Author's Note: Here we have the villain David trying to sell Julie a lie but Pete isn't buying it. And Linc's arrival on the scene is coming in the next chapter where the action really takes off so this is the last chapter building up to the climax. Some more cute fluffiness as well is here. A huge thanks to all the readers and the faithful reviewers, enjoy!
FALSE SECURITY
Tuesday, November 18, 1980, 9:30 AM PST
The early morning activities at the house were following the same routine as always. Julie and Melissa rose early to get ready for the day with Melissa getting dressed for school. They both went to the kitchen to have breakfast and were joined by Pete, who came in from his early morning walk. At eight o'clock, both he and Julie walked Melissa to the road to get her bus and she kissed them both good-bye after which Pete and Julie walked back to the house together. As they returned to the kitchen to sit down and have a cup of coffee, the front doorbell ringing interrupted them. Julie rose from the table to go to the foyer to answer the door with Pete behind her.
Julie opened the door where a uniformed courier waited. He smiled a greeting and handed her a special delivery envelope. She signed for the envelope, thanked, him and closed the door, holding the envelope in her hand. She saw the name on the envelope, H.C Mutual Indemnity, Inc., Beverly Hills, CA and glanced at Pete who stood there waiting with a neutral expression on his face. Julie opened the envelope and extracted a check made out to her in the amount of $50,000. She looked at Pete with gratitude and hugged him, saying her thanks. With a chuckle, he hugged her back and as they drew apart, Julie's eyes were wet with tears.
"Oh, Pete, you're the best! I can't believe this," she said softly.
"Why not? I told you last night I would take care of it. It's due to you anyway so I really didn't do much," Pete replied noncommittally. "But," he insisted a twinge sternly, "I am taking you to the bank right now to deposit it so it won't disappear again so go get your things."
"Yes, sir," Julie answered obediently, heading to get her jacket and purse. Before they left, she told Hannah the good news.
Pete and Julie drove out to Salinas to the First Union Bank to deposit the check. Julie deposited $10,000 into the joint household checking account she and Dan had, $20,000 into the payroll account and the rest into two separate certificates of deposit. When they were finished, Julie asked Pete to drop her off at the Midtown Galleria Mall to do some early Christmas shopping. He took this opportunity to head over to the Police Department to see Lieutenant Lou Rafferty and share his findings from yesterday. He told Julie to expect him at the front façade of the mall at one o'clock to pick her up to take her to lunch then he pulled away from the curb and headed toward the police station. He drove into the visitor's parking lot and parked the car. After he got inside Lou's office and they exchanged pleasantries, Lou invited Pete to sit down.
"Well, Pete, what's up? I take it you have some information for me about David Slade," he probed.
Pete leaned forward, "Not exactly about Slade specifically but I did find something strange. Let me ask you something, Lou, did you check out the ladder that Dan used when you were conducting your investigation?" he wanted to know.
Lou shook his head. "We considered it but Slade told us that Dan fell by losing his footing and he slid off the plane of the roof," he recounted.
Pete sat upright. "Slade?" he asked incredulously.
"Yeah. He was right there when it happened. He said he was helping Dan on the roof. He gave us a play by play description, not leaving out any details,"
"Oh really? I bet he did," Pete said acerbically.
Lou raised a brow quizzically, "Why the attitude, Pete? Slade was Dan's business partner and best friend, we had no reason to believe any thought of him involved. Unless," he leaned forward and looked straight into Pete's eyes, "you found something that would prove otherwise."
Pete looked back at him. "Lou, I found a ladder in the main shed that had its four top rungs broken in two. The edges on the top two appear to have been cut cleanly halfway through, causing any weight to make the rungs completely give way. Who else beside Slade was helping Dan on the roof that day?" he asked.
"As I recall, Hank was helping both Dan and Dave that day. Have you asked him about the accident?" Lou inquired.
"I haven't as yet. I just found the ladder yesterday while Julie and I was in the shed," Pete informed him.
Lou scrutinized Pete carefully as he asked, "Anything else?""
