Soul Mates (34 page)

“Yes?” She looked up from a pile of paperwork.

“I don’t want to bother you,” he hesitated. “If you’re busy…I can come back another time.”

“No, please come in.”

Her smile immediately put Jace at ease.

“It’s been a busy week, getting ready for our silent auction this Saturday, but I can spare a minute.”

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” Jace began the story he’d come up with. “I was a friend of Sophia Langdon, a neighbor. I drove her car for her,” he added, wanting to fully establish his association with Sophie. “My name is Jace. Jace Rutherford.”

“It’s good to meet you, Jace.” She extended her hand amiably. “Sophie mentioned she had a neighbor driving her. I was glad to hear of it; I worried about her sometimes.” Her face went solemn. “It was a shock to hear that she passed away so suddenly. We’ll sure miss her around here.”

Jace nodded while inwardly addressing Sophie.
If only she knew you were right here.

“So what can I do for you, Jace?”

“Sophie…uh…Mrs. Langdon.” He corrected himself, deciding that her formal name sounded more official given his inquiry.

“We all called her Sophie here,” she responded politely. “She may have been a wealthy woman, but she was as down to earth as you or I.”

Wealthy?
Jace questioned the woman’s words.
I guess she knows about your past.
He didn’t wait to hear Sophie’s response, yet he was sure it was the case. It was the only thing that made sense. “Um…yeah, she mentioned wanting to drop some things off here for your silent auction. I offered to drive her, but that was before…” His voice trailed off. “I didn’t know whether she’d left instructions with her family…about what she wanted to donate, I mean. I just thought I should say something.”

“I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Jace, but Sophie did drop off her donation. It was the same day she passed away.” She shook her head sadly.

“Oh, I’m glad to hear you got it,” he replied, getting into the part. “She showed me some of the jewelry she planned to donate. I know how much she wanted you to have it for the auction.”

“That reminds me…” The woman shook her head with admonishment. “I’ve been so busy this week, I totally forgot. I’m glad you came in.”

Jace had no idea what she was talking about. He watched as she opened a filing cabinet and rummaged through a few files before pulling out a slip of paper.

“Sophie had a ring that needed repair. She’d taken it to a jeweler, but it wasn’t ready when she brought me her items, so she asked if I’d mind picking it up.” She frowned. “I might have forgotten altogether if you hadn’t come by.

“I’ll have to call and see if the jeweler could have someone drop it off for me,” she muttered, seeming to forget that Jace was still there. “I’ve got no time this week.” She adjusted her bifocals to read the number on the claim check and then picked up the phone to dial.

“Mrs. Davidson,” Jace offered. “If you’d like, I could pick it up.”

“Oh, would you mind? You don’t know how much I appreciate that. Thank you.”

“Not at all,” he replied, glad to help after she’d readily supplied the information he needed.

The ring was ready for pickup, and the store would be open for another half-hour. Jace left with the address in hand. He took a taxi for the sake of time, and as they pulled up in front of the store, he realized he’d been there recently. He’d dropped Sophie off at the hairdresser next door.
I bet you took the ring to the jewelers on the same trip.

“Yes, Jace, I did,” Sophie affirmed.

He waited at the counter while an old man went to the back to get the ring.

“I sorry to hear about Ms. Langdon,” he imparted in a thick, oriental accent when he returned. “Very nice lady; one of my best customer.”

The old man took the ring from the small velvet case and held it up to the light. Jace wasn’t sure whether he was admiring his handiwork or lamenting the fact that it was the last job he’d ever do for Sophie. He wondered, too, about his comment. Given his age, he might have served her in her younger days when she still had money. But Jace was quite sure he hadn’t seen her much in recent years.

The large stone glistened conspicuously in the bright light above the display case; it looked like a diamond. Jace decided to see whether the jeweler would offer any information. “It looks good,” he remarked casually. “Was it a big job to repair it?”

“Not too bad,” the man replied. “Gold getting thin on underside of shaft, so I build up; couple of claws need replace too.” He pointed to the work he’d done. “Don’t see wedding ring like this anymore. Ms. Langdon say it was custom design for her by late husband. Very beautiful.”

Her wedding ring!
Jace’s mind began to work.
An heirloom like that should be kept in the family. I should probably tell Cassandra about this.
It seemed like the most reasonable thing to do, yet other thoughts clamored for his attention.
Why would Sophie include it with the items to be donated, and not leave it to her family in the will if that’s what she wanted?
He didn’t think to ask her directly, yet a comforting sensation told him that events were unfolding according to plan.
Maybe she wants them to bid on the ring. It makes sense. That way the family keeps the ring, and the community benefits too. But if I hadn’t stopped by the center…
Suddenly he had a strange inkling that his part in it was not by accident.

