Angels at Christmas - By Debbie Macomber Page 0,46

Jason, protector of the gate." Julie rolled her eyes.

Anne had witnessed for herself how committed the young man was to keeping the poor girl on the other side of the company doors. She stabbed at a piece of spinach, suddenly realizing what Julie had said. "Let me make sure I understood you correctly. Did you really say Roy has my artwork hanging in his office building?"

"That's what he told me."

This was news.

"Five landscapes, I think he said. You didn't know that?"

Anne shook her head. "I never told him my pseudonym."

"He must've found it out on his own," Julie said evenly.

"I...I don't know what to say. Part of me is pleased and another part is irritated."

"But why? He's proud of your talent."

"I've told him a dozen times that I refuse to let him support me. I want my paintings to sell on their own merit. The last thing I want or need, especially from my own son, is charity."

"I doubt Roy would display work he didn't genuinely like."

Julie meant she was overreacting, Anne thought. "You're right of course." To cover her embarrassment, she dug into her salad.

Julie reached for a warm sourdough roll. "I'm glad you asked me to lunch."

"As I said, I want to get to know you - and I want to thank you for being so patient with my son."

Julie lowered her head and struggled to hide a grin. "We've certainly had our ups and downs. He's surprised me more than once."

Anne found this curious. "In what way?"

"Dinner on Thursday night - to take one example. I made a pot of black-bean soup and he seemed to really enjoy it. Plain ol' black-bean soup."

"You cook?"

Julie nodded. "A little. My twin sister is the real chef in the family, but I'm learning."

"Are you close to your sister?"

"Very. She lives in Florida, but we talk almost every day via e-mail. I've told her about Roy." Julie glanced down, as if she regretted telling Anne that.

Anne tried unsuccessfully to keep her tears at bay.

"Anne, is everything all right?" Julie leaned across the table and squeezed her hand.

"Of course it is," Anne whispered, smiling through her tears. "It's just that...I'd given up hope, you see. I'd convinced myself that Roy had completely closed himself off from love, and now he's met you and the whole world looks brighter. Thank you, Julie, thank you so much."

Julie shook her head. "You don't have anything to thank me for."

"But I do," Anne countered. "Don't you see, my dear Julie? You're the answer to my prayers."
Chapter Sixteen
The caterer's staff delivered dinner and skillfully set the dining room table in his condo, adding candles and flowers to create a romantic mood. Before they left, Roy paid them handsomely and inspected their work, admiring the small touches.

He'd been looking forward to this evening with Julie all day. He'd longed to kiss her the night before and hadn't. He berated himself for the missed opportunity. He'd sensed the disappointment in her and felt it himself.

He hadn't experienced these primal emotions, these deep erotic urges, in years. They were a distant memory now. But with Julie...

The table was covered with an off-white linen cloth that had elegant gold edging. It wouldn't have been his choice, but the caterer had brought it with her. A large candle inside a glass hurricane lamp, surrounded by poinsettias and sprigs of holly, adorned the center of the table. Again, that had been part of the dinner package. When he'd explained his requirements to Ms. Johnson and the caterer's staff, he'd been assured that they'd be able to create the mood he desired. His trust had been well-placed; his home had never looked better.

Everything about the condo spoke of romance. The lights were dimmed and lit candles were arranged in strategic spots around the room. In the background, Christmas carols played softly. The stage was set. Roy, dressed in dark slacks and a gray cashmere sweater, checked his watch. Julie was due any minute.

While he waited, he poured himself a glass of chardonnay. To his surprise, he was nervous. He couldn't imagine why - or could he? His mind flitted from the past to the present and back again. The past was painful and the present was unpredictable...and the future? Well, who knew about the future?

Initially this relationship hadn't been too promising, but it had gained momentum in the last few days. Even now he wasn't entirely convinced that Julie was for real, that the settlement offer truly didn't interest her.

Gradually Roy could feel himself