Rainier Drive (Cedar Cove #6)(69)

“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.