Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Mmm, this food is delicious.” Olivia set down her spoon after tasting the mouthwatering French onion soup she’d ordered with her meal. “Thanks for taking me here, you guys.”
She was out to eat at a gourmet restaurant in Whale Harbor with her aunt Marsha and Willis. She’d been enjoying spending time with them, and was excited to finish the meal, which promised to be delicious, based on how wonderful the soup was. Despite her enjoyment, however, she found herself distracted. She kept thinking about what had happened with Haley at Little Clams earlier that day.
It had been a stressful experience, she had to admit it. All of a sudden, Haley had been wailing uncontrollably, scaring the other kids and refusing to be comforted. Her affection for the little girl hadn’t wavered for an instant, but she’d felt distressed, not knowing how to handle it.
Poor Corey, she thought, feeling a rush of empathy for him. He loves her even more than I do, and he’s had to deal with that who knows how many times. I hope we can figure out something that will help her.
“Something on your mind, sweetheart?” Marsha asked, seeming to notice Olivia’s preoccupation.
Olivia looked up, smiling. “You see everything, Aunt Marsha.” She laughed. “Something happened at Little Clams today, and I can’t seem to stop thinking about it.”
“Something bad?” Marsha asked, worried, and beside her, Willis frowned in concern.
“Yeah, it wasn’t good,” Olivia admitted. “You remember me telling you about those twins I’m so fond of? Max and Haley?”
“Corey Easton’s kids?” Marsha asked, a touch slyly.
“Yes.” Olivia’s mouth curved up in a half-smile. “Today during my class, Haley had an outburst. One of the other kids accidentally messed up her painting, and she really took it hard. She was crying for so long that we had to ask her dad to come pick her up.”
“Oh no, I’m so sorry.” Marsha placed her hand on her heart.
“I feel so bad for her. The kids lost their mom not that long ago in a car accident, and I’m sure she’s dealing with a lot emotionally. I just wish I knew what to do for her! I truly believe she’s trying to express herself, but she just doesn’t know how.”
Her aunt nodded, her kind eyes gentle with concern. She seemed to be thinking for a few moments, and then she said, “Haley is very artistic, yes?”
“Yes, very. And she has some real talent. She loves doing all different kinds of art.”
“Maybe she’d like a day in my craft room with me,” Marsha suggested. “I can teach her all kinds of things. Art can be therapeutic to people of all ages. I bet the more she learns how to express herself through art, the less she’ll feel like she has to let everything out in an outburst. You can offer that to Corey if you’d like. What do you think?”
“That sounds fantastic!” Olivia clapped her hands together. “I’m sure she’d love that, Aunt Marsha, and I know Corey will love the idea as well. I’ll ask him as soon as I can.”
Marsha beamed at her, and the two women talked, excited about all of the crafts that Haley could do while they finished their soups. Willis listened with interest and offered comments every now and again.
This is perfect , Olivia thought with satisfaction as their main courses arrived. Haley will love Aunt Marsha, and I’m sure getting to make more art will help her learn to express herself better.
Even more than that, Olivia felt confident that her aunt Marsha’s kindness would help the little girl blossom. She knew that Haley needed more maternal role models in her life, and her aunt was an ideal candidate for that. She thought eagerly of how gently Marsha would guide Haley—just like she had always guided Olivia.
“Oh, this food is wonderful,” Marsha said, after taking a bite of her mushroom and spinach lasagna.
“It is,” Willis agreed, nodding.
“Almost as good as the food at The Crab,” Marsha added, winking at him, and he grinned at her.
Olivia’s heart warmed to see the older couple interacting so affectionately. She was thrilled that everything had worked out so well for them, and she hoped that someday she would be lucky enough to find love like that.
Caitlin pushed her shopping cart slowly along the aisles of Sandy’s Grocery, her eyes scanning the shelves. She was looking for a particular brand of rice noodles that she liked, and smiled in triumph when she located it.
As she turned around the corner of the next aisle, she grinned when she saw her friend Sandy standing there with a clipboard in her hands. Sandy’s stomach was large with her pregnancy, and her cheeks were rosy.
