“No. Most artists leave a trail of social media posts about previous exhibitions and what they’ve been doing. Not C.J. It’s almost as if she suddenly appeared on the art scene this year.”
Noah understood the frustration in his brother’s voice. If it weren’t for the award’s application form, they wouldn’t even know she lived in Sapphire Bay. “Keep hunting. Any scrap of information might help me convince her to come to New York City.” Noah left his suitcase on the wooden veranda while he unlocked the door.
“I’ll let you know if we find anything.” Jack paused. “Are you staying in Acorn Cottage or heading into town?”
“I’m staying at the cottage. I’ll use my cell phone as a hot spot.”
Jack sighed. “I should have confiscated your phone before you left. Try and enjoy yourself. If you don’t find C.J., it’s not the end of the world.”
Enjoying himself hadn’t been a top priority for Noah in a long time. Being the chief executive of a multimillion-dollar online shopping company took hard work, perseverance, and a thick skin. His clients expected to purchase the best products in the world. It was Noah’s job to make sure that happened.
He stepped into the open plan kitchen and living room, and was pleasantly surprised. It was light and spacious, and had uninterrupted views of Flathead Lake. “Have you heard from Granddad?”
“He’s still in Switzerland speaking with our suppliers. Why don’t you give him a call?”
“He’ll be too busy to talk to me. I’ll see him when he gets home.” When most people were sitting back, enjoying their retirement, Noah’s grandfather was still keeping tabs on their company. At eighty-one years of age, Patrick Devlin was a force to be reckoned with. And for the last five years, that force had been aimed straight at Noah.
“Hang on a minute, Noah. I need to order my dinner.”
Jack was allergic to kitchens. The only food he ate was from restaurants and cafés around the apartment building where he lived. Luckily for him, there were enough healthy options to satisfy most people.
While Jack ordered his dinner, Noah carried his suitcase through to the master bedroom. Although the cottage wasn’t the luxurious retreat he’d expected Charlotte to book, it was warm, welcoming, and comfortable. And for two weeks, all his.
“Okay. I’m back,” Jack said into the phone.
“Chinese, Vietnamese, or Thai?”
“Thai, but that’s only because there weren’t as many people waiting in the line.”
“Has anything happened at work?”
Jack groaned. “You’ve only be gone for one day. The world doesn’t come to an end just because you aren’t here.”
Noah wasn’t interested in what the rest of the world was doing. All he cared about was Wilson Enterprises. “You haven’t answered my question.”
“That’s because you’re on vacation. But to save Charlotte from getting a phone call, no, nothing out of the ordinary has happened. Apart from not having the Internet, what’s the cottage like?”
“It’s clean, tidy, and has great views of the lake.” Noah walked back into the living room. White-washed pine walls and pale gray sofas were a neutral background to the brightly colored cushions and rugs. The wooden floor anchored the room to its surroundings and gave the house character. “It reminds me of Mom and Dad’s cottage.”
“It’s a long time since we’ve been there.”
Noah heard the wistfulness in his brother’s voice. Before their mom and dad died, they’d spent long, hot summers in their parents’ cottage on Shelter Island. They’d swum in the Peconic River and fished in the creeks. When they weren’t pestering their dad to take them on his motorcycle, they’d hung out at the local ice cream parlor.
After their parents died, everything changed. They moved to Manhattan to live with their grandparents, enrolled at a different school, and tried to make sense of their lives without the two most important people in the world.
They’d gone back to the island a couple of times with their grandparents, but it was never the same.
Noah leaned against the window frame. “Have you ever thought of going back to Shelter Island?”
“Sometimes. I can’t believe Mom and Dad have been gone for twenty-five years.”
Neither could Noah. “Do you want to spend Christmas at their cottage?”
“Are you joking? Since when have you ever taken time off at Christmas.”
“I’m not that bad,” he muttered.
“Yes, you are. Last year you were in Los Angeles signing a contract with a new supplier. The year before you were somewhere in Europe and the year before that—”
“Okay. I get the idea.” Maybe Jack was right. He had spent a lot of time away from home, but what did his brother expect would happen? He was building his company into a formidable retail experience. Working when most people were spending time with their families came with the job. “Do you want to go to the cottage for Christmas or not?”
“I’ll go, but be warned. I’m not that great with a hammer.”
“We shouldn’t need to do anything. We’ve been paying someone to look after the property.”
Jack groaned. “The cottage was built fifty years ago and none of the interior has been touched. But don’t worry about that now. You’re on vacation. Just promise me you won’t do any work while you’re in Sapphire Bay.”
Hell would have to freeze over before Noah cut himself off from his job. “I can’t do that, but I will call you as soon as I find the mysterious C.J. Davis.”
Jack sighed. “One day, you’ll realize what you’ve been missing. But until then, enjoy your time in Sapphire Bay.”
After Noah said goodbye to his brother, he stayed where he was, looking across the lake. He’d always been quieter than Jack, less able to show anyone his true feelings. He shook his head. Some days he wondered if he had any feelings left to share.
