Soul Mates (36 page)

WHEN THE LAWYER left the room, Jace sat staring, trying to absorb what he’d just heard. The image of Sophie’s sweet, smiling face remained on the screen in front of him, and suddenly he was filled with a greater love and appreciation than he’d ever felt for the woman.
Sophie,
he shook his head.
I didn’t know…I mean how can I begin to…?

“You’re very welcome, Jace.”

He wiped a tear from his eye. The news had left him shaken. It wasn’t just the size of her estate, but that she’d cared enough to leave him any part of it when they’d only known each other a short time.

“Jace, we’ve known each other longer than you think. We’ve been together before this lifetime. We’re soul mates, too.”

The truth of it resounded in his heart. It was the connection she’d talked about before, the same one he had with Cassandra. He didn’t understand it completely, but not knowing didn’t bother him. He’d have plenty of questions for Sophie and plenty of time to ask them in the weeks and months ahead.

As Cassandra came to mind, Jace’s heart filled with a love so powerful and so pure it seemed to take him to a new level of being. Not only that, but he felt her presence as if she were standing next to him. Eager to share his excitement, he considered calling her to tell her the news. However, there was something he had to do first. When he’d learned that the Van Brodens were present, he knew he had to speak to them. Despite escalating nervousness, he was determined to go and introduce himself to Cassandra’s parents.

The door opened, and he was informed that the Van Brodens had finished their meeting. Jace’s feet were like lead as he walked down the hallway. Before he entered the room, he took a deep breath and smiled at the image of Sophie still clear in his mind.

A man stood as he entered the room. He met Jace halfway across the large office and extended his hand. “Hello, Jace. I’m Richard Van Broden.”

“Hello, sir. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Cassandra’s told us a lot about you. It’s good to finally meet.”

An uncomfortable silence echoed between them, and then Richard added, “Congratulations, Jace. We were pleased to hear that Sophia included you in her will. I know she thought highly of you.”

“Thank you,” Jace responded with sincerity. The reality of his newfound abundance still hadn’t sunk in, and he shook his head in amazement. “I didn’t know why they called me here today. I certainly didn’t expect anything like this.” He paused as emotion squeezed his vocal cords. “She was…an amazing lady; I’m honored to have known her.”

Richard nodded, affirming the sentiment.

In the silence that followed, Jace fought the impulse to ask the question burning within him. Though his mind argued that the timing wasn’t right, his heart was hearing another voice. “Sir…” he began, buoyed by a confidence that surprised him. “There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“Of course, Jace,” Richard replied. “Go ahead.”

“I want you to know how much your daughter means to me.” He forced himself to speak slowly as he delivered his speech. He’d imagined the scene in his mind and had even rehearsed the words, yet he had no idea the opportunity would present itself so soon. “I know that our circumstances are different, and I may not be your idea of an ideal match for Cassandra. But sir, I’d like you to know that I love her more than words can say. Her happiness means everything to me.” Jace stopped to take a breath. “I’d like to…ask your permission…to marry your daughter.”

His knees went weak as he realized the question had been verbalized. He stood waiting for what seemed like an eternity as he stared into the eyes of the man who had the power to make his dream come true. A smile began to form on Richard’s face. Jace’s pulse slowed as Cassandra’s father slowly nodded his head.

“Well, son. You have my permission, but why don’t you ask her directly?”

Jace frowned at what seemed to be a strange request and then turned to see Cassandra standing in the doorway with a woman he assumed was her mother. Her hands flew to her mouth in surprise. Pure delight spread across her face as she started toward him. Before she reached him, Jace went down on one knee and reached in his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box.

“Cassandra, I never imagined meeting someone that makes me feel the way you do. We have our differences, but what we have in here.” He tapped his chest. “It’s the same. It’s a connection of mind, body, and soul that I didn’t know was possible. Most people spend a lifetime looking for what we have. I want to spend a lifetime enjoying it with you.

“Cassandra…” His heart swelled as he saw the answer in her eyes. “Will you marry me?”

THROUGH satin tears, Cassandra gazed into the eyes of the man she loved. She’d already given Jace her heart, now she was thrilled to give him her hand. She responded to his proposal with a passionate yes.

Jace slipped the ring on her finger and stood to his feet, still holding her hand. She glanced at the sparkling gem, but didn’t really see it. Her eyes were clouded, her mind busy taking everything in. Seeking his arms and then his lips, she celebrated the special moment with Jace.

Then she turned to her parents, beaming with never-before-known happiness. As she met her mother’s eyes and saw the uncharacteristic smile on her face, Cassandra was overcome with emotion. Jace had not only received her father’s blessing, he’d received her mother’s approval as well.

After more hugging and drying of tears, Cassandra took a closer look at the ring. “Jace,” she gushed, “this is exquisite! Wherever did you get…?” She stopped mid-sentence, knowing the answer to her question. “Is this…Aunt Sophia’s ring?”

He nodded, smiling.

“But how…?”

After telling her how he’d discovered it, Jace added, “An heirloom like this…well, it should stay in the family. I discussed it with Mrs. Davidson at the community center. When I told her about us…I mean, when she understood my intentions,” he explained awkwardly, “she suggested I make a donation to the center in exchange for the ring.”

“You made…a donation?” Cassandra repeated haltingly. She couldn’t imagine what Jace could donate in exchange for a valuable piece of jewelry like that. To her knowledge he had no assets before today, no money saved. Then she remembered the inheritance he was to receive from his estranged uncle. “Jace.” she cried, “you didn’t!”

“EVERYTHING WORKED out the way it was supposed to,” Jace assured her, thinking of the synchronistic flow of events that had led up to that moment. When he’d told Mrs. Davidson about the money he was to receive, she agreed to set the ring aside. Though it was appraised considerably higher, she felt it wouldn’t bring more than ten-thousand at the auction. Therefore they’d agreed to that amount.

After that, everything unfolded so perfectly he could only attribute it to Sophie’s loving intervention. The certified check arrived in the mail, Tuesday afternoon. Jace was able to pick up the ring on his way to the meeting with the lawyer. And Cassandra just happened to be there for him to give it to. He couldn’t have planned it any better. “I have all I need.” He kissed her softly. “And now that you’ve agreed to marry me, I have all I want.”

“I guess when you put it that way…who am I to object?” Cassandra grinned playfully. As she looked at the treasured piece again, she sighed with delight. “Having Aunt Sophia’s ring means a lot to me, Jace. But having you in my life—that means everything. I love you so much.”

Jace felt the same. All else paled in comparison to his love for Cassandra. Though his unexpected inheritance had for a brief moment offered to change the course of his life, he’d gladly exchanged a good portion of it for the ring he knew Cassandra would cherish. Now Sophie’s extremely generous gifts had catapulted him to a place of financial security. That, he realized, was only the beginning. There was a huge, swirling vortex filled with abundance, ready for him to allow into his experience. There was no shortage, no lack. Not any more. However, it was about more than just money. He’d learned how to create his own reality. He’d learned how to guide his thoughts deliberately. He was in control of his life now.

Both he and Cassandra had Sophie to thank for helping them find the pathway to their dreams. He’d found the key to attracting financial abundance, and she’d found the passion missing in her writing career. Not only that, but they’d found each other. As Jace left the lawyer’s office with Cassandra by his side, he glanced one more time at the image of Sophie still on the screen.
You knew this would happen all along, didn’t you?
he accused lovingly.

“It seemed like a nice idea.” she replied.

THE END