Page 4 (2/2)

"She didn’t want you to worry"

The one thing Olivia wished was that her fa her as if she’d faint at the smallest hint of bad news

"I’ll talk to Grace later, but first tell me about Faith"

Her mother held her teacup in both hands "Oh, she’s fine The minute I heard about the break-in, I went over to help her clean up So did Grace and Cliff, of course, and Corrie and Peggy and a bunch of others The place was a ri all this?"

Her ainst the back of her chair "You know Faith She’s a strong wooodness the vandal was gone by the ti thistaken?" she asked

"When I saw her, she wasn’t sure, and ere all so busy cleaning up the house it was hard to tell I don’t think she’ll know until she has a chance to go through everything"

"Who else ca Olivia loved about Cedar Cove Neighbors were ly pitched in when needed

"Well, naturally, her son and his wife"

"Of course"

"Megan Bloohter?"

"Yes Faith and Megan have struck up quite a friendship"

This was surprising "What about the sheriff and Faith?"

Charlotte set her teacup in its saucer, her frown thoughtful "That, unfortunately, is a delicate situation I hear they’ve decided not to see each other anymore"

"Really?" Olivia was sorry about that She reh school Recently there’d been rumors that they’d reconnected, which see idea It saddened her to think that everything wasn’t going to fall neatly into place But, as she very well knew, not every ro

Both were silent for several seconds "The locksested a dead-bolt systeot it installed ie, as well" Her et into that house again"

Lloyd Copeland was the town’s locksmith and had twenty years’ experience If he said the house was secure, then it was secure The only way in would be through a , but Olivia recalled that Grace had installed ex-trastrong glass in the downstairs panes

"I’lad," Olivia said "Faith needs the peace of mind"

"A her cup to the sink "Anything more I can do for you, Olivia?"

"I’"

"Has your brother been by lately?" Charlotte asked as she headed toward the door

"Will phoned this "

The immediate frown told Olivia that her mother wasn’t pleased She expected Will to visit at least three times a week, to commiserate and hold her hand

"Mo the art gallery up and running, plus re space"

"That’s no excuse"

Olivia didn’t bother to argue

"You’ve seen hiht?"

"Of course" Actually, Will had coone to Shirley Bliss’s home and--to his astonisho and assumed that the world revolved around his schedule It had never occurred to him that Shirley, one of his artists and a ed , for a visit from him Olivia hoped her brother had learned froe Bundt cake"

"I couldn’t possibly forget" Although Jack would appreciate eating itto fatten me up, aren’t you?"

Her mother didn’t deny it "I’ll cook you a batch of ly, "I won’t fit into any of h she was far fro on her because she’d lost weight before Christ off a serious infection However, Olivia wanted herCharlotte did for her, she ell on the road to recovery

"Let er," her ave in with a sht, Mom"

Charlotte put on her coat and scooped up her purse and the empty basket "I’m off to see Bess" One of her ?" she asked "Prorasped the doorknob "And don’t let Jack eat that cake all by himself, you hear?"