Torchlight (15 page)

“Why is love never easy?” Julia asked, looking into the fog swirling in front of the lighthouse.

“I don’t know. I’d say if men weren’t so darn cute I’d bag the whole relationship thing.” She spotted Trevor down below, making his way to the cottage. “You can’t tell me you’re not even attracted to Trevor.”

“I have to admit, he has this sort of raw magnetism that hypnotizes me at times. I’m drawn … I’m just not convinced it’s anything more than a crush or a convenient reason to put off making a decision about Miles.

“Trevor’s as much as said he’s just passing through. I can’t fall in love with a nomad! Miles is safe, known. Life with Trevor could be one surprising ride after another. But how do I know he’d want to
stay with me any longer than a year?” She sighed heavily. “My whole future rests on this one decision.”

“Isn’t it strange how a person’s choices help determine life’s path for hundreds of others? Let’s say you marry Miles; you and he live here for a while, then he gets tired of it, and you move back to San Francisco where’s he’s happier. Maybe you have kids; maybe you don’t. Or … maybe you marry Trevor and live happily ever after here in Oak Harbor. Meanwhile, your daughter falls madly in love with an older man—my stepson, Mike DeBois, who has always lived just down the road. She calls me Auntie Tara, and it’s a natural progression. You and I are ecstatic, of course, because now we’ll be family …”

Julia burst out laughing. “You have one powerful imagination.”

“I’m serious, Julia. You have to think how these things affect others, too. Just think. If you hadn’t come to Oak Harbor, I wouldn’t have begun work on my cookbook. I never would have considered trying.”

“Do you have something to send yet?” Julia asked.

“I brought ten recipes, an outline listing a hundred others, some sample artwork to surround the ingredients, and last, but not least, a container of beans sealed for overnight air shipment. All I need are your connections.”

“Tara! That’s so exciting! You should have said something earlier. Let’s go write the letter and get it out today. I’ll be your agent.”

“Okay, Ms. Agent, lead the way.”

A
fter their lunch at Torchlight, Julia made a point of spending time with Tara a couple of times each week. She found the woman’s wholesome, easy demeanor a welcome change from the gruff camaraderie of the workers and the tentative truce she seemed to have with Trevor.

Within a week, a friend of Julia’s father sent a letter and contract via Federal Express to Oak Harbor. Tara wasted no time in getting over to Torchlight to share the good news.

She knocked loudly on the door and, when no one answered, reluctantly rang the insistent doorbell. Julia came tearing down the stairwell and threw open the door to pound three times on the jamb. The reverberation of the doorbell ceased.

“Tara, you know better than that …”

“I tried knocking! I have fantastic news! They want my cookbook!” Tara rushed into Julia’s arms, ignoring the dirt and plaster dust on her clothes. “I owe it all to you! Thank you!”

“Tara, I’m so happy for you! I can’t believe they turned out a contract so fast! Usually it takes
months.
Must have been those beans.”

“I can’t believe it either.”

“Well, I knew you could do it. Now come in and tell me all about it. It’s time for a break anyway.” The two headed into the kitchen where Julia put the teakettle on the stove and struck a match to light the burner. “So tell me.”

“Well, your father’s friend went wild over the beans. They want me to write and illustrate the cookbook! As soon as it’s done, I’m to go to New York and personally hand it over. At that point, I’ll meet with their publicist and advertising manager. They think the whole idea is bound to get a lot of attention since I run a small restaurant in—Here, let me read it …” She pulled the letter out of her pocket. “ ‘Since you run a successful restaurant in such a picturesque little town, we will want to do a photo shoot on location. Afterward, please arrange adequate help for your restaurant, since there will be some traveling involved in publicizing the book. Anticipate at least a month away and a fifteen-city tour.’ ”

Tara looked at Julia over her tea. “A fifteen-city tour! I haven’t been farther than Boston in my entire life!”

Julia smiled back at her, genuinely pleased at this turn of events. “Like you said, isn’t it strange how one move affects so many others? Think of Ben! This might be just the thing to shake him up a little and help him see who’s right in front of his eyes. A beautiful, vivacious, talented woman, about to be the queen of the cooks!”