“You look great!” Caitlin gave the grocery store owner a gentle hug. “It’s so good to see you. But what are you doing working when you’re supposed to be resting?”
Sandy laughed. “I’m only working a little bit. I love doing the orders for the store, and it helps Daniel and Tommy out a lot when I do.”
Caitlin smiled. “Well, as long as it doesn’t tire you out too much. How have you been?”
“I’ve been doing great,” Sandy said, her eyes shining. She tossed her long blond braid over her shoulder as she laughed and added, “Well, tired and hormonal and achy, but very happy. Daniel and I are so excited for this baby.”
“I can imagine. Do you need anything? Is there anything we can do to help you prepare?”
Sandy shook her head, smiling. “We should be good, but thank you for offering. We’ve got a nursery all ready, and Tommy has been pitching in with everything. He and Daniel are building the crib together—isn’t that sweet?”
“Oh, so sweet! You’ll have to send me pictures when it’s done.”
“I definitely will.”
“I’ll come by with meals once the baby is born, you can count on it. Did you get everything you needed from the baby shower?”
“And then some! Everyone was so kind. We received so many thoughtful presents.”
The two women continued to chat about preparations for the baby as they wandered toward the front of the store. Caitlin was just about to excuse herself to go check out, when another woman appeared at the end of an aisle near them. Caitlin noticed with a flutter of dislike that it was Janelle.
“Hi there,” Sandy said to Janelle, greeting her cordially. “Welcome to our grocery store. Let me know if there’s anything you need help with.”
Janelle uttered a slightly patronizing laugh, as if she thought it was very quaint of Sandy to offer help, said, “I will, thanks,” and disappeared down another aisle—all without looking at Caitlin once.
Sandy turned back to Caitlin and lifted her eyebrows when she saw Caitlin’s face.
“Something the matter?”
Caitlin shook her head. “Oh, not really. Janelle and Michael used to date. She’s in town visiting, and—well, she just won’t leave him alone. And she always acts like I don’t even exist, like you just saw.”
“Oh, wow,” Sandy murmured sympathetically. “That definitely does not sound pleasant.”
“I know Michael loves me, and he hasn’t done anything to give me worry,” Caitlin said. “So ultimately, I’m really lucky. But I have to admit that Janelle being around is throwing me a little off balance.”
“I can imagine! But don’t let it get you down. We all know Michael is head over heels for you.” She winked. “And besides, that girl has nothing on you.” Sandy beamed at her, and Caitlin smiled back gratefully.
“Thanks. I just wish—”
As they reached the registers, Janelle flounced over to them, holding a bottle of wine and a box of rice crackers.
“Hi, I’d like to check out please,” Janelle said, tossing her hair to the side as if she thought she was in a hair commercial.
“Sure,” Sandy said, looking like she was suppressing a laugh. “Sammie can take you right over there.”
“Great,” Janelle said, and strutted over to the register, where they could hear her talking to Sammie in a low, overly “cool” tone of voice.
The moment Janelle left the grocery store, Sandy and Caitlin burst out laughing.
“Oh, I shouldn’t laugh,” Sandy gasped, wiping tears away. “But I—I just can’t help it.”
Caitlin took a deep breath, still shaking with laughter. “Oh, my.”
“Caitlin,” Sandy said, still laughing a little. “That girl is not Michael’s type. You have absolutely nothing to worry about.”
“I think you’re right.” Caitlin laughed. She smiled at her friend. “Thanks. I already knew I had nothing to worry about, but hearing you say it helps me know it more, if you know what I mean.”
“I definitely do.”
The two friends shared a smile for a moment, and then Caitlin said, “I’d better get going. I don’t want to keep you on your feet for any longer than you have to be. Keep us posted about the baby!”
“I will!”
They hugged goodbye and Caitlin checked out at the register. As she stepped outside into the sunlight, she smiled to herself, feeling glad that she’d gotten to talk to Sandy about what was on her mind.