Love Finds the One (Sully Point Book 2) Read Free Page B

"Tell
me about her. What's she like?"
     "I think she's trying to figure out what to do with
the rest of her life."
    "Well...that's different. Was she talkative about it?"
    "Not really, it's just what I picked up. She's a nice
girl, seems to be a good friend of Holly's. She's in the advertising business
and wants to leave it. Totally burned out, and looks a bit sickly. I was
thinking we should have her over for dinner tomorrow or the next day. You could
make the baked halibut with the dill sauce. I'd bring the stuff for salad and
some bread from the bakery.
    "Sounds like you've got this all planned out. But
didn't I teach you how to cook the fish?"
    "Dad, you know you're a better chef than I ever will
be."
    "Ha, if ever I heard someone trying to butter me up..."
    They laughed and continued to eat, while Frank asked
questions. "What's she seem like? Smart? Funny? What?"
    "Afraid of storms. I stayed out there with her during
the little blow we had around noon."
    "You did?"
    "Sure. I couldn't just leave her alone when she was
clearly not okay."
    Frank stared at his son. He'd heard a lot of comments about
women Cody had dated through the years. But never had he heard such a
protective tone in the boy's voice. Add in the earlier comment about why she
might be here, and...this could be interesting.
    "Pretty girl, is she?"
    Cody looked up from his plate. "Pretty? Well, sure, I
guess. Needs to put on some weight, and she's not quite healthy-looking yet,
but yeah, I think she's pretty."
    "Son, I meant to say, what does she look like?"
    "Hmm, tall with long straight black hair, dark blue
eyes, straight nose, full red lips, very pale skin, long legs."
    "I see," Frank said, bemused by the catalog of
features delivered in such a matter-of-fact tone of voice. Yes, this would
definitely be worth watching.
    * * * *
    Julia spent the afternoon unpacking and then took a nap on
the couch where she could watch the waves. When she woke up, she was surprised
to find she felt refreshed by the nap--and hungry. She located a container of chicken
soup in the fridge among the groceries Cody had delivered. After heating it up
in the microwave, her best friend in the kitchen, she tasted it cautiously and
then took a larger spoonful. It was delicious, warming and comforting, with
just enough seasoning. Periodically dunking one of the bakery rolls in the soup
and munching on it, she felt like she was having one of the best meals of her
life.
    Was it possible only a day away from the stress of the job
gave her a better appetite than she'd had in the past year? Shaking her head,
she pushed away all serious thoughts. If she were at home she'd have the TV on,
but here it was very quiet. The house had a snug feeling to it, and after
dinner she put some quiet alternative music on the high-end stereo system, and
searched the bookshelves for something to read. She found Sam Carter's series
of mysteries, which she'd never read. All she knew was the books had a psychic
detective as the main character. Grabbing the first book, she curled up in a
big comfortable leather chair, covered herself with an afghan, and began
reading.
    Hours went by, and when she got up to get a drink of water,
she was shocked to discover she'd sat still reading a book for the past three
hours. Had she ever had the time to do that? Not really, she thought. Her whole
life had been one big push to achieve. Being an only child and living up to her
parents' expectations had not led to much time for relaxation--or fun.
    She drank her glass of water and sat back down in the chair.
No, never much time for fun at all. It felt strange to be here in this place,
nobody looking over her shoulder, no deadlines to meet, no meetings to prepare
for with worry. To have the time to be, to sit and ponder, felt like something
precious and new.
    Lulled by the waves she was watching under the moonlight, Julia
fell asleep in the chair with her feet on the ottoman. During the night she
woke up once with a bad dream,