“Yes, I’ll just go grab my coat from upstairs.”
***
Happy to be going shopping with her Grandma, Julianna climbed in and sat down in the passenger seat of Viv’s truck. She’d explained that the truck was great for hauling pottery which she sold to a local store once a month. Julianna was proud of her. Viv made a living making things for people. Much different than the way Julianna had earned her money.
Julianna gazed out the window at the trees. Most of the leaves had fallen. “I love that bridge up there. This is a picturesque little town that you happened upon.”
“Scarlett would have hated it here. She was a big city girl.”
“Really?” There was so much she didn’t know about her mom and her grandma.
“Mmm hmm. She liked to party, one of our reasons for fighting.”
Julianna admired the bridge. “Well, I like it here. It’s nice.”
They pulled onto a main road and were right in the hustle and bustle of the middle of town. Clothing boutiques, dozens of restaurants, a book store and even a candy store lined both sides of the street.
Julianna eyed Dottie’s Candies and felt as if she’d been plopped right into the life she should’ve had. “I’m liking this place more and more.”
Viv smiled and parked her truck at an angle. “I have to run over to the pottery store. Why don’t you look at a couple of these clothing boutiques and I’ll come find you in twenty minutes.”
When she exited the truck, the sun warmed Julianna’s face despite the cool temperature. “Okay.”
Viv raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you have money?”
Julianna nodded. After paying Reid back for her car, she still had over ten grand in large bills stuffed inside her pocket. “Yes.”
“All right, have fun.”
Julianna nodded and watched her grandma walk across the street to the ceramic store. She hadn’t been shopping in a while, it could be fun. Julianna turned around and walked into the first clothing boutique.
A woman with brown hair in her thirties smiled. “Welcome to Armoire, let me know if you need anything.”
“Thank you.” Julianna walked over to the cashmere sweaters display. She touched the soft fabric. Looking at clothes reminded her of Reid. Was he still angry with her? Did he miss her? She picked up the white sweater and held it up remembering the white sofa at their place. They’d spent a lot of time of that sofa. And many other places. Heat rose to her cheeks.
Viv came up behind her. “Now that is pretty.”
Julianna turned to her. Viv was holding a paper bag with handles. How long had she been standing there daydreaming? “Thanks. I’m getting it.”
Viv looked around while Julianna picked up some white jeans and satin underwear.
She walked over to Julianna holding two cashmere scarves, one in red and one in green. “Which do you like?”
“Red.”
“This will go perfectly with your outfit. I’m buying it for you.”
Julianna smiled. “Only if you let me get one for you, too.”
“Okay. I’ll have the green.”
They carried their purchases outside and loaded them in the truck.
Viv walked around to the front of the truck where Julianna stood waiting. “Would you at least let me buy you something from Dotties?”
“Sure.” It was nice having her grandma dote over her. She’d never experienced anything like it. Things would have been so different if Viv would have been the one to pick her up from Mercy Hospital instead of Brandon, although she may have not found Reid again. And maybe that was something she didn’t want to give up. She’d never forget the time they’d spent together.
The little candy shop smelled divine. Red Hots were being made in the back. The cinnamon mixed with the sweet chocolate was the best thing she’d ever smelled. Julianna picked out ten pieces of candy and her grandma paid for them. Sea salted caramels, Red Hot crème filled chocolates and turtles. She’d found candy heaven.
***
After a full day of shopping and eating, Julianna was stuffed and exhausted. When they arrived back at Viv’s the sun was already setting. Viv made them each a mug of coffee and they sat next to the fireplace in the floral chairs which were much more comfortable than they looked. The heat from the fire warmed Julianna’s frozen nose.
Viv took a sip of coffee and placed her mug on her lap. “Are you going to tell me why you left Baltimore in such a hurry?”
“It’s a long, confusing story.” The fire crackled. She looked over to watch the orange flames dance about over the blackened logs.
