Soul Mates (14 page)

Arriving at the Town House in a car she’d rented from the airport, she greeted the two old Great Danes and spent a few minutes with them. “How are my favorite dogs?” she crooned affectionately. Their response and subsequent tail wagging told her they were perfectly fine. The grounds keeper, Jerry, took great care of them. She looked up to see Jerry trimming shrubs near the front of the house. She called out a greeting, and he smiled and waved in response.

Her parents had taken the pup with them to the beach, and she was eager to spend time with him as well. Everything about the next two weeks excited her. She loved going to their summer home. It brought back cherished memories of her childhood.

As she walked into the house, she was greeted by Sarah who was dusting in the front entry. Smiling at the woman, Cassandra noticed an unexpected familiarity about her. She’d met the new housekeeper twice. This time, however, Cassandra was sure she’d seen her elsewhere.
I wonder why she looks familiar? Maybe she used to work for another family, and I’ve seen her serving at a party or something.

“Your mother called to say that you’d be here today, Miss Cassandra, and since Mrs. Harper isn’t here, I wondered if you’d like me to prepare lunch for you.”

Sarah had addressed her formally, the way the older servants did, and for some reason it made her uncomfortable. “Oh, thank you, Sarah,” she replied. “But you don’t need to go to any trouble. I can pick up something in town.”

“It’s no trouble, miss.”

Cassandra agreed to lunch on the terrace and went outside to enjoy the lovely weather. When the housekeeper came out carrying a tray of food, Cassandra had to inquire. “Sarah, you look familiar. I’m sure I’ve seen you somewhere before.”

“I worked for the Linnells for four years before I started here,” Sarah offered.

Cassandra knew of the Linnells, although she’d never been to their home. An older couple, they’d recently moved to be closer to their children. “Are you from Port Hayden?” she probed.

“Yes, I am,” Sarah replied. “My husband was principal at Hillcrest Elementary School.”

She seemed talkative, and Cassandra enjoyed the company. Since Sarah had referred to his position in the past tense, she asked, “Is he retired?”

“No, he passed away several years ago.”

“I’m so sorry.” Cassandra instantly regretted having touched on what was probably still a painful subject. Not wanting to leave the conversation hanging awkwardly, she decided to inquire further. “Do you have family here?”

“I have a son,” Sarah stated proudly. “Jace is twenty-five. He lives here in town. Works at Stanton’s. It’s nice to have him close by. He’s been a real help.”

Cassandra’s heart skipped a beat.
Jace isn’t a common name; what are the chances of two people with the same name, same age, working at a factory in town?
She needed to know more. “Jace…” She kept her eyes down and her voice even. “That’s an unusual name.”

“Yes,” Sarah smiled pleasantly. “I read it in a book once when I was young. I always knew if I had a son I’d name him that.”

Cassandra swallowed hard. It was obvious now why the woman seemed familiar. Sarah was Jace’s mother; they had the same eyes, the same smile.

JACE BEGAN TO think about the weekend ahead as he sat down for his lunch break. Sophie had called the night before to tell him she was going away for a week. She hadn’t elaborated, and he hadn’t asked for details. All he could think of was that the car was his to enjoy for a whole week. Not that he wasn’t free to use it whenever he wanted and not that driving Sophie places was an inconvenience, but when she lived so close, he was constantly aware that he was in her employ and was careful not to take advantage of her generosity.

Chad joined him, pulling a large sandwich from his lunch box. He took an oversized bite and immediately asked, “Did you hear? Morry’s throwing a big party this weekend.”

Jace ignored his friend’s lack of manners, all too aware that his mother would have strung him up for talking with his mouth full like that. She was nowhere near, yet he could hear her voice in his head when he deviated from the acceptable rules of behavior she’d instilled in him. “Yeah,” he replied. “You going?”

“Mmm hmm,” Chad nodded, mouth still full. He chewed for a moment and then continued. “Morry’s sister’s gonna be there…bringing a bunch of her friends from college. Dirty Laundry is playing at The Brink, Saturday night, too. Maybe we could go there first and hit the party later.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Jace declared, liking his options. He was freer to enjoy himself now that he had the extra income from Sophie. He wasn’t as uptight about finances. He’d set aside his plan to take night courses. Even though it left him somewhat discouraged about his future, it was the right decision, at least for the time being.

He’d concluded that meeting Cassandra had been the main reason for his discontent. His sudden desire to better himself had been a subconscious attempt to be in her league, to date someone like her. It was absurd. He was not, nor would he ever be in her league. And given her behavior and lies, he was probably better off for it, anyway. It did, however, make him aware that he’d like to be in a relationship again. He’d grown tired of it and for a while had been content with parties and one-night stands, but that lifestyle just wasn’t satisfying him.

Cassandra may have left him wanting more, but he was okay with that. He realized that it wasn’t her, rather someone like her that he was looking for—someone more mature, more confident, more independent than the girls he met at the parties he and Chad frequented.

CHAPTER 10

CASSANDRA AND her aunt left for the summer house by mid afternoon. It was a two-hour drive, and the views along the coastal highway ranged from scenic to breathtaking. After twenty years, she hadn’t tired of them. It wasn’t hard to fill the time with pleasant conversation, yet she had a burning desire to talk about Jace. She questioned her motives, knowing she should forget him. The problem was, he was constantly in her thoughts.

