And now? Nothing.
He felt emptier than the mall at this quiet hour. Slapped. Shocked. Betrayed. It reminded him of the feeling when his father died, but at least there’d been some warning back then. The lingering illness had helped to prepare them all.
He checked his phone again. It was still too early to phone Nicole or Jeannie. Fritz wasn’t even there yet, nor Donna or Clint.
James turned and ran full pelt for the beach, flung his towel on the sand and swam out, out, out, beyond the breakers, till his shoulders ached and all he could do was float on his back and stare at the blue, blue sky, catching his breath in great heaving gulps.
Gradually his heart and lungs settled. “All right,” he told himself. “It’ll be alright.”
He became aware again of his body, floating in the cool, salty blue between the headlands, the sun climbing, hotter and brighter above. He studied the sets and selected a wave, catching it back to shore.
It wasn’t as if there was nothing else to think about. There were plenty of preparations to be made for the French branch, and he’d need to stay in touch with Will, closely. Check he was still heading in the right direction. Maybe even plan a return visit before too much time was up.
And he’d been away from Huntleys for more than a week. He must take stock of all the changes Nicole might have made; check Jim was still happy with the pace of change and all the podcasts he’d been recording.
He returned to the apartment. Dressed for business. Made an appointment with Scottie. He had to get his head around the latest numbers. See if Christmas had made a difference. But first he had to phone Nicole.
He barely gave her time to answer.
“What happened with the council, Nic?”
“Well hello to you, too, James. Welcome back and all that. Settle, petal. I went and saw them. They only reopened yesterday. They’ve lifted her closure. It was a bit of a hassle. They’re on skeleton staff; didn’t want to deal with it, but I stayed there and asked for the manager till they did something and it’s all okay now.”
“Then why isn’t Stella there today?”
“I don’t know, alright?”
“Did you apologise?”
“You’re the one who seems to know her best, James.”
“You’ve got her details, Nicole. She’s our inaugural competition winner, for God’s sake!”
“No answer. But I left her a message. And I emailed her.”
“You can’t do this again, Nicole, acting on the business’s behalf without consulting me.”
“Calm down. I rarely consult you, James. I have to make marketing decisions on my own all the time to do my job. It’s called ‘professional trust.’”
“Yeah. Well you blew it this time.”
“I did. And I’ve admitted it. And I’ve fixed it. My bad. Can we leave it, please? How’s mother? How’s Will? What’s this about opening a French branch? Crazy idea. I love it.”
“Yeah. Well, there’s plenty of work to do to make it a successful one. I’ll tell you and Jim more when I’ve seen Scottie.”
“Say hi from me.”
“You two an item now?”
“Ask him.” She sounded happy. He could practically see her smiling. He was the one who sounded grumpy for once. As he hung up, he knew why. He tried again.
You’ve reached Stella Rhys. Stellar. Leave a message.
“Stella. It’s James. I have something to tell you. I have lots of things to tell you, starting with an official apology from Huntleys for lodging that application. I understand that’s now been reversed, and that Nicole has apologized. But how can we make that up to you? Could you ring me back, please?” Official. Had he sounded too official? It was an official matter, but his relationship with Stella was personal, too. At least he hoped it still was.
...
“James!”
“Scottie!”
If James had shadows under his eyes, Scottie had never looked better. There was a fresh photo on the desk, of Scottie in a tux with a purple bow tie and Nic looking radiant in purple. James seized it and raised his eyes at his friend.
“Yeah, mate. Dream come true for me. She’s a stunner, your sister. Absolute stunner. That’s at the awards ceremony. Did she tell you about it?”
“A bit. Great move to make that donation. I assume we could afford it?”
“Yeah. All good. Just. Here, I’ve got the balance sheet. Take a look at this.”
They studied the numbers, and then some of Scottie’s graphs.
Visitor numbers were definitely up on the same time last year, and return web visits were through the roof. Turnover was stronger than ever, though that was always the hope around Christmas time. For the first time in years, Huntley’s wasn’t just level pegging. The graphs were turning.
“Should go away more often, mate.”
“Evidently. Nic said the same thing.”
“Nah. But Nic’s brought in lots of those changes you wanted. And Christmas is always a good season for you. But yeah. Better than ever this last quarter, and with Valentine’s Day around the corner, things are definitely trending up. Nic’s been working like crazy on the website. Don’t know if you’ve seen it but there are lots of followers for Jim’s blog. Been in the shop yet?”
“No, mate. Just flew in a few hours ago. Wanted to get the lowdown first.” He went silent, remembering the dullness of the mall without Stella’s stall. How flat it made him feel.
“So, how’d you go?” Scottie filled the silence.
“What? Oh. The trip. Yeah. Good. Nic tell you? Big news, actually. What do you think of us opening a French branch? Hear me out. Half the work’s already done. Mother’s found the perfect place. We’ll have to take a closer look at the numbers of course.”
“Sounds pretty interesting,” Scottie frowned. “And Will?”
“A bit early to say yet, but I’m hopeful. He’s at a clinic. Seems like he might be okay.”
Scottie raised his eyebrows and frowned again. He’d grown up watching Will’s antics.
