Lights and Shadows (Oregon In Love) (17 page)

Julia checked through her leather briefcase to make sure
she had the necessary items at hand. Along with the usual office
stationary items, she added her cell phone and newly printed business
cards. Satisfied everything was in readiness, she grabbed her laptop
and headed out the door.

Northwest Community College, situated ten miles outside
the greater metropolitan Portland area, was a modern structure, built
almost entirely of concrete and glass. The abundance of greenery and
landscaping harmonized well with the severe lines of the grouped
buildings. Julia parked her car and strolled into the main building.

After being ushered into an office on the top floor of
the administration building, Spencer Meyers rose from behind his desk
at her entrance. With a little jolt, she realized she’d forgotten
how handsome he was. His dove gray suit set off his athletic form to
perfection and complemented the color of his eyes. His classically
cut hair was so blond it appeared nearly white.

His gave her a warm smile as he shook her hand to
welcome her.

“
How are you, Ms. Wilcox? Although we’ve talked on
the phone, I haven’t seen you since the book party.”

“
I’m fine. And you, Mr. Meyers?”

“
Please call me Spencer. And I’m doing great now
that you’ve come to save the day at Northwest.”

Julia had to laugh at this exaggeration. “Please call
me Julia.”

Together they toured the facilities starting with the
administration building that housed all the offices, then, onto the
library connected to the main building of classrooms by a sky-bridge.
They also visited the gymnasium, auditorium, theater, and
planetarium.

While they walked, Julia asked questions about average
enrollment, demographics of those who attended, and what the college
featured that set it apart from other schools in the area. Julia knew
the answers to her questions due to extensive research, but wanted
Spencer’s thoughts and perspectives. Along the way they met a few
staffers, but for the most part the college was empty. With the
summer schedule at an end, it would be a week before preparations for
the fall term.

Spencer explained that in the last several years
Northwest had opened satellite schools to reach out to smaller
communities in the area, as well as other programs to enhance
enrollment, but despite expansion, the school continued to suffer
financially.

The tour took up the entire morning, and Spencer
insisted treating her to lunch. They ate at a nearby cafe—soon to
be the haunt of the student body—and Julia grew to like Spencer
more by the minute. He was informed, intelligent, and his
professionalism was tempered with friendliness and a sense of humor.
He would act in the role of liaison between his superiors and Julia.
Not often blessed to work with someone of Spencer’s personality and
qualifications, she had high hopes of a successful project.

After lunch they returned to the college. He showed her
a meeting room where she’d soon be making her presentations. Next,
he took her to a tiny cubicle set up near the main offices.

“
It’s rather small,” Spencer said in an apologetic
tone.

Julia decided the space was adequate. She’d be near
Spencer’s office and out of the main flow of traffic. She had
access to a telephone, modem, fax machine, and copier.

“
It’s fine,” she assured him. “I appreciate how
convenient you’ve made it for me.”

For the remainder of the afternoon, he drove her to all
the satellite campus locations and they toured each one as well. When
they returned to the main building four hours later, Spencer glanced
at his watch with a frown.

“
This has taken longer than I thought, and we still
have so much to discuss. I’ll be out of town for the next few days,
so is there any chance we can continue today? We can order in dinner
and hammer out some details at my office.”

Julia hesitated. Marc expected her for dinner soon.
Although Spencer’s request was not something she made a habit of
agreeing to, this time she was especially keen on going the extra
mile for her firm. They’d done the same for her in letting have
this assignment in the first place.

“
Certainly. But I do need to make a phone call and
reschedule a prior commitment.”

“
Go ahead and use my office.” Spencer ushered her
into his office and closed the door, giving her privacy while he
waited in the hall.

Taking a deep breath, Julia pulled her BlackBerry from
her purse and dialed.

***

Marc snapped the phone shut and set it on the counter.
With a resigned sigh, he went over to the table and picked up the
matted and framed print of the waterfall he’d planned to give to
Julia tonight at dinner.

He tried not to feel frustrated, especially because he
knew how much this job meant to her, but he had a gut feeling this
wouldn’t be the only date canceled at the last minute.

Better get used to disappointment
.

***

After her first week on the job, Julia worked through
the weekend as well, compiling detailed information and polishing her
presentation of problem diagnosis and assignment proposals.

Sunday evening she finished all the data input. After
clicking on the Print icon on her toolbar, she began printing out
several sets for the members of administration meeting Monday
morning. She leaned back in her chair and glanced out her cottage
window. Mt. Hood was bathed in a soft pink glow, reminding her of her
time with Marc there.

The thought made her realize how much she missed him.
She hadn’t seen him since her brother’s anniversary. The evening
phone calls they shared helped a little, but she wanted to be back in
his arms.
Once I pass this critical stage in the project, I’ll
have more time for him
. The last weeks they’d spent side by
side had spoiled her. When he started at the college, they’d be
unable to say more than a few words to each other, especially now
that she spent nearly every lunch hour going over the job with
Spencer. And the majority of her evenings would be busy with work.

Julia blew out a discouraged sigh. While thrilled at the
prospect of working again, the cost seemed to be higher than usual.
But w
hat else can I do? Couples figure out ways to work
around their schedules. I’m sure Marc and I will, too
.

That is if he considers us a couple
.

