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  She started to walk away but Julia called after her. “Wait.”

  Natalie paused, looking at her former friend with undisguised contempt.

  Julia took a deep breath and gestured to Natalie to come closer. “Tell Simon to make sure the Senator renews his subscription to The Washington Post.”

  “Why?”

  “Because if you release those pictures, I’ll call Andrew Sampson at the Post. You remember him, don’t you? He wrote an article last year about Simon’s DUI arrest and how the Senator intervened.”

  Natalie shook her head. “I don’t believe you.”

  Julia clenched her fists stubbornly. “If you release the pictures, I have nothing to lose. I’ll tell the newspapers that Simon assaulted me, then sent the girl he keeps on the side to blackmail me.”

  Natalie’s green eyes grew very wide then narrowed into serpentine slits.

  “You wouldn’t,” she breathed.

  “Try me.”

  Natalie stared in furious surprise before setting her teeth. “People have been walking all over you for years and you’ve done nothing. There’s no way you’re going to call up a reporter and spill your guts.”

  Julia lifted her chin, fighting to keep her voice steady. “Maybe I’m tired of being walked over.” She shrugged dramatically. “If you release the pictures, you’ll never work for the Senator’s campaign. You’ll just be part of an embarrassing scandal they’ll sweep under the rug.”

  Natalie’s ivory skin flushed a deep, dark red.

  Julia took advantage of her silence and continued. “Leave me alone, and I’ll forget about both of you. But I’m never going to lie about what he did to me. I’ve lied to cover for him too many times, and I’m not doing it anymore.”

  “You’re just angry that Simon chose me over you,” Natalie spat, her voice becoming louder. “You were this pathetic, weak little girl who didn’t even know how to give a decent blow job!”

  In the awkward silence that ensued, Julia realized that the other restaurant patrons had stopped talking. She looked around the room, utterly humiliated, as the townspeople stared. Everyone heard Natalie’s crude revelation, including the Baptist minister’s wife, who sat with her teenaged daughter in a quiet corner drinking tea.

  “Not so tough now, are you?” Natalie hissed.

  Before Julia could respond, Diane suddenly appeared at the counter. “Natalie, go on home. You can’t come into my restaurant and talk like that.”

  Angrily, Natalie withdrew a few steps but not before muttering a few choice curse words. “This isn’t over.”

  Julia lifted her chin. “Oh, yes, it is. You’re too smart to jeopardize your future by doing something stupid. Go back to him and leave me alone.”

  Natalie stared daggers at her before turning on her heel and storming out.

  “What’s going on?” Tom suddenly appeared behind Julia. “Jules? What’s wrong?”

  Before she could respond, Diane told him an extremely sanitized account of what happened.

  Tom cursed and put his hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “Are you all right?”

  She nodded reluctantly before running to the ladies’ room. She wasn’t sure how she’d ever be able to face the townspeople after what Natalie had shouted. Fighting nausea, she grabbed the top of the vanity for support.

  Diane followed Julia into the washroom. She dampened some paper towels with cold water and handed them to her. “I’m sorry, Jules. I should have slapped her upside the head. I can’t believe she’d talk that kind of trash in my place.”

  Julia was quiet as she slowly wiped her face.

  “Honey, nobody heard a thing that girl had to say. It’s noisy out there and everyone is talking about how the Santa Claus over at the mall got drunk on his lunch hour yesterday and tried to make out with one of the elves.”

  Julia cringed.

  Diane smiled at her sympathetically. “You want me to make you a cup of tea or something?”

  Julia shook her head and inhaled deeply as she tried to compose herself.

  If any god is out there listening, please give all the people in Kinfolks restaurant amnesia, just concerning the past fifteen minutes.

  A short time later she reassumed her place at the counter, next to her father. She kept her head down, refusing to make eye contact with anyone. It was too easy to imagine the entire restaurant whispering her sins and judging her.

  “I’m sorry, Dad,” she said in a small voice.

  He frowned and asked Diane for a fresh cup of coffee and a jelly doughnut. “What are you sorry about?” His voice was gruff.

  Diane served them, patting Julia’s arm sympathetically, and moved to wait on some tables in order to give them some privacy.

  “This is all my fault—Deb, Natalie, the house…” She didn’t want to cry, but somehow the tears welled up and she couldn’t stop them. “I’ve embarrassed you in front of the whole town.”

  Tom leaned toward her. “Hey, I don’t want to hear that kind of garbage. You have never embarrassed me. I’m proud of you.” His voice broke slightly and he began coughing. “It was my responsibility to protect you, and I didn’t.”

  Julia wiped a tear away. “But now your life is ruined.”

  He snorted. “I wasn’t that attached to my life anyway. I’d rather lose the house and Deb than lose you. There’s no contest. None.”

  He pushed the jelly doughnut in front of her and waited until she took a bite. “When I met your mother, I was happy. We had a few good years together. But the best day of my life was the day you were born. I always wanted a family. I’m never going to let anything or anyone separate me from my family again. You’ve got my word on that.”

  Julia smiled up into her father’s face, and he leaned over and ruffled her hair.

  “I’d like to swing by Deb’s place to talk to her about what just happened. She needs to explain to her daughter how to behave in public. Why don’t you phone that boyfriend of yours and ask him to pick you up? I’ll see you at Richard’s house later on.”

  Julia agreed and wiped her tears away. She didn’t want Gabriel to see her crying.

  “I love you, Dad.”

  Tom cleared his throat roughly, without looking at her. “Me too. Now finish your doughnut before Diane starts changing us rent.”

