plan has apparently worked. Half the town is here to support you. If anyone from council is in attendance, I sincerely hope they are taking detailed notes. I don’t see that anything useful will be served by fining five senior citizens who were on a mission to make Cedar Cove a better place. If I could have your word of honor that you will not assemble again without the necessary permit, then I’d be willing to dismiss all charges.”
Charlotte and the others were quick to comply.
As soon as the charges were dismissed, the courtroom erupted into applause. As they walked out, Charlotte and her friends were given a heroes’ reception. They were free, one and all.
Before they left the courthouse, Charlotte and Ben personally thanked Sharon and every person who’d come to their support. She was astonished their case had generated so much interest in the community. All this time Charlotte hadn’t spoken about her court date because she didn’t want to bother her family or friends with her problems. It was a strong affirmation of the community’s affection and respect that so many people were there today.
Ben drove her back to the house. “I had no idea all those people knew about this,” she told him as he held the car door for her.
“I didn’t, either,” Ben said.
“I suspect it was Grace who rallied everyone on our behalf.”
“The next time I’m in the library, I’m going to thank her all over again.”
“I will, too.” Charlotte had every intention of letting Olivia know what a wonderful job Grace had done.
“You are much loved in this community, Charlotte Jefferson,” Ben said as they mounted her front-porch steps. He carried her small suitcase, which he’d remembered to remove from the trunk.
“I am honored so many of my friends took time out of their busy days and came to court,” she murmured, still a little overwhelmed.
“There’s someone else you should include on the list of people who love you,” Ben said. He sat down on the porch swing while she rummaged in her large purse, searching for the house keys.
“And who would that be?” she asked, thinking she might have stuck the key chain in her overnight bag.
“That would be me.”
Charlotte froze. Ben had just declared his love-or so it seemed-and at the most ridiculous of times. She turned to face him. “Are you saying you’re in love with me, Ben Rhodes?”
“I am.” He looked at her directly, meeting her eyes. “The fact is, Charlotte, I’m wondering if you share my feelings.”
He didn’t know? He hadn’t guessed? This was indeed news. With her keys clenched in her hands, she triumphantly lifted them from her purse. “As a matter of fact, I’m head over heels in love with you and have been for quite a while,” she said bluntly. Having admitted her feelings, she blushed and quickly added, “Would you care for a glass of lemonade to celebrate our victory?” She opened the front door.
“Don’t mind if I do.” Ben followed her into the house. “I just might steal a kiss while I’m at it.”
“And I just might let you,” Charlotte said with a smile.
Chapter Five
The alarm went off and Grace Sherman glanced at the clock radio on the bedside table. 7:00 a.m. Her one day of the work week to sleep in, and she’d forgotten to turn off the alarm the night before. With the new spring schedule, the library didn’t open until eleven on Wednesdays. But staying in bed now that she was awake seemed pointless. Sighing, she tossed aside the covers, then sat up and slipped her feet into slippers. She quickly made the bed.
Dan, her husband of more than thirty years, had been dead for some time, and she had the entire bed to herself, but she continued to sleep on one half, never disarranging the other. Old habits were persistent. Habits like waking early. Her daily routine gave her structure and comfort in a life that was increasingly out of control.
As little as three years ago, everything had seemed so normal. Her marriage wasn’t particularly happy, but it wasn’t unhappy, either. Her life was comfortable. Predictable. Then Dan had disappeared. For an entire year she’d lived in a state of suspension, not knowing what had happened to him, where he’d gone or who he was with. When she least expected it, just when she’d adjusted to the fact that he must be with someone else, Dan’s body was discovered. He’d died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Grace felt she could deal with Dan’s death. At the time, he’d already been gone a year and she’d learned to live on her own and even found a certain solace in it. During those first dark, lonely months following his disappearance, she’d become acquainted with Cliff Harding, a horse rancher who lived in Olalla. Cliff had wanted a relationship, but he’d been patient, willing to wait until it felt right to her. Prior to her relationship with Cliff, the last time Grace had been out on a date was in high school. The one and only man in her life had been her husband. After she’d buried Dan, she’d finally agreed to see Cliff-but then she’d foundered and made a drastic mistake. Grace had gotten involved with another man via the Internet.
Chatting with Will Jefferson, her best friend’s older brother, had started out innocently enough. From as early as she could remember, Grace had had a crush on Will. That had never gone anywhere, and after high school Will had left for the East Coast, where he attended college and then stayed. He’d written her a letter after Dan’s death, and the correspondence had continued by e-mail. He’d flattered her ego, become her friend, and before she realized what was happening, she’d fallen in love with him, despite the fact that he was married.
She was embarrassed to admit how foolish she’d been. Grace knew from the beginning that Will had a wife. At first she’d pretended they were merely friends and that his marital status didn’t matter. But it did. When Will assured her he was divorcing his wife, she’d wanted to believe him, wanted to be part of his life badly enough to swallow his lies. Thankfully she’d learned the truth in time to save her dignity, but at a painful price.
As a result of her liaison with Will, she’d lost Cliff Harding’s love, friendship and respect. He no longer wanted anything to do with her and after months of neglect, months of misleading him-no, lying to him-she couldn’t blame Cliff at all. He’d said it would be better if they went their separate ways. Twice she’d gone to him. Twice she’d asked for another chance to prove herself. Twice he’d said no.
Grace had wanted to make amends and to recover what she’d lost with Cliff. She now recognized her “love” for Will as the infatuation it was, fueled by the clandestine nature of the relationship. And she recognized the genuineness of her feelings for Cliff.
She was sure Cliff still loved her, too. She saw it, felt it, but he sadly shook his head. Cliff’s wife had cheated on him for years and he refused to become trapped in another relationship where trust was compromised.
As far as Cliff was concerned, it was over between them.
With both Will and Cliff out of her life, Grace was lonely. Terribly lonely. Other than her work, some valued friends and her two daughters and grandchildren, she had few outside interests.
Dressed in her robe and slippers, she moved slowly into the kitchen, Buttercup, her golden retriever, at her heels. The dog ventured outside through the doggy door,
