Page 52 of Unbound Boxset

CHAPTER SIX

Julianna smoothed down the silk fabric of her black skirt with trembling fingers and took a deep breath as she stepped into the restaurant. Situated off the beaten path of the popular waterfront, Julianna knew she wouldn’t run into any of her neighbors. Lots of wood and shiny plank floors set off dim candlelight and a private atmosphere. Newport was incestuous in its own way. Wealthy families pried open every secret and liked to keep track of the local gossip. Her financial situation and her father’s death made her a front-runner until another local took the heat off. Thank God, summer made it more difficult with all the tourists flooding in and a little bit easier to hide.

She gave her name to the waitress and was led to a corner booth. Julianna ordered a glass of Chardonnay, cursing herself for being perpetually early, and waited for her date.

Her ad had finally been answered.

The responses were limited and mostly grim. Besides Tom, she’d met a man who’d lied about his age, then shown up looking nothing like his picture and sporting a walker. With a dirty-old-man smile to match.

Her current date seemed quite handsome, if his photo was truthful. Their brief conversations over the Internet went well and flowed nicely. The coincidence that he was in Newport for business seemed fate at work. They’d agreed to meet in person tonight to see if they could take the relationship further.

“Julianna?”

She looked up and smiled. “Yes. Bryce?”

He smiled back and shook her hand in a gentle, yet firm grip. Then slid in the booth opposite her. “Sorry I’m late, I got held up in a meeting. I hope I didn’t keep you long.”

Julianna shook her head, pleased at his dark good looks and professional appearance. The charcoal gray suit was custom cut and emphasized a lean body. His black hair was kept ruthlessly short, and set off gray eyes with a bit of mystery gleaming within the depths. He seemed well polished, very different from a predatory handyman with no manners. She firmly pushed Jack’s image from her mind. “No, I have a terrible habit of arriving early for everything.”

“Nothing wrong with a woman who’s punctual. May I say you’re even more lovely in person than in your photo?”

“Thank you.”

They ordered drinks and spent a few minutes in casual conversation. “What brings you to Newport?” she asked.

“My family owns a shipping company based in England. We have sites scattered around the US, so I sometimes travel to check on things.”

“American women swoon over an English accent,” she teased. She thought of Jack’s English accent and how his voice smoothed and curled over the ends of his sentences. Then pushed the thought away.

Bryce laughed. “Yes, I’m lucky in that area. So, I was intrigued by your ad. Is there a specific reason you need to marry now?”

She winced. “I’m sorry, this is still a bit hard for me. I’m not the type of woman to place a request over the Internet like some desperate fortune hunter. I’m in a unique situation and need to explore my options. My family has owned the Cliff House for generations, but over time we lost our fortune, leaving only our home. The Cliff House is mortgaged to the hilt. Before my father passed away I promised him I wouldn’t let our home be taken.”

He cut into his steak and shook his head in sympathy. “I’m very sorry about your father, Julianna. This is a hard choice. Have you contacted the bank to see if something can be done? Life insurance? Any other options?”

“No, I went to several banks and they can’t extend me any more loans. After the life insurance paid off the back taxes, nothing was left.”

“What a difficult position. So, I assume you’re looking for money?”

Julianna winced. “Yes.”

“Just for the record, I don’t think of you as a fortune hunter. You’re doing the best you can to keep a promise to your father.”

His tone soothed her and she forked up a piece of flaky fish. “Why did you answer my ad? I’m surprised you’re not already married.”

He smiled and took a sip of red wine. “I haven’t been ready to settle down yet. I wanted to learn the business from top to bottom, but now marriage has become more urgent. You see, my cousin is in line to inherit the business, though he’s not been involved. I’ve been running the company and care about the employees. If I marry first, I’ll have a better opportunity to take my rightful place in my family’s legacy.”

“That’s terrible. So, you do all the work and he gets the credit?”

He nodded sadly. “Exactly. I’ve been wanting to get serious with someone for a while now, but haven’t found the proper woman. When I read your ad, something called out to me. Almost as if we were meant to meet each other.” He laughed as if mocking himself. “Sorry, don’t I sound ridiculous?”

She stared at him as the puzzle pieces clicked into place. An instinct deep inside her screamed a warning, but she strangled the voice and met her responsibility head on. This was the man who could solve her problem. A man she could respect and talk with. A man to share her life. He was everything she needed and he showed up like an answer to her prayers.

A little too perfect, the voice whispered. And what about Jack?

Julianna forced the thought away. “No, you don’t sound ridiculous at all.”

They finished dinner and he walked her out, one hand supporting her elbow. “I’ll be in Newport for a while,” he said. “I’d like to see you again. Take this a step further. What do you think?”