by Sarah Gay
10
The suffocating air in the jumbo airplane cabin threatened to obstruct Dax’s airways. It would be an understatement to say he disliked flying—more like flying terrorized his brain. If Chad, his high school buddy, hadn’t been killed in a small plane crash last year, perhaps Dax wouldn’t be so neurotic. He stabbed the sleep-aide medicine packet with his recently trimmed fingernail, but it barely made a dent.
The elderly woman on his left patted his hand. “So that’s where all the money goes that the pharmaceutical companies hoard: packaging.”
Dax offered her a courtesy smile.
She took in a quick breath. “My, you’re handsome.” She patted his thigh.
“Um.” He cleared his throat. “Thank you,” he said with apprehension. This should make for an interesting flight. He lowered the arm rest between them and relaxed his arm on top of it.
She brushed her fingers over his. “No ring?”
He contemplated pulling his hand away from her but decided to roll with it. “Nope.”
Her eyes sparkled as she retrieved a phone from her purse and fussed with it for a few minutes. “This is my granddaughter, Lucy.” She held the screen out to him but pulled it back quickly, anger firing in her eyes when he started to laugh.
“No, no, she’s beautiful. It’s just…” He rubbed his chin. “She’s dating my friend, Blue.”
“Oh,” the woman sighed out before shaking her head. “His dad’s a tool, to put it lightly.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard.”
She stared down at her coffee, slowly stirring it with a thin black straw. “Not that we’ve been much better to my son-in-law, Lucy’s father. We didn’t approve at first, and now we barely have any contact with them. They just won’t let us forget our folly.” She patted him on the shoulder. “It’s not worth it. Don’t let silly differences come between you and those you love.”
“Sound advice.” He nodded to her.
“At least someone thinks so.” The loose skin under her chin flapped as she shook her head. “At least someone thinks so. Lucy won’t listen to my concerns.”
“About Blue?”
She shrugged a yes.
“Blue is not his father.” Dax paused, allowing his message to be conveyed through the sincerity of his eyes. “He’s one of the best men I’ve ever known.”
She squeezed his hand. “You’ve brought comfort to my soul.”
“And you’ve brought comfort to mine.” He gave her his most debonair smile. “We’ve been flying for almost an hour and I haven’t passed out yet.”
She tapped his medicine packet. “Well, not if you can’t get that package open,” she teased, wiggled her nose, then stabbed the package with her coffee straw with a pop.
Dax flinched. “Why did I learn karate?” He took the straw from her and twirled it in his fingers. “I could just carry around a coffee straw.”
She gave a chuckle as she settled into her seat and turned away from him to peer out the window.
Dax took a sip of the lukewarm bottled water and held it in his mouth as he tore away the remaining packaging on his sleeping pills before swallowing them down.
He needed to be knocked out. They still had eight hours of flight time from Atlanta to Rio. In the absence of constant conversation, his anxiety would mount. Perhaps he would sleep through the remainder. He nearly had a heart attack during the turbulence over the Rockies between Salt Lake City and Atlanta. He hadn’t had Lucy’s grandmother to settle his nerves and hadn’t wanted to take the sleeping pills and not be able to wake up in Atlanta or be so disoriented he would miss his connecting flight to Brazil.
Jules was worth flying for. She was like her name, a live jewel, a precious stone. She had called, all choked up, and apologized to him as he drove away from her house after their fight yesterday. He had never had a girl apologize like that. After her call, he had an even greater desire to protect her.
He immediately went home to research and hire a private investigator to check into the two guys Abi had told him about, Chase Candias and Walter Brown. Dax needed to figure out how to keep Julia around. The first thing he did was verify that nobody was stalking her. The private investigator would get back to him within the week. Dax would have information to review by his return flight home.
The second thing he would do to keep Julia around would be to figure out why his mother had left him and his dad. At times, Julia seemed completely content with his income and occupation, but she would often bring up the possibility of him working in the family business. He couldn’t remember how the possibility was first brought up. He rarely talked about his mom and her business, but if it meant keeping Julia around forever, he’d do it.