His thoughts continued as he left the jewelers. A taxi was sitting out front, the driver obviously taking a break as he downed a burger. Jace hopped in and instructed him to return to the community center where Mrs. Davidson was waiting. As he sat in the back of the cab, a new idea began forming in his mind. It was accompanied by the now-familiar tingling sensation, and he was sure it had come from Sophie. Jace’s pulse quickened as he considered the suggestion.
I’m part of this,
he breathed,
and so is Cassandra. This is all happening for a reason!
By the time he’d reached the community center, the idea had hatched into a plan—one he wanted to discuss with Mrs. Davidson.

THE DECISION had been easy. It was a job Cassandra had wanted more than anything; she’d worked hard to get to the place she was at. Now, suddenly, she was handing in her resignation with no regrets. She appreciated all she’d learned. The knowledge she’d acquired, the experience she’d gained—both would be valuable assets as she moved on to future endeavors.

Her plan had become clear as she sat on the airplane the previous evening. She knew what she wanted now; she’d never felt more certain about anything in her life. Port Hayden was calling her in a powerful way. She was eager to begin the research for her book, and she was excited to move forward in a relationship with the man she adored. She couldn’t be happier.

She’d talked to Jace when she got home but hadn’t told him about her plans, though she’d been tempted. It was a bold decision, a sudden one, and he was a big part of her reason for making it, yet she didn’t want her decision to pressure him. She intended to get a place of her own, and as their relationship progressed they could discuss the possibility of living together or even more.

The idea of more occupied her mind. She could see herself married to Jace one day and hoped that day wouldn’t be too far away. There was nothing to stop them now except their need to take it slow, to be sure they were both ready for that important step.

Their families supported them. Cassandra was happy to learn that Jace’s mom had responded favorably. She’d been shocked, as Jace had predicted, but willing to trust that he was making the right decision. Sarah had even told him she’d seen something she liked in Cassandra the first time they’d met.

Her father called that evening to give her the details of a meeting scheduled with Sophia’s lawyer. Although Cassandra knew about it, she hadn’t made plans to attend. It was legal business, and probably just a formality. Her father was Sophia’s closest living heir; the bulk of her estate would no doubt go to him.

“It’s up to you, kitten,” he maintained. “But Corruthers did say it was customary for the family to be present for the reading of the will. Besides…I’d like you to be there.”

Cassandra couldn’t object; her father rarely asked anything of her. Moreover, it would be a perfect excuse to see Jace again. She could imagine dropping by his place unannounced and seeing the surprise and, she was sure, delight on his face.

Sitting in her apartment that evening, she couldn’t resist summing up all that had taken place in a few short weeks. It seemed like a lifetime ago that she’d broken up with Nick and started questioning what she wanted to do with her life. She smiled as she thought of where those questions had led her.
Aunt Sophia…It’s because of her I know what I want.
Pleasant images of Jace filled her thoughts.
And who I want.

She’d enjoyed time spent with her wise old aunt, and Jace had shown her that talking to her was something she could continue to do. It had been thrilling to ask a question and hear the response in her head. However, there had been moments since, when she’d wondered if she’d imagined it. Logic proposed that the thrill of being with Jace along with the desire to believe him had caused her mind to formulate what would have been a typical response from her aunt.

But Jace heard it, too,
she argued.
And he couldn’t have possibly known the answers to those questions. It happened; I know it did.
She truly wanted to experience it again, yet something kept her from trying.
Jace said all it takes is to feel good and to believe it’s possible. I’ve been feeling amazing,
she reasoned,
so it must be my lack of belief that’s the problem.

In the quiet of her living room she focused her mind, willing herself to allow what was lacking. Try as she might, she couldn’t get to that elusive place. Finally, closing her eyes in what felt like defeat, she whispered, “Aunt Sophia, where are you?”

“I’ll always be with you, dear.”

The words her aunt had spoken right before she died echoed clearly in her head. Still she questioned whether it was her aunt speaking or just a powerful memory. She decided to test it further. “Are you here now?”

“Yes.”

Cassandra wanted to believe, but she continued to struggle. The responses were too simple; her mind could have supplied the answers she desperately wanted to hear. “Please let me know you’re here,” she pleaded. “I really want to believe.” As she heard her own pathetic plea, she decided to take a more positive stance. “I do believe. I believe in you, Aunt Sophia. I believe in the possibility of life after death. I believe you’re here with me now.” Tears began streaming down her face as she felt the almost instantaneous shift in her vibration. “I don’t need to hear your voice,” she asserted. “I know you’re with me. I love you, Aunt Sophia.” A calming warmth surrounded her, assuring her of her aunt’s love as well as her presence. Cassandra was satisfied as she sat wrapped in loving arms. She no longer needed words as proof.

A noise in the kitchen startled her from her meditative state, and she went to investigate. She wasn’t afraid; her building had the highest security features imaginable. Besides, it sounded like it had come from inside one of the cupboards. She opened a door cautiously to see what had made the noise, and a glass mug fell toward her. She caught it before it hit the counter and then nearly dropped it again as she heard her aunt’s voice.

“Shall we have some tea, dear?”

“Aunt Sophia?” she gasped. Though she was in shock, she managed to laugh at her aunt’s delightful sense of humor.

“Yes, dear, it’s me.”