Rainier Drive (Cedar Cove #6)(50)

After her conversation with Rachel, the afternoon sped by. When Ellen brought Katie down, following her nap, she baked brownies, letting her granddaughter “help,” while Joe did some work in the garden.

“These are Jon’s favorite,” Ellen said, cutting the brownies and setting them on a plate on the kitchen counter.

Conscious of the time, the older couple packed up their things and left by five. A half hour after they’d returned to their hotel, Jon came home.

Because the sun was still shining brightly and the garden smelled of lilacs, Maryellen had moved awkwardly outside to sit on the deck. She wanted to be in the fresh, clean air, enjoying the scents of spring. The deck afforded Katie a small play area, too, and Maryellen could keep an eye on her.

“Hey!” Jon said happily when he found the two of them outdoors. “How are my girls?” he asked, sweeping Katie into his arms.

Maryellen smiled as Katie wrapped her own arms around his neck and offered him a sloppy kiss. She chattered away, and Jon pretended to understand every word.

“She has a surprise for you in the kitchen,” Maryellen told him.

After hugging Maryellen and gently rubbing her belly, Jon went inside with Katie. “It’s brownies,” he called out. “My favorite.”

Soon he was back, holding the plate aloft. “You mean to tell me my girls baked me brownies?”

Katie was so proud to see her father enjoying what she’d made—with her grandmother’s notable assistance—that Maryellen let him assume she’d been in the kitchen herself. Jon broke off a corner and shared it with her. Katie poked it into her mouth and instantly wanted more.

“Greedy little girl, aren’t you?”

Maryellen laughed. “And who’s got that whole plate?”

Jon chuckled. “Point well-taken.” He sat down, relaxing in the wooden deck chair, and looked out over the view. Vashon Island was visible in the distance and so was the distinctive shape of Mount Rainier.

Legs stretched out before him, Jon slipped his arm around her shoulders. Maryellen savored the warmth and comfort of his embrace.

“I know this has been a difficult pregnancy for you,” he began. “I’m glad it’s almost over.”

“It has been hard in some ways, and in others it’s been…wonderful.”

Jon seemed taken aback by her comment. “Wonderful? How?”

“It’s brought us together.”

“True,” he agreed.

“I don’t know if I ever would’ve had the courage to leave the gallery. Everyone relied on me, and it was so easy to put off giving my notice. Then all of a sudden I didn’t have any choice.”

“I’d like you to be home with our babies.”

“It’s where I want to be—and with you, too.” Her love for Jon seemed tangible and strong.

Jon reached for a second brownie as Katie sat contentedly at his feet. “Once when I was in junior high, I ate a plate of these on my own.”

“I know. Ellen told me about it.” She’d mentioned his stepmother without thinking and felt him stiffen.

Jon stared suspiciously at the one in his hand. “She didn’t bake these, did she?”

Reluctantly Maryellen nodded.

Jon threw the brownie back on the plate as if it had lost its taste. “I wish you wouldn’t do that,” he said.

“Do what?”

“Set me up like that. What did you and Ellen do, sit around all afternoon making plans to break down my defenses? The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, right?”

“Jon, stop it,” she snapped. He’d ruined a very pleasant interlude. “We did nothing of the sort.”

She could tell by his lack of response that he didn’t believe her. “I’m going upstairs to change,” he muttered, taking the brownies and walking into the kitchen through the open French doors.

It seemed so hopeless, Maryellen thought sadly. He refused to bend on this matter, refused to forgive his parents or accept their remorse.

A few minutes later, Jon was back, wearing jeans and a T-shirt. “I think I’ll mow the lawn,” he said as though nothing had happened.

Maryellen hoped physical labor would improve his mood. “Good idea,” she said curtly.

All at once Katie let out a cry and Jon rushed into the kitchen, Maryellen following at a slower pace. She discovered her daughter pulling the brownies out of the garbage can where Jon had tossed them.

“It’s all right, sweetheart,” Jon tried to tell her.

“Grammy,” Katie cried, kicking and screaming on the floor. “I hate you. I want my Grammy.”

Jon looked at Maryellen for help, but she didn’t know what to tell him. His thoughtless act had broken their daughter’s heart.

Twenty-One

Since she’d been on her feet all morning, Teri welcomed a break before her next client showed up. Sitting in her own cubicle chair, with her back to the mirror, she ate hot, salty French fries and sipped a diet soda. One of the other girls had picked up some takeout for lunch, and Teri had ordered her ultimate comfort food. The drink was a concession to calorie cutting.

Rachel finished with her nail client, then joined Teri in the adjacent cubicle. “You’ve been quiet all morning,” she said. “That’s not like you.”