The one relationship he thought would last forever had dive-bombed into a major disaster. Since then, he’d been too busy working to worry about personal relationships. As far as he was concerned, they were messy, complicated, and took him away from what he was born to do.
His life revolved around Wilson Enterprises. And right now, his goal was to find C.J. Davis and bring her back to Manhattan for the award ceremony.
Chapter 3
The next morning, Cassie started her day with a smile. For the first time in months, she wasn’t working on a Saturday morning. It was her birthday and, this year, she was going to pack a picnic and head into the mountains for a six-hour hike.
Just thinking about taking time off work seemed incredibly decadent. But she’d given her customers plenty of warning and left a closed sign on the front door. Since she’d moved her jewelry store to Main Street, the number of people coming through her door had tripled. It was great for business but didn’t give her a lot of spare time.
She opened the kitchen window and smelled the calming scent of pine. Usually, she was so busy that she didn’t get to appreciate what was around her. But not today. Today was all about celebrating the last twelve months and looking forward to the next.
A lot of her customers dreaded getting older. They used Botox, liposuction, breast implants, and anything else that camouflaged the aging process. For Cassie, getting older was a privilege. Besides, she was only thirty-one. There was plenty of time to worry about creaky joints and swollen feet when she was ninety.
Her cell phone rang and she looked at the caller display. “Hi, Dad.”
“Happy birthday!”
The excitement in her dad’s voice made Cassie laugh. “Anyone would think I’ve won the lottery.”
“You’ve done so much more,” Tony Harper said proudly. “Look at what you’ve achieved. When I held you in my arms when you were a baby, I never thought my little girl would follow in her daddy’s footsteps.”
“Between you and Mom, I didn’t stand a chance of being anything other than a painter or a jeweler.” Cassie had spent many wonderful hours sit
ting in her parents’ studio, watching them create some of the most beautiful pieces of art she’d ever seen. As her mom added layers of paint to her latest canvas, her dad had woven fine strands of gold and silver into intricate pendants or bracelets. Even now, when she was creating her own jewelry, she could sometimes smell the faint aroma of her mom’s oils.
“It wouldn’t have mattered what you did,” her dad said. “Your mom and I would have been proud of you.”
Cassie’s smile disappeared. Her mom had died three and a half years ago. It had been a terrible time, not only because of her death but because of the accusations against her dad. Stealing another jeweler’s designs was one of the worst things you could do. The media had turned the trial into a reality TV show, making a mockery of being innocent unless proven guilty.
Her mom had never believed the lies. But it still hurt knowing she couldn’t spend the last few months of her life peacefully at home.
Even though her dad couldn’t see her, Cassie forced a smile. “Imagine if I’d wanted to be an accountant. You wouldn’t have known what to do with me.”
Her dad’s response was immediate. “We would have loved you with all our hearts and then asked you for advice. Completing our taxes was never a favorite part of our lives.”
“It’s not mine, either. What are you doing today?”
“I’m working on a new spring collection. I have some rough ideas about where I want to go with the design, but the individual pieces need a little tweaking.”
Tony Harper might have been cleared of stealing another jeweler’s designs, but it hadn’t helped him find work. Before the accusations hit the media, he’d worked for a high-end jewelry company in Los Angeles. Afterward, the only job he could find was working for a small jewelry store in San Francisco.
The owner was a friend of her dad’s and knew he wouldn’t have stolen anything. But mud sticks and Tony Harper had borne the brunt of every false lie and accusation hurled at him.
Cassie knew how much his job meant to him. When everyone had turned their backs on him, his friend stood beside him, allowing her dad the dignity of grieving for his wife and rebuilding his career.
“If you get stuck, you can always send your drawings through to me. I can have a look and tell you what I think.”
“You have enough work to do. Did you decide to close the store today?”
“I did. It feels strange to still be at home and not on my way into town.”
Tony sighed. “You spend too much time in your jewelry store. Maybe this year you could try working forty-hour weeks.”
Cassie knew her dad worked just as many hours as she did. “I promise to be more aware of how many hours I’m working.”
“I suppose that’s better than nothing. Did you get the flowers I sent you?”
The pale pink roses sat in a vase in the center of Cassie’s table. She touched one of the delicate petals and smiled. “I did. Thank you, they’re beautiful.”
“They reminded me of the dress you wore for your graduation. I wish I were there to celebrate your birthday.”
Cassie’s eyes filled with tears. The price of clearing her dad’s name had cost him more than his job. The attorney’s bill had bankrupted him. “I thought I’d fly to San Francisco to see you. It wouldn’t be for another three or four months, though.”
“I’ll look forward to it. Just let me know when you’ll be coming and I’ll take some time off work.”
“That sounds great.” A knot of grief stuck in Cassie’s chest. “Have you been to the cemetery?”
Each year, on her birthday, Cassie and her dad left three roses on her mother’s grave. The first rose represented the past, the wonderful childhood she’d shared with her parents. The second rose was for the here and now, the choices Cassie and her dad were making to create a better life for themselves and the people around them. The third rose represented the future, the hope that the next twelve months would bring happiness and joy into their lives.
“I’m driving to the cemetery soon. When you come to San Francisco, we’ll go back together.”