Pete continued, "The key Julie had to the padlock on the shed door didn't work so I had to use a lock cutter to get in. A while later, Slade burst in on us aiming a .357 Magnum."
Lou became riveted. "A .357 Magnum? Why would he need to have a gun that size?" he questioned.
Pete snorted derisively, "He told Julie that he needs it to scare off trespassers." He added, "Julie was really uptight about him having a gun around and so am I."
Lou nodded thoughtfully. "I wonder if he has a permit registered here at the station. That will be easy enough to check on."
"Why wouldn't he? I mean, the law states that he has to have the permit registered with the local law enforcement authorities," Pete pointed out.
"It all depends on where he bought the gun. If he bought it a few towns over or in Nevada, his permit would be registered with the local law there, not necessarily here." At Pete's concerned expression, Lou added, "But, I can get a copy of the permit if he did buy and register it elsewhere," he assured him. "As a matter of fact, I think I'll call the gun dealers in a fifty mile radius to see if David Slade purchased and registered a .357 Magnum. I'll even check the surrounding police departments and sheriff's offices to see where he got his permit," Lou promised, getting to his feet.
Pete rose with him. "Thanks Lou." He offered to shake hands. He headed for the door and then stopped and turned, "Oh I almost forgot, the benefit check I had originally brought to Julie vanished," Pete told him.
Lou gazed steadily at Pete and inquired, "You're sure? Did Julie misplace it?"
Pete shook his head vigorously. "No sir, she assures me she locked it in the study desk and that she alone had the keys to it. She ransacked the study trying to find it with no luck so I called the bank it was drawn on and put a stop payment on it. I had my company issue and deliver a new check to her today which we just deposited at her bank."
"Uh-huh. Well, now that's interesting. How much was the check for?" Lou asked.
"$50,000," Pete replied.
"Well, as long as you put a stop payment on the check and deposited the new one, we don't have to pursue it. But keep an eye out for any other financial discrepancies and let me know about them. We could have a case brewing here," Lou informed him. "You still have my number?"
"Yeah. I'll call if I find anything else. And when you find out about Slade's gun permit, let me know, okay?" Pete requested. "But, I'll be out of town all day Friday, so call me out at the ranch Monday," he directed.
"Okay. Will do. Have a good trip," Lou called as Pete turned and left.
Meantime, at the Galleria, Julie had completed her shopping. She had found some nice articles of clothing for Melissa and found some unique gifts for others on her list. She had seen some rather nice turtleneck sweaters in the men's department and thought about how good Pete would look in them. She almost bought them but stopped herself, realizing that he probably would be back home in Beverly Hills by Christmas. However, she really wanted to get something for him as a thank you for all his support and friendship the past week because if it wasn't for him, she didn't know how she'd have handled things.
She was getting used to having Pete around and when the time came for him to finally go back home, she was realizing that she would definitely miss him. Finally, she did find something to give him to show her gratitude; it was a brass paperweight that had an antique racecar embossed in high detail on it, polished to a mirrorlike sheen. She even had it engraved, with the phrase Words Can Never Express My Thanks-Love J. Julie grinned, pleased to find something unique for the man who she was positive had everything. She consulted her watch, it was about ten minutes to one and Pete had told her he'd be out front to pick her up at one. She hurried toward the front exit.
Julie headed through the exit carrying her packages. She put the bags on a bench and sat beside them as she waited for Pete's Mercedes to drive up. She was out there for about five minutes when a vehicle did pull up but it wasn't Pete, it was David Slade in his black pickup truck. He parked the truck and climbed out to stride over to the bench where Julie sat, paying no attention.
David came right up to her, "Hey, Julie, I thought that was you. Doing a little shopping?" he gestured toward the packages.
Julie eyed him askance and replied shortly, "Uh-huh. What do you want, David?"
David picked up on Julie's reticence and responded, "Come on Julie, let's have a truce, huh? You've been mad at me for a while now, let's bury the hatchet, okay?" He coaxed, sitting down next to her.
