Rainier Drive (Cedar Cove #6)(24)

Case in point, her mother and friends were responsible for the new medical clinic in town. It’d taken a senior citizens’ demonstration and an arrest to get the council to respond. Word of Charlotte’s arrest had spread faster than chicken pox through their small community. Not long afterward, the council had made some major concessions that allowed the establishment of a medical facility in town.

The irony of it was that this same medical center had saved Jack’s life. Olivia’s husband had suffered a heart attack the year before, and the EMTs had told her that if they’d had to drive him all the way to Bremerton, Jack wouldn’t have survived.

At the time of the demonstration, Olivia had been embarrassed by her mother. Now she’d be forever grateful that there was a medical clinic in Cedar Cove, and it was mostly due to Charlotte, her second husband, Ben, and their friends.

Olivia was accustomed to seeing her mother in court, although she didn’t come by as often as she used to. Since Ben Rhodes had entered her life, Charlotte had better things to do than sit and listen to Olivia.

At noon, the court broke for lunch. Allison and Charlotte met Olivia in her chambers, and Olivia made the introductions.

“Would you care to join us?” Olivia asked the teenager. She didn’t expect the girl to accept, and she was right. They agreed to meet again at one-thirty.

“What a lovely young lady,” Charlotte commented after Allison had excused herself.

“She is,” Olivia agreed. “Where would you like to have lunch?” Her favorite place had always been The Lighthouse. Olivia missed it even more than she would’ve thought.

“How about the Wok and Roll,” Charlotte said. “Grace tells me Maryellen likes their chicken hot sauce noodles, and I have a hankering to try that.”

“Sounds good to me.” Olivia was just grateful her mother didn’t suggest The Taco Shack, which happened to be Jack’s favorite. She’d had about all the tacos and enchiladas she could stand for a while.

“Speaking of Grace, have you seen her lately?” Charlotte asked as they walked through the courthouse and to the parking lot behind.

“She’s so busy, we haven’t talked all week. She’s had to temporarily give up her Wednesday night aerobics class.”

“My goodness, you two have been going to that class for years,” Charlotte exclaimed. “What’s happening? Is Cliff keeping her all to himself?”

“No.” Using her remote, Olivia unlocked the car doors and opened the passenger side for her mother. “Nothing like that. She’s helping Jon and Maryellen as much as she can. Kelly’s pregnant, too, you know.” Olivia slid into the driver’s seat. “Grace rented out the house on Rosewood Lane and you won’t believe who her tenants are. The Randalls! Do you remember them?” At her mother’s blank expression, Olivia elaborated. “You were in court the day I denied their divorce. A young navy couple. Apparently they have a baby now and were looking for a house to rent and Grace met them. She remembered the case. Then, while she was talking to Mrs. Randall, my name came up. That’s when Grace learned this was the very same couple. It’s a small world, isn’t it? Grace wanted me to know how well everything worked out.”

“That’s good news. And how’s Maryellen?” Charlotte asked, concerned about Grace’s oldest daughter.

“She’s doing well, especially now that Jon’s parents have arrived. They showed up last week and Grace told me it’s made a world of difference.”

“Where has Jon’s family been all this time?” Charlotte asked. “Well, never mind, they’re here now, and I know Maryellen and Jon must be thankful for the help. Some babies have a few problems coming into this world. That’s why God created grandparents.”

Olivia smiled at her mother as she pulled out of the parking lot and headed down Harbor Street toward the Chinese restaurant.

“And Jack? How’s he? I do hope he isn’t working himself into another heart attack,” Charlotte said next.

At the mention of her husband, Olivia had to smile. “He’s as cantankerous as ever. He’s also back at work full-time.”

Charlotte’s eyebrows shot up. “I thought you weren’t going to let that happen.”

As if Olivia had any real control over Jack. “I couldn’t stop him. He has an assistant editor now, and he’s home every night as close to five as he can manage. He’s lost thirty pounds, but I swear it was like chiseling it off an ounce at a time.”

“I think he might’ve cheated now and then,” Charlotte whispered.

That was an understatement if ever there was one. Jack did cheat—but not as often anymore. The heart attack had frightened him off double cheeseburgers for life, thankfully. Still, there was the occasional bowl of ice cream and a few cookies, but overall, Jack’s self-control had been impressive.

“What about you and Ben?” Olivia asked as they drove into the parking lot at the Wok and Roll.

“I have news about David, Ben’s son,” Charlotte said as she climbed out of the car. “You remember him, don’t you?”

Olivia wasn’t likely to forget David Rhodes. Ben’s youngest son had asked her to fix a reckless driving ticket he’d gotten while visiting Cedar Cove. He hadn’t taken kindly to her refusal.