Love Finds the One (Sully Point Book 2) (19 page)

They'd called Holly and let her off the hook after she'd
apologized over and over. They promised to come to a celebration lunch tomorrow
at Frank's house with Sam and Anna. But they claimed this night as their own.
They talked about everything.

"Movies--favorite of all time?" he asked.

"
Lord of the Rings
trilogy, but...I have to
confess to a low-brow liking for
Night of the Comet
, which has a bit of
a cult following."

"Mine would probably be
LOTR
also, just because
I feel like it should be. But I can't tell you how many times I've watched
Fight
Club
."

"I see. Although I have to admit, it was a good
movie."

They discovered they were in the same political party, which
they thought boded well for future peace between them. She liked to watch
football as did he, even if they rooted for different teams. He liked to watch
fishing shows, something she found incomprehensible. She liked shopping for
clothes, while he was a quick in-and-out shopper. He wanted to give her a
diamond ring. She thought it was too soon.

"What will people think? We've only known each
other--"

"What do we care what people think? We know what we
want, and that's all that matters, babe."

"But I thought we agreed the wedding wouldn't happen
until around a year from now. You have no idea how long a wedding can take to arrange."

"There's nothing saying you can't be wearing my ring
during that time. Or is it something else? Still a little bit of
distrust?"

"No, of course not." She got quiet and thoughtful.
"I think it's about wanting to prove something. Like we maybe shouldn't do
the ring until after we've been together for a couple months longer than you
used to stay with people. But, as I'm saying it, I realize that is just
responding to what other people might think, and letting them control what we
do. Hmm."

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes, yes I do, but why do you want me to wear a ring?"

He smiled gently at her. "Because I've found the woman
I want to spend the rest of my life with, and I want the world to know it. I
guess I want to brag--is that wrong?"

She laughed. "No, not wrong at all."

"And, I like the idea of a symbol of our love for each
other. When we get married, I'm going to wear a wedding band--not like some of
these guys today who don't wear one. Our love isn't just a minor thing--it's
big enough and real enough to warrant a diamond ring and wedding bands."

Her eyes filled with tears.

"What? What did I say?" he asked rather
frantically.

"You said exactly the right things. Yes, I'll wear your
ring."

"Oh, well, good. Those are happy tears then?"

She nodded and wiped her eyes.

That night when they made love, it was slow and sexy and
passionate. Julia had never felt more loved and connected to another person. As
their souls soared together, she knew she wanted this bliss for the rest of her
life.

* * * *

The next week, Cody and Julia kept their engagement a
secret, even though the family already knew. In the meantime, he'd been to
several jewelry stores in nearby malls, and had yet to find a diamond ring that
he felt suited the uniqueness of Julia.

"I don't know, Dad, it's hopeless. All the rings look
the same to me--boring. I want it to be special."

Frank nodded his agreement. "Well, I don't know what to
tell--wait a minute." He snapped his fingers. "I've got it! Go see
Lucretia."

"Lucretia? The jewelry-making lady, of course. You
think she's good enough?"

"You won't know until you check out her things."

"Good advice, thanks."

Cody headed out to the square and walked around it until he
came to Lucretia's tiny shop. It was a long narrow store, with an extended case
down one side. The carpeting was a plush gray, and the walls a very pale gray.
Inside the case were handcrafted bracelets, necklaces, earrings and a very few
rings. He saw nothing with a diamond, but her pieces were unique and pretty.

"If it isn't Cody Grainger," he heard and, looking
up, saw the flaming-haired Lucretia Evans. She was a tall woman with a plain
face, gray eyes and strikingly beautiful hands. "What can I do for you
Cody?"

He hesitated then said, "Could we keep my visit
confidential for now? I don't want the whole town to know what I'm doing until
it's done."

She looked intrigued and sat down on a stool behind the case,
spreading the gauzy skirt she was wearing around her. "Certainly. This
must be important."

"It is. I'm looking for an engagement ring."

