92 Pacific Boulevard - Debbie Macomber [69]
“It’s for Olivia, remember?”
When he seemed uncertain, she explained. “A few of us are getting together and planting flowers in Olivia’s yard. It’s sort of a get-well-soon bouquet on a larger scale.“
“Yeah, I remember now. But isn’t it a bit early to be planting flowers?” he asked.
“Some varieties do well in this weather, and when April comes they’ll be in full bloom.”
His toast popped up and Cliff set both pieces on the counter, slathering them with a thick coating of peanut butter.
Grace opened the cupboard and pointedly handed him a plate.
He accepted it with a lopsided grin. “If you insist.“
“I do.”
Leaning against the counter, Cliff took a bite of his breakfast while Grace retrieved a spoon from the cutlery drawer and sat at the table. Years ago, she’d read a diet book that said never to eat standing up. She’d followed that advice ever since.
“Back to Olivia,” Cliff continued. “She’s getting through this cancer ordeal, isn’t she?“
“I think so, but it’s really too soon to tell. I thought this would lift her spirits. She’s gone through a rough patch, and I figured she could use a bit of cheering up.” According to Jack, the second and third sessions of chemo had been harder on her than the first.
“Peggy and Corrie wanted to help,” Grace went on, “and then Faith joined in. Charlotte’s going to bring us all lunch.”
Cliff pulled out a chair and sat down across from her. “You’re a good friend, Grace.”
Grace dismissed his praise with a shake of her head. “Olivia’s my best friend. This is the very least I can do for her.”
“I’d be happy to help, too,” Cliff offered.
She smiled gratefully at his willingness to pitch in. “Thanks, honey, but I think we have it covered.”
“Okay, but let me know if there’s anything you need.”
“I will,” she promised, finishing her yogurt. She deposited the container in the garbage and started to leave when Cliff stopped her.
“I don’t suppose you let Jack in on this plan of yours?” he asked.
“Oh.” Actually, she hadn’t.
He grinned. “Go on. I’ll take care of that for you.”
“Thanks.”
By nine-thirty, Grace and her accomplices met at the local Ace Hardware next to the craft store. Peggy arrived in her pickup, with Corrie sitting in the front seat beside her. Faith had come in her own vehicle and Charlotte was waiting in the parking lot, along with Ben.
When Grace parked next to her friend’s truck, Peggy climbed down and hugged her. “Bob built four flower boxes for Olivia’s front porch.”
“What a sweetheart,” Grace said delightedly.
“Roy wanted to contribute, too,” Corrie said. “So he painted them. They’re white, and they really look nice—I know Olivia’s going to be pleased.”
“Wonderful!”
“Charlotte has so much food in the backseat, she could feed an entire navy fleet,” Ben told her.
“How can you say that, Ben Rhodes?” Charlotte muttered. “I just hope I brought enough. After all that physical labor, these girls are going to be hungry.”
Walking into the store, they each grabbed a cart. After they’d chosen their supplies and selected a variety of seedlings, they loaded everything into Peggy’s truck. Then they set off en masse.
The caravan got to Olivia’s home on Lighthouse Road just before ten-thirty. Jack met them on the front porch. “Hi, everyone!”
“I take it Cliff got hold of you?” Grace asked, hurrying up the walkway to meet him.
“This is a terrific idea.”
“Does Olivia know?”
“Not yet,” Jack said. “I thought I’d let you tell her.”
Grace ran up the porch steps. “How’s she doing today?”
Jack hesitated. “She had a rough night.”
Grace suspected Olivia had gone through a lot of those recently. When they’d spoken on the phone yesterday, Olivia had sounded tired. The last chemo had weakened her, left her exhausted.
“Anything I can do?” Grace asked.
Jack’s gaze held hers. “I think you’re already doing it.”
Grace walked past Jack and into the house. “Olivia,” she called out, her voice echoing through the living room. “Where are you?”
“Back here.” She heard Olivia’s thin, weak voice from down the hallway.
Grace found her in