Family Affair by Debbie Macomber

Author:Debbie Macomber
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2010-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Six

“I’m so pleased we could meet,” Sarah said when Lacey arrived at the seafood restaurant. Seagulls flew overhead, chasing crows. The crows retaliated, pursuing the gulls in a battle over fertile feeding territory. From their window seat, Lacey could watch a lazy harbor seal sunning himself on the long pier. The day was glorious, and she felt the beginnings of joy creep into her soul. It had been a long, dark period. Her life had been dry and barren since the day Peter announced he wanted a divorce.

“I wanted to talk to you about Jack,” Sarah said, her gaze fixed on her menu.

This didn’t surprise Lacey, and if the truth be known she’d agreed to have lunch with Sarah for the same reason. Her curiosity about Jack was keen. He was an attractive, successful banker. They were about the same age, she guessed, and she couldn’t help wondering how he’d gotten to the ripe old age of thirty-three without being married.

“I understand you and Jack are seeing each other quite a bit these days.”

Lacey didn’t know why the truth unsettled her so, but she found herself fiddling with her napkin, bunching it in her hands. “He comes over to visit Cleo.”

Sarah’s soft laugh revealed her amusement. “It isn’t Cleo who interests him, and we both know it. He’s had his eye on you for over a year. The problem is, my dear brother doesn’t know how to be subtle.”

Lacey disagreed. “He’s been more than patient.”

“True,” Sarah agreed reluctantly. “He didn’t want to scare you off. We talked about you several times. He wanted my advice. I was the one who suggested he send you flowers. He was downright discouraged when you repeatedly turned him down. Who would have thought that silly tomcat would be the thing to bring you two together?”

Lacey smoothed the linen napkin across her lap. The time for being coy had long since passed. “I like your brother very much.”

“He’s wonderful.” Once again Sarah admitted this with reluctance. “He liked you from the moment he first saw you.”

“But why?” When Lacey moved into the apartment building she’d been an emotional wreck. The divorce had been less than a month old. She hadn’t realized it at the time, but she’d been one of the walking wounded.

Sarah’s look was knowing. “Jack’s like that. He knew you’d been badly hurt and that you needed someone, the same way Dog did. He found Dog in a back alley, half starved and so mad he wouldn’t let anyone near him. It took several weeks before Dog recognized Jack as a friend.” She paused, leaned forward, and braced her elbows against the table. “But Jack was patient. He’s been patient with you too, and it’s paid off. I can’t remember the last time he was so happy.”

“I’m not a stray cat,” Lacey said defensively. She wasn’t keen on the comparison, but the similarity didn’t escape her.

“Oh, no,” Sarah said quickly. “I didn’t mean to imply that. Jack would have my head for even suggesting such a thing.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.