Lights and Shadows (Oregon In Love) (12 page)

The sight of her in such a state of euphoria made Julia laugh. “I
take it that baby said ‘milk’ and you had no choice but to
oblige.”

Nodding, Sara tossed the empty carton into the trash and lowered
herself onto a kitchen chair. “Whatever you do, don’t tell your
brother you saw me drinking out of the carton. He’d be totally
grossed out!”

“Hah. He used to do that all the time, so he can't talk.” Julia
surveyed her sister-in-law. “How are you feeling this morning?”

“Much better. I’m embarrassed about how silly I acted yesterday,
but it seems each week I become more anxious about this parenthood
thing. It’s nerve-wracking!” Blowing a dark lock of hair from her
eyes, Sara continued. “Oh, before I forget,
ha ha
,
Bibliophile’s called again about your book. They have it on hold or
something.”

“That’s right, I haven’t picked that up yet,” Julia said, an
idea forming in her mind. “While I’m there I can do some research
on my job.”

“Is that your usual researching attire?” Sara said with a smile.
“It’s a darling outfit, but I thought researchers wore long white
lab coats over polyester suits.”

“Not this one. Besides, wearing something different usually helps
me feel better, uh, I mean is perfect for gorgeous weather like we’re
having today.”

Sara’s eyes narrowed. “How
are
you doing, by the way?
Yesterday you looked a little peaked.”

Julia gave her a breezy smile. “I’m not eight and a half months
pregnant so I have no excuse not to feel fine.”

Sara studied her face until she began to squirm under the scrutiny.
“The keys to the Mustang are on the counter.”

“Actually, now that I have this job, I’ll need to get a car of my
own. The one I drove in San Diego was a company car. But I appreciate
how generous you’ve been with yours.”

“No problem. But don’t overdo it, physically that is.”

She gave Sara a light hug. “You, too.”

***

Julia started to relax when she entered Portland. Even her headache
seemed to be responding to her breakfast of pain pills. After some
confusion and backtracking, she eventually located the bookstore, and
parked a few blocks away.

Inside the store, she took her time exploring the maze of hallways
and found some titles appropriate for background research on area
colleges. Settling in the coffee room with a skinny latté, she began
to read. By the time she finished her coffee, Julia had skimmed
through one of the books from cover to cover. She closed her eyes and
stretched a little. Looking up at her surroundings, it took a moment
for her eyes to adjust from the tiny print to the world around her.
Her attention became riveted on a striking figure in the doorway of
the coffee room.

Marc smiled when she recognized him. He wore a pair of black Levi’s
and a slate blue shirt, worn open to expose a black T-shirt beneath.
Julia took a deep breath and motioned him over.

“I hope I’m not interrupting,” he said, sliding into the chair
opposite her. “I called Sara looking for you and she said you
planned on stopping here.”

“You’re not interrupting. I was just doing a little reading on
Northwest Community College.”

Marc leaned back in his chair, his eyes wide. “Why?”

“I like to familiarize myself with the history of my clients.”

“Clients?”

“Didn’t I mention that I’ve accepted a consulting assignment
for the college?”

He regarded her intently. “No, you didn’t.”

“Are you sure?”

“I know I’d remember if you told me you’d be working for my
employer.”

Comprehension replaced confusion. “That’s the college where you
teach?”

“Yes.”

She stared at him, tapping the top of her book with her fingers.

“Can I ask why they hired you?” Marc said.

“Actually, I’m representing the San Diego firm where I work.
Northwest has had declining enrollment and money troubles for the
last five years, and attempts to resolve the problems have failed.”

“I see.”

Julia shook her head. “What a coincidence! It was at your book
party where I met Spencer Meyers, and he’s the one who told me the
school was considering professional consultation.”

His expression darkened. “I
see
.”

“This is all so unbelievable! I mean, won’t it be nice that—”
her voice lowered a notch, “we’ll be able to see one another more
often?”