“Thank you. I’d like that.”
Her dad sighed. “You don’t need to thank me, Cassie. The roses help me, too. Are you doing something special to celebrate your birthday?”
“I’m going hiking.” Cassie could only imagine what her dad must be thinking. For someone who never did more than walk around the lake, hiking in the mountains was pushing her comfort level to the extreme. “Don’t worry. I’ve got a good map and all the safety gear I’ll need.”
“Remember to tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back. And call me when you arrive home. I don’t want to spend the day worrying about you.”
“I’ll be back around three o’clock. If you aren’t home, I’ll call your cell phone.” Cassie checked her watch. “I have to go, Dad. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Make sure you remember to call me,” Tony said sternly. “I love you, baby girl.”
“Love you, too.” After Cassie said goodbye, she stared through the kitchen window. Neither of their lives had been the same since her mom died. But somehow, they’d made every day count toward something amazing. And if it weren’t for the jewelry award, Cassie’s life would be even better.
Noah checked his watch. Without missing a step, he increased his speed, sprinting the last quarter mile around the lake.
Running was the only time he truly felt free. If he was stressed, tired, or had something on his mind, he would change out of his suit and run through Central Park.
This morning, he wasn’t stressed or tired, but he did have something on his mind. He had never met C.J. Davis, never heard her voice, or looked at a clear photo of her. But her jewelry was distracting him from everything he needed to do.
Last night, he’d studied her website, in awe of her latest collection. Each piece of jewelry was exquisitely designed and, from what he saw, beautifully made.
The sooner Noah tracked down the elusive artist, the quicker he could put his next plan into action. He could make her the next Givenchy of the jewelry world. And no one, including an unknown jeweler from Montana, would turn down the chance of becoming a household name in the lives of the rich and famous.
Dropping his chin to his chest, he dug deep for the last hundred yards. Sweat poured off his face, and his breathing became more labored. He savored each stride, pushed himself a little harder until, with a relieved groan, he made it back to the cottage.
He rested his hands on his hips and breathed deeply, sucking air into his oxygen-deprived lungs. As his heart rate decreased, he focused on the water, absorbing the serenity of the lake. An almost spiritual sense of calm flowed through his body, leaving him more relaxed than he’d been in a long time.
“Do you always run so fast?”
Noah jumped. He hadn’t expected to see anyone, let alone Cassie. “Are you always awake this early in the morning?”
She tilted her head and smiled. “I’m usually in Sapphire Bay by now, but it’s my birthday. I’ve taken the day off work.”
“Congratulations.” Picking up the towel he’d left on the veranda, he wiped his face. “For most people, that would be even more reason to sleep in.”
“Not me. I hardly ever get time away from work, so I’m making the most of it.”
He looked at the boots on her feet and the shorts and T-shirt hugging her slender body. “Are you going hiking?”
“Good guess. A friend told me about a trail twenty minutes northeast of Sapphire Bay. I thought I’d spend most of the day there, then come home and recover.” She straightened her baseball cap and sent him a dazzling smile. “I forgot to tell you about the Saturday market in Sapphire Bay. If you need any fresh fruit or want to sample the local food, the market is the place to go.”
“Thanks. I was going into town anyway, so I’ll have a look.”
“If you see a parking space, grab it fast. People come from all around Flathead Lake to enjoy the market. Finding somewher
e to park can be a real problem.”
Noah hadn’t noticed how blue Cassie’s eyes were. They reminded him of the color of the lake, the stunning reflection of the sky as the sun rose above the horizon. “I’ll remember to take the first parking space I see. Do you need anything?”
“No, I’m okay. I bought my groceries yesterday, so my pantry’s full. Enjoy your day.” Cassie turned and walked toward her cottage.
He needed to find C.J. Davis, and Cassie was the only person he knew in Sapphire Bay. If the jeweler wasn’t in her store a little insider knowledge might help him find her. But he couldn’t afford to be too obvious. C.J. lived in a small town. If she didn’t want to be found, she might have asked her friends not to tell anyone where she lived.
He jogged after Cassie. “Can I ask you a question?”
She stopped and turned around. “Sure.”
“I want to buy a friend some jewelry. Is there a store in town you’d recommend?”
Cassie’s polite smile wavered. “It depends on your budget. The general store has some cute necklaces and bracelets made by local craftspeople. If you want something more expensive, there’s a jewelry store on Main Street.”
“Are you talking about Davis Jewelry?”
A blush worked its way over her face. “Have you heard of them?”
“My brother came across their website a few weeks ago. They have some beautiful necklaces.”
“They do. I don’t think the store is open today, but you could always visit on Monday.” She wiped her hands on her shorts and sent him a nervous smile. “I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
Noah frowned as Cassie walked back to her cottage. Something wasn’t right, only he didn’t know her well enough to understand what had just happened.
The only thing he did know was that he needed to head into town. Because, regardless of Cassie’s wariness, he had a feeling she knew a lot more about Davis Jewelry than she’d told him. And if there was one area where he excelled, it was getting to the bottom of a problem and finding the answer.
The Sweetest Thing Page 3