Theyd danced; theyd talked. Theyd gone onto the veranda and watched the moonlight on the water. Adam had plucked a white rose from a table arrangement and tucked it in her hair, calling her Cinderella, because she was the one unknown at the dance. It had been a fairy tale come true.
Right up until the moment shed called to ask permission to stay later. Shed heard her mother weeping, her stepfather shouting. Shed raced out, hoping to get to them in time to avoid the inevitable. She hadnt.
She leaned back in the pew, staring dry-eyed at the window. That night had cut her past in two as cleanly as any knife, but she didnt cry about it any longer.
Probably she remembered Adam because shed met him that particular night. She didnt believe in love at first sight or fairy-tale endingsthey were for dreamy adolescents. Life had taught her that love, any kind of love, inevitably came with strings attached.
Adam didnt remember her, and that was for the best. If he had, it could only have led to an awkward conversation.
Of course, we danced together one night, didnt we? Whatever happened to you?
No, she certainly didnt want to have that conversation with an Adam Caldwell who was considerably more imposing than the seventeen-year-old hed been then. Imposing, that was definitely the word. She glanced at the spot where hed stood, frowning at her as if he didnt believe a word she was saying.
The friendly voice she remembered had deepened to an authoritative baritone, and Adams hair had darkened to chestnut brown. He seemed broader, stronger. Life had given more wariness to his open face, added a few lines around his ocean-colored eyes.
But he still had that comfortable-in-his-own-skin air that said he was sure of himself and his place in the world. He was a Caldwell of Caldwell Island. And he still had that honeyed drawl that could send shivers down a womans spine.
Maybe shed better concentrate on the reasons shed come back after all these years. With this commission, her fledgling stained-glass business was on its way. Shed never have to work for someone else or let another take credit for what shed done.
For an instant her former fiancé intruded into her thoughts, and she pushed him away. Her engagement to her boss had confirmed a lesson she should have learned a long time agolove always came with strings attached. Jason Lockwood had shown her clearly that hed only love her if she did what he wanted.
Forget Jason. Forget everything except the reason youve come here. This memorial was her chance, and she wouldnt let it slip away because Adam Caldwell was, for some inexplicable reason, opposed to it.
More important, being here would let her fulfill the promise shed made last year when her mother was dying. Shed finally erase the shadow Caldwell Island had cast over both their lives for too long. She wouldnt fail.
She focused on the image of Jesus face in the window, the silence in the old church pressing on her. Fredrick Bauer, her teacher, had always said a person couldnt work constantly in sanctuaries without being aware of the presence of God. Somehow shed never been able to move past an adversarial relationship with the One Fredrick had insisted loved her.
Still, she knew Gods hand was at work in bringing her here. Why else would she have found Mrs. Telforths ad when shed needed a reason to be here? Why else would her talents have been just what Mrs. Telforth needed?
You brought me here. If this is Your will, Youll have to give me a hand with Adam Caldwell. I dont know why, but I know hell stop me if he can.
Tory was ready to take on Adam Caldwell again. She looked over the items shed spread across the round oak table in the Dolphin Inns small sitting room that evening. Her credentials, photos of windows shed designed, the four-page spread in Glass Today magazine featuring a project shed worked on.
Miranda Caldwell, whod been working at the desk when Tory checked in, had insisted she use the sitting room for this meeting with Adam. The Caldwells who owned the islands only inn turned out to be Adams aunt and uncle, making Miranda his cousin. The sweet-faced woman had been only too happy to talk about Adam.
He and Lila were so happyher death devastated him.
Was that the reason for Adams reluctance about the memorial window? Did he find his memories too painful? She paced restlessly across the room, stopping at the window to brush aside lace curtains and stare at boats rocking against a dock. Across the inland waterway, lights glowed on the mainland.
Adams a real sweetheart, Miranda had said. Everyones friend, the person the whole community relies on. And the family peacemaker, as well.
Tory didnt have much experience with family peacemakers. Her family could have used one. But she didnt think Adam intended to use his peacemaking skills on her.
A firm step sounded in the hallway. He was coming. She moved quickly to the table.
