16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber Page B

her left hand, where she continued to wear the plain gold ring.
    â€œYou’ll probably hear from him soon,” the first sailor said.
    â€œBut don’t get your hopes up,” the second added.
    Even though Cecilia knew he was right, she couldn’t help feeling hopeful. Ian might be back—but only God and the Navy knew for how long.
    Â 
    The phone rang just as Olivia was putting the finishing touches on her makeup for her dinner date with Jack Griffin. She glanced at her watch; she still had fifteen minutes before he was due to pick her up.
    â€œHello,” she said cheerfully, half expecting it to be her mother. Charlotte had fallen completely under Jack’s spell and had been singing his praises ever since they’d met last Friday night.
    â€œIt’s Stan.”
    Her ex-husband always did have a no-nonsense way about him. He got directly to the point. “You’ve heard from James?”
    Olivia had spoken to her son and his wife the afternoon Justine had delivered their news. It had been an emotional conversation, filled with congratulations and with tears, on her part and Selina’s. She’d called again after her head had cleared, asking all the questions she’d forgotten the first time. “I spoke to him twice last week,” she responded.
    â€œThen you know.”
    â€œThat he’s married and about to be a father? Yes.”
    â€œWhat’s all this about James converting to Catholicism?”
    â€œYou’ll have to ask him yourself.” She paused, wondering why he’d brought up that particular aspect of their son’s news. “You’re not upset about it, are you?” Olivia would be astonished if he was. Stan had never been too concerned with religion; he didn’t object when she attended worship services or brought the children, but it wasn’t something that interested him. Sunday mornings were for golf games, in his view.
    â€œI couldn’t care less,” he said. “I’m just surprised.”
    â€œThat’s what I thought,” she murmured. “He sounds happy, don’t you think? When did you speak to him?”
    Stan hesitated. “Just a few minutes ago. He seemed to be in a rush so I figured I’d get the story from you.”
    Her ex-husband apparently believed she knew more than she did. “I’m not sure what to tell you. Our son is married and we’re both about to become grandparents for the first time.”
    Stan chuckled, sounding slightly chagrined. “I was beginning to doubt that was ever going to happen.”
    The tension left her and she smiled. The circumstances weren’t what she would have preferred, but she was absolutely delighted at the prospect of a grandchild.
    â€œI suppose you’re going to spoil that baby rotten.”
    â€œI certainly plan to,” she said. But Stan was the indulgent one, and they both knew it.
    â€œI wish James had been a bit more forthcoming with the details,” he muttered.
    Olivia concurred. “I’ve decided to fly down once the baby’s born and meet Selina and her family and welcome her to ours.”
    â€œGood idea. I cut a five-hundred-dollar check as a wedding gift.”
    Stan had always been excessively generous and she said so. “I sent flowers,” she added ruefully. “I’ll bring a real wedding gift when I visit.”
    â€œHe’s the first one of the kids to marry—and he’s expecting a baby. It was the least I could do.”
    The doorbell chimed and Olivia was surprised to realize they’d been talking for fifteen minutes. “That’s my dinner date,” she said.
    â€œYou’re dating?” There was no jealousy in the question, just curiosity.
    Olivia laughed softly. “Don’t sound so shocked.”
    â€œI’m not. Who’s the lucky fellow?”
    â€œJack Griffin. He’s new in town.”
    â€œDon’t keep him waiting,