Lights and Shadows (Oregon In Love) (29 page)

“
There’s a piece of glass in your skin. Do you have
any tweezers?”

Julia wanted nothing more than to hop off the counter
and escape to her room. But she knew it would only make her look more
foolish. She released a silent sigh. “There should be a first-aid
kit under the sink. I think there are some tweezers in it.”

Marc located the kit and found a pair amid the rolls of
gauze and packets of ointment. “This might hurt a little,” he
said, probing her foot to dislodge the glass.

It hurt all right, but not nearly as much as her pride.
She'd lain awake in bed, trying to muster the courage to go talk to
Marc—to have the conversation she feared. To find out once and for
all where she stood with him.

And then she'd stepped on glass. Perfect.

Julia patiently endured his doctoring, momentarily
distracted from the pain by watching the play of muscles across his
bare shoulders.

A short time later, he stood and showed her the piece of
glass pinched between the tips of the tweezers.

The glass was such a small chunk, it was almost
ridiculous how much pain it caused.

“
I think I got it all, but tell me if this hurts.”
Marc lightly ran his hand along the sole of her foot, watching her
expression for any reaction. Julia lowered her eyes, finding his
touch anything but utilitarian. She shook her head. “You got it
all. Thank you.”

“
Just a minute. I doubt you want blood all over the
place.”

Her agony was drawn out while Marc washed and dried her
foot. Then, with an adhesive bandage from the first-aid kit, he
covered her wound and washed his hands in the sink. Julia sensed his
attention upon her while he dried his hands on a towel.

“
You shouldn’t put any pressure on your foot.”

Before she could object, Marc once again picked her up
in his arms. He took her out of the bathroom and settled her onto the
couch in the living room. Julia couldn’t bring herself to look at
him. She felt, rather than saw him ease down next to her on the
couch. He stretched his arm along the back of it while her heart
roared in her ears.

Goodness, where do we go from here? Sorry about being
a klutz. Say, do you want to give us another try?
At
this point all she wanted was to crawl under her covers and forget
that she was a blundering fool.

“
Julia.”

Reluctantly, she lifted her eyes, finding Marc's
expression serious. Earnest.

“
I’m so sorry.”

“
Don’t worry! It was just a glass,” she said,
looking away.

He tipped up her chin with his thumb until she had no
choice but to meet his gaze. “Not about the glass, Julia. But
about...everything.”

Oh
. “Everything?” she said faintly.

Marc's fingers moved from her chin and trailed gently
down her throat. “I’m sorry for saying things couldn’t work out
between us.” He paused, seeming to struggle to find the right
words. “I...had reasons for doing that, reasons at the time I
considered noble.” He gave her a self-deprecating smile. “I now
realize I’ve been nothing more than an arrogant jerk.”

“
Please don’t say that,” she whispered. “I...I
think we were both a little confused.” Feeling very daring, she
reached out to touch his hand.

Marc turned it over and pressed a kiss against her palm.
When he looked at her, he drew in a ragged breath. “Do you think
you can forgive me...for not giving you a say? For hurting you like
that?”

She melted. “Of course.”

Marc kept hold of her hand. “Can I ask you another
question?”

“
Okay.”

“
Are you in love with Spencer Meyers?”

That was easy. “No, Marc. I’m not in love with him.”

His grip on her hand lessened, but when his dark eyes
sought hers once again, she saw anxiety there.

“
Julia.” A muscle jumped in his jaw. “Is there a
chance...we could start over?”

Aware of the sound of her irregular breathing, of the
warmth of his fingers around hers, more than anything, she wanted to
say yes. But one reservation remained. Schooling her expression, she
took a deep breath. “Why?”

Marc leaned forward, cupping the side of her face.
“Because I love you, Julia, with all my heart. I have...for so
long.”

She sought the truth in his eyes—and found it. Julia
leaned close, tilting her face up to his. “I love you too,” she
whispered.

Marc claimed her mouth in a languid, searching kiss that
left her shaken. She savored the feel of his lips as they explored
her face and throat before returning to her mouth to devastate her
all over again.

Chapter Thirty-One

“
I suggest we get ready and leave for your dad’s
place now,” said Marc, raising his lips from hers some time later.

Julia dazedly focused on his face. His eyes were clouded
with desire—a look she knew was reflected in her own eyes.

His voice was husky. “It’s a little too dark, we’re
a little too alone, and you’re way too kissable.”

She smiled and inhaled to replenish her starved lungs.
“Good idea.”

He grinned. “You have to let go of me first.”

“
Oh!” Julia blushed and released her stranglehold on
him.

Marc stood and helped her up off the couch.

An hour later they were on the road, and after stopping
for hot coffee to go, Julia sank deeper into the leather passenger
seat of the car and watched Marc drive. Could this be real? Maybe she
should pinch herself.

Marc got on Interstate 5 and drove straight through to
L.A. She was pleased when from there, he chose to cut over to Highway
101 instead of staying on the more sensible freeway. The winding road
and spectacular coastal views as the sun rose were worth the longer
driving time. From San Luis Obispo they drove Highway 1 on to
Monterey.

It was a magical time being cocooned in the car
together, the night shadows dissipating before a lightening sky
tinged with pink and gold. She closed her eyes for a moment, thanking
God for bringing her and Marc past the barriers that had separated
them. She knew they still had issues to resolve and that difficult
choices lay ahead. But for the moment she just wanted to soak up his
presence after the long weeks without him by her side.