Ms. Marlowe. Adam paused, filling the doorway.
She hadnt been as aware of his height and breadth in the high-ceilinged sanctuary. Here, there was just too much of him.
Her hands clenched. Concentrate on the work.
I have some materials I thought you might be interested in. She gestured toward the table.
He didnt move. Instead he glanced around, as if it had been a while since hed been in this room. His gaze went from sofa to mantelpiece to bookshelves. His eyes looked darker in the twilight, like the ocean on a cloudy day. Hed changed from the white shirt and khakis hed worn earlier to jeans and a gray pullover that fit snugly across broad shoulders.
My cousin Miranda must like you, if shes letting you use the family parlor.
I didnt realize. She followed his gaze, suddenly off balance. Now that she looked around, it was obvious this was the familys quarters. Shed been too caught up in herself to notice. Photos of babies, children riding bicycles, fishermen holding up their catch, weddingsa whole familys history was written on these walls. Everything about the space was slightly faded, slightly shabby and obviously well loved. I didnt mean to impose.
Miranda wouldnt have told you to use the parlor unless she wanted you to. He crossed to the table, moving so quickly that she took an automatic step back and bumped into its edge. He reached out to flip through the photos shed spread out. Youve had a busy afternoon.
Her efforts to impress him suddenly seemed too obvious. I thought you might like to see projects Ive worked on.
Trying to convince me of your abilities? His smile took the sting out of the words.
Not exactly. She took a breath, trying to find the best way to say this. It was too bad diplomacy wasnt her strong suit. This is an awkward situation. Your mother-in-law hired me, but its important that you be satisfied with my work. After all, you knew your wife better than anyone.
The strong, tanned hand that flipped through the photos stopped abruptly. He pressed his fingers against the table until they whitened.
Shed made a mistake. She shouldnt have mentioned his wife, but how else could they discuss the memorial?
An apology lingered on her tongue, but that might make things worse. She forced herself to meet his gaze. Im sorry if
He cut her off with an abrupt, chopping gesture. Dont. He seemed to force a smile. Its irrelevant, in any event. My mother-in-law chose you from all the people who answered her ad. She must have been satisfied with your ability to do what she wants.
He cut her off with an abrupt, chopping gesture. Dont. He seemed to force a smile. Its irrelevant, in any event. My mother-in-law chose you from all the people who answered her ad. She must have been satisfied with your ability to do what she wants.
Youve talked with her, then. She couldnt imagine that conversation.
Yes. His lips tightened. Shes very enthusiastic about this project.
She might as well say what they both knew. But youre not.
He shrugged. Lets just say you caught me by surprise today and leave it at that. All right?
There was more to it, but she wasnt in any position to argue. Not if the battle shed anticipated was unnecessary.
All right. I hope I can come up with a design that pleases both of you.
His gaze lingered on her face, as if he assessed her. She steeled herself not to look away from that steady gaze.
He frowned. My mother-in-law has asked me to take care of all the details about this project.
I see. She kept her voice noncommittal. So youll be supervising my work.
I would in any event, since Im chair of the churchs buildings and grounds committee.
This wasnt any ordinary church business they were talking about, but a memorial to his late wife. She had to show a little more tact.
Perhaps youd like to take with you some of my designs. She put the folder in his hand. They might give you an idea of what would best memorialize your wife.
He dropped the folder, spilling photos onto the table. No. Not now. Pastor Wells and I feel it best if you do the repair work first.
She stifled the argument that sprang to her lips. Of course. She could only hope she sounded accommodating. But Ill need to have some idea of what you want.
Later. His tone didnt leave any room for argument. Well talk about it later.
The customer is always right, she reminded herself. Even when hes wrong.
Ill start the analysis of the existing windows tomorrow then.
I can be reached at the boatyard if you need me. He took a quick step away from the table, and she suspected only his innate courtesy kept him there at all.
Mr. Caldwell, I What could she say? Im glad youve decided to go ahead with the project.
Its my mother-in-laws project, not mine. Again she had the sense of strong emotion, forced down behind his pleasant, polite facade. Well both have to try and make her happy with it. He held out his hand, and she put hers into it. Welcome to Caldwell Cove, Ms. Marlowe.