Julie sighed, "David, you've been very uh, assertive towards me for quite some time, even while Dan was alive. I'm not exactly comfortable with you for that reason. I mean Dan was your best friend, for goodness sake," she admonished.
David hung his head in shame. "I know Julie, and believe it or not I'm really sorry," he said sincerely, lifting his head to gaze directly into her eyes. "I was wrong, totally and completely wrong and I know it. But when Dan brought you home, I swear I'd never seen such a beautiful lady as yourself." Julie turned away, getting uncomfortable under David's intensely ardent gaze, but he went on.
"You were a vision, one of the loveliest women I had ever seen but as I got to know you I saw that your beauty was far more than your appearance. You were also one of the sweetest and smartest people I had ever known. I was jealous because it seemed that Danny really rolled a seven when he met you, and I just wanted what he had," he confessed.
Julie looked at him benignly, yet listened with bit of sympathy, feeling that his words made him appear vulnerable and contrite.
"David, I accept your apology. And I'm sorry too, for being so snappish at times. We've both been under a lot of strain, dealing with Dan's death and maybe we both have stricken out at each other in our grief," she admitted.
"You're right, that could be it," David agreed. "Thank you," he replied gratefully, squeezing her hand amiably and then said brightly, "I have an idea. Why don't I take you to lunch? We can rebuild bridges while we eat. So what do you say, huh?" he asked hopefully.
Julie smiled at him and replied, "I'm sorry, but I have plans. I'm waiting for Pete to pick me up and we're going out for lunch then to go get Melissa." She glanced at her watch. "Hmm, I wonder what's keeping him, he said he'd be here at one and it's nearly ten after," she said, worry furrowing her brow.
David frowned slightly, then pasted a smile on his face, "Well, now, maybe he lost track of time. Why didn't he stay with you?" he wanted to know.
"He had an errand to run. He's always punctual, something must have happened," Julie fretted.
"Don't jump to conclusions, Julie. He's probably caught in traffic," David replied reasonably. He squeezed her hand soothingly and assured her, "Anyway, since he's on his way, why don't all three of us have lunch together? I owe Cochrane an apology as well," he admitted.
Julie raised an eyebrow at him as she asked, "An apology? You mean you've had a change of heart? You've been completely antagonistic towards Pete since he arrived," she pointed out bluntly.
"I know and I'm sorry about that too. It's just that I remembered Dan telling me how he had hurt you when the two of you broke up, I just wanted to make sure he didn't do anything to hurt you like that again," David declared.
"Well, David, if it wasn't for my being hurt about my broken relationship with Pete at the time, I never would have met and married Dan. You know the whole story so you know that as well," Julie stated.
"That's true, but still, can you blame me for wanting to protect you? I know Dan would've acted the same way," David defended himself. He smiled again, "But that's why I want to have lunch with you guys, I want to show him that it's all water under the bridge. I'll even treat."
Julie looked at him dubiously, wanting to believe his apparent sincerity but still having doubts. She replied, "Well, I can't speak for Pete so you can ask him when he gets here." She looked at the end of the mall parking lot at the entrance, "I wonder what's keeping him."
David looked in the opposite direction. He pointed at a deep green Mercedes heading towards them and asked, "Isn't that him now?"
Julie smiled and waved at Pete, relieved to see him drive up. Pete stuck his hand out of the window and waved back as he hung a U-turn and pulled up behind David's truck where he parked. He exited the car and hurried over to the bench.
"I'm sorry I'm late, honey, but I got tied up," Pete said to Julie. He glanced up at David and frowned. "What are you doing here, Slade?" he demanded.
"Hey there, Cochrane, I ran into Julie here at the mall and was just keeping her company while she was waiting for you. I suggested that we all have lunch together," David replied evenly.
Pete protested, "We have plans for lunch already."
"I know. Julie told me. But I was hoping to make it up to the both of you for the way I've been acting. So how about it, huh?" David persisted.
Pete looked from David and back to Julie. She was just standing there, waiting for his decision. He was slightly annoyed to find himself put in such a difficult position...either accept the olive branch that David Slade was offering or look like a grudge holding jerk and refuse. He couldn't decide which alternative was the least appealing. But he needed to answer so he chose the former.