Torchlight’s massive library contained mostly old classics, so two days later Julia went to the tiny local library to return a book about restoring homes. She entered the tiny building and saw Trevor immediately.

He sat at an old oak table, thoughtfully staring up at the portrait of Anna rather than at the book that lay open in front of him.

“I thought you were going for supplies,” she said quietly.

He started and flushed a little in embarrassment. He gave her a small shrug. “It is remarkable. The family resemblance.”

Julia looked up at the portrait of her great-great-grandmother
standing on the rocky beach in front of Torchlight, her eyes looking to the sea. Anna bore a haunted, forlorn look, but her stance was steadfast.

Julia tore her eyes away. “What are you doing here?”

“Catching up on my reading—electrical systems and all. Did you hear the final bill for the heating and plumbing?”

“I’m afraid to ask.”

“Over twenty thousand.”

“I figured. You were pretty close to that on your original estimate. Well, I better get back. If I’d known you needed something, I would’ve picked it up for you.”

“That’s okay. I’ll see you back at home.”

Outside she couldn’t resist a peek back into the library through the window. Trevor wasn’t reading. He was staring at the painting again.

Ten days before Miles was scheduled to return, Julia’s brother Jake and his wife, Emily, arrived at Torchlight. Julia spotted them as they pulled through the gates, and she rushed past Trevor in her excitement to get downstairs.

Jake parked in front of the house in a brand-new blue Ford truck, which he and Emily had driven cross-country. He hopped out, smiled at his sister, and pulled her into his arms for a huge bear hug. He then twirled her around, laughing. “You get more gorgeous every time I see you, sis.”

She smiled up at her towering sibling. “It’s good to see you, little brother.” Julia turned to Emily, opening her arms to her new sister-in-law. “And Em, you look great. This marriage stuff is agreeing with you!” They embraced for a long moment and turned with luggage in tow back toward the house.

Trevor opened the door and met them on the porch. Jake set down his bag and shook hands firmly with the man as Julia introduced them. “Trevor, this cowboy is my brother, Jake, and this is his wife, Emily. Jake, Emily, this is my general contractor and Torchlight’s savior, Trevor Kenbridge.” Jake smiled broadly, and Trevor returned the friendly look. Shyly, Emily shook Trevor’s hand, then followed her husband into the house.

They paused in the grand entry. “Wow,” Jake said. “It’s as wonderful as you said. Looks like a disaster zone now, but it will be great once you get her fixed up.”

“I knew you’d say that! You should’ve seen this place a week ago. We’ve been concentrating on basics like hot water and lights. You’ll have to come back next summer if you want to see her restored to her best.”

“You’re right, Jules. I can see she’s going to be fabulous.”

“Come on, I’ll show you to your room.”

Within two hours Jake had changed and was working beside Trevor on the wiring in the basement. In the last three days, Trevor had taken the time to reinstall wallboard in the places where he had ripped out and replaced wiring. Although the walls still needed to be replastered and painted, at least they were intact. Julia appreciated his efforts.

Emily and Julia were making dinner in the kitchen when Emily ventured, “So Miles finally asked you, huh?”

Julia paused to look down at her finger. “I was going to tell you over dinner.”

“Women always notice rings. Leave it to Jake, and it’d take him days to see it … even that one.”

“My brother isn’t the most observant.”

Emily stopped tearing up lettuce leaves and looked at Julia. “Why don’t you sound excited? I thought you’d been waiting for years to marry that man.”

“I forgot how direct you are! That’s why I liked you right away. I think Miles is a wonderful, handsome man. I’m just not one hundred percent sure about us anymore.”

“But you’re wearing his ring …”

“He’s coming back soon for an answer.”

“You should know by now if you want to be with him. You obviously have questions about it. I’ve never met Miles, but Jake seems uneasy about him. That sounds like gut instinct. When Jake asked me to marry him, I knew there was nothing I wanted more in the world.”

“It’s tough, you know? I’ve spent so much time with Miles. He’s so right for me in so many ways. He’s so … 
consistent.
We know the same people …”

“The only people that really matter are you two. Jake and I had to resolve that matter ourselves.”

“I remember.”

“How is it now, here, where you don’t know the same people?”