“Well, whatever works, I guess.”
“Yeah. You bet.”
“Is that the right word?”
“Bad joke.”
Scottie’s eyes snapped to his own.
“You feeling okay, James?”
James shrugged. Maybe he’d picked up some kind of bug on the flight.
“Take it easy.”
“Yeah. Thanks. You too, mate.”
“Mate.”
Chapter 38
There was a new vibe in Huntleys. James felt it the moment he entered. There were more customers, and the staff were busy helping them, happier, heads up. Alive. Lorna noticed him and gave a huge smile of welcome.
So why wasn’t he happy? Wasn’t this what he’d been working for, ever since Jim asked him about his feelings for the business? Sure, he’d tried to step into his father’s shoes when he’d inherited it, but it wasn’t until these last few weeks, fired up by Stella’s ideas, that he’d been truly excited by its potential, determined to improve it, make it better than ever, in new ways.
He’d discovered Jim was glad to modernize and share his skills and knowledge. After sharing Stella’s ideas with Nicole, he’d given her the freedom to adopt them, and had actively supported her online efforts to grow brand awareness and value, empowering her to run the Valentine’s Day awards in his absence.
But for what, damn it?
When he found himself glancing down at the mall for the sixth time that morning to where Stella’s stall used to be, he pulled out his phone. He wanted her back there. Or right beside him in the business. Hell. He wanted her right beside him in his life. He wanted to marry her. It had become a certainty, an incontrovertible truth. He must tell her. He must find her.
It went to voicemail again. “You’ve reached Stella Rhys of Stellar...”
“No I haven’t,” he told the spreadsheet in front of him, wishing he could see instead her wavy hair and special smile, and those bright eyes.
“Leave a message.”
...
At 11 o’clock, the quietest time of day, Stella entered the mall. She wore a cream suit with pale blue piping, and matching shoes, her hair twisted into a chic bun pinned with a mother of pearl comb. She clutched a slim, cream laptop bag.
She walked carefully in her high heels. She’d had to get used to them again.
A few older men were chatting at a coffee shop, some office workers smoking outside their building, and nothing much else except a few pigeons pecking at the paving and strutting about for each other.
She went up to Fritz’s stall and smiled at him.
It took a minute for him to recognise her all dressed up, and when he did, his smile was wide. He raised his eyebrows at her appearance.
“Jetsetter. She returns!”
“Fritz! Did you miss me?
“Of course.”
Stella extracted a small gift from her handbag.
“What’s this? Tiger Balm?”
“For those long days, Fritz. Works a dream on tired backs, so I’m told.”
“You young one. Thank you!”
Donna waved, and Stella rushed across to give her a hug, thrusting a small silk purse into her hand.
“I owe you these, Donna. Thanks for everything.”
“Darling! Not real ones? Gorgeous! I’ll never take them off.” Donna dropped her coathangers and put on the pearl earrings, admiring herself in one of her mirrors. “Thank you. Can’t offer you an outfit today, obviously. Where’d you find that suit? Shmick! By the way, congratulations! I heard you won that Huntley’s competition!”
The mall felt like home, and the stallholders, like friends.
It was wonderful to be back, this perfect day.
When she stepped into the foyer of Huntleys and smelled again the faint whiff of furniture polish, she was enchanted.
Things were different. There were more customers for a start, and the foyer lighting was better, showcasing enticing displays of jewels from different eras. There was a definite buzz.
She scanned the ground floor. There were several men, but not the one she was looking for. She was surprisingly disappointed. In her mind’s eye, he would have been there to greet her. Maybe she should have phoned in advance.
The whole floor had been rearranged, with the distinctive older cases set back towards the walls, and several complementary new ones in the centre. Had James engaged a consultant? She panicked for a moment, imagining him with a smart young advisor. Maybe she should have kept in touch better. But she’d been so busy, flat out negotiating with a myriad of company representatives, maximizing the amount she could get for her designs, signing contracts. This was the earliest she could have returned in the way she wished, in a position of strength. Confident. Ready.
She jumped when she heard his voice.
“Stella?” Smooth. Her stomach jolted. She turned, slowly.
There he was, extending his hand, charming as always, his eyes taking in her new sophistication, telling her he liked what he saw. She could tell by the way he caught his breath.
She couldn’t help but admire how perfectly his suit fitted him. It was the pale grey one, the one she’d first seen him in. She reached for him. The jolt of electricity was visceral. Yes. It was still there. James could never be just a business associate. Everything she remembered about his effect on her was real. Time was stopping, excitement bubbling inside her. She shivered with anticipation.
“Welcome. Can I help you?” he asked, as if she were any other customer, though his eyes betrayed his deeper interest, his thirst for her. Good. He felt it too.
As his eyes drifted to her face, her lips, her throat, she could feel herself blushing.
“I’m looking for several things,” she said.
“Oh? I hope we can help you.”
“There’s something serious I’d like to discuss.”
“Let’s go upstairs.”
He summoned the elevator.
When the doors closed on just the two of them, he reached out to gently hold the tops of her arms, to caress her shoulder blades with his thumbs, then run his hands to her elbows, and to her waist, and pull her close. She shivered. Delicious.
