Free 16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber

didn’t believe it, and in fact, there was no real evidence, but she’d felt it might shock him enough to get his attention.
    â€œWhat do you want from me?” he asked irritably.
    â€œSome sign of life, ” she cried.
    He glared at her. “Did it ever occur to you that I might be tired?”
    â€œToo tired to talk?”
    â€œI’ve never been a conversationalist. You knew that when you married me. I’m not going to change at this stage of my life. I don’t know what’s bothering you, Grace, but get over it.”
    â€œThat’s not fair! I’m trying to get you to take some responsibility for what’s happening to us.”
    â€œYou’re the one who’s so unhappy.”
    â€œBecause I want more from our marriage than this.” She motioned with her arms in a futile effort to explain.
    He frowned. “I’m giving you everything I have to give.”
    So was she. Dear God, so was she.
    â€œIf it isn’t enough, I don’t know what to tell you.”
    Her throat thickened with heartache. This was all there was, all there would ever be, and it wasn’t enough.
    The phone rang and they both jerked their attention toward the kitchen wall. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she brushed them aside as she hurried into the other room.
    â€œLet the machine get it,” Dan said.
    â€œWhy, so we can talk some more?”
    â€œNo,” he responded gruffly.
    â€œThat’s what I thought.” She reached for the receiver and cleared her throat before she spoke. “Hello,” she said, forcing herself to sound calm.
    â€œMom? Oh, Mom, you’ll never guess what?” Kelly cried. “I just got the news. We’re pregnant!” The joy in her youngest daughter’s voice was as pure and sweet as anything Grace had ever known.
    â€œPregnant? You’re sure?” Grace felt her tears start again, but these were tears of an altogether different kind. After ten years of marriage, Kelly and Paul were desperate for a child. They’d undergone countless tests and procedures, and Grace had about given up hope that her daughter would ever conceive. She longed for grandchildren and it hadn’t seemed likely. Not with Kelly’s fertility problems and Maryellen divorced. This was incredible news. Fabulous news.
    Dan walked into the kitchen. “It’s Kelly,” she said excitedly, putting her hand over the receiver. “She’s pregnant.”
    Her husband’s eyes lit up and he smiled. It was the first real smile she’d seen from him in months. “Damn, that’s great.”
    â€œOh, sweetheart, your father and I are thrilled.”
    â€œLet me talk to Daddy.”
    Grace handed him the receiver. Kelly had always been especially close to her father, and they chatted for several minutes.
    Dan replaced the receiver and went over to the stove whereshe’d put the hamburger on to fry for their meal. He slid his arms around her waist from behind and hugged her.
    â€œI love you,” he whispered.
    â€œI know. I love you, too.”
    â€œEverything’s going to be all right.”
    â€œI know.” And it would. Grace had faith. Hope. And now she had a reason to continue, a reason to look to the future. Her marriage wasn’t everything she wanted, but maybe it was enough. She’d make it enough. She’d shared thirty-five years with Dan. There had been good times and some not so good.
    A grandchild gave her hope for the future.

Four
    â€œI ’ll drive this evening,” Olivia told her mother. The previous time she’d gotten into a car with Charlotte driving, Olivia had sworn it would be the last. Her mother out on the roads was a frightening thing to contemplate. She suspected Charlotte was the type of driver who never had an accident, but caused them.
    â€œWell, it’s my turn, although I have to admit I don’t like driving at night.”
    Olivia removed her