Lucretia's smoky eyes popped open. "An engagement ring?
Well, bless my soul."

"But you don't seem to have any in your case."

"Ah, well, that's because I make those rings to order.
Don't get too much call for them as most people buy them at the malls. Were you
looking for a diamond solitaire or something a little more interesting?"

"More interesting--exactly. Everything I've seen looks
the same."

"What I'd recommend then is to add some stones of color
to the diamond setting. For instance, emeralds or rubies, that sort of
thing." She pulled a pad of paper out and a pencil, and began sketching.
"Now, here's a very basic look, with a gemstone on each side of the
diamond. Classic. Of course, you need to decide what cut of diamond you want.
Another look is the round diamond encircled by smaller gemstones."

He nodded, thinking. "You know if I went this route, it
should be a blue stone. Julia's eyes are dark blue. What's the name of a dark
blue gem?"

"Star sapphire--a lovely combination with diamonds."

She sketched some more and Cody began to see a form taking
shape, a circular free-form design with four sapphires around it in a loose
pattern, not right up next to the diamond. He liked that one, but he also liked
the one with a diamond-shape, what Lucretia called a marquise, with sapphires
to either side. Lucretia said, "Of course with these stones I'd recommend
platinum or white gold for the setting."

"She'll be doing work with her hands. Does one style
seem better suited than another?"

"Ah, in that case I recommend this marquise
design."

"I like it," he said with a smile. "Give me
the bad news, how much will it cost?"

Lucretia wrote a figure on a piece of paper and passed it
over to him. "That's using a two carat marquise-cut diamond. You can of
course go smaller, but you want the sapphires to be nicely displayed as well. I
have a connection in New York for the stones."

Cody gulped. It was a larger amount than he'd expected. On
the other hand, it was for Julia and she would have the ring forever. "Do
it," he said, making Lucretia smile widely.

* * * *

Julia had signed papers for the gothic building, waiting now
only for the closing, and was working on lists of supplies she wanted to have
in place before opening. She continued to live at the loft while she and Cody
split time between there and the boat. They hadn't yet addressed finding one
place to live for the both of them. The current set-up suited them fine for the
present, and they had other things going on. Cody was gearing up for the
tourist season, along with every other business in town. Julia was absorbed in
setting up her new business.

One day after she'd eaten lunch, and was about to go to the
mall to check out prices on computers, she got an unexpected phone call. It was
her father.

"Hello, Julia. How are you doing?"

"Father! I'm surprised to hear from you. I'm doing
well, really well."

"I'm glad to hear it. I heard something that shocked me,
and I wanted to find out if it was true."

"Oh? Well, go ahead and ask then." She knew he
must have heard she wasn't coming back to the agency, and braced herself to
deal with his criticism.

"Is it true you're leaving the ad agency and starting
your own business?"

"Yes, it's true. I know you may be disappointed, but
this is what I want to do with my life."

There was a silence on the other end of the line.
"Father?"

"I'm here, Julia, I'm here. I'm stunned. I couldn't
believe it when I heard about it. I'm not disappointed in you--far from it. I'm
elated. This is the best news I could have heard."

"What?"

"Julia--I've been hoping for a long time that you'd get
out from under your mother's thumb and live your own life. I know I wasn't any
help to you in breaking free. I must confess I've had my own difficulties at
times in standing up to her. As you and I grew apart, I just let it happen. I'm
sorry for that."

"I--honestly, I don't know what to say." Julia
felt herself trembling. This was beyond anything she'd ever dreamed of hearing
from him. "Hey, come to think of it, how did you hear about this?"

"Howard."

"Howard? That man. I thought I could trust him."

"You can. I was getting worried about you when I heard
you weren't at the agency. I began pestering Howard, as I figured at some point
you'd need money. At first he wouldn't tell me anything, but gradually he came
to see I wouldn't reveal anything to your mother. That's when he told me, just
this morning. Now, how are you setting up this business of yours--and what type
of business is it?"