“You got my messages,” he said into the top of her hair. “I’ve missed you.” It was glorious, the buzz of his voice, the warmth of his embrace. “Do you want to tell me? Tell me everything. Where were you? I’m so glad you’re here. I have something to tell you.”
Slowly, as the elevator rose, he moved one forefinger under her chin, tipped her face to his and brought his lips to hers, gently, softly, as she leaned into him. It was like coming home, the wonder of it stirring inside and rushing to every part of her.
This man. This one.
She was glad they hadn’t yet replaced the elevator with something more rapid. There was time to pull away and stare deeply into his eyes, to see her own desire for him reflected, liquid. Delicious.
He led her to his office and closed the door, reaching for her again, for a deeper kiss, but she pulled away.
“This is important, James.”
“I agree. Nothing’s more important.”
“No. Seriously. Wait. I want ...”
“What? Anything.”
“No. We need to do this right.”
“We are. Tell me this isn’t right.”
“Please.”
James let her go. Moved around to the other side of his desk. Sat down. Gave her his full attention.
“Tell me. Tell me, Stella.”
“I want to join Huntleys.”
He narrowed his eyes.
“Tell me again.”
“I’ve come straight from Singapore. I’ve sold several suites of designs. And I’ve come to collect my prize, to take that free workshop with Jim.”
“Yes. Good.” He swallowed. Leaned forward. Reached for her hands across the desk. That buzz again. “I have another offer I’d like you to consider, Stella.”
“What’s that?”
“Will you marry me?” He looked into her eyes as he held her hands tight. “It came to me while I was away. I’ve wanted to marry you since you first stood your ground out there in the mall. You’re magnificent. So talented, so beautiful, so brilliant. You’re the only jewel I’ve ever wanted, Stella Rhys, and I love you. I want to be with you day and night. Marry me.”
“You’re making this up. You’re just saying it. If you’re trying to tell me you had this planned, then where’s the ring, James?”
“Actually. The ring is the least of our problems,” he laughed. “Come on. Let’s go see. Right now. You can have your pick, Stella Rhys. Or talk to Jim. Design your own. Make your own. Come with me. We’ll look at every one of them. You can’t say ‘no’ to me, Stella.”
He put his arm around her waist and led her out the door and into the store. There was another new cabinet. She drew a breath. Time stopped. She stared at the cabinet. Walked around it as if in a trance.
The engagement rings were exquisite, each unique, but there was only one that called out to her.
She was in a dream. “That one,” she said.
He pulled out a key from his breast pocket.
“Allow me,” he said, unlocking the cabinet. From beneath it, he pulled out another swathe of black velvet, lying it gently on the counter top as he’d done countless times before.
Gently, he lifted out the dancing blue piece and placed it on the velvet in front of her, as if all the world revolved around it. It did. Her world.
He waited, his hands behind his back as she stared at it there between them, mesmerized.
“This is very beautiful,” she said, picking it up and twisting it backwards and forwards in the light, watching it shoot sharp sparks from every facet.
“This one,” he smiled. “I hoped you’d choose this one. I made it with Jim, just after you’d come to Bowral with me, and shared all those ideas. This is a special ring; my favourite. It marks the change in our fortunes; the moment I c
ommitted to the future of Huntleys as brilliant as you imagined it could be, the moment I committed to you.”
“But it’s you who’s made those ideas come true, James. So many of them. You’ve brought them to life. It’s amazing what you’ve achieved in such a short time.”
“I had some incentive. I wanted something vibrant to offer you; not just an inheritance, withering away, but something brilliant. And we have more plans now. I have so much to share with you. We’re going global.”
The ring sat, glinting, on the velvet between them.
Stella picked it up.
“This is exquisite, James.”
“Let me slip it on? See if it fits?”
So many memories ran through her mind. All the men in her mother’s life who’d let her down; her years of disappointment with Damian.
Building Stellar had been about so much more than just building a business, more than making her dreams real, more than making a living from what she loved. It had been about learning to trust again. And that trust had been tested.
And now. Could she really allow herself to be loved? To trust James Huntley the Third?
Yes.
As James slipped the ring on her finger, heavy and warm, she didn’t want him to take away his hand. She placed hers across his and they interlaced their fingers, eyes catching.
“James, I have to tell you this. For me, it was never about Huntleys and Stellar. It was only ever about you and me. And now I know. I know I can live without you. Most importantly, though, I know I don’t want to live without you.”
The ring fitted.
James went down on one knee again, this time in the middle of the shop, in full view of colleagues and customers. Jim watched from the back of the floor, his visor pulled up, blue eyes ablaze.
“Will you marry me, Stella Rhys?”
“I will, James Huntley.”
As James leaped to his feet, he crushed Stella to his ribs, lifted her off her feet and spun her around, the lit cabinets blurring into a smudge of light and color as they laughed.
As he set her down, Stella grabbed both his hands and held them, palm to palm, lacing her fingers into his again and holding on tight. The ring was warm and solid between them, flashing its own fire, a tiny reflection of the light in his eyes, that blue, joyous now, proud and glad, hungry for her, poised for their future.
House of Diamonds Page 27