Love Finds the One (Sully Point Book 2)

by Nicole Smith

  She laughed, and reached for him, running her fingers through his hair even as he pulled her close to his body. "I was planning before on spending the whole afternoon and night with you. Yes, I want to be with you. No matter what you need to do, I'd like to be there."

  He felt himself relax, and then took advantage of her close proximity to kiss her thoroughly. "There, maybe that will tide us over for a while."

  "I doubt it," she said breathlessly. "Now, kissing you will be all I can think of."

  "Come on. We'll go get the car, come back here and drop yours off, and hurry to run errands. Somewhere in there I'm betting we can fit in some time for more than just a kiss."

  "If that's the case...race you to the car." She dashed out of the apartment with him laughing and chasing after her. He was going to make damn sure they had time.

  * * * *

  Julia laid back against the pillows on the couch gasping a little for breath. "That was...incredible, especially given the time limits." She gave a laugh and nudged at Cody who was collapsed on top of her. "You still alive?"

  "Mmm. Maybe. I'm staying right where I am for a while."

  "You're the one who set the time frame, hon, so you could get the grill going in plenty of time, remember?"

  "Right." With a groan he got up and stood looking down at her.

  "What?" Julia asked suspiciously. "You have such a look on your face."

  "You're beautiful."

  She felt herself blush. "Cody..."

  "You are. Totally. Lovely. Now I'm going to jump in the shower. Join me?"

  "Is it safe?"

  He laughed. "I think you're safe for the moment."

  She grinned and let him pull her up off the couch.

  After they got dressed, and were on the way to Frank's house, she found herself wondering if it was just her, or if it was equally great to him. "Cody, I'm not fishing for compliments when I ask this. I really want to know. Is the sex--is it as mind-blowing for you as it is for me?"

  He looked startled as he turned toward her for a moment, then put his eyes back on the road. "It's mind-blowing for you?"

  "Yes. I've never experienced anything like what I feel when we're together. It's not just the immense pleasure, but also the deeper feeling of connections." she said.

  "Well, that makes two of us then. And you know I have 'been around' as they say. But everything is different with you."

  She grasped his hand in hers. "Good."

  As soon as they got to the house, Cody began prepping the food. He was quickly placing pieces of chicken, flattened out by a mallet, on the grill. "We can let those start cooking, and go inside to make the mac and cheese."

  Julia said, "I don't see how you know to make the chicken come out at the same time as the macaroni and cheese. But don't bother explaining. I'll be happy enough to eat it. Was your Dad suspicious about your cooking again tonight?"

  "Nah, he was rather busy at the store. He was just glad I was doing it. He has no idea about the surprise."

  Julia stayed out of his way while he cooked, sitting at the kitchen table and sipping lemonade iced tea. She'd never had it before and it was delicious. Watching Cody move around the kitchen was a feast for the eyes. He was wearing jeans, and a sweater that molded to his body, showing off a muscular physique. All she could think of was how his body had recently been entwined with hers. She wondered how long they had to stay at dinner tonight.

  "Julia?"

  "Hmm?" she said distractedly.

  "Have you heard a word I said?" Cody asked.

  "What? No, sorry," she said and looked down, flustered. "I was uh, thinking, you know, about, uh, stuff."

  Cody stared at her as she looked back up at him. Then he began to smile. "I'll just bet I know what you were thinking about."

  "I'm sure you don't know," she managed to say indignantly.

  He burst out laughing. After a moment she joined in. Frank walked in on the tail end of their laughter.

  "What's the joke?"

  Cody and Julia burst into laughter again. Cody finally said to a puzzled Frank, "You had to be there."

  "I think your chicken may be burning out there, son."

  Cody dashed out the back door.

  "Julia, have you thought any about the building today?" Frank asked as he poured some tea for himself.

  "Yes, I did. I think it might work out perfectly. I plan to talk to Mrs. Gilchrest tomorrow about the financing details. I've even been thinking about a name for the business. Either Tremaine Computer Services or Julia's Computer Services. What do you think?"