"Sure, why not?" he agreed, against his better judgment.
Both Julie and David looked relieved. Shrugging, Pete reached to pick up Julie's packages to store in the trunk of his car. When that was done he came over to them.
"So where should we go? It's one thirty now and we have to go get Melissa by three," he reminded Julie.
"I know. There's a terrific Italian restaurant right here in the Galleria," Julie said agreeably. "Why don't you guys find parking places for the cars and I'll go get a table for the three of us," she suggested.
Pete looked at David and he shrugged, "Okay by me."
David nodded, "Me too." He headed toward his truck, got in and drove off to find a place to park.
Julie came over to Pete who was frowning thoughtfully and put a hand on his shoulder, "He wants to make things up to us, Pete. We actually had a nice conversation while waiting for you," she said persuasively.
"I bet you did," Pete said sarcastically.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Julie asked sharply, picking up on his bad attitude.
Pete turned to her and said sourly, "Look, Julie, I just can't take what that guy says as gospel. He's like a chameleon, changing all the time. And he's about as slippery as one," he added a touch spitefully.
Julie sighed, "Pete, please, go along with it." She pleaded prettily with wide eyes, "For me?"
Pete sighed grudgingly, "Okay, honey, for you."
Pleased, Julie reached up and gave him a peck on the cheek, "Thank you, Pete," she said demurely.
Pete grunted, "Yeah, well I'm still gonna watch him. I can't trust him as easily as you.". He turned toward the car. "You'd better go and get that table for us and I'll park the car," he said curtly.
Julie held onto his arm and asked, "Pete, you're not upset with me, are you? I mean, he does seem sincere,"
Pete turned back to Julie and sighed. "No honey, I'm not upset with you, I'm just disappointed. I was looking forward to having lunch with you alone," he stated, reaching to brush a stray strand of blonde hair out of her eyes. "But if it's okay with you, it's okay with me. I'll go park the car and meet you inside, okay?"
"Okay. And thank you again," she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek once more. Pete grunted and strode over to the driver's side to get into the car. Julie turned and headed into the mall.
La Bella Ristorante was located right next to the main entrance of the Galleria. As it was past the main lunch hour, tables were readily available. Julie chose a booth about three deep against the left wall. A waitress came over and Julie informed her that two friends were coming to join her so the waitress left three menus.
Julie leaned back and relaxed, looking forward to the lunch. She was glad that she ran into David and that they had gotten everything out in the open, she had hated the stressful atmosphere that had been existing between them, especially with his working there at the ranch daily. She hoped that David and Pete would also come to peaceable terms so everyone would get along. She despised dissension and people at odds, especially people close to her.
David entered the restaurant and scanned the interior, looking for Julie. He spotted her and waved, making his way over to the booth.
"Hi Julie."He took a seat on the opposite bench of the booth.
Julie smiled a greeting, "Hi David. You find a parking space?"
"Uh-huh." David looked around and asked, "Where's Cochrane? I thought he'd be here by now."
"He's parking his car. He'll be here soon," Julie informed him matter-of-factly as she picked up a menu to peruse.
Pete found a parking place about fifty feet from the main mall entrance. He parked his car and headed toward the mall, feeling strongly ambivalent about Julie and him having lunch with David. He didn't want to come off as a wet blanket, but he just couldn't stop feeling that Slade had some sort of ulterior motive for suddenly changing his attitude. But at the risk of coming across as being ungracious, he decided to put his suspicions aside and try to have a pleasant meal. Pete was pondering this as he entered the mall and made his way into the restaurant. He saw the booth where Julie and David were sitting and he headed right over.
Pete slid into the booth beside Julie and greeted the two, "Hi, sorry it took so long to find a place. This place is kind of crowded, the mall I mean." He put his arm across the back of the bench behind Julie and looked at the menu she was reading, "You guys order yet?"
"Not yet. By the way, the lunch is on me," David said as he too looked into his menu.
"That's okay man, I'll take it," Pete began but David cut him off.