“Remember, my dear, sometimes what you’re looking for is right in front of you.”

She knew she should be used to her aunt’s peculiar ways by now, but the woman’s comments were so random and unexpected, and they often addressed exactly what Cassandra was thinking. It was unnerving. “Aunt Sophia, you mentioned that once before, but I still don’t know what I’m looking for.”

Sophia didn’t respond. As Cassandra glanced at her, she noticed a smile on her face.

Did she know I was thinking of Jace? How is that possible?
Her desire to talk about him suddenly escalated. “Did you know that Jace’s mom works for Mother and Daddy?” she began. “Mother just hired her as their new housekeeper.”

“No dear,” Sophia replied, not sounding surprised. “I wasn’t aware of that.” She paused and added,” Jace is such a nice young man.”

“There’s something else I didn’t tell you.” Cassandra was willing to be totally honest with her aunt, hoping the perceptive woman could help her. “…about my meeting with Jace.”

“What is it, dear?”

“It started as a way to get information, to prove he wasn’t the best person to be driving you around. But as we talked, I could notice my feelings changing. By the time he dropped me off…well…we kissed.”

“My, my,” Sophia smiled.

“It was all very innocent. It didn’t mean anything. At least I didn’t think it did,” she added.

“How do you feel about it now?”

“I don’t know,” Cassandra admitted. “I’m really confused. I mean, it could never work. We’re too different. Besides, he’d hate me if he ever found out who I really am.”

“Would he?”

“You don’t think so?”

“You meant no harm. You had my interest in mind,” Sophia soothed. “I’m sure he could see that.”

“I’d like to tell him the truth,” Cassandra acknowledged. “I’d like to ask his forgiveness. Even if nothing more happens between us, I’d like to clear the air.”

“I think that’s a good idea.”

“But when? How?”

“I could ask him to drive out and pick me up next weekend,” Sophia offered.

The thought of seeing Jace again made her stomach knot up, yet the yearning was hard to ignore. “I guess,” Cassandra responded hesitantly. “It would be so awkward, though. He thinks I’m a girl from the city named Tanisha. He doesn’t know I’m your niece.”

“Actually, he does, dear,” Sophia informed her. “He saw a picture of you in my apartment.”

“Oh no,” Cassandra groaned. “Did he say anything?”

“No, not really.”

“Aunt Sophia…” She had to ask. “Do you think anything could happen between us? I mean, do you think he could be the one?”

“It doesn’t matter what I think, dear,” her aunt replied lovingly. “How do you feel about it? That’s what is important.”

“I like Jace,” Cassandra admitted. “But I don’t know if it’s him, necessarily. He has a lot of the qualities I want in a man.”

Her aunt remained quiet, so Cassandra continued pondering aloud, finding her aunt’s listening ear beneficial. “He’s easy to talk to,” she smiled, remembering their conversation. “He’s funny and down to earth. He doesn’t pretend to be someone he’s not. But I’m wondering if that’s part of the problem. I don’t know if we could each be who we are and still find common interests. Maybe we’re too different.”

Her last statement triggered a question that had been on Cassandra’s mind for a long time. “Aunt Sophia, may I ask you something?”

“Of course, dear.”

“I’ve often wondered why, when you have money, you choose not to enjoy all the wonderful things your money could buy you.”

“I have all I want, dear,” the old woman assured her. “I’ve lived a long life. I’ve known all the comforts, had every worldly possession I ever desired. I’ve traveled extensively, had wonderful relationships…”

Sophia appeared to be lost in thought, and Cassandra wondered whether she was thinking of her husband, who had passed away so many years ago, or whether there’d been someone else since. Suddenly she was curious to learn more about her aunt.

“Some of those appealed to me and some didn’t,” Sophia continued. “With all that I had, the one thing I lacked was simplicity. The desire grew as I got older, so I began to shed material possessions that, wonderful as they are, can start to weigh a person down after a while. I’ve probably gone to a bit of an extreme with my decision. I know people think I’m crazy. They don’t understand why I live the way I do. But doing without isn’t a bad thing if it’s by choice. I can honestly say that I have all I want, and I’m happy.”

Cassandra longed to stop the vehicle and give her a hug. She was filled with immense adoration and deep respect for the woman. Her aunt didn’t seem crazy at all. She was strong, making her own choices in life, doing what she wanted instead of following what others said was right or acceptable. Cassandra longed to emulate that in her own life. Maybe not the simplicity—she enjoyed what money could buy. It was her aunt’s strength of character and positive outlook on life that appealed to her in a powerful way.

Moreover, Sophia Langdon seemed as comfortable with people like Jace as she was with those of her own social standing—maybe more so. Having met Jace, Cassandra could understand why. She had to admit that many of the society people she knew were arrogant.
Do I come across like that?
she questioned silently.
Does Jace see me that way?
It was a definite possibility considering their first two meetings.

As she thought about the lies and the fact that he knew her true identity, her heart sank.
I’ve given him so many reasons to hate me,
she sighed, longing for a way to change his opinion of her.
If he could see me for who I really am, maybe there’d be a chance for us.