Love Finds the One (Sully Point Book 2)

by Nicole Smith

  On impulse, she stopped at the yarn store. It was a small shop, with every wall filled to bursting with a wild variety of types and colors of yarn. As she walked through, she idly touched various yarns, looking for the right feel. That one, she thought, liking the nice heavy weight. It would make a great sweater for Cody.

  "Can I help you?" a voice asked at her elbow.

  Turning, she saw a very short, little, round woman with gray hair pulled back in a barrette at her nape, her hair falling down to her waist.

  "I'm Violet, and this is my shop. You must be the new woman in town, staying out at Sam's beach house?"

  "Yes, hello. I'm Julia Tremaine. I was looking for some yarn for a crochet project."

  "Ooh, lovely. The yarn you've got there is a very nice texture. Is purple the color you want, dear?"

  "Actually, if you had a nice sky blue," Julia said thinking that she wanted it to match Cody's eyes.

  "Let me see here what I can find." Violet hustled away, and Julia went to look at the racks of crochet hooks. She noticed a sweater on the front of a crochet magazine. With a few modifications, it would be perfect for Cody. By the time Violet was back, with her arms overflowing in blue yarn, Julia had a stack of other items to purchase.

  "Oh, my, looks like you need everything. How much of this yarn do you think you'll need?"

  They conferred over the pattern in the magazine and decided on an amount. Julia added a nice roomy quilted bag to her purchases. Violet put everything in it for easy carrying.

  "Now dear, I've heard you're here 'recovering.'" She said that with fingers making quotations around the word recovering. "It must be hard to give up your afternoon martini, but we must do what we must do."

  Julia said, "Wait, uh, Violet. You're mistaken. I'm not recovering from a drinking problem."

  "You're not, dear? Are you sure?"

  "Yes! Look, all that happened was, I collapsed in a meeting. I got totally burned out from work, and I'm taking some time off, to get my health back is all. No big deal. And no drinking problem."

  "Well then, that's just lovely. And who is this sweater going to be for?"

  "Uh, well, a friend."

  "Ooh, a friend." Violet tittered. Julia was sure she'd never heard anyone titter in her life before this.

  "I'd better get going," she told the inquisitive little shopkeeper. "Thanks very much for your help. I'm sure I'll be back."

  "Lovely, dear, just lovely."

  Julia hurried out to her car, got inside, and realized the conniving little woman had done what nobody else in town had succeeded at. She'd gotten Julia to tell the truth about why she was here. Chagrined at first, she ended up laughing loudly. Violet, she thought, was a character.

  She drove back to the beach house and was too excited to postpone her crochet project. She settled down with some Norah Jones music playing in the background, and began working on the sweater. Within a few minutes, it had all come back to her, and she was happily crocheting when her phone rang. Without checking to see who it was, she answered.

  "Hello?"

  "Julia. Why haven't you answered my emails?"

  It was her mother. "I haven't been well, Mother, so I haven't been checking my emails." Which felt a little bit like lying, since she already felt much better.

  "Well if you had read them, you'd know I've decided to fire Ron. He's completely incompetent. You'll just have to come back and take over again."

  "What? Mother, you heard what Dr. Deville said. I need time off."

  "You don't seem to be hearing me. I need someone in charge of that department as soon as possible."

  "Well, I hate to say this, but it can't be me. Mother," she said and stopped to take a breath. "I may not be coming back. Ever."

  "What nonsense is this? Of course you're coming back."

  "No, I mean it. The work is killing me. I don't think I can do it anymore. It's too much pressure."

  There was silence on the other end. Finally her mother said, "Obviously, you're just overtired. Dr. Deville said you needed a vacation, so you stay and get better. Then we'll see you back here."

  "Mother you're not hearing me now."

  "Have a nice vacation, and I'll be in touch, soon."

  Julia heard silence as her mother hung up. "Damn. Damn, damn, damn."

