Amelia's Daughter by Susan Evans McCloud

Author:Susan Evans McCloud
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Deseret Book Company
Published: 2019-07-29T16:00:00+00:00

Julia didn't sleep late. The bright sun at her window and the sensation of being in a strange room woke her. She showered and dressed and went down to a wonderful breakfast of new-baked rolls and eggs and garden fresh fruits. There was no one in the house but herself and Maria. She was tempted to question the woman but relinquished the impulse, afraid she might do more harm than good.

Instead she asked the way to the ocean and walked down a warm stone path to the sheltered sea, breathing in the sharp air and the mews of the seagulls and the sound of the water which washed to the rocks of her soul, exposing new, almost primitive emotions. How little I've experienced in life, she pondered. There's so much I've never seen or done.

The feel of the ocean spray was exhilarating, the sound of the waves, the endless variety of color and movement and shape as the water rushed landward, breaking in wild foam that crept up to curl warm and harmless about her feet. How marvelous it would be to walk here each morning, to live with the voice of the ocean in your head and experience this strange mixture of peace and intoxication.

Alex was true to his word. They ate lunch on the terrace—Alex, Julia, Adam Hutton, and two other men, carry-overs from the business meeting that morning. It was a quiet, careful, impersonal affair. As it ended, Alex rose with the others.

"I've got to go over some things with these gentlemen," he explained to Julia. "An hour or two should do it."

She began to reply, but Adam cut in.

"I'll take care of Julia." His voice was firm and decisive. "She and I have some things that need to be discussed."

So that was how it would be! Alone with the lion. Alex safely removed.

Julia steeled herself, refusing to let her fears outdistance her courage. If that's how the old man was going to play, she wouldn't complain. She smiled, maintaining a calm and gracious manner. She was determined he would not see how she really felt. That was one little edge she had and could keep. It was only an edge; her main weapon was Alex's love. But she hated to think of using his love that way.

Julia walked with the man the short distance to his study, keeping pace with his steps, keeping silent with his silence. As they entered the room, his deep eyes caught and held hers for a long moment before he spoke and offered her a chair. Still his probing eyes kept searching her, sizing her up. She answered the eyes with a growing sense of excitement, every nerve in her body taut and ready for battle, every feeling throbbing close to the surface now.

"Julia. A lovely name for a lovely girl."

He nodded and almost smiled. She inclined her head, keeping her eyes ever steady upon his.

"I appreciate you coming with Alex this weekend. It's fortunate, really. Gives you and me opportunity to meet and expedite this matter a little more quickly.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.