When You Look at Me (A Pleasant Gap Romance Book 2)

by Pepper Basham

  “Oh no, no.” Sophie rubbed her palms together and leaned forward. “More like dessert and I love having dessert first.”

  “Whoa.” Julia’s palms came up and she laughed. “Here I thought you wanted to see Rose and me or have some girl time, but really you just wanted to pry into my love life?”

  “She said love!” At Sophie’s squeak heads peeked out from behind other booths scattered across the restaurant.

  “Of course we want to pry in your love life.” Eisley shrugged. “We’re your sisters.”

  “Take away her caffeine, Eisley,” Rachel said.

  Eisley gave Sophie a motherly look and slid the tea glass to the center of the table. “No more caffeine for you right now.” She turned her grin back to Julia. “And boy talk is totally part of girl time.”

  Julia’s face flushed with a pleasant warmth, the kind of pleasure shared with people who loved her. “Well, I think we’re dating.”

  “You think?” Rachel peered around Rose’s head.

  “Wait, wait.” Eisley placed her tea glass down with a clink. “Look at her face, girls. Julia, have you kissed him?”

  Julia’s face flamed hotter and she took a quick drink of her tea to bide some time.

  “Whoa, Jules. If Henry kissed you then this is serious.” Eisley’s palm flew up like a stop sign. “I mean, really serious. From what Wes says about him, he’s been cautious about getting involved with anyone since some pretty hurtful things happened. He must like you a whole lot.”

  “Well, actually I kissed him.” Julia shrugged, handing Rachel a cloth to wipe Rose’s drooling mouth.

  “I am so proud of you right now. I knew it would happen.” Sophie squealed again, garnering a few more curious looks from other patrons, so she leaned in, her grin peaking into double dimples. “I knew it would happen.”

  “I don’t know about all this.” Rachel chimed in with her usual skepticism, a protective streak that ran deep. “I trust Wes, but Julia, you’ve been through a lot, and I want you to be careful. How is he with Rose? That’s a big test for any guy who might come into your life.”

  A sudden rush of excitement mixed with a little bit of loving defense for her tenderhearted boyfriend. “He’s great with her—so gentle and kind and such a natural. You’d think he’d always been around babies. He wrote a piano composition for me, to help with my anxiety, and he’s so funny. You can’t really see his humor until you get to know him better, but it’s wonderful, really, and he’s curious to learn about everything but especially about me and Rose. I just love talking with him…or even sitting and listening to music together without talking at all. We fit in this weird way of just knowing already. I can’t really explain it, but I think he’s one of the best men I’ve ever known. He’s genuinely…good.” She offered a light laugh at the wonderful declaration. “I know that may sound strange, but it’s true. I’ve never met a man with such a kind heart. There’s this rightness and calm he brings when we’re together and I find I’m a better person from knowing him. He’s—” She stopped. All three of her sisters stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. “What?”

  “I think that may be the most I’ve ever heard you say at one time,” Rachel answered first, her dark eyes narrowed with suspicion.

  “And with such animation and joy.” Sophie’s shoulders scrunched into what could only be an internal squeal of delight. “You’re glowing.”

  Julia touched her cheeks, unable to curb her smile. “I am?”

  “It’s the glow of love.” Sophie beckoned toward Rachel for a chance to hold Rose. “Two kind people and a sweet little baby. It’s so perfect. We definitely have to celebrate with chocolate.”

  “It’s true,” Eisley added. “Even Wes was blown away at how well the two of you matched from the beginning. It seems Henry thinks as well of you as you do of him.”

  Julia bit her bottom lip, a smile breaking through regardless. “He does?” Though she knew already because Henry didn’t hide things at all. He spoke or displayed them. She felt loved because of the way he cared for her.

  “Let me just say that I’ve been pretty skeptical about this whole ‘meet and fall in love within a few months’ thing, but the two of you are starting to make me wonder.” Rachel shook her head, looking between Eisley and Julia and reluctantly giving Rose over to Sophie. “It seems real and right, and a whole lot of scary.”

