Lights and Shadows (Oregon In Love)

by Bonnie Blythe

Sara’s eyes sparkled as she leaned close. “Actually, I was wondering if it would be all right if we named a girl after you. That is, your middle name, Nicole. What do you think?”

  Her voice came out in a squeak. “Me?”

  “Oh! I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?” Sara grabbed for a box of Kleenex on the counter and pushed a tissue into Julia’s hands.

  Horrified at the moisture springing unbidden from her eyes, Julia wondered why she seemed to cry at the littlest thing these days. “I’m sorry.”

  Sara touched her hand. “It’s okay. You have my permission to cry whenever you feel like it. Besides, you’ve had some rough months, with the accident and all.”

  Grasping onto that excuse like a lifeline, Julia nodded as she dried her eyes. “Yes, I’m sure that’s what it is. Thanks for being so understanding.”

  Sara handed her another tissue. “I just wanted your okay to use Nicole. If it’s a boy, we’ll use Brian’s middle name, Alan.”

  “I’m honored, of course.” Julia took a deep breath. “Now really, is there anything I can help you with today?”

  “Nope, you’ve done enough around here. You seem to keep forgetting you’re on sabbatical.

  Besides, you’re pampering me with all your help and I’m liable to get spoiled.”

  “You deserve to be pampered.”

  Sara gave an imperious wave of her hand. “I hereby dismiss you from your duties.”

  Julia smiled weakly. Sara couldn’t know the anxiety a lack of purpose caused within her. Her eyes roamed around the room. She caught sight of a shelf lined with cookbooks. An idea began to form in her mind, flooding her with relief.

  “Sara, can I make dinner for you and Brian tomorrow night? It would be a way for me to thank you for all your hospitality and kindness.”

  “Well, we don’t have anyone booked for then so unless someone drops in, we could use the big table in the dining room.” Sara sent her a hard stare. “But there’s no reason to go to such trouble.”

  “It won’t be any trouble, it’ll be fun, I promise. So is tomorrow at six-thirty, okay?”

  “Fine. Oh, I almost forgot. Marc is stopping by to talk to Brian about an equipment cabinet he wants built.”

  Julia’s excitement faltered. “Of course, he’s welcome too.” She stood. “Is it alright if I borrow the car again? I’d like to go into town and pick up some things.”

  “You know where the keys are.”

  As she headed out the door, Julia breathed a small sigh of relief. Busyness would keep her from brooding about the accident and...other things.

  Especially other things.

  ***

  The next morning, Julia felt well enough to get through a short workout session. That fact bolstered her mood as she went ahead with her plans for dinner. See, I don't have to let a 'chance' encounter with an attractive man upset my equilibrium.

  She spent the day beginning preparations for her chosen menu which consisted of cream of celery root soup, standing rib roast, mashed potatoes and Swiss chard terrine, steamed asparagus with lemon butter, parslied carrots, and for dessert, flavored coffee and white chocolate cheesecake with raspberry sauce.

  When she could take a break from cooking, she spiffed the living and dining rooms, placing scented candles all around. Their fragrance mingled with the scent of fresh cut flowers she'd brought in from the yard.

  By the time the food was prepared, Julia realized she’d used just about every bowl and utensil in the kitchen. Clean up would be a major undertaking. She blew a lock of hair from her eyes and saw it was after five-thirty. After setting the table, she hurried back to the cottage for a quick shower.

  Julia changed into a textured silk blouse in a slate blue color with a matching skirt. When she was satisfied with her hair and makeup, she headed back to the house and began removing the dishes warming in the oven.

  Just before the appointed time, Sara drifted in, still sleepy from a nap. She was followed by her husband, freshly-showered after returning home from work. At the same time, Julia heard the crunch of gravel in the driveway when a vehicle pulled in and parked. After lighting the candles, she schooled her expression into a polite mask as Marc walked in the front door.

