16 Lighthouse Road - Debbie Macomber [30]
Olivia took a good look at her. “Something on your mind?”
Radar. Justine swore her mother had radar.
“Why don’t you make a pot of tea?” she suggested.
Her mother froze. “You’re pregnant, aren’t you? Dear God, don’t tell me you’re going to marry Warren!”
“Mother, just make the tea and no, I’m not pregnant.”
“Thank God.” Her relief couldn’t have been more evident. Did she even realize how insulting her reaction was?
Olivia moved into the kitchen and Justine followed.
“That was rude of me, honey. Forgive me,” her mother said, putting the kettle on the burner. She sighed. “You know the way I feel about Warren.”
Justine didn’t need to be reminded.
“But you seem to enjoy his company and that’s all that matters.”
Justine didn’t respond to her mother’s halfhearted apology. What was the point? Yes, she liked Warren, but she wasn’t blind to his faults, either. The most appealing thing about him was his age. Justine liked older men. They were settled, confident and, for the most part, secure. She didn’t intend on having children herself and was looking for a mature relationship. She found most men her own age childish and irresponsible.
Olivia poured the tea and carried two cups to the dining-room table. “All right,” she said when they’d both sat down. “If you’re not pregnant, then what’s wrong?”
Justine ignored the question and doctored her tea. “I heard from James last week.”
Her mother stared at her blankly. “What does James have to do with this?”
“He sounded good.”
“Good?”
“Happy,” she elaborated.
“Does he have a new girlfriend?”
She couldn’t believe her mother hadn’t made the connection. “Not…exactly.”
“He’s seeing the same girl as before? Selina? I can’t recall her surname at the moment.”
“Solis.”
“Hmm. Every time James mentions her, they’re fighting over one thing or another.”
“They’re getting along just fine at the moment,” Justine said, struggling not to laugh outright. Her mother appeared to be completely dense.
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“Are you, Mother?” Justine pressed.
“Of course I am.” Olivia hesitated. “Are you trying to tell me that James and Selina are engaged?”
“No, I’m here to tell you they’re married.”
“Married?” Olivia came out of her chair and just as quickly sat down again. “Married? Without letting me know? Without a word until the deed is done?”
“James was afraid of how you’d react.”
“He should be a lot more afraid of what I’m going to say now,” Olivia muttered grimly. “Why would he think such a thing? What about Selina’s family? Was it as much of a shock to them?”
“Apparently not.”
“How do you mean?”
“Selina’s father insisted they be married by a priest.”
“James isn’t Catholic.”
“He’s converting.” Justine could see from the bewilderment in her mother’s eyes that she found it difficult to take in the news. The son she’d raised Protestant had converted to Catholicism overnight.
“He must love her very much,” Olivia responded thoughtfully.
“I’m sure he does.”
“So in other words, my son and this young woman I’ve never met were married in a Catholic ceremony without telling anyone from our family?”
“Yes,” Justine concurred.
“Why?”
Justine held her breath for an instant. “James wanted you and Dad there, but he was afraid you might disapprove.”
“For the love of heaven, why? Because Selina’s Hispanic? James knows us better than that.”
Justine shrugged. She disagreed with what her brother had done, but it was too late to worry about that.
“When will I meet her?”
“Mom, there’s more.”
Olivia set the cup back into the saucer.
“Selina’s pregnant, isn’t she?”
Finally, Mom. It took you long enough. “I talked to Selina myself,” Justine said cheerfully. “She sounds delightful. James is crazy about her and I’m sure she’s going to make him a good wife.”
Her mother didn’t look nearly as certain. “How far along?”
This was the hard part. “She’s due in four months.”
“Four months,” her mother echoed. “I’m going to be a grandmother in four months?”
“It seems that way.”
Her mother didn’t say anything for several moments, then her eyes glistened and Justine could