  “It is real and right.” Eisley wiggled her engagement ring. “It may not be like this for everyone, but sometimes God just works things out to have two right people together at the right time, and they’re both ready for each other.”

  “I think it’s wonderful,” Sophie added as she cooed over Rose.

  “So do I.” Julia’s admittance settled over her, a sweet confirmation of her choice. Her gaze landed on Rose. For both of them. Though the future did hold a little bit of scary.

  “Well, I don’t know what we’re going to do with two Brits in the family.” Rachel nodded her thanks toward the waitress as she sat the appetizer on the table, the scent bringing a growl from Julia’s stomach. “One of us is going to have to find a good old country boy to keep the family balanced.”

  “You go for the country boy, Rach.” Sophie’s eyebrows shimmied a little dance. “I’m definitely hoping the third time’s a charm on the Brit for this sister.”

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  Henry rushed through the back door of the bakery after his workday on set. He couldn’t wait to see Julia and ensure that all of those stellar good night kisses from the night before hadn’t been a part of some dream.

  Noise from the bakery alerted him to a busy dinner crowd, and his stomach growled at the scent of some savory dish Amy served as a special. If Julia wasn’t available, he’d sit for dinner in the bakery and finish composing the final piece for Wes’s movie.

  He turned from the hallway to the stairs and stopped at the communication board, searching to see if Julia had noticed his card from this morning. In answer, he found the card in the same place as he’d left it, except with Julia’s name crossed out on the front and his name written in its place.

  A single purple mark on the inside of the card signified the only change. A pleasant one, to be sure. He attempted to curb his grin, failed, and, looking around as if someone might be spying him, tucked the card into his jacket pocket and started up the stairs.

  He’d barely gotten his key in the apartment door when—

  “Hello there, Mr. Wright.”

  He turned to see Julia standing in her doorway. He straightened, taking in the lovely view she presented in her jeans and simple, lavender button-up blouse with decorative sleeves that belled out at the wrists. Jeans suited her quite well.

  “Miss Jenkins?”

  She took a step toward him. “Have you had dinner?”

  He placed his violin case inside the doorway of his apartment. “No. In fact, I was just contemplating the idea of visiting the bakery before Amy closed for the evening.”

  She gestured with her head toward her apartment. “Well, you could join Rose and me, if you want.”

  Every day for the rest of my life. “I’d love to.”

  He slipped into her apartment, and as she closed the door behind him, she leaned over and greeted him with a gentle kiss. “Since we’ve made it official now.”

  “Complete with a checked box, even.”

  “Exactly.”

  “How did my penmanship compare to Daniel Crane’s?”

  A little snort-laugh escaped her nose, but she tried to cover it with a poor attempt at a serious expression. “Pretty impressive. Enough to tempt me, obviously.”

  “Aha. I see the stakes were high.”

  She linked her arm through his and led him into her sitting area, where Rose swung in her baby swing, hands reaching up for some dangling objects above her. “Hello, duck.” He knelt before her, his movements garnering her attention. She stared, her little mouth opening and closing as if she wished to communicate with him. “Very posh seat you have
.”

  “And one she enjoys too. Eisley gave it to me at lunch. Said it made all the difference for Pete when he had trouble sleeping.”

  He’d heard bits of crying throughout the night. “Is it much harder than you imagined?” He stood and followed her to the little table already set for two.

  Ah, she’d hoped he’d come. Very promising, indeed.

  “Sometimes, like yesterday.” Her nose wrinkled with a grimace. “But then I adjust my expectations, eat too much dark chocolate, and look into that sweet little face and know it’s all worth it.”

  With a sudden turn, he tugged her back toward him and kissed her, reveling in the freedom of the motion and his beautiful recipient’s response. He pulled back an inch, keeping her close, studying her face.

  “Kissing doesn’t make you…fearful?”

