Lights and Shadows (Oregon In Love) (8 page)

About fifteen minutes later, the man pulled a business card from
inside his breast pocket and pressed it into Julia’s hand. She
slipped the card into her evening bag and smiled up at him. When she
briefly laid a hand on his arm, Marc experienced a violent jab of
jealousy.

Although it vexed him, it was obvious the man was Julia’s
type—pretty-boy handsome, apparently rich, and charming. Marc
shoved his hands into his pockets.
I hate being right
.

Julia said goodbye to her new acquaintance and went over to the
no-host bar. She chose a flavored mineral water from the selection of
beverages. Glancing around the room, she soon located Marc. He stood
apart from a group of people with a brooding expression in his dark
eyes. Julia threaded her way through the crowd, regretting that she’d
been apart from him for so long.

“So how’s the celebrity holding up among all his admirers?” she
said, touching his arm.

Marc offered a ghost of a smile in response. “How are
you
doing?”

“I’m having a wonderful time,” she said.

Marc’s expression darkened. He looked away from her. Julia felt
bereft.
Did I say something wrong?
She clutched her evening
bag and put all her energy into socializing, all the while ignoring a
strange ache in her chest.

***

The party broke up after midnight. Marc led Julia back to his pickup
without speaking. As he began the long drive back to Buell Creek, his
frustration mounted. He didn’t know what to say.

He didn’t know how to act. All he knew was he had met the first
woman who’d completely captivated him, and she was more or less
unavailable.

He felt a profound sense of relief when they finally reached the B &
B. He parked the Toyota and went around to Julia’s side. She slid
out of the seat. Together they walked to the door of the cottage. The
only light came from the front porch of the main house.

Julia turned and looked up at him. “Thank you, Marc, for allowing
me to be a part of your special evening.”

He stared down at her, wishing this night could end differently. When
she tilted up her chin and smiled, he was sorely tempted to kiss her
in spite of his prior intentions. Before making a fool of himself, he
murmured a few parting words, and left.

Chapter Seven

Julia gave up trying to figure out Marc Dorin’s mercurial mood
changes. At first, she’d been hurt by his abrupt coolness after the
book party. On further reflection, she reminded herself she had no
business contemplating a romance when she only planned to stay in
Oregon for a few months. Which meant renewing her campaign to assist
Sara in running the B & B.

Rebuffing her sister-in-law’s arguments, Julia began preparing and
serving breakfast in the mornings when guests were present. She
enjoyed the busyness and visiting with the people who came to stay,
not to mention their appreciation of her culinary skills.

What really improved her outlook was the knowledge that she’d soon
be in familiar territory. By helping Sara and starting a new
consulting project, she could have the best of both worlds—and
avoid any guilt in the process.

Julia thought back to the book party where she’d met the man who
worked in the administration of a nearby college. That he’d
specifically sought her out, combined with her chronic restlessness,
made her sure their mutual introduction had been by divine
appointment. Things were dovetailing too perfectly to think
otherwise.

Over the last month, between cooking and cleaning, she’d been
working the phones. It had taken some managemental gymnastics, but a
plan had been set into motion, and Julia couldn’t wait to make the
announcement to Brian and Sara. She knew they might be surprised by
her plans so she decided to make another special dinner for them,
hoping to put them in a receiving mood for the news.

On an evening when there were no guests expected, Julia outdid
herself in her dinner preparations. During the meal, she could hardly
contain her excitement, but she wanted to wait for just the right
moment to speak. Her enthusiasm nearly eclipsed her weariness. But
she felt certain once she was involved in a meaningful project, any
remaining fatigue would be banished for good.

Over dessert, she pushed a small portion of flan around on her plate,
waiting until Brian and Sara were finished eating.

“That was incredible,” Sara said at last, dabbing her mouth with
a napkin.

“I’ll second that,” Brian said, pinning Julia with a knowing
look. “But for some reason I get the feeling my dear sister is
buttering us up for something.” He sat back in his chair and
surveyed her with his brow lifted. “So what’s up, sis? You’ve
been looking smug all evening.”