She began to explain Julia's Place to him, while he asked
questions about financing and goals. At one point he said, "You know, you
could have gotten money from the trust for a down payment."

"Yes, but doing so would have involved you and Mother.
I was not willing to go up against her, yet."

"I see. You've planned all this without any benefit
from the trust."

"Exactly."

There was quiet on the phone as they both thought of her
mother and the aggravation she might be. Finally Julia said, "There's no
good way to tell her, is there?"

"Not really. You've been away how long?"

"Almost a month. Dr. Deville told her I needed a month
away from work because I was burned out and my health was suffering."

"Dr. Deville--I heard nothing about that! I thought
you'd finally gone on vacation."

"Yeah, well mother wasn't too keen on the idea of me
being exhausted from working."

"That woman..."

On impulse, Julia asked him, "Why didn't you ever
divorce her?"

"Because when I tried to, she threatened to keep you
out of my life permanently."

"Oh." She didn't know what to say, but it touched
her heart to hear it. "You could now though. I'm all grown up and can
decide to see you for myself."

"I guess it has just seemed like too much trouble. We
live very separate lives now as it is."

"Father--Dad--you deserve some happiness in your life
too."

"Maybe, Julia, maybe. But today you've made me happy by
sounding confident and sure of your plans and ideas. You know she'll make it
hard on you."

"Yes, I'm expecting she will at some point. Listen,
Dad, will you come to the opening?"

His voice was wobbly at first but then firm when he said,
"Julia, I'd love nothing more."

"Good. I'll send the notice to your office, not at
home."

"Smart idea. All right, I'll see you soon, then. Keep
doing what you're doing."

"Will do. And...thanks, Dad."

* * * *

Frank and Cody were waiting with Sam and Anna at the Varley
place when Julia arrived with the keys to the front door. All the papers were
signed and monies handed over and the building now belonged to her. She
couldn't believe it...her very own business!

Everyone walked inside, and Frank opened the sparkling cider
while Cody passed out plastic cups. As he raised his glass, he said,
"Here's to Julia's Place and a great future."

Julia sipped and stared around the main room. She was picturing
a series of workstations along one wall, and a lounge in the bay window area
for customers to wait. "I can't wait to get started. Once I get these
floors polished I think they'll be great, don't you think so Frank?"

"Yep, I do. Although, I think I'd have Albert and Sons
do the refinishing for you."

They began to discuss what renovations she would be making
to the space, which weren't really very many.

"You aren't worried about it being haunted, Julia?"
Sam asked jokingly.

"Haunted or not, it's mine and I'm staying," she
said. "Any ghosts will just have to learn to share."

The lights flickered and went out.

"Oh-kay, now that was spooky," Sam said.

"Sam, stop it," Anna scolded.

Julia laughed. "Folks, I think this is the changeover
from the bank's paying for the electricity to me paying for it. It's scheduled
to be turned on first thing in the morning."

"Really was perfect timing, though, you have to
admit," Cody said, grinning at her.

"Come on, everyone. Let's head to my house. We'll have
a fish fry," Frank offered.

They trooped out of the building and Julia locked the door
behind them. Cody stood waiting by the Corvette. He called out to Frank,
"We'll be along in a bit, Dad. Have to take care of something first."

Frank nodded and waved at them.

Julia got into the car feeling curious. "What do we
have to take care of?"

Cody said, "I was going to wait, but I just can't. Then,
I was going to find a more romantic spot, but we both love this car and you
have to admit it's a pretty sexy car. Here goes."

Julia looked at him blankly.

"I love you. More than I would have thought possible
before I met you. You're the one, Julia." He held out a small velvet box.
"I want you to have this to wear as a symbol of our love."

She took the box gingerly and carefully opened it up. She
gasped. "Cody! It's beautiful! When did you--how did you--I love it!"

He took the ring out of the box and slipped it onto her
finger where it fit perfectly, the star sapphires winking up at them next to
the large diamond. "It looks absolutely right on your hand," he said
in a rough voice.