  Julia was glad she’d made some attempt to prepare herself. Coming face to face with him left her decidedly weak in the knees. She smiled and gathered everyone around the table, asking Brian to give thanks when they were settled. When the prayer was over, she kept busy serving the food, making sure all went smoothly.

  Marc had to remind himself to eat. Every fiber of his being was aware of the woman seated across the table from him. Julia appeared luminous in the candlelight, and he noticed her eyes often strayed in his direction as well. He wondered if she felt as unsettled at what happened between them the other night. Marc didn’t know what to call it, but whatever it was, it left him feeling distracted and somehow thwarted.

  Allowing his eyes to linger on her throughout the dinner, he couldn’t imagine a more unlikely female to become enamored of. He and Julia were from different lifestyles, from different worlds. If she were looking for a relationship, he imagined she’d go for a rich CEO type, not an unknown starving artist like himself.

  Any interest she might have for him, he felt sure, was because he was convenient. Based on the shadows under her eyes and sometimes pinched expression, he got the feeling Julia was unhappy, which made her vulnerable, but he wouldn’t use that to press an advantage.

  With that dismal thought, Marc reminded himself to stop staring. He succeeded until she brought in dessert. Before returning to her chair, Julia stood behind Brian and wrapped her arms around him. She pressed her cheek against his temple, exclaiming what a wonderful brother she had. Light banter and laughter followed while Marc crumpled his napkin in his hands. The sight of her radiant face made him wonder what it would be like on the receiving end of her glowing affection. He knew his response would be anything but brotherly.

  Later, they all sat in the living room and talked long into the evening. Marc did more listening than talking. He remembered he’d planned on asking Brian about a custom storage unit for his camera equipment, but somehow never got around to mentioning it. It was after eleven o’clock when Sara and Brian retired to their room for the night. He found himself reluctant to leave, and so remained on the couch waiting to see what Julia would do.

  She turned to him and smiled. “I’m glad you could join us tonight, Marc.”

  “Since I was the interloper, thank you. The meal was wonderful.”

  She folded her hands in her lap, murmuring her thanks. “Are you working on a project right now?”

  Marc guessed she really wanted to know if he planned on staying the night at the B & B. He wondered if she was trying to find a tactful way to get rid of him. He suppressed a smile. “No.”

  Julia stood. “Well then, if you’ll excuse me, it’s a bit late and I still need to clean up.”

  He stood as well. “I’ll help.”

  ***

  When the candles were snuffed out and the table cleared, Julia loaded the dishwasher to capacity and filled the sink for the extra pots and pans left over. Marc stood next to her, the sleeves of his black Henley shirt rolled up, his arms deep in soapsuds. He washed while she rinsed. Julia was uncomfortably aware of his quiet attention.

  All evening long, she’d stifled the impulse to seek him out in any way. Now that he was so near, she could feel the warmth of his proximity. When their fingers bumped as he passed her dishes, his touch affected her more than she wanted to admit. It made no sense. How could such a simple chore feel so intimate? Julia couldn’t wait for him to leave so she could regain emotional high ground. She licked her lips. “Thank you for all your help. This wasn’t part of the invitation.”

  “I know. But after a dinner like that I knew there would be a stack of dishes at least as big as your effort. I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight, thinking of you scrubbing pots into the wee hours of the morning.”

&n
bsp; Julia smiled at his teasing tone. He swiped at his nose with his arm. The action left a puff of suds on his cheek. She had to fight the urge to wipe it away.

  Marc handed her the last pan and pulled the plug on the sink. She offered him a clean dishtowel, and out of the corner of her eye, saw him dry his hands and dab at his face while leaning against the counter. She tucked a stray wisp of hair behind her ear. What now?

  “Julia, did Sara mention anything to you about a book party tomorrow night?”

  She nodded, smiling in a detached sort of way. Her pulse picked up tempo.

  “Would you consider being my guest for the evening?”

  Julia’s heart lurched hard and she felt her careful expression falter. She’d often been asked out over the years, and her response had always been a kindly no.

