Christmas Diamonds

by Devon Vaughn Archer

  Paula kissed him on the mouth and then used her finger to wipe lip gloss away. She loved the cologne he wore, its spicy redolence. “Please come in.”

  They walked into the living room, where Isabelle was seated, trying to appear cool and calm.

  “Chase, this is my grandmother, Isabelle.”

  “Call me Isa,” she said, sticking out her hand. “It’s much less formal.”

  “Nice to meet you, Isa.” Chase shook her hand.

  “Welcome to our home.”

  “Happy to be here.” He gazed down at her. “I see you have an accent.”

  “That’s right.”

  “South African?”

  Isabelle smiled. “Yes, South African English. I grew up in Johannesburg. Afrikaans is my native language.”

  Chase nodded with recognition. “I knew someone in college from South Africa who spoke Afrikaans and Zulu. He lived in Soweto.”

  “I have distant relatives in that part of Johannesburg,” Isabelle informed him. “Have you been there?”

  “My friend once invited me to come to Soweto, but I never made it,” Chase said. “I’d still love to visit South Africa someday, especially with its diamond-mining industry and history, along with its cultural diversity and multiple languages.”

  “You certainly get an A for linguistics,” Paula pitched in with amusement, happy to see him with an interest in her grandmother’s homeland.

  Chase chuckled. “Actually, I fell a little short of that in school, but I did pick up a few South African words from my friend.”

  “I’ve heard a lot about you, young man,” Isabelle said.

  Chase lifted his hands in a playful defensive posture. “I hope Paula was kind.”

  Isabelle’s eyes creased when she smiled. “She’s had nothing but good things to say.”

  He sighed. “Oh, good. I can breathe easily now.”

  Isabelle chuckled, and Paula could see that these two would get along just fine.

  “Do you want to sit down?” Paula asked Chase.

  “Sure,” he said.

  Isabelle climbed to her feet. “You two can wash up and sit in the dining room. The food’s about ready.”

  “Can I help with anything?” asked Chase.

  “This is a real gentleman you’ve got here, Paula.” Isabelle paused and looked at Chase. “You’re our guest, so I’ll manage on my own.”

  Paula cupped her arm under Chase’s. “There’s no arguing with her,” she told him.

  “Guess not.” Chase waited for Isabelle to disappear into the kitchen before gazing down at Paula. “How am I doing so far?”

  “You’re doing great. I think Isa likes you. In fact, she’s liked you practically from the moment I first told her about you.”

  “That reminds me of a certain someone who was clearly keen on you from day one,” Chase said.

  “Your father?” she presumed.

  “Yeah. Dad has a real knack for that sort of thing.”

  Paula batted her eyes. “What sort is that?”

  “Oh, beauty, brains, intellect, talent—just the run-of-the-mill stuff.”

  She laughed, enjoying teasing him. “So now you’re saying I’m just run-of-the-mill?”

  “Not in my book,” Chase said firmly. “The main point is, while it’s great to know that our families are on board with our relationship, it’s more important that we like each other.”

  Paula’s eyes glistened as she looked into his eyes. “Yes, we certainly do,” she admitted.

  They were halfway to the dining room when the doorbell rang. Paula jumped, fearing Sheldon had made a second unexpected visit. The last thing she needed was Sheldon to make a scene, especially after she’d made it perfectly clear that she wanted nothing more to do with him.

  “Expecting company?” asked Chase.

  Paula faced him. “No, we’re not. Why don’t you have a seat in the dining room, and I’ll get rid of whoever it is.”

  She gave Chase a faint smile and watched him go into the dining room. Her heart skipped a beat as she peeked through the spy hole and opened the door. Paula breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Virginia standing there.

  “Surprise!” Virginia said with a grin.

  “Yes, it is,” Paula agreed. Virginia normally called before dropping by.

  “Is he here?” Virginia asked eagerly.

  “Who?” Paula cocked a mystified brow.

  “Mr. Diamond Man, who else?” Virginia replied.

