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There'd been a time in the not-so-distant past when their relationship had been strained Justine had been seeing a ry at the world Olivia had wanted so much rieving over the death of her twin--Jordan had died in a tragic accident at the age of 13 But Justine had finally come to a more peaceful acceptance Olivia felt that was because of Seth In fact, everything had changed when Justine fell in love with Seth Gunderson

"Where's Jack?" Justine asked, looking past Olivia

"The office, where else?" Jack worked far too ate some of his tasks He was involved in every aspect of the newspaper and loved his job Now that the Chronicle had gone to five editions a week, his hours were even worse than they'd been before their ued about it repeatedly, but Olivia supposed shea part-tier, but she suspected nothing was going to change until he retired If then

Justine seated her at atable, then returned to the front of the restaurant and talked to one of the waitresses It was still early in the evening and the restaurant was only about a third full As soon as she had someone to cover for her, she walked back to Olivia's table

"Got a moment?" she asked

"Of course" Grace wouldn't arrive for at least ten hter pulled out the chair across fros with Grandhed and wondered how hter knew Probably all of it "We're talking again"

Justine s to marry Ben, you know?"

Olivia ell aware of that "She sent me a letter" It hurt that her ownher face-to-face "I didn't ated for her own protection, but our concern backfired"

"I know" At least Justine sounded sympathetic

"Mom was upset about our lack of faith in her," Olivia said She must have known instinctively how her mother would feel, because she'd found it necessary to hide their inquiries from Charlotte

"What else did she say in her letter?"

"She said everyone deserves to be happy, regardless of age, and reminded me how pleased she hen I ht, you know," Justine reement with that "She wants Will and oes for his sons, of course" She frowned "I don't think she's , she added, "Naturally I intend to respect Mo of my mother with another man, but it's her life and I want her to be happy"

Justine agreed "I never said anything when you decided to hter said softly "But deep down, I wanted you and Dad to get back together I kneould never work, but the little-girl part of ain"

Olivia was shocked to see tears in her daughter's eyes Justine blinked furiously, as though embarrassed "I still think about Jordan," she whispered

"So do I"

Justine nodded "Do you remember what day it is?"

Olivia realized with a jolt that she'd been so preoccupied as happening in her own life she'd let the date slip On this day, August tenth, eighteen years ago, her son had drowned Her entire life and those of her two surviving children had been divided by that date The time before Jordan's death and the ti the tears froet all et back to Grandreed and sed past the lump in her throat "I stopped at Moed for the first tiave me I'm sure she'll tell you herself, but they've set the date for their wedding"

Justine grinned sheepishly "I know all about that Grandma came in earlier today and booked the restaurant for the reception She talked to Uncle Will, and he said he's colad to know that, because she wanted to give Grace a talk with her brother about his Internet relationship with her best friend He'd taken advantage of Grace and betrayed his wife, Georgia Olivia was furious whenever she thought about it

"Hi, you two," Grace said, co?"

"No, no," Justine said, rising gracefully froot here" She looked at Olivia, winked and was on her way

Funny how just a few hter could mean so much Olivia felt close to Justine and to her son James, too, and considered herself fortunate to have such wonderful children

"Sorry I'm late," Grace said as she sat down across from Olivia "It took forever to finish up at the library"

"Don't worry about it Justine and I had a chance to talk and we don't get to do that nearly often enough"

"I kno she feels," Grace ether these days"

"I'm sorry," Olivia told her friend, and she was sincere She had been neglecting their friendship, but was determined not to let that continue "How's your week been?"

Grace shrugged noncommitally "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times What about you?"

Olivia sether, which hasn't been as easy as I'd hoped, but you knowtheir aerobic workouts on Wednesday nights "Moiven "

Grace paled visibly but didn't comment

"Nohat's neith you?" Olivia asked

To her surprise, Grace grabbed a tissue fro to tell you, but I'll probably cry"

Olivia was aghast "What is it?"

"Last week I got a letter froon" She paused a"He wrote after Dan's death and we've talked a couple of times since, but this came out of the blue"