The way Marc’s gaze roamed her face made her feel suddenly warm.
“You said you were looking for me?” she said, wishing she knew
what he was thinking.

“I...have the prints from the pictures I took when we were on the
Deschutes. I thought you might like to see them.”

“I would love to! I can finish this later,” she said, stacking
the books. “I need to put some of these back and along with the
ones I’m buying, I’ll be picking up my copy of
Facets
, so
don’t let me forget to get it autographed by my favorite author.”

***

Marc regretted his impulse to seek Julia out again. After telling
himself there was no hope for them, it didn’t take him long to
buckle and call the B & B to talk to Julia. When they were apart,
he longed for her company. When they were together, he remembered he
was only setting himself up for a fall.

After helping her replace the books, he followed her to the counter
where she picked up her copy of his book. Finding her to show his
prints now seemed like a dumb idea. What interest would someone like
Julia have in what he did?

She put on her sunglasses as they walked outside together. “Where
did you park?”

Marc offered a reluctant smile to the 1940s movie starlet standing
next to him. How he wished... He shook the thought away. “I took
the MAX train.”

“Great, then you can ride with me.”

He listened to Julia’s chatter while they drove to his building,
glad to see she seemed to be up in spirits. Once inside his
apartment, she tossed her sweater over the back of the couch,
apparently at ease in his home.

“First, would you please sign my book?” she asked, unsheathing
the book from the paper bag and handing it to him.

Marc sat down on the couch. Placing the book on the steamer trunk, he
opened it to the inside cover. Julia sat down next to him. Close
enough for him to smell her perfume. He took a deep breath.

“Is there anything you want me to write besides my name?”

“Write something profound so I can impress all my friends when I
tell them I know a real live author.”

He grabbed a pen, wondering what to say. He leaned over and scribbled
a few words on the page. When done, he closed the book and handed it
to her.

She opened it up, smiling in anticipation. Reading aloud, she said,
“To Julia, your friendship shines more brightly than any jewel in
this book. Yours, Marc Dorin.”

Julia kept her eyes lowered for a moment, which proved to be agony.

Did I go too far? Is she trying not to laugh in my
face?
“Is that too corny? I’m definitely not of a poetical
persuasion—opera notwithstanding.”

When she finally looked at him, her cheeks were flushed,
her eyes shiny. “No female I know would find this corny, Marc. It’s
perfectly sweet. Thank you.” She touched his hand. “And I feel
the same way.”

His heart lurched within him.
Does she have any idea
how much I want to kiss her right now?
He jumped up off the
couch. “I’ll get the prints.” When he returned, he sat down,
making sure ample inches separated them. But as he held up each print
for Julia’s inspection, she leaned in closer, eventually ending up
in contact with him from shoulder to knee.

“These are just beautiful. The hint of color you added brings them
to life.”

“Thank you,” he said, unable to tear his attention away from her
lips.

Julia seemed unaware of her effect on him as she leaned back against
the cushion. “There’s a wall in my cottage that just begs for
that picture of the rainbow over the water. Is it for sale?”

Marc shook his head. “Let me have it framed and you can consider it
a gift.”

“Will your lights get turned off if I accept this gift?”

With a soft laugh, he shook his head. “No, I sent in my article so
I’ll get paid for my effort.”

Julia stood up and took the waterfall print over to the window,
looking at it in the light. She turned back to him. “Do you know of
any good car dealerships around here?”

He blinked at the sudden change of subject, then sat forward on the
couch cushions. “Sure, I guess so. What kind of car are you
interested in?”

“What would you recommend?”

He stood and replaced the remaining prints in a folder. “I like my
Toyota. What do you drive at home?”

“An Infiniti,” she said, handing her print back to him.

Marc added it to the others and concentrated on putting the folder in
a leather portfolio.

“Would you mind coming with me to a lot? I need a car for the next
few months since I’ll be commuting from Buell Creek. I want to
lease it since I’ll only use it for a while.”

He pulled his keys out of his pocket and smiled politely, glad for
the reminder that her stay was only temporary.

