Cranberry Point (Cedar Cove #4)(49)

"I can't believe I'm running to my mother with this," Olivia cried. "It's just that I never thought Jack and I would argue so...so horribly."

"Olivia, every couple argues. It's healthy to clear the air."

Olivia nodded. "I know.... But we were both so adamant in what we said and now I think Jack's sorry he ever married me."

"I'm sure that's not true."

"He told me he'd had it with this diet I'd put him on and that if he saw another chunk of tofu he was dumping it in the garbage. But Mom, his diet is atrocious! He thinks I'm picking on him because I want him to lose a few pounds. All I want is for him to make healthier food choices."

"Of course you want him to eat properly, but—"

"He said we got along a lot better when we lived apart."

Charlotte was stunned. "He didn't mean it."

Olivia covered her face again. "I think he did, because right after that he left. I wasn't letting him walk out on me, so I left, too. Can you believe I'd do anything so childish?"

Charlotte had to admit she was somewhat amused. This must have been a humdinger of an argument.

Olivia had hated fighting when she was a little girl, too. It used to upset her to the point that she'd make herself sick.

"What should I do now?" Olivia pleaded. "Should I just go back to the house and pretend nothing happened?"

"Well," Charlotte said, gently patting her daughter's shoulder. "First of all, I'm sure Jack is feeling just as bad as you are. You both need to remember that you were single for a lot of years. Marriage is a major adjustment. Perhaps it would be best if you bought two tubes of toothpaste."

"I did" she said indignantly. "But Jack can't remember which one is his. Half the time he can't find it, and mine's handy, so he uses it." She reached for her cup of tea and took a sip. "Then he gets upset when I say something. According to Jack, it shouldn't make any difference."

"I know."

"You can't possibly know. The other night I found an open jar of peanut butter on the kitchen counter. The knife was still in it."

Charlotte dropped her jaw as though shocked.

"Apparently Jack got up in the middle of the night and made himself a sandwich."

"I take it peanut butter isn't on his diet?" Charlotte tried hard not to smile.

"No, and Jack knows that. It's for his own good."

"Ob, dear."

Olivia raised her head at the sound of a car and she vaulted to her feet, dashing to the window. "Jack just pulled up out front." She squared her shoulders and looked back at Charlotte. Then, as if she were making a court decree, she declared, "Tell him I'm not here."

"Olivia, you're being ridiculous. Your car's parked in ray driveway. I'm not going to lie to your husband."

"Look at me, Mother! Just look at me. I'm a sensible adult, or at least I was until I married Jack Griffin. Overnight I'm back to being a teenager. I've never come running to my mother in my life and now—now just look at me. I'm a mess! I'll talk to Jack once I've had a chance to compose myself."

The doorbell chimed. Olivia heaved in a breath. "I need to freshen my makeup.. .and I don't want him to know... Oh, just tell him whatever you want."

Charlotte frowned.

Olivia disappeared and Charlotte went to the front door. Jack didn't seem surprised when she answered before he'd even knocked. He had on his light raincoat, rumpled as usual, hands deep in his pockets.

"Hello, Jack."

A scowl darkened his face. He nodded. "Hello, Charlotte."

"What can I do for you?"

"Do you have a minute?"

Charlotte hesitated, then gestured him in. "Of course. Come inside."

He stepped into the house and glanced around. Charlotte noticed that his gaze lingered on the two teacups, but he didn't comment on the fact that Olivia was obviously at the house.

"I heard a rumor this afternoon and wanted to see if it was true."

"Sit down," Charlotte invited soberly, trying to hide her amusement at both Olivia and Jack. They were acting like kids—and as Olivia had said, even when she was a kid, she hadn't acted like this. Still, amused or not, Charlotte was worried; immature behavior could escalate and end in drastic consequences. This was a good marriage in the ways that counted. She hoped they'd give it the chance it deserved.

He chose the wing chair and stroked Harry's head as he walked past the cat. Harry remained unruffled by all these dramatics. She envied him a little.

"What did you hear?" Charlotte asked as she sat down again. She picked up her knitting, hoping it would calm her.

As if to prove this was an official visit, Jack pulled out his pen and pad. "Rumor has it Ben Rhodes met with the people of Puget Sound Medical and Dental this afternoon."

"You heard?" Charlotte was beside herself with excitement. "He went with Louie Benson."

Jack noted this information on his pad.

"I'm sure Mayor Benson will fill you in on the details."

"I don't suppose this has anything to do with that parcel of land off Heron Street

recently bequeathed to the city by the Duncan family?"