“She must be a special girl.” Lucy’s grandmother smiled her understanding. “I’ve seen that endearing trance before.”
“Julia.” He sighed. “How do you keep the most amazing person you’ve ever met happy?”
She tapped the tray in front of him with her manicured fingernails. “That is your answer.” She nodded.
He didn’t get it. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand.”
“I’ve been married for almost sixty years.” She pointed an arthritic finger at him. “Want to know why?”
Before he could respond, she continued, “Because my husband and I would constantly ask that question. Our personal goal was to make each other happy.” She waved her hand in the air. “Sure, we had our problems, every couple does.” Her eyes bore into his. “Every single couple. What will keep you two together is the commitment to work through the troubled times. Period.”
Dax’s eyes grew heavy. “What if what I can give her isn’t enough?”
“Commitment.” She placed her hand on his shoulder. “Ask yourself, then her, does she commit to things and will she promise to commit to you?”
He winked. “That sounds like a proposal. You think that I should ask her to marry me?” he joked.
She rolled her eyes. “Isn’t that what you just told me you wanted?”
His chest burned, envisioning Julia in a wedding dress walking toward him. Yes, that is what he wanted. He wanted to be with her every day for the rest of their lives. Sixty years would do.
“Tell me more about this Julia,” she pleaded.
Dax closed his tired eyes, rested back into his chair, and began listing the amazing qualities of the woman he adored.
The seat beneath him jostled, causing his eyes to fly open and his chest to pound.
“It’s okay.” Lucy’s grandmother’s soothing voice calmed his racing heart. “We just landed.”
He froze at the realization that his hands cradled Lucy’s grandmother’s hand in his lap. He released his grasp. “Sorry.” His forehead creased. “Did I grab your hand?”
“As you drifted to sleep, you told me about how wonderful Julia was. Then, half-way through the flight, you spoke to me as if I were Julia. You took my hand and said the most beautiful things.” Her eyes teared. “Thank you for sharing your tenderness with me.”
Dax’s face burned. He didn’t blush often, but this was a moment of embarrassment that would be seared into his memory forever. “I’m so sorry.”
“Why would you be sorry about that?” She pressed her folded hands into her chest. “I thoroughly enjoyed every word and your sweet touch.”
Her praise was not helping his discomfort dissipate. Perhaps if he changed the subject, this would all go away. “I never asked what brings you to Brazil.”
She took a moment of reflection before answering. “Penitence.”
He wanted her to expound but didn’t want to be intrusive.
She must have sensed his reservation. “After how you’ve opened up to me, we can have no secrets between us.”
What did he say to her? He was afraid to ask.
She continued, “I had a guilt weighing me down for many years about Lucy’s father. I tried to make restitution and give aid to his family in Peru, but they refused my help.” She sighed. “Pride, but I
don’t blame them. For the past few years, near Easter, I’ve donated to a different cause. To answer your question, this year I’m attending a ribbon cutting ceremony of a new facility that will house abused women and children. I’ve coupled with a family named the Terrences; Lucy introduced me to Tori Terrance in Park City who designed the facility, Meri Terrance who is paying the relocation and salaries of counselors fresh out of their master’s programs at Loma Linda, and Kai Terrence, who is splitting the cost of construction with me.”
“Terrence?” He rubbed his chin. “That name sounds familiar.”
“I’m a true believer that we’re meant to meet certain people in this life. I was meant to meet the Terrences.” She touched his arm. “And I was meant to meet you.”
“Me?” he voiced his surprise.
“Because of you, I have an important phone call to make in a few minutes to my granddaughter.” She gave a slow wink. “And hopefully her mother will allow me to pay for a lavish wedding and to spoil my grandbaby rotten.”
“The real question is,” he raised his eyebrows, “am I invited?”