  Paula had forgotten she’d told her that Chase was coming for dinner. “Yes, he’s here.”

  “So do I get to meet him?” Virginia pleaded. “I promise I’ll be a good girl and won’t stay long.”

  Paula couldn’t exactly turn down her request. It was an opportune time for Virginia and Chase to finally meet. After all, Paula had already met Chase’s friend, Monica, and wanted him to get to know her best friend, too.

  “Of course,” Paula told her. “And I’m holding you to keeping it short and sweet this time around.”

  “I understand,” Virginia said, whisking past her. “So, where is the man?”

  Paula led Virginia to the dining room, where Chase looked lonesome sitting by himself.

  “Chase, this is my good friend Virginia,” Paula said.

  He rose and shook her hand. “How are you?”

  “I’m great, thanks.” Virginia studied him up and down. “Girl, you didn’t exaggerate one bit. He’s one fine, gorgeous hunk of man!”

  Chase was speechless.

  “He’s also spoken for,” Paula reminded her.

  “I know,” Virginia said with a grin. “I wouldn’t dream of going after your man. But if he had a twin brother…”

  “Sorry, there’s only one of me,” Chase said with amusement.

  Paula was glad she had landed this one-of-a-kind man as her boyfriend and would do whatever was necessary to keep him.

  Isabelle entered the dining room, holding a plate of food. “I thought I heard another voice.”

  “Hi, Isa,” Virginia said.

  “Hello, Virginia.” Isabelle beamed. “You’re just in time for dinner.”

  Paula didn’t want Virginia to stay. She wanted this gathering to be all about Chase and Isabelle. There would be plenty of time later for Virginia to drool over him. She eyed her friend, making sure she got the message again.

  “It smells fantastic,” Virginia told Isabelle, “but I can’t stay. I just dropped by to say hello.”

  “Oh, that’s too bad. Maybe next time you can stay longer?” Isabelle winked at Paula, indicating she understood.

  “Nice meeting you, Chase,” Virginia told him.

  “You, too,” he said with an awkward wave.

  Paula showed her friend to the door.

  “Looks like you really hit the jackpot with Chase,” Virginia said spiritedly.

  Paula grinned. “I think so, too.”

  “Call me with all the juicy details on how the evening goes,” Virginia chirped. “Or as many details as you care to share.”

  “I’ll do that.”

  Paula gave Virginia a hug, closed the front door after Virginia left and returned to the dining room.

  “Nice friend you’ve got there,” Chase remarked.

  “I think the feelings are mutual,” she said with a smile, running her hand along the side of his face.

  He smiled and pulled Paula onto his lap. “That’s her problem.”

  Paula batted her eyes at him. “Says who?”

  “Says me.”

  Chase kissed Paula, and she kissed him back just long enough to keep her on his mind.

  “You’re right,” she said, her lips tingling. “It’s totally Virginia’s problem.”

  “I thought you’d see things my way,” he said confidently.

  Paula laughed playfully. “What other way is there?”

  “How about your way?”

  “We’ll have to negotiate the terms,” she teased. “At the appropriate time, of course.”

>   Chase gave her a broad smile. “Yeah, let’s do that.”

  Paula stood up just as Isabelle was bringing another course into the room.

  “I understand you’re in the diamond business,” Isabelle said to Chase from her spot at the head of the table.

  He buttered a biscuit. “That’s right.”

  “I imagine this must be a pretty good time of the year for you, or has the economy messed that up?”

  “There’s no doubt that times are tough for everyone.” His brow creased. “In spite of that, diamond sales are still holding their own. The holiday season accounts for the majority of our sales annually.”

  Isabelle touched the wedding band on her finger. “My late husband, Earl, proposed to me on Christmas Day many years ago. I still remember the joy and love I felt in that moment as if it were only yesterday.”

  “That’s nice,” Chase said, eyeing the ring. “You certainly can’t beat a Christmas gift like that.”

  Isabelle’s eyes twinkled. “That’s a fact.”

  Chase grinned. “Earl obviously knew a good woman when he saw her and made sure she didn’t get away.”