  Deciding she was too upset to sit calmly and crochet, she went into the bedroom to change clothes into jeans and her knee-high black boots. A cream-colored cashmere sweater, and a black leather jacket, completed her outfit for the gardens. Looking in the mirror she thought it might be wise to take a trip to the mall to get a less expensive shirt to wear, then realized she just didn't care enough to bother.

  She made sure she had her phone tucked into a pocket and grabbed her handbag. The phone might come in handy if she wanted any pictures of the place. Then she realized she didn't know where the gardens were located, so she called Frank. He gave her directions after asking several times if she was sure she wanted to go out there.

  The sun was peeking out from clouds, and the cemetery was lit by stray rays of light. A breeze ruffled cool green shimmering leaves, along the large rectangular area, filled with tombstones and monuments. Julia walked slowly through, and was impressed by the artistic sense of some of the stones. There were the plain and simple ones, with only dates. Others were so old the names were all but gone, worn away by the years.

  She found herself drawn to one of the newer stones with an angel on top. On the face of the stone she was shocked to see 'Natalie Grainger, beloved mother to Holly, Cody and Anna.' Below was the line, 'Love of a lifetime to husband Frank.'

  She sank down to her knees and brushed some dead leaves away from the base of the stone. Tears came to her eyes as she thought of the meaning of the phrase--love of a lifetime. What must it be like to experience a commitment, a certainty like that? To be so sure of your love, you carved it into stone to last forever? To lose such a love through death?

  "She was a very good mother, you know."

  Julia turned quickly to see Cody approaching. "I didn't expect to see you here."

  "It wasn't me being over-protective this time, it was Dad. He got concerned at the idea of you out here by yourself and called to have me check on you."

  She stood up and brushed dirt and leaves from her hands. "I was shocked to find this grave. I couldn't help but imagine how it must have been devastating for your father, to lose such a great love."

  "Yes, I think it was. And he would tell you now, the love wasn't lost, just postponed. He had some very rough years."

  "I can't imagine finding such a love. All I've seen are either loveless marriages, or ones that break up. Nobody seems willing anymore to have the kind of commitment to each other your father and mother experienced."

  "There are still some who are willing," Cody said softly.

  She stared into his eyes, and saw the warmth and the smile there. And, a patient waiting, which made her suddenly blush. "Well, I think I'm done here at the gardens for today." She began to walk back toward the entrance.

  Cody walked next to her and said nothing. As they passed through the arched gate it felt like a spell was broken and the real world was back again.

  "Where are you off to now?" he asked her.

  "The mall. I need a few things. I should be back in plenty of time for dinner."

  "Sounds good. I'll see you later then."

  "Yes, you will." She watched him walk away to the Corvette. Something had changed between them, back there in the gardens. She felt...something...a fluttering something when she looked at him. Something located right in her heart.

  * * * *

  Late in the afternoon, Julia returned from the mall. She was more tired than she'd expected, but she didn't have time for a nap. She took a quick shower and changed into a jersey knit dress of navy blue, making her eyes look bluer than ever. A long silver necklace added some sparkle, along with dangling silver hoops in her ears.

  The drive into town was a little scary, as sh
e almost ran off the road. The way the tiredness could still just overcome her, made her feel unsafe. She sighed with relief when she arrived at the Grainger house. Cody opened the door and waved her back to enter through the kitchen.

  "Something smells great," she said with a smile.

  "You look great," he said.

  "Thanks. What's for dinner?"

  "Blackened scallops. We'll have some veggies with them."

  "Sounds good to me. I'm hungry. Again." She laughed. "I don't remember ever getting hungry as often as I have in the past week.

  "Probably because you need it. Are you okay? You look a little bit tired?"

  She sank down into a chair at the kitchen table. "Actually, I am pretty tired. I guess the mall was too much for me. I get these waves of tiredness. They kind of freak me out."

  "That doesn't sound good at all."

  "I think I'm getting better. I'm just not one hundred percent yet."

  "Do you want a drink? Some wine maybe?"

  "What have you got?"

  "A white zinfandel."

