Free 8 Sandpiper Way by Debbie Macomber Page B

When another five minutes had slowly passed, Olivia’s daughter, Justine, and her mother, Charlotte, walked into the waiting area. Charlotte, as usual, toted an enormous knitting bag.
    “Is Mom in surgery?” Justine asked.
    Grace nodded.
    Charlotte sat down next to Jack and automatically pulled out her knitting. “It calms my nerves,” she announced to no one in particular. Her fingers worked at an impressive speed, and Grace tried to guess what the multicolored yarn would become.
    “I wish I could’ve seen her before the surgery,” Justine said, pacing restlessly.
    “It’s all right, dear,” Charlotte said calmly. “Yourmother knows how much you love her. She knows you would’ve been here if you could.”
    Justine continued pacing. “I used to think I didn’t really need my mother.” She sounded close to tears. “I was so confident that I knew what I was doing.” She gave a little shake of her head. “Mom never liked me dating Warren Saget. She didn’t trust him. I think in some ways I went on seeing him out of spite, just so I could prove how wrong she was.”
    “Justine,” Charlotte said quietly, setting her knitting down in her lap. “All daughters go through that with their mothers. Olivia did with me, as well. It isn’t until we’re mothers ourselves that we understand.”
    Justine folded her arms. “She was right, you know—about Warren, about me loving Seth and…and everything else. I need her in my life. Leif needs his grandma and so does our new baby.” She flattened her palm against her stomach.
    Grace had recently learned that Justine was pregnant with her second child and knew Olivia was ecstatic.
    They all grew quiet for several minutes. In the distance Grace saw workers setting up Christmas trees and hanging decorations. She’d forgotten that this was the first of December.
    Charlotte was knitting steadily, her fingers slowing to a more relaxed pace. “I told Ben this morning that we should cancel the cruise. I want to be with my daughter.”
    “Grandma, Mom would be furious if you did that,” Justine said. “You and Ben have been planning this vacation for months.”
    “Yes, I know, but…”
    “Go, Charlotte,” Jack told her. “Justine’s right. Olivia would be upset with you for staying home.”
    “I realize that. Still…”
    Charlotte didn’t finish what she was about to say. Her eyes brightened and she smiled as Pastor Dave Flemming joined them in the waiting area.
    “Oh, Pastor,” Charlotte murmured in relief. “I’m so pleased you were able to make it.”
    “I’m glad to do it,” Dave said, sitting next to Charlotte.
    “Olivia’s in surgery now,” Jack explained. “Everything depends on whether the cancer has spread. We won’t know exactly what we’re dealing with until we know that.”
    “Whatever happens, I wanted to tell you I’m available anytime. All you need to do is call.”
    “Thank you,” Justine said.
    “Would you like me to pray with you now?”
    “Please.” It was Charlotte who answered. She set aside her knitting needles and bowed her head.
    Justine sat beside Grace and closed her eyes. Seeing how shaken she was, Grace took the younger woman’s hand in her own. Justine held on tightly.
    Pastor Flemming’s prayer was brief, but it brought Grace a sense of peace. She didn’t know what the outcome would be, but for the first time she was ready to leave that with God.
    When Pastor Flemming finished, the small group whispered, “Amen.”
    The prayer affected them all. Jack looked more composed and so did Justine. Charlotte picked up her knitting needles. Grace found herself breathing normally again.
    They chatted amicably with Pastor Flemming for a few minutes until he said, “I’ve got a meeting, so I’d better leave now.” He got to his feet.
    Jack stood, too. “I can’t thank you enough for stopping by.”
    The pastor nodded and patted Jack’s shoulder affectionately.“We can’t always know what the future holds, but we