“I’m guessing you’ll be the life of the party.” She laughed. “And something tells me, your wedding will be on the tail of Lucy and Blue’s.”
Julia wiggled into the last open table at Pineapple’s. She thought being here, drinking the nasty root tea, and watching all the off-duty firefighters, would bring her closer to Dax—make her feel better after a long day in court. It didn’t. Dax had been gone five days. From what she had heard from him, it was hot and muggy, but beautiful. He’d be getting on a flight tomorrow but wouldn’t be home for almost twenty-four hours.
She was forced to rethink her long-held notion that she didn’t need a man in her life. Sure, she could live a great life as an independent, single woman, but her mother was right, Dax had brought a light to her life that she hadn’t expected but now needed. She slammed her mug down onto the table in anger, causing the hot liquid to splash onto her hands. Had she seriously just admitted to herself that she needed a man?
“Everything okay?” Pineapple’s jolly voice warmed her soul.
“Yeah,” she said timidly as she wiped the tea from her hands with the scratchy brown napkin. “Thanks, Pineapple.”
“How’s Dax liking Brazil?”
“Okay. I guess.” She twisted her lips. “Haven’t heard from him much.”
Pineapple rubbed the side of his face and nodded. “I know what you need.” He pointed to her. “Protein. My famous Island style spicy chicken.”
“That sounds great. Thanks.”
She placed her phone on the table. Maybe he had messaged her through Facebook. They had Facetimed a few times in the evenings, and he had sent a few texts, but it didn’t look like he had great reception where he was. Her heart dropped, no messages. She took a chance and sent him a note that she missed him along with a sad sticker. She received an immediate response that he couldn’t wait to see her again.
My birthday wouldn’t be the same without you here. Please don’t miss your flight.
He responded, Can’t wait to hold you in my arms. I’m choosing a piece of beautiful jewelry for you right now.
Your flight comes in at two p.m., right?
Yes. Is someone taking you to lunch? What will you be doing for your birthday until I see you?
“Julia!” Lucy reached down in her warm manner and greeted Julia with a kiss on the cheek, her long black hair tickling Julia’s neck.
Blue and Nikola strode up next to Lucy.
“Come join the family.” Blue nodded to the back room.
Nikola offered his hand. “Want to come hang with us?”
“Love to.” She pocketed her phone. She’d answer Dax later. “Thanks.” She allowed Nikola to help her up. Her spirits brightened with an unexpected sense of belonging.
11
Perspiration tumbled down Dax’s spine as he rolled the uncut piece of Alexandrite between his thumb and forefinger. One of the most valuable gems on earth, more expensive than diamonds, sapphire, rubies, or emeralds, this rare mineral had made his mother’s family rich. He held the rock up to the natural light, examining the green hue that would change to red in incandescent light. One of three birthstones for June, it had been discovered in only a few countries, Brazil now the leader in its mining and exportation.
Dax had spent the last few days learning about the complex gem he would someday mine, or cut, or sell, dependent on which branch of the family business he chose to enter. He wiped the sweat from his brow with his upper sleeve. The workshop, where the gems were selected before being sent to the cutter, didn’t have air conditioning. The front of the building that housed the bulletproof, glass-walled jewelry store maintained a more comfortable temperature, but Dax found working with the affluent, snobby clientele intolerable. And he thought Park City snobs were difficult. They had nothing on the wealthy individuals who traveled to Brazil thinking they could get a “deal” on the precious stone.
A light breeze cooled Dax’s neck. He turned when the essence of peppermint and lemongrass met his nose. “Hi, Mom.” He swiveled his chair around to face her, a microscope latched to his forehead like a scientist.
“So much for trying to sneak up on you.” She placed a hand on her hip in disappointment, but her singsong intonation was light and soothing. “I even took my heels off.”
“You could never startle me.” He carefully placed the stone back in the safe and removed his headset. “I have the instincts of a Jedi Master.”
She rolled her eyes. “Okay, master, let’s go get some dinner. I have less than a day left with you and want to enjoy every last minute of it.”