Sara leaned forward, joining in her husband’s curiosity. “Is it
something about Marc?”

Julia's smile gave way to a frown for a moment. “Of course not.”

“Oops, sorry,” Sara said, obviously chagrined.

“But, there
is
something special I want to tell you about.
Something very exciting.” She took a deep breath. “At Marc’s
book party last month, I met a man named Spencer Meyers who is in
administration overseeing Northwest Community College. During our
conversation, we realized we had a mutual acquaintance. My boss at
the San Diego firm!”

Sara’s mouth opened then closed. Brian grimaced.

“Spencer mentioned that the school was considering professional
consultation to determine the reasons for decreasing levels of
enrollment. Of course, I mentioned that I was in consulting and,”
she paused dramatically, “I have been invited to submit a proposal
to the college!”

Silence reigned for the space of several heartbeats. Sara put her
napkin on the table, her brow wrinkled. “I thought you were on
sabbatical.”

Julia shifted in her seat. “I am, but this really just fell into my
lap. And the best part is that I still get to stay here with you and
help out, especially when the baby comes—”

Brian stood suddenly and looked down at her. “What Sara means,
Julia, is that you are supposed to be recovering from an accident
that you neglected to recover from before. And what’s this about
being invited? It sounds to me like you hustled it from beginning to
end.”

Julia shot a limpid look at her fulminating brother. “Apparently I
was wrong to expect congratulations from you.”

“And what would I congratulate you on? Your foolishness?”

She got to her feet. “That’s uncalled for!”

Sara, darting nervous glances between the two, stood and left the
room.

“I disagree,” Brian said. “That ridiculously short break you
took after your head injury was a joke, and is obviously responsible
for your current lack of judgment!”

Julia crossed her arms over her chest. “Your show of support is
appreciated.”

“I support wisdom, and wisdom says you still need to rest!”

“You’re certainly entitled to your opinion but let me remind you
that I’m quite capable of running my own life.”

Brian placed his hands on the table and leaned towards her. “Look
me in the eye and tell me you feel completely well.”

“If anything is making me sick,” she said evenly, “it’s
living in limbo like this.”

“So you admit you’ve been feeling sick.”

“I’ve made my plans.”

“You’re going to call your boss and tell him you’re not taking
the assignment. Or I will.”

Julia lifted her chin. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“You might be a make up artist and able to fool others, but I can
tell you’re on the brink of exhaustion.”

“I’m sorry you can’t be happy for me. But it’s my decision
and I’ve decided to take on the project should they accept the
proposal.”

“Stop being stubborn and stupid,” he grated.

Julia’s eyes burned with unshed tears. What she
was
being
was foolish to assume Brian might be glad for her. She grabbed dishes
off the table. In the kitchen, she set them down onto the counter
with a clatter. Brian followed with more dishes and began to load the
dishwasher. With her back to him, Julia cleaned off the countertop,
trying to ignore the waves of disapproval emanating from him.

After Brian turned on the dishwasher, she could feel him watching
her. She refused to look at him. Finally, with a noise of disgust, he
stalked from the room.

Julia sagged against the counter and swiped at the hot tears escaping
down her cheeks. Feelings of failure and sadness washed over her.
Brian had no idea how much she desired his approval. His categorical
displeasure tonight drained away her joy, replacing it with fear that
she’d possibly alienated the one person, aside from her father, she
loved most in the world.

But what else can I do? Wait around to some paper-thin hope of
restored health? When does that glorious day occur? At least if I'm
busy I won't have time to mope
.

The blood in her head pounded with the rhythm of the dishwasher
cycle. Julia closed her eyes, pressing a hand to the bridge of her
nose. Tomorrow she would contact her boss in San Diego and firm up
the details of the project.

***

The next morning, Julia admitted to being a coward while she waited
for Brian to leave for work before going to the main house. Actually,
she would’ve avoided going altogether if it wasn’t for the
driving force of sheer boredom. At least at the house, there were
always things to clean.

