Read Online 8 Sandpiper Way by Debbie Macomber - Free Book Online Page B

gleamed. “Of course you’ll stay with us until you find a place to rent.”
    “Actually, no.”
    “No?” Corrie frowned. “But…we’re your family. Where else would you live?”
    “The thing is, I’ve found a place.”
    “So soon?”
    “Yes, and it works out great. Would you believe I’ll be living in Linnette’s old apartment? Will Jefferson’s subleting it, and I’m assuming his lease.”
    “You?”
    “Where’s Will going?” Roy asked. “He’s barely moved in. You mean to say he’s moving out already?”
    “He purchased the Harbor Street Art Gallery.”
    That was old news. Big news when it happened, because it had looked as if the gallery was about to close its doors for good. No one wanted that. The entire community had breathed a collective sigh of relief when Will Jefferson decided to buy it.
    “Yes, we know about Will taking over the gallery,” Corrie said. “He’s not leaving town, is he? After all this, it would be a shame if he turned over the management to someone else.”
    “Nothing like that,” Mack explained. “Apparently the gallery has a small apartment that’s been used for storage during the past few years. Will couldn’t see any reason to pay rent when he already has a place he could live.”
    “I didn’t know the gallery had an apartment.”
    “Me, neither,” Roy said. “It’s got a second story, though, so it doesn’t really surprise me.”
    “Up until now it’s been crammed full of junk. Will’s been working all weekend to get it cleared out. At last count he’d made three trips to the garbage dump. He’s having painters come in on Monday.”
    “The place could probably use updating, don’t you think?” Corrie asked.
    “I’ll help him whenever I can,” Mack said.
    From habit Roy nearly spoiled everything by making some disparaging comment about Mack’s carpentry skills. Thankfully, he stopped himself in time. His son was a capable carpenter; not only that, he’d worked as a painter and part-time post-office employee. He’d done a dozen other jobs since he’d dropped out of school.
    “Will said he’ll eventually buy his own place, but at this point, he’s content to fix up the apartment.”
    “Sounds like a plan,” Roy murmured. “Makes sense to stay on the premises.”
    “That’s the cop in you talking, Dad,” Mack said with a laugh.
    Corrie laughed, too. “So when are you moving into Linnette’s old apartment?” she asked.
    “As soon as I can make the arrangements. The lease is up in a few months and that’ll give me time to decide what I want to do—buy or continue renting.”
    “Good idea, son.”
    Mack met his eyes and they exchanged a smile. This was progress, real progress, for both of them.
    The oven timer went off, and Corrie returned to the kitchen.
    “Let me set the table,” Mack offered, following his mother.
    Roy reached for the paper but he didn’t see the words in front of him. Instead he pondered the state of his children’s lives. Gloria was doing well. Linnette was going to start a medical clinic in Buffalo Valley, North Dakota. And now Mack was taking on a responsible job with the Cedar Cove Fire Department.
    Roy didn’t think life could get much sweeter than this.

Chapter Seven
    “ S he’s going to be fine,” Cliff Harding said, standing behind Grace as she prepared their morning pot of coffee. He placed his big hands on her shoulders in a comforting gesture of love and concern.
    Grace pressed her hands over his and wished she felt as confident as he seemed to be. Olivia, her best friend, her life friend, had cancer. The word struck terror in her heart. This wasn’t the first time a friend, someone she cared about, had been diagnosed with breast cancer. But this was Olivia, who was as close to Grace as a sister. They’d been best friends from the moment they’d met in first grade.
    They’d seen each other through every life crisis—from Grace’s teenage pregnancy to her first husband’s suicide. From