  "People around here think of you as Julia, not Julia Tremaine. I like the one with your first name. Sounds neighborly. Computer Services, huh?"

  "Yes, since I plan to provide a variety of services, not just one thing."

  Cody came back in with a platter of chicken which he covered with foil. "What did I miss?"

  Frank said, "We were talking about the name of her business. Tell him the choices."

  Julia did so, and Cody thought Julia's Computer Services was the most descriptive. "However," he said. "What about something simple like Julia's Place?"

  Frank and Julia both mumbled the name to themselves. Finally, she said, "You know, I think I like it. Makes me feel like I'm part of this town and here is my place in it."

  Cody asked, "Does this mean you've decided definitely to do it then? The business?"

  She smiled at him. "With everything that happened this afternoon, I never got around to telling you. Yes, I decided to go for it. I'll start my own computer business here in Sully Point."

  Cody came across the kitchen and picked her up and twirled her around in a big hug. She laughed and Frank chuckled. A voice at the door said, "Looks like we arrived in time for a celebration."

  Frank jerked around and stood stock-still. "Anna? You're here?"

  "Yes, it's me," Anna said as she walked in and stood in front of her father. "Me and a passenger at the moment."

  "Anna! You're having a baby?"

  "A linebacker by the feel of him."

  Frank hugged his daughter with tears in his eyes. "Oh, Anna, I'm so happy for you. And for you too, Sam."

  Sam stood inside the doorway grinning at Frank. "How does it feel to know you'll be a Grandpa soon?"

  "Wonderful," Frank said with a big smile, wiping his eyes.

  Cody said, "How about all of you move into the dining room, and I'll get the food on the table. Then, we can all hear the details."

  Julia helped get dishes and glasses out to the table. Everyone seemed to be talking at once. It was the most cheerful dinner she'd ever been at. And somehow she never felt left out. Cody or his father would draw her into the conversations, and even Anna and Sam included her. They asked about the celebration they'd walked in on, and Julia explained about the business.

  Sam said, "Excellent news. Knowing there's an expert around when I'm writing would be nice. It will give me a secure feeling in case my laptop blows up."

  "She even looked at a place today for office space," Frank said. "The Varley place."

  Anna looked shocked. "The Varley--you mean the old gothic building with gargoyles on it?"

  Cody said, "Dad, you didn't show her that ugly thing, did you?"

  Julia frowned. "It was Mrs. Gilchrest and your father who showed it to me. And I'm thinking about taking it."

  "But, it's haunted," Anna blurted out.

  Chapter 7

  The question of whether the gothic building was haunted, had been a matter of heated discussion at the Grainger house. Once they returned to the loft, Cody suggested she talk to Mrs. Gilchrest about it. "I'm not saying it's haunted, babe. What I'm saying is, there's a big rumor in town about how it's got ghosts."

  Julia was less concerned with haunted buildings and more focused on the desire she'd felt all evening for Cody's touch.

  When she started taking his sweater off, Cody chuckled. "I'm guessing we're done with the topic of ghosts."

  "I want us naked to
gether--it was all I could think of tonight."

  "Why Miss Tremaine, I do believe your wish can be granted." He undid her belt buckle and began unbuttoning her blouse.

  The giggling started when Julia began to race to see if she could get him naked first. Cody however wasn't willing to play fair and kept distracting her with little kisses on her neck and shoulders, and elsewhere as her body was revealed. By the time they tumbled to the bed naked, Julia thought she'd never been more turned on in her life. Cody's whispered endearments into her ear had her melting inside.

  After yet another night of fantastic sex with Cody, Julia was convinced she was experiencing some kind of miracle. How was it possible that each day and night with him was better than the last? And it wasn't only the physical side of things. The feelings growing inside her toward him were large and expansive and filled her heart. Being with him was becoming vital to her well-being.

