311 Pelican Court Read Online Free Page A

honestly loves me, I think he should fight for me.”
    “Fight for you?” The image that came to Grace’s mind, of Jack and Stan standing in the driveway, dukes raised, was comical. “You mean you want him to challenge Stan to a fistfight? Or—” she grinned, imagining them in Regency-era costumes, brandishing pistols “—a duel?”
    “No, of course not,” Olivia said impatiently. “I want him to give me some indication, a sign that I’m worth more to him than his stupid male pride. That’s all.” She lowered her eyes. “He’s acting like a hurt little boy.”
    “I imagine he is hurt.”
    “Well, so am I. He instantly decided I’d spent the night with Stan, although we’d been seeing each other exclusively. If he really believes I’m that kind of woman, I’m better off without him.”
    “Don’t give up on him so quickly.”
    “It’s been almost a month, Grace.” Slowly, sadly, sheshook her head. “What else am I supposed to think? He’s apparently content just to drop the relationship.”
    “What about you?” Grace asked. “Are you willing to walk away from Jack?”
    She didn’t answer immediately. “I don’t think so,” she finally said.
    This was encouraging. “What are you going to do?”
    “I don’t know,” she readily admitted. “Give it time, I guess.”
    Grace nodded. She drained her tea, stood and set her glass in the sink. “Let’s get back to painting.”
    “Just a minute,” Olivia said, stopping her. She was still seated. “While we’re on the subject of men, tell me what’s happening between you and that good-looking rancher.”
    Grace wanted to groan out loud. She’d really prefer not to discuss Cliff Harding. They’d been seeing each other for nearly a year; they’d met shortly after Grace had filed for divorce. She hadn’t officially gone out with him until her divorce was final, but he’d let her know he was interested. Grace was interested in him, too; however, for some reason, their mutual attraction made her uncomfortable.
    “What’s wrong?” Olivia asked.
    “I’m not really sure,” she murmured. “That’s part of the problem.”
    “You mean a decent, wonderful man comes into your life and you can’t figure it out?”
    Grace ignored the light sarcasm. “Dan and I got married so young,” she said, and because it was apparent that Olivia wasn’t going to let her escape, she reclaimed her seat. “We were just teenagers, and then Dan went off to Vietnam. But despite all that, despite the difficulties we had, I never looked at another man.”
    “I know,” Olivia said, her voice low and soothing.

    “Given the least bit of encouragement, Cliff would ask me to marry him.”
    “He was so kind the day of Dan’s funeral.”
    Grace could only agree. Cliff had showed up at the house following the wake and tenderly looked after her. She’d been exhausted, mentally, physically, emotionally. That afternoon, Cliff had comforted her, tucked her into bed and made her dinner. Grace had never met anyone as thoughtful as Cliff Harding, and, frankly, the way that made her feel frightened her.
    “I know Cliff wants us to be serious,” she said, her voice trembling, “but I haven’t dated anyone except him since Dan disappeared.”
    “You think seeing a man exclusively—any man—is the same trap you fell into during high school?” Olivia asked. “Is that it?”
    “I didn’t want to be divorced or a widow, but I’m both. I guess I don’t want to limit myself to one person at this stage. I don’t think I’m ready to be in a relationship.” There, she’d said it, and as soon as the words were out she understood what had been happening and why.
    “Grace?” Olivia was studying her closely.
    “That’s it,” she breathed. The insomnia, the anxiety, it all made sense to her now. She didn’t need her bedroom repainted to help release her from the memories of her dead husband. Yes, she had concerns about some information Dan had given her in the