  “It did at first, but I focused on the melody of the piano piece you wrote me until the fear went away and only—” She looked away, color rising into her cheeks. “Only…um…pleasure remained.”

  “Kissing you is most definitely pleasurable.” He brushed his fingers along her cheek. “And I’m happy to hear it’s not uncomfortable for you, because I wish to continue the practice for a long time.”

  “And often, I hope.”

  “Most certainly.” Which is exactly what he proceeded to do.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  And the routine began. The three of them would spend mornings together, then separate for the middle of the day so that Julia could run errands, care for Rose, and even help in the bakery a little while Henry completed his work for the movie and checked emails for his projects in England. They’d come back together for dinner each night, sometimes venturing out to a local restaurant and sometimes dining in at Julia’s apartment.

  Henry wasn’t certain whether Julia recognized it yet or not, but they were well-suited for one another. Their relationship settled into his world like a lost piece of his life he’d waited to uncover, deepened by the friendship they’d developed before the first kiss.

  “You compose for movies and commercials? For some reason, I only thought it was only movies.” Julia walked beside him along the narrow path through the forest—a level path with only a few inclines, giving Julia an easy reentry into hiking since delivering Rose.

  “And television, if possible. Anything that will pay well.” He carried Rose in the infant sling, snuggled close to his heart, and occasionally she’d tilt her little head in such a way as to look up at him and nearly derail him from the path. What a marvelous invention, but how would he ever part with either of them? He pushed the thought away and focused on the present. “In fact, there’s a company back home called Visionary Media that’s keen to find a permanent composer for their company.”

  “And you like that idea? Being with one company?”

  He nodded, holding back a branch for her to pass. “It will still allow me to dabble in larger movies if I wish, but more importantly, it provides stability in both time and finances.”

  “Thank you.” She ducked beneath the branch, turning her head to keep the conversation going. The path broadened enough that they could walk side-by-side, and without hesitation, Julia threaded her arm through his. He grinned down at the adorable vision she made with her hair back in a ponytail, a ballcap in place, and a T-shirt that read Life is better with music.

  Oh, she was perfect.

  “But you’ve done all these movies in the past. Would sticking with one company feel like settling?”

  “I hope so.”

  She stopped walking and looked up at him. “You do?”

  “I love music.” He gestured toward her T-shirt and started walking again. “It’s a part of my life and my heart, but my deeper dream, my ‘heart dream’ as you call it, has always been to…”

  “Go ahead.”

  “As sentimental and old-fashioned as it may sound in this world where everyone is striving for their definition of success, I’ve always wanted to have a family. And, of course, I love music and always will, but I can’t think of anything more pleasing than the idea of having a close-knit family like yours.”

  She stopped again, studying him with those fathomless eyes. “That’s one of the sweetest things I’ve ever heard.”

  “Probably not something you should tell your father, though, eh? More items to stack against me.”

  “I think Dad would probably agree with your definition of success, Henry. He may not voice it”—she chuckled and squeezed his arm close to her— “but he’d agree with what’s most important in life.”

  “My family hasn’t known the closeness nor the liberality of love displayed in yours. I think they need to understand there are new and better ways to interact with one another. To develop true friendships among us as family.”

  “You even see that with my dad and brothers?” She challenged him with a raised brow, her expression wrestling to maintain its mock seriousness.

  “They try hard to hide their softer sides, but it comes through in unguarded moments. I’ve seen it. I believe it’s one of the reasons I’m only slightly terrified of your father.”

  Her grin bloomed again.

  The trees up ahead began to thin out, promising a view.

  “You seem to be close to your brother. I mean, from the way you’ve talked about him.”

  “Yes. Of everyone, except my late grandparents, Matthew has been my closest family relation, but I would say I’m closer to Wes and his family than even him. Friendships weren’t encouraged in our home, you see. Competition, perhaps, especially where my younger brother was concerned, but not real relationships. There was a great deal of distance and silence and expectations that no one could meet. My father attempted, as best he could, to be a gentle influence, but my mother wouldn’t have it.”