"No, I told Julie that lunch was my treat. I mean, I owe it to you guys, considering the way I've been acting," he declared amiably with a smile. "Okay, Pete?"
Pete nodded with a grin. "Okay, David, you win. It's your treat." He returned his attention to the menu.
They all made their selections and gave the waitress their orders. The food arrived quickly and they began eating. Before and during the course of the meal, conversation was light and easy, and Pete grudgingly had to admit to himself that Julie might be right, that David was making a genuine effort to be pleasant.
He still had a nagging feeling that David knew something about Dan's death, but with the way he was acting now, he was feeling that David was either a very convincing actor or that he was actually repentant. Pete surreptitiously watched Julie, who by her receptive attitude seemed totally believing and decided that he would say nothing to cause distress to her. As the three finished their meal, the conversation drifted to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
Julie began, "Pete, have you called your pilot about Friday?"
"Not yet. I'm planning to call him tonight," Pete said as he wiped his mouth with a napkin.
"Is he in town?"
"Yeah, he's staying at the inn I was going to stay at. He's a widower and it's part of his job to stay in the area with me and the jet," Pete told her. "Anyway, it'll give him two days to draw up his flight plan. You know how the weather in Chicago is at this time of year."
David perked up. "You're going to Chicago? Who's going to take care of Melissa?" he asked Julie curiously.
Julie shook her head. "I'm not going anywhere. Pete is."
Pete replied, "I'm flying out to Chicago in my jet to pick up our friend, Linc Hayes and his son on Friday. They're both coming out here for Thanksgiving," he added.
"Really? When will you be back?" David inquired.
"Oh about seven in the evening, weather permitting. Chicago this time of year can get icy, being right on Lake Michigan," Pete answered, wondering why he was so inquisitive.
"Well, I hope you have a good trip, Pete," David offered. He turned to Julie, "So you're planning a large Thanksgiving gathering, huh?"
Julie responded, "Not really, but Pete and Linc are my family and they both want to help me and Melissa get through the first holiday without Dan."
David smiled pleasantly, "That's really nice. You guys are close, huh?"
Julie nodded, "We all worked together for five years. We were inseparable, the three of us." She looked fondly at Pete who affectionately gave her hand a squeeze.
David glanced at his watch, "Whoa, look what time it is!" he exclaimed. He got to his feet and reached for his wallet, drawing out two twenty-dollar bills. "That should cover lunch. I've got to split, I have some pressing work back at the office." He reached his hand across the table toward Pete, "I'm glad we got a chance to do this," David said as he shook Pete's hand. He turned to Julie, "I'll see you later," he said as he hurried out of the restaurant.
Pete looked at Julie, "Well, I guess you were right sweetheart, he seems to have turned over a new leaf. He was all right." He glanced at the check and said vaguely, "He put down too much money."
Julie directed, "So, just leave it and we'll go. We have to pick up Melissa." They got up and made their way to the exit.
David got to his truck and got in behind the wheel. He inserted the key in the ignition but didn't start the motor instead he sat there with a pleased yet devious smile on his handsome face. Everything went smooth as silk at lunch, as a matter of fact, lunch was extremely informative and productive to the plan hatching in his sick mind.
David had laid an effective smokescreen down, neither one, Julie nor Cochrane had had a clue about what was really going on. His grand plan to reclaim the ranch had at its nucleus the primary task of dealing with Julie and Melissa. He had been trying to figure out a way to accomplish that only Cochrane's continuous presence had been a roadblock to getting that done. But with Cochrane flying out to Chicago on Friday, that gave him the in he needed. Julie and Melissa would be alone, would be dealt with and then when he returned, David reasoned, Cochrane would be taken care of. And it will look like two terrible freak accidents just like Dan's. With a smug look of satisfaction, David started the truck and pulled away.
Tuesday, November 18, 1980, 8:00 PM PST
That evening Pete and Julie were in Melissa's room where Melissa asked Pete if he would read to her and he asked what she wanted him to read. She chose the Dr. Suess book The Cat In The Hat that she especially liked and giggled incessantly as Pete read to her, hamming up the characters as he read. Julie watched the entire time with a beaming smile, seeing what she had always known, that Pete had a way with children that would make him an excellent father some day.