In all the time they’d spent together, he’d never
once said he loved her or made any mention of commitment. There were
moments when she’d been sure she saw love in his eyes. The
chemistry between them was undeniable. She also knew he wasn’t the
type to settle for a dead-end casual relationship. Where did that
leave her?

Admittedly, it made her feel insecure, but she didn’t
want to press him. She’d pressed her husband into a marriage he
wasn’t ready for, and the action may have precipitated his death.

Julia pressed a hand to her pounding temple
. I can’t
go there. I need all my wits to make this job successful.
After
s
ending up a quick prayer of blessing for Marc, she turned off
her computer and got ready for bed.

Chapter Eighteen

When Julia arrived at her office Monday morning, she
found a flat package on her desk with her name written on a card
under the string. Recognizing Marc’s handwriting, a smile tugged at
at the corners of her mouth as she removed the paper.

Inside, she found the rainbow print she liked so much,
matted and framed. Julia caught her lip between her teeth. She wanted
to find him and let him know personally how much she appreciated his
thoughtfulness.

Most of the faculty had arrived to prepare for their
fall classes and she hoped to run into him before the day was over.
Julia made a mental note to get a stand for the picture so she could
display it on her desk. She wanted to be reminded of him everyday.

“
Good morning, Julia. Are you ready?”

She looked up to find Spencer waiting for her. She
noticed the way his eyes flicked to the picture in her hands.
Carefully sliding it into her desk drawer, she smiled and followed
him into the conference room.

***

Julia drove to Marc’s apartment later that day in high
spirits. Her meeting with the board members had gone well, though
some were dubious of her abilities and rankled at the idea of being
forced to seek professional consultation in the first place. But
she’d smoothed ruffled feathers and established a positive sense of
assurance by defining roles and expectations through the use of
well-honed diplomacy and communication skills.

After parking, she jogged up the apartment stairs and
knocked on his door. The landlady opened her door and peeked up after
her. Julia sent her a friendly wave.

Marc answered and stepped aside to let her in.

After he closed the door, he said, “I take it today
went well.”

“
Yes,” she said, coming close and tentatively laying
a hand on the front of his blue chambray shirt. “I also want to
thank you for the beautiful picture you left on my desk this morning.
You’re very sweet.”

Marc looked down at her with a hooded expression. “Am
I?”

She nodded. “I wanted to find you and let you know how
much it meant to me. I’ll have to get your room number.”

“
If you’d found me, what would you have said?”

Julia smiled at his baiting. “I would’ve said thank
you, of course. But that’s not what I wanted to do most.”

“
And that was?”

Julia raised up on tiptoe. “This,” she whispered as
she teased him with soft kisses.

Her actions had the desired effect. Marc’s arms slid
around her, pulling her close.

“
I miss you, Julia,” he said against her hair.

“
I miss you, too.”

His hold increased. “Do you have to go back tonight?”

“
No, I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.”

Smiling down at her, he said, “I can live with that.
How does a veggie pizza sound for dinner?”

“
Sounds great. Are we going out?”

He shook his head and rested his hands at her waist.
“I’m not sharing you with anyone tonight.”

***

Marc finished the preparations to his room for the
photography class and glanced at the clock. In ten minutes it would
be time for a faculty meeting regarding the presence of a
professional consultant in their midst.

He knew Julia was excited to get this assignment
underway, but he couldn’t entirely share the feeling. In his mind,
he could see no way they could maintain their relationship. Already
signs of strain were apparent. Only seeing each other once or twice a
week was no way to carry on a relationship. In a marriage, it would
be futile. As far as he could tell, he was the one having the hardest
time with their situation. While he was proud of Julia and glad she
was doing what she loved, the selfish side of him struggled with the
notion her work would always be more important to her than him—even
though he knew that was unfair.

Each time he meant to have a hard discussion with her
about their future, she came to him, beguiling and affectionate,
driving all else out of his head but his need to hold her in his
arms. His prayers seemed to be of no avail. Lying awake nights, his
heart full of anguish, only left him more exhausted and no closer to
an answer. Everything within him wanted to confess his love for
Julia, but he continued to hold back.

I can’t compete with her high-powered lifestyle.
All I can offer is traditional values and a downgrade in her standard
of living. Yeah, like she’s going to jump at that
.

Marc sighed. He honestly didn’t have anything against
her working as long as family was the priority. As much as the notion
twisted his heart, Marc knew he’d rather release Julia than expect
her to change for him.

He headed toward the conference room. Marc experienced
the familiar lurch in his chest when he saw Julia. In a room crammed
full of faculty members, she sat demurely in a chair next to several
members of the school administration. He guessed the tan dress and
careful hairstyle was deliberate to give an unintimidating
impression.

After Julia was introduced, she stood and scanned the
room, her attention resting for a moment longer on him. She began
speaking, explaining her exact position and goals. She told of her
plans and strategies, stressing her desire to remain as unobtrusive
as possible, causing the least amount of disturbance while she
worked. Marc was impressed with her confidence and communications
skills.

Who am I to ask her to give this up? She’s worked
so hard to get where she is
.

Before sitting down, Julia introduced Spencer Meyers and
explained he’d be acting in the role of liaison. With dismay, Marc
recognized the man from his book party. A sickening feeling developed
in the pit of his stomach when he realized Julia would be working
long days and beyond with this guy. Marc knew he couldn’t compete
with a man like that—one who could offer Julia the desires of her
heart.