Page 68 of Unspoken Love

Chapter Twenty

Oddly, it wasn’t hard keeping the secret. Not really. Not when the days blurred together in a flurry of coffee runs, tile samples, and long afternoons covered in broken tiles and sawdust. He and Faye were constantly juggling work at the shop, renovations on the house, and the slow, steady deepening of what they were building between them. He hadn’t tried to shove the necklace to the back of his mind, but with so much happening, it had been surprisingly easy.

That was, until two days before Max and Juliette were due to return home.

He’d stopped by the Brew-Ha-Ha on his break and was helping Faye restock some inventory when her phone rang. He caught the sudden change in her face as she listened to the caller and knew something was up. She glanced at him and gave him a cautious nod. He listened to her side of the conversation as she said, “Yes, of course,” followed by a “tonight?” that made his stomach knot.

After she hung up, she gave him the news: someone from the state historical society was coming to confirm the authenticity of the necklace—and more importantly, the diamond.

Nate had nodded and tried to remain calm on the surface, but excitement was already creeping under his skin. He didn’t like strangers coming in, asking questions—especially not ones who might have the power to take the Ocean’s Heart away from them.

So he made a call of his own.

“Would you and Mom want to come over for dinner tonight?” he asked his dad. “We’re having company, and I could use a second pair of eyes on things. Just in case.”

Juliette and Max had shared the news with his parents the day after they’d found the diamond. They had yet to see the real thing, but Faye had shared a bunch of photos of their little adventure, as well as close-ups of the diamond and the necklace.

His dad hadn’t even hesitated. “We’ll be there.”

An hour before the assessor was due to arrive, Nate stood at the stove sautéing garlic in a skillet. The smell of rosemary and lemon from a roast chicken filled the kitchen. Faye was behind him, chopping vegetables and humming softly to the Fleetwood Mac song playing on the speaker. She looked relaxed, maybe even excited, but he could feel the quiet tension under the surface—both of them knew this night might change everything.

“You okay?” he asked, tossing a glance over his shoulder.

“Yeah,” she said, and then, after a pause, “Nervous, but okay. I mean, what if it isn’t real?”

He set down the spatula and turned to face her, leaning on the counter. “It is real. That’s not the part that worries me.”

She looked up, brow furrowed. “Then what does?”

He ran a hand through his hair. “What they’ll want to do with it. I mean, what if they say it belongs in a museum and they take it away from Max and Juliette? Or that it’s some kind of state treasure and needs to be confiscated?”

“I hadn’t thought of that.” Her mouth opened, then closed. “You think they’d actually do that?”

“I don’t know. But I want my dad here in case anyone tries anything sketchy.” He grinned, trying to lighten the mood. “Plus, tonight gives you a second shot at impressing my folks.”

Faye rolled her eyes. “Don’t remind me. At least this time I’m not going to almost pass out during dinner.”

“Low bar, but I think you’ve got it.” He winked at her.

The doorbell rang.

They both froze for a second, then Faye wiped her hands on a towel and walked toward the front of the house. Nate followed, his fingers unconsciously brushing against the pouch now nestled in his pocket.

When the door opened, his dad stood there—tall, broad, and relaxed, with that calm confidence that Nate had always admired. His mother stood beside him with a warm smile and a bouquet of wildflowers for Faye.

“Dinner smells amazing,” she said, stepping in and giving Faye a quick hug. “And I’m glad to see you upright this time,” she added, handing her the flowers.

Faye blushed. “I made dessert to make up for the trouble I caused last time.”

“You are never any trouble,” his mother said, touching her arm. “Truly.” Then she turned to him. “Now, before this assessor arrives, show me the diamond.” His mother rubbed her hands together.

Nate exchanged a glance with Faye, then pulled the small silk pouch from his pocket and handed it to her. She opened it slowly, her fingers gentle as she lifted the necklace into the light.

The diamond caught the rays from the kitchen light and cast tiny glimmers across the wall like stars.

“Oh my,” his mother whispered, her hand drifting to her heart. Her eyes widened, then to Nate’s surprise, started to fill with tears. “To think it’s been hidden under the lighthouse all these years. Those two really did love each other very much to give up so much.”

She took a step closer, studying the delicate silver chain, the intricate old-world setting, and the bright gleam of the gem at its center.