  “You must take after your father then.”

  “I like to think so. He was a good man, though easily overrun. I suppose that’s why he stayed at work so often.”

  “My mom is quiet, but she’s not afraid to speak her mind when necessary. Dad may be the louder one, but she’s just as tough. Sometimes tougher, I think. Heart strength.”

  “Strength definitely runs through your veins.”

  She lowered her face with a smile, then looked up at him. “Strength comes in all shapes and sizes—including the quiet, gentle, fiercely loyal sort.”

  “Thank you.” The incline up the last stretch of the path slowed their pace. “I would like to show my family a better way.” He glanced down at her, holding her gaze. “A more beautiful way.”

  Her expression turned thoughtful. “Were Matthew and his wife close?”

  He drew in a deep breath, contemplating the question. “They were…kind to one another.”

  “You say that as if it’s a bad thing.”

  “Not at all.” He focused on the path ahead as he searched for the right words. “I suppose it was an unconventional sort of marriage from the beginning. They’d been childhood friends, and Matthew would probably say it never really bloomed into deep romance, just a quiet comradery. They knew each other and the expectations, so marriage blended into the next step.”

  She shook her head. “I’ve never heard of a relationship quite like that.”

  Henry grinned. “Matthew isn’t as shy as I am. His occupation as a history professor stretched him more than mine did or does even now despite my moderate success, but neither one of us has the sort of personality that attracts the fairer sex.” He waved a hand to her, inspiring her smile. “He enjoys quiet and predictability, so the prospect of stable familiarity worked for him, and particularly for Mother.”

  “Your mother liked Matthew’s wife?”

  “Marianne was extremely—compliant. No contradictions, no scandals. No real conversations at all, in fact, but that was Marianne’s way until the end. She was a gentle whisper in all of our lives, without…without…”

  “A voice?”

  Not the word he was going for but apt nonetheless. “I would say she rarel
y made her voice distinct. She was content to be completely agreeable, which, for me, seemed somewhat disagreeable, if you understand?”

  “Yes, I think I do.” She pushed back a final branch. “Healthy relationships are about sharing thoughts and ideas, growing from differences, and strengthening similarities. Conversation and healthy debates. I may not have a loud voice, but I want to be heard and find someone who will hear me.”

  “Yes, I feel the same way. Good conversation requires two voices, doesn’t it? Not merely listening to oneself.”

  She stepped forward onto a rocky ledge that opened the world to a vast horizon of mountains and sky. “It also can make for some excellent harmony in life instead of a solo.”

  She nudged him with her shoulder, and he leaned over to press a kiss to her cheek. “Indeed. Perfect harmony.”

  She placed her head against his shoulder and stared out at the view, her chuckle vibrating against him. “As wonderful as you are, I don’t think either one of us will be perfect.”

  “Quite true.” He grinned. “Imperfect harmony, then.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  S he’d inherited a treasure.

  Julia sifted through another box of clothes she’d brought from Aunt Millie’s, her fingers slipping over carefully beaded evening gowns, swing dresses, and adorable belted dresses Julia would have purchased herself—if she’d ever found ones she adored as much as these.

  And they fit her.

  She’d just slid into a silky evening gown of a shimmery pale blue when a knock sounded at her apartment door. She glanced at the clock. Three already? With a little spin in her dress, its material slipping over her like water, almost magical, she took one last look in the mirror. Oh, what would Millie have looked like wearing this on stage? Dazzling? Charming? She shook her head as she checked on Rose in her swing on her way to the door. What would it feel like to be admired in such a way? Enchanting? She was certain she’d never enchanted anyone.

  Henry waited at the threshold, flowers in his hands, but the look on his face trumped the beauty of the bouquet. His smile faded into an O and his marbled gaze roamed over her as if she were the most mesmerizing thing he’d ever seen.