  She lowered her eyes for a moment. When she raised them to meet his, her answer surprised her.

  Chapter Six

  With a critical eye, Julia checked her reflection in the mirror the following evening. She wondered if the black cocktail dress with a matching beaded bolero jacket was too dressy for a book party. Nibbling on her bottom lip, she plumped the curls at her shoulders.

  She didn’t want to admit to herself that she was nervous about going on a date with Marc. She knew he had asked her out of courtesy to Brian and Sara. But that didn’t explain why there were kamikaze butterflies loose in her stomach.

  She distracted herself by filling her evening bag with the essentials—compact face powder, lipstick, a comb, tissues, and Extra-Strength Tylenol. She began to remember why she didn’t go out on dates. The anxiety wasn’t worth it. Then again, no one had stirred her to this pitch before. She’d decided a long time ago not to get too personal with her business associates. Although she’d often been a part of power lunches and dinners, she kept things professional. Office romances were notorious for being disastrous, and with her long hours of work, she really didn’t have time for anyone else.

  Julia preferred it that way. If pangs of loneliness ever crept up on her, she’d give her dad or brother a call, although lately, even that had failed to banish her feelings of discontent.

  A knock at the cottage door sent her heart careening. Marc needed to be at the party early and had insisted on driving Julia so they wouldn’t need to wait for Brian and Sara.

  She took a breath, straightened her shoulders, and answered the door.

  Marc hoped the darkness concealed his reaction when he saw Julia in the doorway. How was it she could look more lovely each time he saw her? He managed a smile. “Ready?”

  She nodded and took his proffered arm. They walked in silence in the moonless night to his truck. After helping her into the passenger seat, he went around to the other side and slid behind the wheel.

  While making trivial conversation, inwardly Marc wondered what had ever possessed him to give Julia a second thought. She was way out of league. No doubt she’d accepted his invitation out of courtesy to Brian and Sara. He frowned at the thought.

  “So who’s giving you the party?” Julia asked.

  Marc forced his expression to be more pleasant. “My editor and my dad were good friends. And when I had the idea for the book, he helped to get me started. But just in case any success might go to my head, he told me he needed an excuse for a party to showcase his wife’s new catering business, and that my book was as good a reason as any.” Marc smiled wryly. “Believe me, I’m not complaining, but I can guarantee I won’t know half the people there tonight.”

  “I think it’s a wonderful idea. Just think of the exposure your book will get. Besides, a party is a party.”

  “That’s true. And I get the feeling you like parties.”

  Julia smiled. “Absolutely. They’re an excellent place to network and develop new business contacts. Many of my consulting opportunities have developed at such gatherings.”

  “Do you ever go just to have fun?”

  “Work is fun.”

  Her shot her a glance, wondering at the forced note in her voice. Seeing her clouded expression confirmed his suspicions. The idea that Julia might not be happy bothered him. Technically, it wasn’t his problem, and he certainly wasn’t the solution, but it still bothered him. He wanted to erase the shadows under her eyes—shadows that spoke of something deeper than fatigue. He wanted to see her smile like she had at dinner the night before.

  At him.

  ***

  The sight of twinkling lights on the horizon heralded their approach into Portland. Marc drove into the West Hills to the home of his editor, Nathan Brenner. He parked a few houses down from the residence and assisted Julia from the truck, enjoying the way she rested a hand on his arm as they made their way up the street.

  The house was lit up with the glow of lamplight and candles when they stepped inside. Already there were several couples in the large living room. An ivory leather sectional couch took center stage, enhanced by several glass-topped side tables encouraging the formation of guests into small, intimate groups.

  A copy of his book Facets was set on a table near the door, surrounded by an artful display of colorful minerals and small rocks. A tiny placard nestled in the display gave credit to a jewelry store for providing the ‘geological samples’.