Viv nodded. “I have time.”
Before the words came out, Julianna wasn’t sure what she would say. “I was feeling guilty over some things I had to do for my job.”
Viv shrugged. “Everyone has to earn a living somehow.”
“It wasn’t about earning a living. I—” Should she tell her grandma the truth about what she’d done?
“I know we haven’t known each other all that long, but I can tell something is bothering you. If you’re in some kind of trouble, don’t worry, you’re safe here.”
Julianna placed her palm over her face and closed her eyes. She sighed and opened them. She was about to find out if her grandma could handle the truth about what kind of person her granddaughter really was. “I was an assassin. I thought was keeping people safe from dangerous criminals.”
“I see.” She hesitated. “And you weren’t?”
“No, the people I worked for misled me. When I found out the truth I couldn’t deal with it. I tried, but the guilt was eating at me. So, I left Reid, the only person I loved, because it wasn’t fair to either of us if I stayed and sucked the life out of our relationship after all we’d been though.”
“Was Reid an assassin too?”
“Yes. He was as deceived as well.” Julianna took a drink of her coffee, waiting for her grandma to run her out of her house with the fire poker. When she didn’t, Julianna continued, “Reid is a good man and he feels right, but he is in love with the part of me that I can’t remember. I probably don’t deserve to be happy anyway.”
“Julianna, look at me. You are a good person and you must forgive yourself.”
“But you hardly know me.”
She smiled. “I know enough. There is something you don’t know about me either. I have a gift of reading people. Seeing, in a sense.”
Julianna’s forehead crinkled. “You mean like a psychic?”
She tilted her head back and forth. “I prefer the term clairvoyant. I don’t really see things, but I get these feelings. I know when things are bad and when they are good. And I don’t care what you’ve done I’m only getting good vibes from you.”
Julianna was skeptical, but it was nice to hear, nonetheless. “Thank you.”
Viv sighed. “That’s what our huge fight was about. I’d told your mom that something bad was going to happen. She never believed in my ability and was always rebelling against me. She didn’t listen and went on dating a married man. He wasn’t only married, he was powerful.”
A tear strolled down Julianna’s cheek. “Viv, I have to tell you something. Mom’s accident wasn’t an accident. My dad had her murdered. I found out from Brandon, before he died.”
Viv bowed her head. “Deep down, I knew. I knew from the violent vibes I felt when she died that it was more than just a car accident. I think that’s why I took her death so hard. I blame myself for not trying harder to make her understand.”
Julianna placed her hand over her grandma’s. “I’ll forgive myself if you’ll do the same.”
“All right.” She nodded and patted Julianna’s hand. “I think it’s time we both let go of things that were not in our control.”
***
Julianna had woken up with a smile on her face. The heart to heart she’d had with Viv last night made her feel better about herself. Coming here was the best thing she could have done. She soaked in the tub with her head leaned back on t
he rolled edge. Staying with her grandma was like a mini vacation after being chased by murderers.
She reached with her foot and turned off the faucet with her toes. When the water cooled, Julianna pulled the plug and stepped out of the tub. She watched the soapy water swirl down the drain as she dried off. Feeling refreshed, she pulled on a pair of blue jeans and a purple top.
Julianna walked downstairs and entered the kitchen, Viv was making pancakes. “I’m going to get fat, if I keep eating all this stuff.”
Viv looked behind her. “Nonsense, it would take a lot to fatten you up. Besides, fast metabolisms run in our family.”
They ate a pancake breakfast, then loaded the dishwasher together. Their conversations flowed easily as if Julianna had known her grandma all her life.
Viv dried her hands on a yellow dishtowel. “Would you like to make something out of clay?”
“Sure.” She followed Viv back to the pottery studio.
Viv unfolded the plastic wrap from around the hunks of orangish-brown clay. “You have to get all the air bubbles out like this.” She took a slab of clay and smacked it onto the table a few times. “Now you try.”