  "Bring it on," she said with a smile. "And is there some bread I can munch on until dinner is ready?"

  "Here," he handed her a basket of rolls. "Go for it."

  He talked idly of his day at the store after leaving the gardens. She complained about the music they played at the mall. He swore he might kill Hank and Joe if tourist season didn't arrive quickly. She told him her mother had called.

  "What--when did she call?"

  "Before I went to the gardens. Demanded I return and take up the reins of my department."

  "But your doctor said--"

  "Yes, I know. She only hears what she wants to hear. Get this--when I told her I might never come back, she suddenly starts talking about my finishing my 'vacation' and then returning. It's like she doesn't hear anything I say."

  "What will you do?"

  "Keep thinking things through, and decide if I want to go back or not. At this point, I think not. But I want to be certain of my decision. Because if I quit the business, I'll have a fight on my hands, and she doesn't play fair."

  "Do you have any idea of what you would do if you left advertising?"

  "Honestly, no. That's another thing I'll be thinking about."

  Frank walked in from the front of the house. "Julia, I didn't hear you come in."

  She smiled at him.

  "Is it about ready, son?"

  "Yes. Go on in, and sit down you two. I'll bring this platter in."

  Cody served their plates and everyone began to eat.

  "Delicious!" Julia declared.

  "Good job," Frank said.

  "Everyone save room for dessert. We have pecan pie."

  "Where'd you get another pie?" Frank asked.

  "Kayla somehow heard that we were having Julia over tonight, and she made it."

  "Ah, hmm." Frank said, "I may have mentioned it on my coffee break this afternoon."

  Cody and Julia laughed.

  Frank said he'd heard three different rumors today about Julia. All wrong.

  "There is one person who knows the truth, and that's Violet."

  "The yarn lady?" Cody asked.

  "Yes. I was in her shop and she starting talking about my drinking problem--"

  "I heard that one today," Frank interjected.

  "Well she got me all riled up, and I told her the truth. I'm sure we'll hear some altered version of it now."

  "It might explain the rumor about you having a panic attack in a meeting, and being carried out by the men in white coats. And that your 'rest' here is actually a mental rest."

  "In some ways, that's right, I guess. Although they weren't men in white coats. And I was passed out not panicked. But I do think I'm here, in part, for a mental rest."

  They were all quiet for a minute.

  "So, pie?" Cody suggested.

  "Yes, let's see that pie," Frank said with relish.

  "Just how many pies do you think can be gotten out of the ladies of Sully Point, Frank?" Julia asked him with a grin.

  "Evidently, as long as you keep eating here, I'll be having me some pie."

  She laughed.

  They all agreed Kayla had done an outstanding job on the pecan pie. Julia was yawning as she took her last bite. "Wow. I am wiped out. Could you make some coffee before I get on the road?"

  Frank frowned. "I don't think that's a good idea, Julia. If you're tired enough to need coffee, it might be better to have Cody drive you home."

  "I hate to bother--"

  Cody said, "It's really fine. Are you ready to leave now?"

  "Yes, please. I need to get to bed, I think. It was good to see you Frank."

  "Same here."

  When they had gotten into the Corvette and started out, Cody said, "Okay, why were you so easily persuaded this time to let me drive you home?"

  "Damn. You picked up on that?"

  "Yeah. What's up?"

  "I almost ran off the road on the way here. I got this wave of exhaustion and--"

  "Julia, if you were that tired, why did you still come over? We could have brought dinner out to you."

  She blinked. "I didn't even think of that."

  "Sometimes, I almost think you have a blind spot when it comes to taking care of yourself."

  "It hasn't been a big priority in my life for a while."

  "Well...make it a priority, okay?"

  "Yes, sir! Seriously, I'm trying."

  "I know you are."

  They drove in silence the rest of the way to the beach house. It was a comfortable quiet between them. As they approached the house, Julia got her keys out of her purse. Cody's phone rang as they pulled into the driveway.

  "Yeah, hi Dad...What news? Can you tell me...okay, I'll head back right now...all right, bye."

