Free Marking Time by Marie Force Page B

first, but she inherited Jack’s ability to get things done. I don’t think I ever really saw that before now.”
    “You’ve succeeded in making a doting old grandmother feel better,” Madeline said with a smile. “It’s so good to have you here with us. Sometimes I still can’t believe it. We wished for it for so long.”
    Touched, Clare squeezed the older woman’s hand. “Thank you for all the phone calls and cards and visits. You’ve always been so good to me.”
    “I love you, Clare, and I always will. For the rest of my life you are my daughter-in-law, and next summer I want to see you at Haven Hill, do you hear me?” Madeline referred to her home on Block Island where they’d summered together for years when the girls were younger.
    “I promise,” Clare said as she hugged her. “I love you, too, Madeline.”
    “Well, I told Betty I’d help her get the babies down. It’s going to take both grannies to settle those rascals.”
    Clare chuckled. “Good luck.”
    Jill walked up to them with a baby brother in one arm and the ice bucket in the other. She handed the baby to her grandmother. “I hear you’re on bedtime duty.”
    “That’s right.” Madeline held her grandson up to gaze at him. “And which one are you, my love?”
    “Robby,” Jill said. “I think.”
    “Does that need a refill?” Clare asked, pointing to the ice bucket. When Jill nodded, Clare took it from her. “I’ll do it.”
    “Thanks, Mom. Right through there,” Jill said, pointing the way.
    “I’ll find it.” Clare wove through clusters of people on her way to the hallway off the great room. She pushed open the swinging kitchen door to find Jack resting his forehead against Andi’s. Her hands were on his face as she spoke softly to him.
    Clare froze. “I’m sorry.”
     

C hapter 9

    A s if she’d touched something hot, Andi’s hands fell from her husband’s face.
    “Clare, come in,” Jack said.
    Clare felt her cheeks heat with color. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
    “You didn’t,” Andi said graciously. “Do we need more ice?” She took the bucket from Clare. “It’s out in the garage. I’ll get it.”
    When Clare turned to go back the way she’d come, Jack stopped her. “Clare.”
    She turned to him and fought through her embarrassment at having witnessed a tender moment between her ex-husband and his new wife.
    “I’m glad you came tonight. I know it means a lot to Kate that you’re here.”
    She nodded. “We’re going soon. I still get tired far too easily, and you’ve got an early morning.”
    He groaned. “She wants to leave at five.”
    Clare smiled. “She’s not wasting a minute.”
    “We’d be leaving at midnight if she’d had her way.”
    “Your mother’s worried about Kate.”
    “Believe me, I know. I’ve heard all about it.”
    “Well, have a safe trip, and thanks again for taking her.”
    “I promised I would.”
    “Make sure she calls me when you get there.”
    “Will do. When are you leaving for Vermont?”
    “In the next few days. I’ve been so busy getting Kate ready that I haven’t packed a thing for myself yet.”
    “Keep in touch while you’re there.”
    “I will.”
    Andi came back in with the refilled ice bucket.
    Jack took it from her. “I’ve got it,” he said and went back out to the party.
    Clare started to follow him but turned back. “Andi?” she said. “I want to thank you for giving this lovely party for Kate.”
    “It was my pleasure,” Andi said with a warm smile.
    “And for everything else, too. You’ve been so good to my girls. I just…well…thank you.”
    “I love them.”
    “Yes, I believe you do.”
    “We’re glad you could be here tonight. Jack told me you’re planning to go away for a while. We’ll take good care of Maggie for you. Don’t worry about her.”
    “I appreciate that. I know it’s an imposition with all you have going on.”
    Andi’s eyes danced with amusement. “Are you kidding me? She’s the