Julianna picked up the soft clay and smacked it onto the tabletop as Viv had demonstrated. “It’s softer than I imagined.”
“There are different kinds. Softer clay is kinder to old hands.” Viv winked.
Julianna nodded and slapped the chunk onto the table again.
“Good, now keep working that for a bit.”
The clay was cold and heavy. Viv showed her how to roll the material around to smash out the bubbles.
“Okay, you’re ready to throw it on the wheel, slap it down right in the center.”
Julianna did as instructed. The slab of clay spun around.
Viv showed her how to sit over the clay and where to put her hands. “Dip your hands in the bucket of water. You have to keep the clay moist at all times.”
Julianna put her wet hands on the clay and slightly pulled out and up like Viv demonstrated. Her clay piece flopped. She laughed. “I’m not so good at this.”
“Try again.”
After a few more tries Julianna finally got something to resemble a small bowl. The look of pride in her grandma’s eyes filled Julianna’s heart with happiness.
***
Julianna forked a bite of pot roast. The meat was so tender it fell apart. Her grandma was an excellent cook. “Thank you for letting me stay here.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad you came to find me. I didn’t realize how lonely I was until you showed up.”
“I love this little town and I’ve enjoyed spending time with you.” A lump formed in her throat.
Viv raised an eyebrow. “Then why the frown?”
She picked at the napkin on her lap. “I miss Reid. I’ve been thinking a lot about him and I wonder if he’s still waiting for me.”
“He must be a special man to keep your attention the way he does.”
She smiled. “He is. Protective, loyal and so very handsome.”
“Maybe you should go find him, not many men I’ve known have all those qualities.”
Julianna stirred a piece of potato around in her bowl. “I don’t know. What if I never get my memory back? Is that really fair to him?”
Viv set her glass down. “You told me there were things you could try, right?”
“I guess I’m afraid. Whatever caused me to repress my memory was too tragic for me to deal with. What if I still can’t deal with it?”
Viv placed her hand over Julianna’s. “Things are different now. You have family.”
Julianna smiled and nodded. “Do you get any vibes about me being hypnotized?”
“I’ve only felt good things since you’ve been here. The only thing holding you back, dear Julianna, is yourself.”
***
The next morning, Julianna walked down the stairs dressed in white jeans, a cashmere sweater and the red scarf Viv had bought for her. The wonderful, calming scent of chocolate filled her nose. What a great way to start the day. Especially a day that she’d made some big decisions.
Viv looked up from the counter. “You look great!”
“Thanks.” Julianna sat down on the stool.
“I made blueberry muffins.”
“Delicious.”
“I also have a chocolate cake in the oven for lunch.” Viv winked. Her grandma was feeding into her never ending sweet tooth.
“Double delicious.” She needed to let Viv know that she would be leaving soon.
Viv set the timer down on the counter. “Something on your mind? I sense there’s something you need to tell me.”
Julianna peeled the foil cup from the muffin. “Yes, I do. I’ve decided that I’m going to go find Reid and I’m going to try to get my memories back.”
“That’s good. I’m proud of you.” Viv’s eyes misted. “I’ll miss you though.”
She would miss her grandma too. But she could come back to visit soon. “I’ll be back. You’re my family.”
Viv smiled and nodded.
“There’s something I wanted to do with you before I go look for Reid.”
Viv smiled. “Anything.”
Julianna hesitated. She didn’t know how her grandma would react. “I want to go visit my mom’s grave. I think she’d like us there together.”
“I haven’t been back to visit her. All this time and I couldn’t bring myself to go, not even once.”
That information saddened Julianna, but she understood. “I’ll drive. You need to do this as much as I need to face my past.”
***
As Julianna drove her Jag through Baltimore, it was bittersweet. The last time she’d been in the city, she’d be in emotional distress. But she’d also shared some treasured moments with Reid. She looked over at her grandma who was staring out the window. “Are you okay?”