At the conclusion of the story, both Julie and Pete leaned down and kissed Melissa good night as she snuggled into the bed and yawned contentedly. They crept downstairs and had gone to settle themselves before the fire when Pete remembered that he needed to make some phone calls. He asked Julie if he could use the phone and upon her saying yes, he headed for the study. Pete sat at the desk, opened his briefcase and flipped open his address book. He found the number for the Salinas Inn and dialed the number. When the clerk answered, he asked for the room of Captain William Osborne. The phone rang three times before it was picked up.
"Hello?" Captain Osborne answered.
"Captain Osborne, this is Pete Cochrane. How are you?" Pete inquired.
"Fine sir. What can I do for you?"
"Captain, I need the jet to be ready for takeoff at nine AM on Friday morning. We'll be heading out to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago and should get there by three Central Time," Pete informed him.
"Yes sir. I'll get a flight plan ready right away with clearance to take off from Monterey Peninsula to O'Hare for arrival at three PM Chicago time Friday. I'll call you Thursday with the itinerary. Will we be staying over?"
"Not overnight, we'll probably grab a bite to eat and be heading back as soon as we pick up Linc and Jason Hayes. So when you call for clearance, make sure you arrange for refueling and assistance with boarding," Pete instructed.
"Yes sir. I'll go to the jet tomorrow and arrange for a preflight maintenance check," Captain Osborne replied.
"Good. Oh and Captain?"
"Yes, Mr. Cochrane?"
"Make sure you get up-to-the-minute weather reports till takeoff. That is Chicago we're going to," Pete reminded him.
"Don't worry sir, I already thought of that. I'll call you Thursday. Good night,"
"Thank you Captain and good night to you too," Pete said as he hung up. He thumbed through the book and found the next number he needed to call. He dialed and then listened as the phone was answered at the family manor in Beverly Hills by the butler.
"Cochrane residence."
"Hi Smythe, it's Pete. Is my mother in tonight?"
"Yes indeed sir, I'll summon her," Smythe replied.
"Thank you," Pete said. He waited as his mother came to the phone.
"Hello Pete," Grace Cochrane answered.
"Hello Mother, how are you?" Pete inquired respectfully.
"I'm fine, son, how about you? How is Julie doing?" Grace wanted to know.
"She's as I expected… but finally doing better."
Grace replied gently, "Phil told me exactly what happened. And somehow I knew. Pete, I'm your mother and I know you. I've known for a long time how you feel about Julie, how you've always felt about her. When Phil told me what happened to her husband, I knew right away where you were."
Pete was silent for a moment then said in a low voice, "She's having a rough time. She's trying to be strong for everyone but she can't keep doing it, she needs someone to be strong for her, someone for her to lean on and depend upon."
"And that's you," Grace finished for him.
"Yeah, I guess it is," Pete admitted. "But the real reason I called, Mother, is to tell you that I can't come home for Thanksgiving. Linc's coming out and the three of us are going to have a reunion. We both want to be there for Julie and her daughter this year. Thanksgiving's their first holiday without Dan. "
"Of course son, we were invited over to your Aunt Ginny and Uncle Arthur's anyway. Art Jr. will be there and Karen and Marc will be there with their twins. Karen will be disappointed that you won't be there," Grace told him.
Pete sighed, "I know Mother. Just tell Karen that I'm sorry and I'll call her when I get back to L.A." Julie entered the study carrying a small wrapped package with a bow and took a seat across from the desk. Pete smiled at her and gestured to the phone, nodding his head.
"I will, son. I'll have a good reason for your absence," Grace promised.
"Oh, Mother, another reason I called is that Julie would like to talk to you." Pete requested as he looked over at Julie.
"Really? Put her on," Grace bade him. Pete covered the mouthpiece, "She wants to talk to you, honey." He handed the receiver to Julie as she got up and came over to the phone.
"Hello, Mrs. Cochrane. This is Julie Bennett," Julie spoke into the phone.