***

Marc sat next to Julia in the office with his arms crossed over his
chest, keeping his expression neutral. It took a fair amount of
self-control to avoid smirking while she shrewdly negotiated a lease
deal for the shiny black Camry she chose. He made a mental note to
bring her along the next time
he
purchased a vehicle.

“C’mon, lady! I got a family to feed!” the salesman exclaimed
after what had obviously been an unexpected ordeal.

His plea went unheard. Once all the paperwork was finished, Julia
offered the man a satisfied smile and shook his hand. “It’s been
a pleasure doing business with you.”

She winked at Marc and dropped the keys into her purse as they made
their way out to the Camry. They decided to meet back at his
apartment. He eventually lost sight of her as she maneuvered through
the traffic.

When he arrived at his building, he found her leaning casually
against the new car. After he parked and joined her, he found her
effusive smiles infectious.

“What a rush,” she said. “Do you think I did okay?”

“I’d say that’s an understatement,” he said dryly.

She grinned without shame. “Want to go for a ride?”

Once they were on the road, Marc directed her to a highway with less
traffic and great scenery. Watching her drive, he felt like he was
caught up in a whirlwind.

“Thanks for coming with me to the dealership, Marc. Your support
meant a lot to me.”

“I didn’t say a word.”

“And I appreciate that. If I had brought Brian along he would’ve
commandeered the whole thing.”

“I thought you did just fine on your own,” he replied with a
grin.

“You must be one of those sensitive modern males.”

Marc's smile disappeared. “I don’t think so.”

“No? Does that mean you’re not in touch with your feminine side?”

“Hardly,” he groused.

Julia laughed. “So, are you saying you’re a macho, he-man type?”

“I choose
not
to use labels.”

“Then tell me, what values do you hold near and dear?”

Marc gave her an apprehensive look. “Like what?”

She flashed him a captivating smile. “You know, about the social
differences between men and women.”

“I don’t think I like where this conversation is going.”

“Come on. Tell me what you think the roles of the sexes should be.”

“To love and honor God.”

“And what else?” Julia gave him a sidelong glance that made him
distinctly uncomfortable. Marc knew what she was asking and didn’t
know how to answer her without sounding self-righteous. “My views
are not exactly politically correct.”

“Let me guess then. You think men are the protectors and providers
and that women are nurturers and caregivers.”

He felt a twinge of annoyance at how accurately she’d pinned him.
Regardless, he wasn’t about to apologize for what he believed. He
had the blessing of being raised in a secure, loving environment and
only wanted the same for his own children, should he ever have any.
“Essentially,” he said, after a moment. “That’s the ideal,
especially if children are present. Of course, special circumstances
may require different measures.”

Julia remained quiet for a while, seeming to consider his words. Marc
shifted in his seat, wondering how in the world they got on the topic
in the first place.

Suddenly, she pulled off the road and came to a stop. “Ready to
turn around?”

He nodded. “Sure.”

“Do you want to drive?”

“Only if you twist my arm.”

They traded seats, and checking after the traffic, Marc pulled back
onto the road in the opposite direction.

“Home, Jeeves,” Julia said.

He rolled his eyes. She rested her head against the seat and gave him
a sweet smile. The desire to stop the car and drag her into his arms
made him wonder if he had more in common with the he-man macho type
than he originally thought.

Chapter Twelve

Julia fidgeted during the service at Brian and Sara’s
church. Thoughts of the upcoming consulting project crowded into her
mind. With an ear on the message—something about the unchanging
nature of God—she studied the old wooden structure of the building
and thought over the aspects of the job.

Every day brought her closer to finalizing the details
of the consulting project, and with it came her hopes of once again
finding symmetry in her life. The project at the college would be
difficult, but she looked forward to being stretched and challenged.
Julia didn’t know how her friendship with Marc would come into
play. She couldn’t foresee any conflict of interest. Whatever the
findings of the project were, they shouldn’t have anything to do
with one photography instructor.