She turned to Julianna. “Yes.” Viv folded her hands in her lap. “Thank you for bringing me.”
“You’re welcome.” Julianna pulled into the large cemetery. The grass wasn’t visible through the blanket of fresh snow.
They got out of Julianna’s car and trudged over to Scarlett’s headstone. Julianna wiped the snow away from her mom’s name engraved in the stone. Viv placed a bouquet of red roses on the white covered ground. They stood and bowed their heads while holding hands.
Viv raised her head revealing teary eyes. “She’s happy. The violent vibes are gone.”
Julianna smiled through tears of her own, feeling the closure she hadn’t the first time she’d been there.
***
After driving Viv back to Connecticut, Julianna stayed for lunch. Her grandma’s chocolate cake was even better than her crumb cake had been. The extra thick layer of homemade chocolate frosting may have had something to do with it. Viv handed her a plastic bag to pack her clothes in. “I’ll put your bowl in the kiln, so next time you come you can finish it.”
Julianna hugged Viv. “That sounds great.”
Viv squeezed her for a moment. “Now go, before I start crying again.”
Julianna wiped away the tears already streaming down her face. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Julianna. Go find that handsome Reid and get back the memories you both shared.”
Chapter 19
Reid stood inside a peach colored room at Mercy Hospital. He swallowed the lump in his throat. At first, he wasn’t sure why he’d gotten in his Jag and driven straight to New Jersey. Once he stepped inside the hospital, he knew it was to see where Julianna had been when he was so desperately trying to find her. Ironic that’d she been trying to find herself at the same time. Julianna or Jane Doe as the hospital staff had known her had been admitted in the same room which he was now standing in.
He walked over to the bed. She must have been so afraid. She’d probably shed tears with no one to comfort her. The sterile chemical smell made him nauseated. He turned around to leave. He would have come for her. If only he would have kn
own. All that wasted time he’d spent searching in Maryland and she’d been here the whole time. A nurse dressed in scrubs walked by the empty room.
She stopped and looked at Reid. “Can I help you?”
“No.” He walked past her and out of the hospital.
***
Reid sat on the edge of the sofa and listened to the newscaster. From what he gathered, the authorities were still clueless that ETE 7 had ever existed. Also, the area murders as well as Agent Fuller back in D.C. had been all been linked to Senator Grant and his wife. It was the scandal of the century. He drew in a deep breath. Mission completed. He and Jewels were in the clear, free to start over. He’d just hoped it would have been together. She had to be thinking about him wherever she was. He couldn’t stop thinking about her. His hand reached over to her side of the bed and rested there. He imagined her curvy naked body under the sheet, her smile as she gazed into his eyes. Her kissable lips. He had to get a grip. What if she didn’t love him anymore?
With a sigh, he turned off the flat screen and got up. Clueless as to what to do next, he looked around the apartment which was already spotless from cleaning the place top to bottom yesterday. He’d even gone to the grocery store and filled up the refrigerator. If Jewels came back, she’d be surprised. If she didn’t come back he’d have to go find her, but he wanted her to come back to him on her own. He had to give her some time as much as that tortured him.
Reid picked up Jewels’ gold chain. She’d forgotten it. He put the chain back where she’d left it on the end table. He rubbed his face and picked up the picture of them. He stood there staring at it like that would somehow bring her back. It wouldn’t, he knew that from before.
What he needed was something big to occupy his time. With ETE 7 being nonexistent, it was time find a new career. His money wouldn’t last forever. Julianna had mentioned becoming a police officer. That wasn’t for him. How could he put his skills to use in a legal way? He was good a killing, but he was also good at protecting.
That was it. He could start a security firm. He placed the photo back on the table next to her necklace. He’d become a private security contractor. Be his own boss without having to worry about his superior lying to him. Revived with new energy, he grabbed his coat and headed out the door. The first thing he’d need would be a license and then some new supplies.
Protecting the Enemy Page 15