  He frowned at the phone and looked at her. "Something's got my father upset. I need to get back. You'll be okay?"

  "Yes, I'll be fine. You go. I hope everything is all right."

  "Me, too. Okay, see you later."

  Julia got out of the car and ran up to the door as Cody drove off. Right as she unlocked the door, she realized she'd left her handbag in his car. She turned to call to him, but he was already gone. Shrugging, she opened the door and walked inside.

  * * * *

  "What do you mean Patrice has escaped?" Cody asked his father in bewilderment.

  Frank sat in the big chair in the living room, where he rested after a long day. Cody knew Frank was worried, because he didn't even ask why Cody was carrying Julia's purse with him. She'd left it in his car and he planned to return it to her tomorrow.

  "You know Patrice was in that mental institution for the criminally insane."

  Cody nodded quickly.

  "Someone got careless because she'd been acting normal, being on her best behavior. She escaped. The hospital called to warn Sam and Anna. She might try to go after them again."

  Cody said, "So the crazy stalker ex is back? I thought after she ended up shooting Sam, we'd heard the last of her."

  "At least Sam and Anna are safe in Italy. Nobody over here knows he bought the villa there."

  "Yeah, they should be okay but--hold on a minute. She wouldn't know about Italy. So, where would she think Sam and Anna were staying?"

  "The beach house!" Frank leaped to his feet.

  Cody ran for the door, still holding Julia's bag. "Call Sheriff Jones! She'll go for the beach house--Julia--"

  Frank turned pale, and had his phone out, even as Cody was out the door and running to the car. Damn, damn, damn, why didn't I see her into the house? I just drove off and left her there. Cody was alternately scared to death for Julia and angry with himself. He peeled out of the driveway and sped down the street. He hoped he was wrong, but it felt right that Patrice would go to the beach house. He worried frantically about what she would do, when she realized Julia was the only one there.

  * * * *

  Julia walked into the darkness and fumbled for a light switch. Th
e lights flicked on right as someone tackled her and brought her to the ground. For a moment she was stunned. She tried to remember her self-defense classes but shock had her frozen.

  A woman climbed off her and stood up. Julia looked up, and saw a blond, holding a knife from the kitchen. She had a sharp lean look, and she appeared to be startled.

  "Who the hell are you?"

  Julia started to get up, but the woman motioned with the knife, so she stayed still. "I'm Julia Tremaine. A friend of Holly Grainger."

  "A friend of Holly Grainger--wait a minute. That was Anna's name before she married Sam. Where is she? Why aren't they here?"

  "They don't live here during this time of year. They travel." It seemed best to Julia not to mention just where Anna and her husband actually were right now.

  "Come on, get up and sit here in this chair." The woman pulled a chair out from the dinette set. "Sit."

  Julia scrambled up and perched on the chair. Who the hell is this woman?

  "Now, let's try this again. There's no way Sam would let just anyone stay in his precious little featured-in-the-glossy-magazine-house. You have to be a very good friend. Just how good a friend of Sam's are you?"

  "I don't even know Sam. I only--"

  Crack. Julia's head rocked back with the force of the woman's slap against her face.

  "No lying. You're probably another of his girlfriends. He would go for your tall skinny look. A model, aren't you? He's dated models before."

  "Sam is married to Anna now. He wouldn't--"

  "Aha! You do know him. Where is he?" She waved the tip of the knife in front of Julia's face. "Where?" Her eyes had a wild, wide open look.

  "I don't know. They didn't tell anyone where they were going!" She spoke hurriedly, watching the knife the whole time. "They were tired of the paparazzi, I guess. They just took off without telling anyone where they were going. Can I ask--who are you?"

  Again the woman looked surprised. "You don't recognize me? I'm Patrice, the so-called ex-girlfriend he dumped for that damned mouse, Anna. But I won't be 'ex' for long."

  Julia searched her memory for the story. She remembered there had been a big deal, Sam getting hurt...it must have been this Patrice. I am in so much trouble, she thought.