His firm grasp had as much ability to flutter her pulse now as when shed been fifteen. Her smile faltered.
Dont be stupid, she lectured herself. The man means nothing to you. He never did.
Now if she could just convince herself of that, she might get through her second encounter with Adam Caldwell a little better than she had the first.
Chapter Two
At least Adam hadnt shown up yet with another reason she should leave the island and forget this project, Tory thought as she studied the churchs east window the next morning. She half expected to hear his step behind her, but nothing broke the stillness.
Shed had an early breakfast at the inn, a place that seemed overly full of Caldwell cousins, all curious about her project. Then shed hurried through the village of Caldwell Cove to the church, eager to begin but half-afraid shed find another Caldwell waiting for her.
Adam had given in, she reminded herself. Hed agreed to his mother-in-laws proposal. So why did his attitude still bother her?
His face formed in her mindeasy smile, strong jaw, eyes filled with integrity. He had a face anyone would trust.
But Tory had seen the flash of feeling in his eyes every time the memorial to his late wife was mentioned. She hadnt identified the emotion yet, but she knew it was somehow out of place.
Lila Caldwell had died four years ago. One would expect to see sorrow on her husbands face at the mention of her name. The feeling that darkened Adams eyes was something much stronger than sadness.
Maybe the pastor and Miranda had it right. Perhaps Adam had loved his beautiful wife so dearly he still couldnt bear to discuss her. If so, that made her job more difficult.
The next time she saw him, she had to confront the subject. It was all very well to say she could begin with the repair work, but she should be working on the design for the new window. She had to get him to talk to her about it.
She moved up the stepladder to touch the intricate detail of the twined floral border around the window of Jesus and the children. Someone with pride in his craftsmanship and love for his subject had done that, choosing flowers to echo the childrens faces instead of a more traditional symbol. A hundred years from now, she hoped someone might touch a window shed created and think the same.
I can do this, cant I? She looked at the pictured face, longing for the love she saw there welling inside her. Please, Lord, let me create something worthy of this place.
If she did How hard it was not to let self-interest creep in, even when she was planning something to Gods glory. But she knew that success here could establish her business. For the first time since she was fifteen, she wouldnt have to scrape for every penny. Shed be able to pay her mothers final expenses and get a suitable stone to mark her grave. And shed never have to rely on anyone else again.
The wooden outside door creaked. Torys grip on the ladder tightened as she listened for Adams confident tread. Instead, the patter of running feet broke the stillness. She turned.
The little girl scampering toward her had a tumble of light brown curls and a confident smile. A bright green cast on her wrist peeped out from the sleeve of a sunny yellow dress. She skidded to a stop perilously close to the ladder, and Tory jumped down.
Hey, take it easy. She reached a steadying hand toward the child. You dont want to add another cast to your collection, do you?
The child smiled at her. Sunlight through stained glass crossed her face, and Tory saw that the cast matched her eyes. I fell off the swing and broke my wrist, she said.
You jumped off the swing. Adams words quickly drew Torys gaze to where he stood in the doorway. With the sun behind him, Tory couldnt see his expression, but she heard the smile in his voice. And youre not going to do that again, are you, Jenny?
This was his daughter, then, Torys employers granddaughter. Jenny needs this memorial to her mother. Mrs. Telforths words echoed in her mind. She does.
The emphasis had seemed odd at the time. It still did.
Jenny sent her father an impish grin, then turned to Tory. I got to be off school all morning to get my cast checked. Did you ever break anything?
Adam reached the child and clasped her shoulders in a mock-ferocious grip. He was dressed a little more formally today than the night before, exchanging his khakis for dark trousers and a cream shirt. Jenny, sugar, thats a personal question. You shouldnt ask Ms. Tory that when you dont even know her.
His daughter looked at him, brow wrinkling. But, Daddy, thats how Ill get to know her.
Torys lips twitched, as much at Adams expression as the childs words. I think shes got you there. She bent to hold out her hand to Adams little girl. Hi, Im Tory. Yes, I broke my leg when I was nine. It wasnt much fun.