Sandpiper Way (Cedar Cove #8)(31)

“It’s a lovely watch.” Even to Olivia’s untrained eye, this was an expensive one. It seemed well-worn and well-loved; perhaps it had come from his father or grandfather.

“Thank you.” He appeared to be flustered by her compliment and quickly changed the subject. The visit lasted about thirty minutes, long enough to drink yet another cup of tea, and after a short prayer, Pastor Flemming left, first returning their cups to the kitchen.

Olivia did get some reading done before Grace arrived. Much as she looked forward to seeing her friend, she also enjoyed the hour or so of solitude, although more than once she’d almost drifted off as she read.

“Can I get you anything?” Grace asked the instant she stepped inside. Her eyes were somber with concern. “You look tired.”

“I am.”

“Then take a nap.”

“I’d like to, but…what if it becomes a habit?”

Grace shook her head. “Olivia. Your body’s telling you it needs rest. For heaven’s sake, listen to your body!”

This was sensible advice. “I’ll only sleep for an hour.”

“Sleep until you’re ready to wake up.” Grace walked ahead of her into the bedroom to pull back the covers.

“I’ll start dinner while you’re resting,” she said.

“You don’t have to do that,” Olivia told her as she got into bed.

“I know, but I want to.”

Olivia didn’t argue. Like Jack, Grace needed to feel useful. She settled the covers over Olivia and tucked them around her shoulders. Then she drew the curtains, and as quietly as possible, tiptoed out of the room.

Olivia nestled against the thick down pillows and closed her eyes, savoring the indulgence of sleeping in the middle of the day.

Tired as she was, she assumed she’d immediately fall asleep. Instead, her mind took a series of unexpected twists and turns. It struck her as odd that Pastor Flemming would show up unannounced instead of at the time he’d previously set. She’d never known him to do that before.

Although he’d been solicitous and caring, Olivia was left with the distinct impression that something was troubling him. He seemed unusually rushed and unfocused, eager to be about his business.

After fifteen minutes, Olivia realized trying to sleep was pointless. She folded back the blankets and climbed out of bed.

Grace met her in the hallway, hands propped on her hips. “What are you doing up so soon?” she scolded.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Why not? You were about to keel over from exhaustion when I got here.”

Olivia wished she could put her concern about Dave Flemming into words. A visit from the pastor had been a gesture of kindness. It shouldn’t matter that he’d arrived at a time other than the one he’d arranged earlier. Yet it was more than that. She wondered what he was so worried about that he’d actually lost track of the conversation twice.

“Why don’t I make us some tea,” Grace suggested.

“Please.”

They sat in the kitchen, across the round oak table from each other. “Anything new?” Grace asked.

“Well, yes. The pathology report came back and it confirmed that the cancer didn’t spread to my lymph nodes.”

“Oh.” Grace raised both hands to her mouth. “That’s so great!”

Smiling, Olivia nodded. “It’s an incredible relief. Now, what about you—anything new at the library?”

Grace launched into a description of a board meeting she’d attended, and her plans for a Christmas story program for kids. She also mentioned that her new tenant, Faith Beckwith, whom they’d both known in high school, although she’d been Faith Carroll then, had visited the library. Olivia remembered that Will had done the same thing some time ago—and it wasn’t to check out books.

“My brother hasn’t made any inappropriate appearances, has he?” As much as Olivia loved Will, if he tried to get between Grace and Cliff again, she’d never forgive him. Will had begun an Internet—what? dalliance? fling? certainly not a relationship—with Grace. And he’d done it while he was still married, telling her he was divorcing his wife. The divorce came later, at his ex-wife’s instigation.

“Will’s too busy with the art gallery to worry about me.” Looking thoughtful, Grace raised her teacup, elbows on the table. “I have to admit that’s a relief.”

Olivia agreed with her. “He needs that kind of goal,” she said. “It should keep him out of trouble for a while.”

Grace nodded. “Cliff came by the library this morning with some news,” she murmured.

“Good news, I hope?”

Grace shrugged as if to suggest she wasn’t sure. “You decide. Cliff told me Cal and Vicki are moving to Wyoming to work with a mustang rescue operation.”

Olivia felt this was both good and bad. Cal had been seriously involved with Linnette McAfee and then broken off the relationship when he fell in love with one of the local vets. From a superficial perspective, it was difficult to understand why a handsome man like Cal Washburn would be attracted to a woman as plain and unassuming as Vicki Newman.

In retrospect, of course, it seemed completely logical. Cal and Vicki shared a passion for horses that had brought them together, a passion more intense than his feelings for Linnette.