  A cup of coffee, and a stop at the bakery, prepared her to tackle the topic of haunted buildings with Mrs. Gilchrest. "I'm not concerned about ghosts, Mrs. Gilchrest, honest," Julia said, sitting in the bank president's office. "What I'm worried about is perception. Is it the kind of rumor that would keep people away from the business because it's located there?"

  Mrs. Gilchrest pursed her lips. "There is a generally stated belief it is haunted, but I'm sure not many people actually believe it. I think too, they'd be drawn to the place to see you, Julia, as you are a new person in town. Then whatever atmosphere you have there will influence people."

  "I suppose the outside brick could always be painted--a cream color maybe or a sage green. It might lighten up the place. All right, let's talk numbers."

  By the time they were finished, Julia was sure she would be getting the building for an excellent price. "Just how long have you been trying to get someone to buy the place?" she asked.

  "Almost five years. That's why we reduced the price."

  "I think it will work for me. I need to contact my accountant in the city and run the numbers by him, and make sure my financial situation is what I think it is. I'll be back to you within a day or two at most."

  Mrs. Gilchrest smiled at her. "You're the only potential buyer. A couple of days sounds fine."

  Julia left feeling very good about her prospects. She drove by the gothic building again. Yes, it is terribly ugly. Maybe with some flowers outside, she thought. Heading back to the loft, she began to sing with the radio.

  * * * *

  Frank was on the phone to Holly. "Yes, she's back and she's pregnant!" He listened to the scream of delight with the phone held away from his ear. "Things are looking up here. When are you coming to visit?"

  He was happy to hear she expected to arrive late in the afternoon. Holly needed to take more time off, he thought. This would give her a long weekend away from work.

  "Yes, Cody is fine. And your Julia as well. Things are developing quite nicely there...Hmm? Well, I probably should let Julia tell you her plans...Okay, okay. Looks like she'll be staying here in town, which will make Cody very happy. Going to start her own business. What? Don't sound surprised. Your brother has an unusual influence over women." He laughed. "No, no, I was kidding, Holly. She wants to stay in Sully Point. Now I'm not saying anything else about it, you'll have to talk to her. See you this evening then."

  He shook his head as he put away the phone. Talking to Holly was always an experience of exclamations. She didn't seem to have a very good opinion of her brother when it came to women, but then, she hadn't been around Cody much in the past six months.

  Frank thought about how he'd soon have a grandchild, and decided to spend some time at Martha's Toy Store once his help for the day arrived. Martha's place was filled with unique toys and crafts for kids. He was sure she'd have something for a new baby that would be a good gift for Anna.

  He saw Maelynne crossing the street and heading his way. Today he was more than happy to start the rumor mill going. He was going to be a Grandpa!

  * * * *

  Julia talked to Howard Grant later that morning. Howard had been her accountant since she was eighteen. She wasn't too concerned about having the money to start up a business. She'd invested well through the past eight years with Howard's help. No, the problem was her mother.

  "Howard, I need to ask you something. Can you, or will you, keep confidential anything we discuss? As in, not telling my mother about it?"

  There was a pause on the other end of the phone. "You know I advise her on investments and my firm handles various projects for her."

  "Yes, I know. And I need an accountant who won't feel beholden to tell her what her daughter is up to."

  Howard sighed. "Of course, Julia. You mother isn't exactly my favorite person either."

  She was surprised. "You do a good job of kowtowing to her, Howard."

  "That's just good business. Now, what is it you're hoping to hide from your mother? Although I warn you, the woman sometimes seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to ferreting out information."

  "I don't want her interfering in the beginning. Once everything is set up, I won't care what she knows. I'm starting a business."

  She proceeded to lay out her plans. Howard had a suggestion about the structuring of the loan with the bank, but, aside from that, seemed to think her plan was sound. "You've got enough savings from investments to buy the building outright, but I wouldn't recommend doing that. No need to draw down your funds. You know the trust fund could help you--"

  "And you know as well as I do, Mother would prevent it. I'm not going to touch the trust fund. It just gives her a way to control my life."