  Isabelle chuckled mirthfully. “That’s sweet of you to say.”

  “Hey, I’m just telling like it is.”

  Paula enjoyed watching them interact. She could see that Isabelle was clearly moved by Chase’s ability to tug at her heartstrings, making Paula even more impressed by the man. He was a true romantic.

  “Isa, Chase and I talked about having your ring cleaned and repairing any damage it might have,” Paula added.

  Isabelle looked at Chase. “You can do that?”

  “Sure. It would definitely sparkle like new when we were done.”

  She tried to twist the ring and move it. “I haven’t taken it off in some time. I’m afraid it might be stuck in its place forever.”

  “We can take care of that for you,” Chase assured her, slicing off a piece of roast beef, “and I promise you won’t feel a thing.”

  Isabelle looked at Paula as though wondering if she should agree to it.

  “Go for it,” she told her grandmother. “Imagine how much you can relive your memories then whenever you look at your sparkling wedding ring.”

  Isabelle touched the ring. “I’d like that very much.”

  “Then we’ll do it with my compliments,” Chase told her.

  Isabelle’s face lit up. “He’s definitely a keeper, Paula.”

  “Let’s not embarrass the man,” Paula said.

  “Who says I’m embarrassed?” Chase uttered over a glass of wine. “As far as I’m concerned, we’re both keepers.”

  Paula warmed at the notion. “I’m glad you feel that way,” she told him gratefully. “I feel the same.”

  “I’m happy for you both,” Isabelle said. “So tell me, Chase, apart from the physical attraction, did Paula do a good job working on your home?”

  Chase nodded. “She did a fantastic job. Your granddaughter works wonders redecorating rooms.”

  Isabelle smiled proudly. “She certainly worked hard enough to educate and prepare herself for the profession.”

  “It certainly paid off,” he said.

  “Oh, yes, just look around you. Every room has examples of her handiwork.”

  “All right you two, enough already,” Paula interjected. “You’re going to make me conceited.”

  “Don’t be afraid to take credit where it’s due, child,” Isabelle said.

  “I agree.” Chase flashed a toothy grin, seemingly amused by the whole thing.

  Isabelle clasped her hands. “Would anyone like seconds? There’s plenty of food left.”

  “It was delicious, but I think I’ll hold the line there,” said Chase, dabbing a napkin at the corners of his mouth.

  “Me, too,” seconded Paula. She didn’t want to eat more than her man. She also wanted to maintain her svelte figure. Though she’d been blessed with a good metabolism, Paula had no intention of abusing that gift.

  “Well, I hope you both saved a little room for a slice of apple pie,” Isabelle said. “It’s homemade.”

  Chase leaned back in his chair. “I love apple pie. I think I can manage one slice.”

  Paula felt that the dinner date couldn’t have gone any better. Chase knew how to punch all the right buttons, which explained why she liked him more with each passing day.

  Chase had his arm around Paula’s shoulders as they sat in the movie theater, watching a romantic comedy. Her head rested comfortably on his chest. It was a relaxing way to spend quality time together after a wonderful meal and some quality conversation.

  Chase was glad Paula’s friend Virginia had stopped by, amusing and flattering him at the same time. He welcomed the opportunity to get to know the people who were important in Paula’s life. It was a good way to get to know her better. This was especially true where it concerned her grandmother. Hearing Isabelle talk about Paula with such love and devotion was refreshing. It told him much of what he already knew: Paula was a beautiful, bright and vivacious woman that any man would be fortunate to have.

  Chase knew he couldn’t have found a more compatible person to be involved with at this point in his life. Paula, with her energy, passion, intelligence, openness and beauty, had given him reason to move forward rather than dwell on the past. She had brought out in him the fortitude to be the ardent, easygoing, spontaneous, romantic man he’d always been but had lost somewhere along the way. It reminded Chase that he had a whole lot of living left to do. Now he had met a lady who seemed just as vivacious. That was enough in and of itself to think positively about the promise of a future with her. If things worked out right, he couldn’t see how she could say no to Antwerp.