"Hello Julie. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, dear. How are you doing?" Grace asked kindly.
"I'm hanging on. I have to be strong for my daughter; she really misses her Daddy," Julie replied.
"My dear, I do know what you're going through. My husband is gone now for two years and I still miss him everyday."
"Mrs. Cochrane," Julie began, "I just wanted to thank you for being so understanding about Pete's being here with me away from you and the business. He's been so wonderful, to me and my daughter, I don't know how I would have handled things this past week without him," Julie confessed.
"My son has a gift of compassion unlike anything I've ever witnessed," Grace stated with pride." He was such a comfort to me after Harrison died. I'm glad that he's been a comfort to you, dear," she added sincerely.
"He really has," Julie said, looking at Pete with gratitude. "I'm sorry that he won't be home with you for Thanksgiving."
"Oh my dear, don't be. My son goes where he's needed, and right now you need him," Grace dismissed matter-of-factly.
Julie continued gazing at Pete who was waiting patiently. "Yes ma'am I do," she said fervently. "Thanks again."
"No thanks are necessary my dear. May I say good-bye to Pete?" Grace requested.
"Of course. Good night," Julie handed the phone to Pete and then went back to the chair. She picked up the package she had brought in and placed it on her lap.
Pete spoke into the phone, "Yes, Mother?"
"I just wanted to say good-bye, Pete, and to tell you that I'm very proud that you're my son. You tell Julie not to worry about me, that as long as she needs you, you are to stay there with her. Good night, son and I love you," Grace said.
"I will, Mother. Good night and I love you too," Pete said as he hung up the phone. Smiling, he got up and came over to where Julie was sitting and knelt down beside her. She smiled down at him.
"Your mother is still a very gracious lady. I see where you get the polish you always had," Julie said amiably.
Pete grinned up at her, "Thank you, sweetheart. I told you that you didn't have to worry. Like I said, she was always fond of you," he informed her.
Julie was pleased, "Really? I only met her once, at that party you threw when we were trying to help your ex-girlfriend Claire. I only spoke to her for a short time," she recalled.
"Yeah, but she knew how close I was to Linc and you. She's a very astute, and she could pick up my feelings for you back then. She knew, trust me. And she thought what I thought and still think, that you're a very lovely girl," Pete responded, his eyes glowing.
Julie smiled and blushed under his intense regard. Suddenly remembering, she thrust the package forward and handed it to Pete, "I forgot, this is for you."
Pete took the package and inquired,"For me? You don't have to give me anything, Julie honey, I'm just here helping someone I care deeply for." He turned the package around in his hand, "What is it?"
"Why don't you open it and find out," Julie suggested, her eyes dancing.
Pete looked at her and then tore the wrapping paper off the box. He lifted the lid, reached into the box, and pulled out a bundle wrapped in tissue paper. He tore away the tissue paper and gazed at the embossed paperweight in delight, "Oh, Julie, this is really terrific. The workmanship's excellent. Where'd you find it?"
Julie grinned, "At a curio shop at the Galleria. I wanted to find something unique to give you. You're not the easiest person to shop for. Turn it around, I even had it engraved."
Pete turned it around and read the inscription "Words Can Never Express My Thanks-Love J." He sat there on the floor silent for a moment, staring at the engraved words from Julie's heart.
He got to his feet and enfolded her in a tender embrace. "Thank you, angel, this is very sweet of you. When I go back, I'm going to put this on my desk at work so I can look at it every day and think of you."
He kissed her on the cheek gently and then his lips found hers. Julie rose out of the chair and her arms encircled Pete's neck as she gave herself into the embrace. Pete responded to her body's offering with passionate enthusiasm as they continued kissing. They gradually stopped, drawing away breathlessly.
"Wow," Julie said breathing deeply, "You're welcome."
Pete threw his head back and laughed heartily. Without another word, he took her hand and led her out of the study to the parlor where they sat on the sofa and eagerly resumed the activity from the study while the firelight danced on their entwined forms.
NEXT…..THE SNATCH