Lights and Shadows (Oregon In Love) (14 page)

Conversation rose and fell around Julia. She felt detached from
everything, yet was aware of Marc’s quiet gaze upon her. What was
he thinking about?

Finally, Hattie handed him to Julia. Focusing on the
baby, she took him into her arms.
My nephew.
She admired the
puckered little face exposed by the blanket.
A brand new life. A
fresh start. Wow.
Julia tore her attention from the baby and
glanced at her sister-in-law. “You did good, Sara.”

“
She did
great
,” Brian said. “There’s no
way I could’ve gone through that!”

“
I didn’t have a choice,” Sara said with a laugh.
“Besides, he’s worth it.”

“
What are the stats?” Marc asked.

“
Eight pounds, fourteen ounces. And he’s twenty
inches long,” said Brian with a proud smile.

“
His size must have something to do with all those
late night snacks I indulged in,” Sara said ruefully.

Julia cradled the baby. “He seems awfully light to me.
And look at all that dark hair! I guess we know who has the stronger
genes in the family.”

Sara gave a shrug and smiled. “What can I say?”

She rocked her nephew gently as he gazed up at her with
calm, alert eyes. “I’m your Auntie Jules and I’m going to spoil
you rotten,” she whispered. When she stroked the little hand that
peeked out of the folds of the blanket, his tiny fingers wrapped
around her own. Blinking away the moisture in her eyes, she
swallowed, afraid if she lost control now, there’d be no stopping.
“I suppose I should share you with someone else.”

“
Marc?” Brian asked.

“
I’d love to.” Marc received the baby from Julia,
tucking him snugly in his arms. He seemed completely at ease as he
talked with Brian and Sara. Julia’s earlier assumption that he was
father material was confirmed. It was obvious he was a natural.

When Alan started to fuss, he handed him back to Sara.

“
I think he might be hungry,” Sara said. It was
their cue to leave.

“
Congratulations you two.” Julia hugged her brother
tight and bussed Sara’s cheek.

Marc shook Brian’s hand. “Let us know if you need
anything.”

“
Actually, everything’s been arranged ahead of time
and Hattie will take up any slack. But thanks for offering.”

Brian sent a meaningful look to Marc, which puzzled her.
Julia didn’t speak as they left Sara’s room ahead of Robert and
Hattie. Marc caught her hand in his. She didn’t resist.

The drive back to the B & B passed in silence. Julia
felt frail, as if a wrong move might shatter her. It had to be due to
fatigue from the long wait, along with all the turbulent emotions she
experienced with the man next to her. She kept her face turned toward
the window, only vaguely aware of the moon-washed landscape
stretching to the silhouetted mountains.

Her thoughts drifted to her first marriage. If things
had worked out, she could’ve been a parent to say, an
eleven-year-old child by now.
So many wasted years
. Julia
closed her eyes and scolded herself for dwelling on the impossible.

When they pulled into the driveway of the B & B, all
she wanted was to fall into bed and
sleep
. After heading
inside the main house, Julia didn’t bother to turn on any lights.
She stood in front of the bay window with her arms wrapped around
herself, staring out at the moonlit landscape.
What do I want? And
why does it matter? I already have everything I really need.

She heard Marc locking the front door, heard his steps
as he came up behind her. After a moment, he slid his arms around her
waist. Julia relaxed against him, placing her hands over his. She
didn’t want to try to understand what was happening between them
and what it might mean—she only wanted to savor his warmth and
presence. If only they could remain this way without questions,
without repercussions.

Marc’s breath tickled the inside curve of her neck.
His arms tightened around her. Julia knew his gesture of comfort was
deepening into something more. Her heart thundered when he slowly
turned her to face him.

The sound of a car pulling into the drive intruded. Marc
glanced out the window with a sigh. “Hattie’s here.” He grazed
her jaw with his fingers and gave her a tired smile. “Tomorrow
there won’t be any interruptions.” The husky note in his voice
sent chills up her arm.

He disappeared up the stairs just as Hattie let herself
in the front door. She greeted Julia.

“
Are you still up? Brian asked me to pick up some
things for Sara since she’s staying at the hospital for a couple of
days. Isn’t that baby just the cutest thing? My word, you look
tired. Why don’t you run off to bed and I’ll lock up when I
leave.”

Julia managed a bewildered nod, and thanked Hattie
before heading out to the cottage.

Chapter Fourteen

Morning sunlight streamed through the window, right into
Julia’s eyes. With a groan, she squeezed them shut and buried her
face into her pillow.

Wait. Something momentous happened last night. And
Sara had her baby.
Julia opened her eyes and prayed a prayer of
thanks that all had gone well with the delivery.

Marc
. Had his words been a dream?
No
interruptions. What does that mean?

Julia scrambled out of bed and hurried for the shower.
Afterward, she dressed in a sleeveless white eyelet dress. Twisting
her freshly dried hair up onto her head, she pinned it loosely into
place, leaving several curls free to frame her face. A knock sounded
at the door just as she finished applying a touch of makeup. Her
heart roaring in her ears, she grabbed her espadrilles and walked
barefoot across the room.

When she opened the door, Marc took in her form,
lingering on her painted toenails. When he looked back up, she saw a
glint of amusement in his eyes. Julia couldn’t remember when he’d
looked more handsome. He wore espresso colored jeans, and a
white-banded collar shirt with a nubby brown vest. The sleeves of his
shirt were rolled up, exposing the dark skin of his forearms.

When she was done staring, Julia realized he was waiting
for her to put on her shoes. Embarrassed to be caught acting like a
silly teenager, she slipped on her shoes and tied the ribbons. “Good
morning.”

“
Good morning, Julia.”

