanced at Jon.
Maryellen bit her lip when Jon gave a slight nod, a gesture of permission.
Joseph reached for Katie. “I know you name
d her after your mother. She would’ve been so proud. And I—I’m proud of you, Jon, prouder than I can say.” He had to stop because tears started to run down his weathered cheeks.
Jon seemed about to say something, but didn’t.
“I understand why you can’t forgive me,” Joseph went on. “I do…and I have to say I can’t blame you. What I did was despicable. I won’t offer you an excuse. I…I deserve your hatred.”
Ellen stepped onto the deck and stood completely still when she saw Joseph talking to his son. She brought her hand to her mouth, as if she feared she might make some sound that would destroy the fragile mood.
“I want to thank you, though,” Joseph said. His words, choked out with emotion, were difficult to understand. “This time with Maryellen and Katie has been a blessing I never thought I’d receive.” His father put Katie back down on the grass. Confused, the little girl looked from one man to the other.
Jon slid his gaze toward Maryellen. She gave him a shaky smile and picked up her knitting, although her fingers were suddenly uncooperative. The scene unfolding before her was of far more interest than the yarn and knitting needles she held.
“Thank you, son,” Joseph said. “For letting Ellen and me come here. We’ll leave you to your family now.”
“Joe.”
He didn’t call him Dad, which was more than Maryellen would have expected.
Joseph paused and waited.
“Maryellen and I appreciate what you’ve done.” His voice was gruff and didn’t sound like him. He gathered Katie into his arms and headed for the house.
Nearly overwhelmed by emotion, Ellen hurried to Joseph and they hugged each other before driving away.
Jon didn’t join Maryellen on the deck the way he normally did. Instead, he went immediately into his darkroom, taking Katie with him. He wanted a few minutes alone. Maryellen understood.