“We’re struggling. I think that’s the problem. Once we find our footing, we’ll be fine. After four years in one place, I’ve shot off in a different direction altogether. Miles needs time to adjust. And then I think we’ll be fine. We’ve waited so long. I think it’s about time we got around to getting married.”

“You sound like you’re convincing yourself.”

“Maybe.”

“So you’re going to say yes.”

“I think so. I think it’s right.”

“I don’t want to get in the way, Julia. But Jake loves you very much, and I care about you too. I don’t want you to get hurt or make a bad decision. You should know it’s right. You may have questions, worries, but deep down in your heart, you should know you want to spend the rest of your life with the man if you’re going to marry him.”

“Thanks for the advice, little sister. Now help me make the casserole, or we’ll never eat.”

At six o’clock Trevor and Jake emerged from the basement stairs and walked into the kitchen, laughing, at ease with each other. Julia smiled, pleased to see the two getting along so well.

“How’d it go?”

“We should have it finished tomorrow,” Trevor said. “Your bro is an ace electrician.”

“I didn’t know that, Jake.”

“One of the things you learn in architecture.”

“And on the ranch?”

“I actually helped Matt rewire his stables last summer.”

Trevor turned to go. “Think I’ll go shower. See you all tomorrow.”

“Come back and eat with us,” Jake invited.

“Uh, no, I’ll leave you three to catch up on family business.”

Jake looked at Julia.

“Come on, Trevor,” she offered. “You’ve had a long, hard day. What do you have ready in your pantry to eat? Spam?”

He laughed with her. “Nothing as good as that. I’ll be back in fifteen minutes.”

“Ten,” Julia said, looking down at the oven timer.

“Ten,” he agreed.

Emily set the table while Jake showered upstairs, singing so loudly the two women could hear him through the old air vents.

“He sounds happier than I’ve ever heard him, Emily.”

“He is happy. It’s doing what he loves, seeing his sister …”

“And being in love, huh?”

Emily blushed. “That could have a little to do with it.”

“Or a lot.”

Julia opened the china cabinet and pulled out plates and glasses. Then she grabbed the silver candelabra and six green candles. “We’re celebrating, right?”

“Right.”

When the men entered the dining room, Julia and Emily were seated on opposite sides of the table, talking. Only candles illumined the room. “Very nice,” Jake said. “Two beautiful women and dinner by candlelight. Couldn’t ask for anything more, could we, Trevor?”

“Not in a million years,” he said, smiling down at Julia. “Well … maybe one thing more.” He walked into the library, turned on Julia’s stereo, and placed a CD in its holder. The counterpoint rhythms of Bach complemented the mood perfectly.

“Not bad for tuna casserole,” Julia said, admiring the scene.

“I’ll say,” Jake said. “Should I say grace?”

“Sure,” Julia said. She knew that Dirk and Rachel Tanner’s faith had affected him as it had her when she had stayed with them.

After he finished, Julia questioned him about it. “So, Jake, are you making Mother happy and going to church?”

Jake smiled at Emily, and then his sister. “Actually, we go because we enjoy it, not to make Mother happy. It took me awhile, but the Tanners are a living example of faith in action.”

“How are Rachel and Dirk?” Julia asked.

“Great,” Emily said, beaming. “They’re pregnant!”

“Uh-oh. Last I heard, Rachel was just getting her at-home business off the ground. Was this a planned baby?”

“She’s thrilled,” Emily said.

“She’s just going to scale back the workload,” Jake said, passing the salad.

The four ate, happily talking, laughing, and joking over their dinner. Finally, stiff after more than an hour in her seat, Julia suggested they move to the living room. Before they left the room, she dramatically opened the china cabinet to expose the secret passage. Then she showed them how the bookcase in the library moved in the same manner.

“Unbelievable,” Jake said. “They must have had some architect for it to work after all these years. You guys get all the fun—I wish I had been here to explore that passage when you first discovered it.”

“Well, I saved something else for you, little brother. I haven’t been in the attic yet—and Trevor’s only been up there to check the roof and insulation. Remember how we used to play up there as kids?”

“Barely.”

“Well, if it has half the treasures we found in the passageway, it will be wonderful.”

“Treasures?” Jake asked.