As for seeing her brother face to face, she just wasn’t up to it
yet. Their argument was still fresh in her mind, coupled with the
knowledge she was a disappointment to him. The stress had affected
her physically as well. First thing this morning, she’d thrown up
into the toilet. Not the most promising start to the day.

All was quiet when she entered the house. Relieved at not having to
make chit-chat, Julia helped herself to a cup of coffee and sat down
at the kitchen table. Cupping her chin in her hand, she fixed a blank
stare at the opposite wall while her brain went a million miles an
hour.

“Good morning, Julia.”

Julia started. She mustered a passable smile while Sara busied
herself around the kitchen.

“How’s the coffee? Brian usually makes it too strong for my
taste.”

She glanced down at her cup and realized she’d forgotten to drink
it. “Uh, I’ll let you know in a minute.”

“That good, huh?” Sara said, joining her at the table with a mug
in her hand. “How are you doing today?”

Julia heard the concern in her sister-in-law’s voice. She knew
there’d be no avoiding this conversation. She shrugged. “All
right, I guess. How’s Brian? Still steaming from the ears?”

Sara smiled. “No. He did fuss and fume for a while, but he cooled
down pretty soon after that.” She took a sip from her mug. “He
had hoped to see you this morning because he has something he wants
to give you.”

“What, a knuckle sandwich?”

Laughing, Sara shook her head. “No, but I did wonder if it would
come to blows last night.” She scooted from her chair. “I’ll go
get it right now.”

Julia’s fertile imagination came up with several cynical ideas, but
when Sara returned to the room, her heart tightened in her chest.
Sara set a laptop computer in its carrying case on the table. “He
just bought a different model but he assures me this is fast and
powerful enough even for you.”

Blinking away the moisture from her eyes, Julia wondered if he’d
come around to her way of thinking. No, that was unrealistic. It
appeared he’d just resigned himself to the reality that she would
take the job.

Whatever the reasons, the computer was an olive branch. And a huge
help, since she didn’t bring her own up from California. Pig-headed
male he could be on occasion, he was still the best brother a sister
could have. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she ran her hand along
the edge of the nylon case. Her fingers itched to open it and start
at the keys. She’d do that later when alone.

She looked up at Sara. “Did you talk him into this?”

“No. He came up with the idea on his own. He also has arranged for
a maid service to take over the cleaning and for delivery of
breakfast items from a local pastry shop to begin tomorrow. Isn’t
he such a sweetie?”

Julia smiled at the dewy expression in Sara’s eyes.

“But why
are
you taking the job if you’re still recovering
from the accident?”

“I feel I am recovered,” said Julia. Then she remembered the
crying jag Sara had recently witnessed. “At least I’m almost
there.”

If her sister-in-law was unconvinced, she didn’t say so, and after
a few more minutes of small talk, Julia picked up the case and
returned to the cottage.

She set the computer on the table and powered it up. While her hands
flew over the keys as she familiarized herself with the unit, Julia
thought back to the accident that was at the crux of her and Brian’s
disagreement. She’d been late for work and had hydroplaned in a
downpour. Without her seatbelt and airbag, she would’ve most likely
died at the scene. Instead, she’d ended up in the hospital with
head injuries.

Julia decided the whole coma thing was just a dramatic way of saying
she’d been unconscious for awhile. She had no memory of those days
and preferred it that way. In her opinion, it had been God’s
graciousness and the power of prayer that sped her recovery. She’d
gone back to work before anyone expected it.

Of course she hadn’t been able to return to the office for a couple
of weeks—her face had been too black and blue. Julia had files sent
over from the office so she could stay on top of her projects, even
though those projects had been reassigned to others.

It was so easy for everyone to tell her to relax and get rest. The
time in the hospital after waking up had tried her sanity. As soon as
her face healed, she was back down at the firm, unable to stand one
more day of being home alone. Then came the depression. When she
recognized signs of that malady, she plunged back into work,
confident she could escape its clutches.