Seaside Avenue (Cedar Cove #7)(66)

As Olivia was about to turn away, she noticed the flashing red light, indicating a message.

Jack walked into the house to get her. “The steaks are done.”

“I’ll be there in a minute.” She reached for the pencil and pad she kept by the phone and pushed the recall button.

“Ms. Lockhart-Griffin, this is the Women’s DiagnosticCenter. We’re calling about your mammogram. Would you please contact our office at your earliest convenience? Our office hours are from eight to five, Monday through Friday.”

Olivia stared at Jack as dread clutched her stomach.

“It’s probably nothing,” he said in what seemed like a determined effort to reassure her.

“If it was nothing they would’ve sent a letter the way they normally do,” Olivia whispered. “Something must’ve shown up on my mammogram.”

Instantly Jack was at her side. “We’ll phone them tomorrow, Olivia. Together. No matter what it is, I’m with you.”

She nodded numbly. “We’ll talk later.” For now they had company and she didn’t want this to get to her mother. Charlotte had enough to worry about without adding a cancer scare to her concerns. No, they’d get through dinner with Will and deal with the phone call once he’d left.

Twenty-Six

Teri realized she couldn’t keep her pregnancy from Bobby much longer. Everyone at the salon knew—even her sister had guessed—but Teri still hadn’t told her husband. With good reason. If Bobby was protective of her now, and he was almost obsessive about it, this would only make matters worse. She didn’t want to give up her job; she enjoyed it and as a gregarious, friendly person, she needed the social outlet the salon provided. Even Bobby had noticed a change in her spirits since she’d returned to work.

Teri had some serious concerns regarding her husband. He wasn’t happy, and she knew why. He needed to play chess. He missed the game, the challenge and even the travel. When they’d first met, he’d been involved in chess matches around the world every few weeks.

When she questioned him, he assured her there were no significant matches scheduled now or in the near future. More importantly, he told her, he wasn’t ready. That meant Bobby didn’t feel prepared to face the Russian player he’d mentioned earlier.

Teri was so unfamiliar with the game and with the chess world that she didn’t know how to communicate with him about it. She might be married to a champion but she understood chess about as well as he grasped the basics of a good haircut. What she did know was that he should be playing—just like she should be working at her own job.

The telephone rang and Teri automatically answered it. Bobby rarely heard the phone, especially if he was studying chess moves, which he did every day. It was her sister.

“Haven’t heard from you in a while,” Christie said conversationally. “Everything’s all right, isn’t it?”

“Oh, sure.” Teri had no intention of sharing her concerns with Christie, although their relationship had definitely improved.

“I was thinking I should have you and Bobby to dinner soon, you know, reciprocate for the times you’ve had me over.”

The invitation surprised Teri and pleased her. Originally she’d invited Christie back in the hope of encouraging a romance between her and James. Lately, though, she’d come to enjoy Christie’s company. For the first time in her adult life, she felt like she had a real sister. As for the romance Teri had hoped to see between Bobby’s driver and Christie, nothing had come of it.

“We’d love to have dinner at your place,” Teri told her. “Let’s arrange something soon.”

“Have you told Bobby about the baby yet?” Christie asked, her voice falling to a whisper.

“No, no,” she said in the same chatty tone. “Of course I’ll bring something. I wouldn’t dream of letting you make the whole meal on your own.”

“Bobby’s listening?” her sister guessed.

Probably not, but Teri wasn’t taking any chances.

She was about to say goodbye when her sister said, “Uh, Teri…” There was a pause. “Listen, don’t read anything into this, but I’d like to ask you a question.”

“Sure.”

Christie seemed to hesitate again. “It’s about James.”

Teri straightened and, catching her husband’s eye, gave him the thumbs-up signal. When Bobby frowned and shook his head, she mouthed the words, “I’ll tell you later.”

“What do you want to know?” Teri asked, returning to her sister.

“Well…just some information. He’s so…odd. What can you tell me about him?”

Teri had never really asked. James was James, and she’d heard very little about his background. He seemed too private for nosy personal questions. “He’s Bobby’s friend as much as he is his driver.”

“What does he do all day? When he isn’t driving you or Bobby around, I mean.”

“Well, sometimes he waits for me at the shop—doing his bodyguard thing. Why do you ask?”

“I’m curious, that’s all. It’s not like I’m interested or anything, you understand?”

“Of course not,” Teri said, glad Christie couldn’t see her smile.

“In fact, the last time he took me home, I told him I didn’t want him to drive me again.”