  Mrs. Brenner, elegantly attired, bussed the air near Marc’s cheek and gave a kind, if speculative, stare at Julia when he introduced her. After a few hostess-like phrases, she snagged some other couples and made introductions all around, thereby discharging her duties before rushing off to check the food.

  Marc was right when he said he wouldn’t know most of the people present. Those he did know seemed overly interested at his arrival with a woman, and insisted on making Julia’s acquaintance. She didn’t seem to notice his discomfort at everyone’s conspicuous assumption of a budding romance. Julia was obviously in her element. Her warm and gracious manner kept conversation flowing smoothly while they mingled throughout the ever-growing crowd.

  He was pleased that she stayed by his side. Social niceties gave him leave to maintain light physical contact, and he took great pleasure in her nearness. Some time later, Brian and Sara arrived, and after they greeted each other, Sara and Julia disappeared. Marc experienced a sharp stab of disappointment, reluctant to carry on conversation with the other guests without her.

  Sara watched the way Marc’s expression changed when Julia left his side. She followed her into a sitting room, set aside for ladies to repair their appearances.

  “Sara, you look fabulous in that dress,” Julia said.

  She noted Julia’s high flush. “You’re the one who picked it out. And anyway, if anyone looks fabulous, it’s you. I noticed Marc couldn’t take his eyes off you.”

  The instant the words were out of Sara’s mouth, she regretted them. She’d promised herself not to meddle, but everything within her cried out to bring these two people together. They made a great couple and their personalities were perfectly matched. But if she continued putting her foot in her mouth, she risked spoiling any possibilities between them.

  Sara sighed. “Sorry. Just a bit of wishful thinking.”

  Julia peered into a mirror while she freshened her lipstick. “Don’t worry about it.” Dropping the lipstick tube back into her bag, she snapped it shut and changed the subject.

  Julia was relieved when Sara made her way back to her husband. The contrition in her eyes for her comment about Marc softened some of her frustration. But it still rankled. Perhaps it wouldn’t have been such a big deal if she weren’t entertaining nonsensical notions about Marc herself. I’m just as guilty of wishful thinking.

  The warmth in his dark eyes tonight melted away her intention of keeping him at arm’s length. Julia found it nearly impossible to stay her intended course when he acted so solicitous and kind, attending to her every need. His breath against her cheek when he spoke low into her ear, the gentleness of his touch while they wended their way through the room, had proved too much for her to resist. She could hardly wait
to get back to his side.

  “Excuse me, Ms...?”

  Julia turned at the sound of a masculine voice. “Julia Wilcox,” she said, holding out her hand to the man in front of her. He was tall, with light blond hair and gray eyes set in a classically handsome face. His grip was firm as they shook hands.

  “Spencer Meyers. I overheard you mention to one of the other guests that you’re in the consulting business.”

  Julia’s eyes lit up. “As a matter of fact, I am.”

  Marc wondered what two women who saw each other everyday could find so interesting to talk about. He felt his frown deepen when Julia finally emerged from the other room, only to be intercepted by a tall, blond man in a perfectly tailored suit.

  Marc didn’t know who he was, but it bugged him the way he had Julia cornered in what appeared to be an intimate manner. He watched while she became engrossed in animated conversation, and by the way her eyes sparkled, she liked what she heard.

  About fifteen minutes later, the man pulled a business card from inside his breast pocket and pressed it into Julia’s hand. She slipped the card into her evening bag and smiled up at him. When she briefly laid a hand on his arm, Marc experienced a violent jab of jealousy.

  Although it vexed him, it was obvious the man was Julia’s type—pretty-boy handsome, apparently rich, and charming. Marc shoved his hands into his pockets. I hate being right.

  Julia said goodbye to her new acquaintance and went over to the no-host bar. She chose a flavored mineral water from the selection of beverages. Glancing around the room, she soon located Marc. He stood apart from a group of people with a brooding expression in his dark eyes. Julia threaded her way through the crowd, regretting that she’d been apart from him for so long.