They stopped a few times along the way, the early start
affording them the opportunity. Marc exposed several rolls of film of
the changing coastline and took several pictures of her as well. By
the time they reached Monterey, mellow rays of afternoon sun slanted
through the branches of the cypress trees lining the rocky coastline
which overlooked the glittering Pacific Ocean.

***

Marc pulled into the drive of Julia’s dad’s house, a
bungalow within walking distance of the beach. The cedar siding and
shingles had weathered to a silvery-gray and boasted two twig chairs
on the small deck. Window boxes bloomed with red geraniums and leggy
rhododendrons rambled about the structure.

A man stood in the doorway as they climbed from the car.
He was tall and solidly built, with sky blue eyes and dark blond hair
liberally sprinkled with gray. Julia went into his waiting arms and
hugged him tight. Marc waited to be introduced, glad she was on good
terms with at least one parent.

Julia turned. “Dad meet Marc Dorin. Marc, this is my
dad, Rick Farris.”

Marc shook his outstretched hand and Rick ushered them
into the house. They sat down to an early dinner of grilled salmon,
baked potatoes, and tossed green salad, talking into the evening over
chocolate brownies and cups of coffee.

Marc decided to give father and daughter a chance to be
alone, so pleading very real fatigue, he went into the guest room
prepared for him. The look Julia gave him as he said goodnight was
almost as sweet as her kiss.

***

The next morning, Marc awoke at seven and after getting dressed, he
went in search of Julia. In the living room, he found her father
sitting on the couch with an open Bible on his lap.

“Good morning,” he said. “Help yourself to some coffee.”

Marc poured himself a cup in the kitchen and returned to
the living room. “Is Julia still sleeping?” he asked.

“
No, she’s out on the beach.”

He looked longingly at the French doors, out to the
white mist and sand beyond. Sipping at his coffee, he tried to be
patient.

“
Marc, I have a question for you.”

He looked at Julia’s father expectantly and had a
feeling what that question might be about. From the short time he’d
talked with Rick, Marc had seen the deep concern for Julia in his
eyes.

“
Do you love my daughter?”

“
Yes, I do.”

“
How serious are you?”

Resisting the urge to tug at his collar during this
age-old interview between protective father and prospective suitor,
Marc smiled instead. “Very serious. I want to marry her.”

Rick took a long drink of his coffee, seeming to
consider his answer. At length, he set his mug on the oak coffee
table and spoke. “I don’t make it my habit to overly interfere in
my children’s lives, but Julia’s been to hell and back and I
don’t want to see anyone playing fast and loose with her heart.”

Marc took a moment before answering. “I understand and
I agree.”

The French doors opened and Julia poked her head into
the living room. “Anybody up for a walk? It’s wonderful out
here.”

Marc set his mug on the table and stood. When he glanced
at Rick, the older man waved him on. “Go ahead. I have some reading
to do.”

Wondering if he’d just passed some kind of test, Marc
joined Julia out on the deck. Together they went down a path leading
to the beach and strolled along the water’s edge through thin bands
of fog drifting in the air. He slid his arm around her and pulled her
close. When she looked up at him, he lowered his head and gently
captured her lips with his.

He wanted to ask her so many questions—to find out
what had really changed between them. Despite her affection, did she
ever want to marry again after her bad experience? Were their
disparate lifestyles a problem? Did he have what it would take to
care for her as she deserved?

Marc tabled the inquiry for another time. Their
separation was still too fresh. And maybe she needed time to think
things through. If Julia could do anything, it would be to look at a
situation from every side. Too bad he was just realizing that now.

After they returned to the cabin, Rick drove them to the
airport in San Jose and assured Julia he’d take care of returning
her car to the firm for her. They exchanged goodbyes and Julia
encouraged him to make the move to Oregon soon.

Once Marc and Julia were seated on the airplane, she
turned to him and squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry. He was
impressed.”

***

“
Should I call?”

“
Who should you call, dear?”

Sara looked over at Brian. “Julia was due back hours
ago. I’m starting to get worried and thought I might call the
airline.”

“
I already did,” Brian said. “Their plane came in
on schedule at two this afternoon.”

“
But it’s eight o’clock. Why isn’t she home?”

Brian shrugged. “You’re the romantic. You figure it
out.”

Sara furrowed her brow. “You mean...you think that—?”

“
I thought you told me you were praying for their
reconciliation,” he said equably. “Isn't it reasonable to think
there's a chance they worked things out?”

Sara came to stand over her husband where he sat on the
couch. She put her hands on her hips. “Look who's been the
busybody? What other plans do you have up your sleeve?”

Brian pulled her down beside him. “This,” he
whispered, and proceeded to thoroughly kiss his wife.

***

The following morning, Sara hovered over Julia ‘helping’
her unpack from her trip. Julia knew her sister-in-law was dying to
know every detail. Since her return, she could sense Sara trying to
read her expressions for any hint of what had happened over the last
week.

Julia wasn’t sure how much information she wanted to
reveal. In a way her reconciliation with Marc felt fragile.
Irrational as that was, she worried about saying too much. She’d
been sure of Marc’s affection before, and then he broke things off.
What if he had a change of heart again? No, that didn't make sense.
They'd reconciled. All that remained was working out the details.
Julia berated herself for over-obsessing as she followed Sara back to
the main house to eat dinner. She heard the phone ring just as she
stepped through the back door.

Sara grabbed it and answered. With a grin on her face,
she held the phone out to Julia. “It’s for you.”

Julia put the phone up to her ear and when she heard the
sound of Marc’s voice, her reservations vanished.

“
I tried your cell, then got impatient.”