  Chapter 14

  Paula felt like a teenager on a date with the hottest guy in school. She loved romantic movies and had finally found a man who loved them, too. Chase was the kind of man every woman dreamed about but was often out of reach or unavailable. Paula wondered how she had gotten so lucky.

  As they sat in the middle of a darkened theater, sharing popcorn and a few kisses, Paula tried to focus on the movie again. It was about a newly single woman who meets two eligible bachelors on a cruise ship and finds herself pursued by both. But what she really wants is to get back with her ex beau, who, unbeknownst to her, has also come aboard the ship with the intention of proposing to her. It made for a hilarious story where love would somehow conquer all.

  At the moment, Paula was more in tune with her own real-life romance. It was something she had not seen coming when she’d first laid eyes on Chase. Yet now she couldn’t picture him not being in her life and giving her every reason to believe they were just getting started in building something with no end in sight.

  Paula was still in a dreamy state by the time Chase pulled up in front of her house. “Thanks for the movie and for being so nice to my grandmother,” she told him genuinely.

  “The movie allowed me to spend more time with you,” he said, his voice lowering an octave. “I didn’t want to see the evening end too soon.”

  “Neither did I,” she admitted.

  Chase put his hand on her bare knee. “As for Isa, I was glad to finally meet her.”

  “I know she felt the same about you.”

  “Isa reminds me of my grandmother on my father’s side, who spoiled me rotten when I was young,” Chase said.

  Paula batted her lashes. “Are you saying I’m spoiled?”

  Chase laughed. “Not at all. I’m only saying that Isa is devoted to you, as any grandmother should be.”

  “You’re right about that. She’s been there for all my ups and downs. I don’t know how I would’ve managed without her.”

  “It’s great that Isa has been your rock, but the woman I’ve come to know has an independent streak in her a mile long and a cool head that would surely have seen you through whatever challenges you faced.”

  Paula’s cheeks lifted into a smile. “I got that little independent streak from Isa.”r />
  Chase nodded. “I figured out that much. It doesn’t change the fact that you’re terrific.”

  She blushed. “You are so good for my confidence.”

  “That’s just a fringe benefit of what we have going on here,” Chase said smoothly.

  “I’ll take every fringe benefit you care to offer.” Paula could think of a few such benefits that were already starting to raise her temperature a few notches.

  “I’m happy you feel that way,” Chase told her, “since I’ve got another one to throw at you.”

  “Oh?” She studied his face in the soft glow of the streetlight. “Go right ahead. I’ll try to catch whatever it is.”

  Chase smiled faintly before becoming serious. He took her hands. “I’m traveling to Antwerp, Belgium, next Thursday for business.”

  “Really?” She met his eyes.

  “It’s considered the world diamond center, boasting the finest diamonds and craftsmanship around. In what’s known as the Antwerp Diamond Square Mile, there are over fifteen hundred international diamond companies, diamond-grading laboratories and much more! If you’re in the diamond business, this is the place to wheel and deal. I’ll be looking to shore up our spring and summer collections, as well as make a few purchases for current customers.” He paused. “I’d like you to come with me.”

  Paula gave him a wide-eyed look. “Wow! Belgium.” She’d never been there before, but was sure she would like it, especially in his company. “I’m flattered you’re inviting me, but it’s kind of short notice.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry about that. Our relationship seems like it’s in a good place now. Antwerp is known as the city of romance as much as it is for its diamond trade. It has some of the finest international cuisine in the world, a historic old town, trendy nightlife and then some. We’d have a great time!”

  “Sounds exciting,” admitted Paula.

  “It is, trust me,” Chase promised. “Say you’ll go.”

  The offer was almost too irresistible for Paula to turn down. Going anywhere with Chase was like a dream come true. Still, it was less than a week away, and she did have her business to consider. Not to mention trying to decide everything from how to wear her hair to what clothes to bring. And there was Isa to consider; Paula was concerned about leaving her alone.