The visit had been a pleasant one, probably the best he had had with his mom since before his parents had split. She was in her element here in Brazil. He couldn’t remember ever seeing her happier. Her thin frame bounced as she walked, causing her thick black curls to spring with her step. She was more petite than Julia, if that was even possible.
She linked arms with him as they walked out to catch a cab. Ironically, riding in a cab was safer than driving in this part of the city. They didn’t speak on the way to the restaurant. He still hadn’t asked her why she had deserted them. He hadn’t wanted to spoil the pleasant visit, but the conversation couldn’t be postponed much longer.
The hostess greeted them with a bright smile and quickly led them through the dimly lit restaurant with its dark, clustered furniture to a private table with a window that overlooked the city. Dax’s stomach grumbled when he caught the aroma of grilled steak and cheesy bread.
After they ordered, his mother reached across the table and took his hands. “Why are you here, Dax? I love that you are, but I can sense you have something to tell me.”
He took in a deep breath. “I met someone.” The thought of Julia being alone without him when she had a possible stalker caused his blood pressure to spike. He took in a deep breath. Stone was on it. He had promised Dax that he would watch out for Julia and Abi and the private investigator should have info for Dax within the next day or two.
With a reluctant smile, his mother slowly tipped her head down, her eye moistening. Dax fought back his own tears. He hated to see a woman cry, especially his mother. She held her hands out in front of her then carefully removed a ring from her finger.
“You’ve met lots of girls, but something tells me this one has claimed your heart.” She took his hand and turned it up to an open palm. “A mother is never ready for this moment.” She blew out a breath through puckered lips. “I saw you in the showroom this morning examining the engagement rings. This one has more value than the rest for several reasons; one being, your grandfather gave this exquisite ring to me before he died.” She placed the ring in his hand. “It’s one of the first gems he mined. It symbolizes our family’s rebirth and independence. It’s nearly a carat, has the deepest hues, and finest color changes I’ve ever seen. It rivals the Russian Alexandrite.”
“No, Mom.” He shook hi
s head, handing the ring back to her. “You can’t. It was a gift from grandpa.”
“It’s also a symbol of eternal love and I want you to have it. Please.” Her long, delicate fingers pushed his to close over the ring. “Take it. When she says yes, this ring will again be given new life and purpose.” She pointed at his chest pocket. “Keep it in your inner pocket when you travel. I’ll write a certified appraisal, naming you as owner. That way customs won’t give you grief. They’ll think you came down to Brazil to have it appraised by the experts. It’s now yours, and I’ve appraised it, so you won’t be lying.”
Dax examined the princess cut solitaire. It could have passed for a ruby in the ambient lighting. Tomorrow morning, in the sunlight, it would transform into a deep emerald green. “Even if she does say yes, what’s to say she’ll stick around?” That was the softest way Dax could think to bring up the subject of her abandoning him.
She rested her forehead into her palm momentarily before rubbing her face. She looked up at him, her deep brown eyes welling with fresh tears. “I’m so sorry, Dax. I should have never left you. And when I returned, I should have fought harder to keep you.”
The years of pain returned with vengeance, wringing his heart and crippling his speech. He took in several deep breaths before speaking. “You fought for me? I thought you just fought for the money.”
“I never wanted to burden you with the details, but it’s time you saw the full picture. It doesn’t excuse my behavior and I take full responsibility, but you deserve to know everything.”
The waiter placed their sizzling steaks on the table in front of them, but Dax couldn’t imagine eating, not yet. “Everything?”
“I married young, before I knew who I was. I met your father in my first semester of college as a foreign exchange student at the U. I was so head over heels and naïve. I turned eighteen a month before leaving home.”
“Didn’t you guys elope?”
She nodded. “Your grandfather didn’t give his consent. He thought I was too immature, your father too old, and it progressed too quickly.” She shrugged. “Turns out fathers do know best.”