1105 Yakima Street - Debbie Macomber [110]
“How about a glass of eggnog?” Cliff suggested. “Grace and I are ready for a break.”
“Thank you. I’d enjoy that, but I can’t stay long. I need to get back to the farm. I’ve got a full crew working. I had a couple of errands not far from here, so I thought I’d see if you were home.”
“We’re here,” Grace said unnecessarily as she led the way into the house. She stopped in the mudroom off the kitchen, washing Beau’s face and paws and then her own hands, while Cliff took Beth into the kitchen and pulled out a chair.
“I’ll get the eggnog,” Cliff said, taking three glasses from the cupboard. “This is Grace’s family recipe.”
“You make your own?” Beth asked, turning to look at Grace, who came into the room drying her hands.
“It’s pretty simple. I’ll be happy to pass along the recipe if you’d like.”
“Yes, I’d love to have it.”
As Cliff carried the filled glasses to the table, Grace brought a plate of sugar cookies she’d baked with her grandchildren the day before.
“I take it you’ve come for Beau?” Cliff asked.
On hearing his name the puppy raced over to Grace, stretched up on his hind legs and set his front paws on her knees. He stared at her with such love and warmth that she was forced to look away. Almost against her will she petted his head, and when he whined she couldn’t resist lifting him onto her lap. He licked her hand, then curled up tightly and went immediately to sleep.
“Well…actually—”
“Do you have a good home for him?” Cliff broke in.
“Not exactly.”
“Do you have a home for him, period?” Grace pressed. This was her big fear—that Beth had come to depend on her keeping the puppy. Well, that wasn’t going to happen.
“The truth is, no. I don’t have a home for Beau.”
“No?” Grace cried.
“No,” Beth repeated, “and now I have another problem.”
Grace and Cliff exchanged a glance. “Concerning Beau?”
“No… Well, yes. Indirectly. As you know, I’ve rescued a few dogs and done some training, which I enjoy and seem to have a knack for.”
That was a real understatement. Not only had Beth been her partner in the library reading program, she’d started training dogs to visit with the sick and elderly.
“Apparently word’s gotten around that I take in strays. Several people have brought me animals they’ve found or can’t keep and I do what I can to get them good homes but it’s…it’s become overwhelming.” Her voice cracked.
“What do you mean? Has something happened?” Grace asked, feeling anxious about Beth’s obvious distress.
“Yes. Two totally unrelated and unexpected things. I’m trying to figure out how to handle them. I’m sorry to inflict this on you. It’s just that…it’s all too much.”
“Tell us what’s going on,” Grace said gently. She’d never seen her friend so disconcerted.
“Well, first, it seems my ex-husband is coming here for Christmas. The girls will be home from college and he asked them if it’s okay to visit and they really want him to.” She sighed. “I could turn him down but not them. Anyway, I talked to the Beldons, and they told me Kent has a reservation at their bed-and-breakfast.”
Grace was aware that Beth was divorced but knew nothing of the circumstances.
Cliff sipped his eggnog, leaving the questions to her.
“Is that a problem?” Grace asked.
“Yes,” Beth said bluntly. “Kent and I haven’t spoken in three years—well, except when it has to do with the girls. Bailey and Sophie are both away at school, so there hasn’t been much need for us to communicate.”
This was the most personal Beth had ever been, the most she’d revealed about her divorce. Although Grace regarded her as a friend, Beth had never divulged many details about her life prior to Cedar Cove. Grace knew she spent her time with the dogs and running her farm. Her place was one of several in the area that sold live trees. In fact, the address—1225 Christmas Tree Lane—couldn’t have been more appropriate.
Cliff finally spoke up. “Why did your daughters arrange this?” he asked her.
“I’m not sure…. Kent and I have always been civil. It wasn