  "Good for you. What about your father? Will you tell him?"

  "I'm...not sure. Not right away. I don't know how he'd react."

  "You might be surprised, Julia. I think he'd be proud of you."

  "You do?"

  "Yes, but they are your parents."

  "Thank you for your help, Howard, very much."

  She hung up feeling reassured and more confident about her financial situation. It was a funny thing, but even though she'd made her decision, she felt like talking it over with Cody. He really has become a big part of my life in a hurry.

  * * * *

  Anna was surprised, but not shocked, to have her sister Holly show up on her doorstep at the beach house in the afternoon. She would bet Frank had been on the phone to Holly first thing this morning about being a grandfather.

  "You look fantastic! You're glowing, Anna. I'm thrilled for you," Holly said as she hugged her sister.

  Anna brought her inside the house and they sat in the living room, and Holly asked, "When are you due?"

  "May."

  "I'm very glad you came back from Italy. Do you know what it is? Boy or girl?"

  "No, although to me it feels like a boy. Sam says it's a girl. We really have no clue."

  Holly's face turned serious. "Listen, Sis, I want to stay and talk, but there's a situation I need to deal with first. Do you know where Julia is staying?"

  Anna frowned. "At the loft, but what situation are you talking about?"

  "Just something Julia needs to hear, I think. Nothing you need to be concerned about."

  "Holly...what are you up to?"

  "Saving my friend some heartache. I'd better go and see if I can find her at the loft. I'll be back later."

  Anna stood up and walked with her to the door. "Holly, I think you may be mistaken--"

  But Holly was out the door and gone with a wave. Anna frowned, looking out the door. Holly could be utterly impulsive at times.

  * * * *

  Julia was expecting Cody around three o'clock and ran to the door when she heard the knocking, excited he was early. She was thrown when she saw Holly standing there instead of Cody. "Holly--what on earth? Come in, come in. What--Why are you here?"

  Holly came in and gave her a hug. "I need to talk to you. It's important."

  The two women sat down on the couch. Once Holly settled herself, she said, "Dad
called me this morning about Anna. He said you're thinking of starting your own business? Is that true?"

  "Yes. I should have known he couldn't keep it secret." Julia laughed. "I do like your father, but sometimes I suspect he is as big a gossip as Maelynne."

  "But why, Julia? Why start a business here in Sully Point? This is a very small town."

  "Yes, and that's why I like it. I'm tired, Holly, tired of the rat race, tired of the frenetic pace of the city. I'm ready to settle down somewhere peaceful."

  "And how much does Cody have to do with this?" Holly asked.

  Julia felt confused. "Cody? Well naturally I've discussed it with him, in fact I expect him in a while to talk about it some more."

  "Julia...just how involved are you with Cody?"

  "I'm not sure what business that is of yours." Julia felt uncomfortable at Holly's tone.

  "I'm only talking to you about this because I'm worried for you. You come here and start seeing him, am I right? And next thing you know you're starting a business here? You talk about settling down. Are you going to let him control your life like your mother?"

  "Holly! Cody isn't controlling my life. But we are together. I think he loves me. I know I love him."

  "Julia. Listen to me. Cody has a pattern. Has had the same pattern with women for years now. I love him, he's a great brother. But he goes after women hard, and then once they have totally fallen for him, he drops them. Don't get me wrong, he's always great to them, he never does it in a mean way, but Julia--he can't commit! Don't make the same mistake as those women."

  Julia was shaken by the intensity of Holly's speech. "I think you're wrong about him. I think he's changed."

  "I wish you were right, but I know my brother. You can't believe it when he says this is forever, because it won't be. The longest he's ever been with someone is two months. And you've only been with him--how long? You don't really know him yet."

  "You can't be right...." Julia said, her voice trailing off. She remembered how Cody had told her about all the women before her. Was he preparing her in some way to be let down at some point? But what they had together felt real.