1105 Yakima Street - Debbie Macomber [99]
“Your turn,” Olivia said, after taking her first bite. “What’s happening in your world?”
Grace hardly knew where to start. “Well, I heard from Ian and Cecilia Randall. Remember them? Ian’s still in the navy. They have two kids now and Ian’s been transferred back to the Bremerton base.”
“Of course I remember the Randalls. It’ll be good to see them again.”
“They asked about the house on Rosewood Lane and my current renters are moving out this month. It was a short-term rental after Faith Beckwith—I mean, Davis—left.”
“That should work out well, then.”
“Yeah. I like them.”
“Me, too,” Olivia said. Slicing off another bite of pie, she casually asked, “How’s Beau?”
Grace frowned. The dog was the least welcome subject. “That puppy is a nuisance.”
“Grace, he’s adorable!”
“Sure, he’s cute but he’s a pain. I’m not keeping him.”
“Really?”
“Really,” Grace insisted. Everyone, right down to her two daughters and their kids, refused to believe her. But she wasn’t keeping him. She wasn’t! It was out of the question. Grace didn’t have the time or inclination for training a puppy. The fact that Beau followed her around like a pesky little shadow didn’t influence her one bit.
“Does Beth have a home for him?”
“Yes. Mine. She thinks she’s so clever,” Grace said, growing more animated as she spoke. “She came to me with this song and dance about being so busy shipping Christmas trees to Japan and Hawaii and wherever that she hasn’t had time to look for another home and could I just hang on to him. She assumed that because I agreed to help her with this puppy I’d want to keep him myself. Well, she’s wrong.”
“What does Cliff say?”
Grace narrowed her eyes as she stared intently across the table. “Olivia?” she murmured, her heart sinking. “Not you, too.”
“Not me, what?”
“You think I should keep Beau.”
“Only if you love him.”
“I don’t. He needs a good home and it isn’t with me. I refuse to become attached to that dog. Besides, he’s nothing but trouble. Did I tell you I found him chewing my new shoes the other day?”
“I believe you might have mentioned that once or twice.”
“My point exactly.” The more she thought about Beau, the more convinced she became that she didn’t want him.
“Do you realize you talk about Beau quite a lot?”
That was an exaggeration, but Grace was determined not to argue. “Mark my words, Olivia, I am not keeping that dog. If anything, I’ll give him to Maryellen and Jon for the kids. If they’ll agree… Katie and Drake are at the age where they’ll love having a puppy. Beau will be happy with them.”
Before her friend could pursue the subject further, Grace changed it. “How are things going for Will?”
“So far, so good.”
“Buying your mother’s old house is a brilliant solution. Who came up with that idea? You or Will?”
“Will. It’s a tremendous help to Mom and Ben,” Olivia said. “Everything’s working out beautifully. Will is moving into Mom and Ben’s place, and Miranda will take over his apartment at the art gallery right after New Year’s.”
A smile quivered at the edges of Olivia’s mouth. “I’m pretty sure my brother’s attracted to Miranda. She isn’t the type who’d normally interest him. She’s not petite or demure. But she is his equal and isn’t afraid to stand up to him. He’s falling for her, and I can tell he isn’t all that happy about it.”
A smile became impossible to hold back. “I had a feeling something was going on between those two. Who would’ve believed it?”
“Oh, Grace, she’s just perfect for him.”
Grace settled back and giggled like a schoolgirl.
“She doesn’t let him get away with anything,” Olivia went on. “She sees right through him and calls his bluff. I don’t think a woman’s ever spoken to him the way Miranda does. Including his wife… In the beginning, I thought Will would lose it. I’m pretty sure he fired her at least once, and I know for a fact that she walked out on him one day.”
“That must really have set him off.”
“It did.”
“But it wasn’t long before Will realized what an asset she is, so he had to humble himself and ask her to return.”
“Will? Humble? Those are two