Needing support, she leaned against the door frame,
waiting to see what Marc would do. With a hooded gaze and a languid
smile, he held out his hand, banishing her reservations. She put her
hand in his and together they walked to his truck.

Julia assumed they were going to Portland, but she
didn’t care as long as they were together. The scenery, brilliant
from the glow of late summer sunlight, had chased all of last night’s
shadows away. Everything seemed so different, almost dream-like.
Julia leaned back in the seat, her fingers loosely tangled with
Marc’s.

At his apartment, she followed him up the stairway,
aware of the now-familiar pleasant smell of the old building. Julia
heard the muted sounds of a television from an apartment nearby as
she waited for him to unlock his door.

As soon as they were inside, Marc pushed the door closed
with his foot. She looked up at him, dazed and half-afraid, and
dropped her purse onto the chair near the door. His hands went to her
waist and he tugged her close, lowering his mouth to hers. His kiss
was sweet and drugging, slowly deepening when she responded in
kind—culminating weeks of unrealized longing.

Marc removed the pins from her hair and let it spill
around her shoulders. Tangling his fingers in the strands, he kissed
her eyelids, jaw, and throat before returning to her lips. Her
breathing was ragged by the time he drew her against his chest,
resting his chin on her head. She felt the racing of his heart
beneath her cheek, rivaling the speed of her own.

Julia closed her eyes, breathing in his scent, hardly
able to believe this moment had come to pass. Marc stroked her hair
while her head still spun from the intensity of his touch.
Is
this love? Or just chemistry?
She held him tighter.

“
What are you thinking about?”

She tilted her face up to him, longing to discern his
feelings from his eyes. They were liquid, so dark—and unrevealing.
“You.”

“
What about me?”

She smiled. “I was thinking
wow
.”

“
That’s funny. I was thinking the same thing.” He
returned her smile. “You want to know what else I was thinking?”

“
What?”

“
That I’d like to do that again.”

“
Oh,” she whispered. His lips moved over hers, his
kisses more devastating than the first time.

Finally Marc pulled away, looking rather disheveled.
“Julia,” he growled, “We need a cerebral diversion. What’s
the capital of Indiana?”

She stared up at him in a dazed way. “I don’t know
and I don’t care,” she said breathlessly.

“
Tell me a state capital you do know, and stop looking
at me like that.”

“
Like what?”

Marc disentangled himself from her arms. “I think it’s
time we had some fresh air.”

Stifling the sudden urge to giggle, Julia nodded, and
went into the bathroom to fix her hair. A few minutes later, they
were driving through the city streets.

Her fingers rested in Marc's as he maneuvered through
the traffic. He looked over at her. “I started to worry the windows
of my apartment were getting steamed up.”

Julia’s face grew warm, causing him to laugh and kiss
the back of her hand.

She struggled for composure. “Are we going anywhere in
particular?”

“
Actually, yes. Once I could think straight, I
remembered I’ve been wanting to take you to the Saturday Market.”

At her questioning look, he smiled. “Trust me, you’ll
love it.”

Julia liked his enthusiasm, but her mind stuck on the
word
love
.

***

After finding a parking place, they walked hand in hand
for several blocks. Julia found it difficult to tear her attention
away from Marc’s face. It was some time before she became aware of
the increasing number of people crowding the walkways.

She turned her attention to her surroundings. Marc’s
words proved true when she took in the sight of booths of arts and
crafts. As they passed several booths, she saw handcrafted pottery,
jewelry, tie-dyed underwear, and all manner of wonderful, funky items
for sale by professional and not-so-professional artisans. Somewhere
nearby the plaintive tones of old-time fiddle music mingled in the
air with a reggae beat.

They spent hours lingering, inspecting, and talking
about non-serious subjects—as if they had an unspoken agreement to
avoid reality. At a booth specializing in original sterling silver
designs, Julia had fun trying on a few semi-precious encrusted
bracelets and rings, but refrained from purchasing anything. If her
spending were to match her mood, she’d be broke by the end of the
day.

Soon the breeze brought with it the tempting aromas of
food. Marc noticed as well because he leaned down and whispered in
her ear. “I guess we forgot to have breakfast.”

Julia smiled, knowing her cheeks were flaming. At a
booth featuring Greek food, Julia chose a salad with tomatoes,
olives, and feta cheese. Marc got a veggie pita, and they lunched in
the shadow of the Burnside Bridge under which the market was held.

“
You know,” said Julia after lunch, “There’s
something about Portland that reminds me of San Diego, minus the
smog.”

“
And plus the rain.”

“
That’s true. It does seem to rain an awful lot, but
it’s nice to see more green than brown. I really like it here.”

Marc’s eyes shone as he brought her hand to his lips.
The look there made her catch her breath. Somewhere in the distance
she heard the strains of a familiar romantic tune, which drove home
the realization that she had fallen in love with this man.

Chapter Fifteen

Early the next morning, Julia quietly entered the main house for a
cup of coffee. She found her brother moving slowly around the
kitchen. His hair stuck up all over his head and he badly needed a
shave. His hello sounded more like a rumble.

Julia waved him into a chair and took over the coffee preparations.
“Long night?”

Brian cast a bloodshot look in her direction.

“Am I correct to assume little Alan kept you up most of the night?”

Brian grunted. “With a vengeance. You wouldn’t believe the volume
of sound that can come out of such a small package.”

“How’s Sara doing?”

“She’s pretty tired. I think all the visitors wore her out.
Hattie will be over here some time today to stay and help out, and
several women from church will be doing meals. So between hired help
and friends and family, we should get Alan settled in, and hopefully
on some kind of routine.” He made the last statement while rubbing
his face.

“Just make sure Sara gets plenty of rest,” she said. “She won’t
be able to if a lot of people are coming and going.”