  Chapter 8

  Gabriel was only too glad to cut his Christmas shopping short. When he and Richard arrived at the restaurant, they walked over to the counter to join the Mitchells.

  Julia stood up and hugged Gabriel tightly.

  “What happened?” He frowned. “You’ve been crying.”

  “It’s just the Christmas blues.” Julia noticed uncomfortably that some of the restaurant patrons were still staring.

  “What Christmas blues?”

  “I’ll tell you later.” She began to tug him toward the door.

  Richard took a moment to greet Tom, and while the two old friends were talking, Gabriel gently swept Julia’s hair behind her ear in order to whisper something sweet.

  A sudden flash caught Richard’s attention—Grace’s earrings. Clearly, he’d underestimated his son’s new relationship. He knew that Grace would be happy that their son gave her earrings to Julia. Grace loved Julia liked a daughter and always considered her part of their family. Perhaps someday Gabriel would make Julia part of their family officially…

  Gabriel and Tom exchanged polite greetings, and Gabriel picked up Julia’s Christmas gift from Paul. To his credit, he resisted the urge to say something snide and carried the box without comment.

  As the trio approached the door, Officer Roberts walked in. She was wearing her uniform.

  “Hello, Jamie.” Gabriel smiled, but his body tensed.

  “Hi, Gabriel. Home for Christmas?”

  “That’s right.”

  She greeted Julia and Richard, and turned back to Gabriel, noticing the way Julia’s arm was tucked into his elbow.

  “You look good. You look happy.”

  “Thank yo
u. I am.” He smiled genuinely.

  Jamie nodded. “I’m happy for you. Merry Christmas.”

  Julia and Gabriel thanked her and quietly exited the restaurant, reflecting privately on the way forgiveness made certain burdens lighter.

  As they walked through the front door of the Clark house, Gabriel was plotting with Richard to enjoy Scotch and cigars on the patio. Julia was still feeling a little shell-shocked from her confrontation with Natalie, but she was so relieved to be home that she pushed all thoughts of her afternoon aside. She disappeared into the living room while Gabriel and Richard hung up their coats.

  “Sweetheart? Can I take your jacket?” Gabriel called. When she didn’t answer, he followed her.

  His next question died in his throat as he skidded to a stop. His beloved Julianne was frozen like a statue, staring at a woman who was sitting in the living room with Aaron and Rachel. Instinctively, Gabriel gripped Julia’s waist and drew her backward to his chest.

  He watched as the woman rose gracefully from her seat and floated over to them. She moved like a ballerina or a princess, a subtle air of old money clinging like perfume to her every movement.

  She was tall, almost the same height as Gabriel, with long, straight blond hair and large, ice-blue eyes. Her skin was flawless, and she was model thin except for her generous and perfect breasts. She wore knee-high black suede stiletto boots, a black wool pencil skirt, and a pale blue cashmere sweater that hung provocatively off of her alabaster shoulders.

  She was beautiful. And imperious. She took one look at the way Julia was tucked under Gabriel’s arm and arched her back like a Russian blue cat.

  “Gabriel, darling. I’ve missed you!” Her voice was rich and clear, with just a hint of a British accent. She embraced him tightly.

  Julia wriggled away from them, none too keen to engage in a group hug.

  “What are you doing here?” A myriad of emotions flashed across Gabriel’s face as she pressed her full pink lips to both of his cheeks.

  She kissed him slowly, oozing sensuality. To add insult to injury, she wiped her lipstick stain from his skin, chuckling softly as if it were a private joke.

  His eyes fled to Julia’s, and she returned his gaze, eyes tinged with disappointment.

  Before he could say anything, Richard cleared his throat and stepped forward. She brushed his proffered hand aside and hugged him.

  “Richard. A pleasure as always. I was so sorry to hear about Grace.”

  He graciously accepted her embrace and walked over to Julia to assist her with her coat. After he’d hung it up, he quietly persuaded Aaron and Rachel to join him in the kitchen, denying Paulina her audience.

  “I didn’t know you had two sisters.” She acknowledged Julia’s existence with a frosty smile. She towered over Julia, who was wearing plain flat shoes, jeans, and a black cardigan. Beside her, Julia felt dowdy and small.

  “I have only one sister and you know it,” Gabriel snapped. “Why are you here?”

  Julia came to herself and bravely extended her hand, before Gabriel made a scene. “I’m Julia. We spoke on the phone.”

  Paulina kept a tight rein on her facial expression, but Julia saw what she was attempting to conceal—the cold flames of resentment.

  “Really?” she laughed artfully. “Surely you can’t expect me to keep track of all the girls who’ve answered Gabriel’s phone over the years. Unless you were one of the girls I spoke with when I interrupted a ménage? Remember that night, Gabriel?”

  Julia withdrew her hand as if she’d been smacked.

  “I expect an answer to my question,” Gabriel spoke, his voice stiff and cold as a frozen lake. “Why are you here?”

  Julia tried to step away. The verbal picture Paulina had painted repulsed her, and she wasn’t sure she could stomach the answer, whatever it might be. Gabriel caught Julia’s arm, pleading with her with his eyes not to flee.

  “I came to see you, of course. You wouldn’t return my calls, and Carson said that you’d be with your family.” Paulina sounded irritated.

  “Are you on your way to Minnesota?”

  “You know my parents don’t speak to me. Anyway, Gabriel, I need to talk to you.” She gave Julia a venomous look. “Alone.”

  Gabriel was conscious of the fact that the kitchen was still within hearing range of the living room. He took a step closer to Paulina, his voice hovering above a whisper.

  “Allow me to remind you that you are a guest. I won’t tolerate your disrespect for anyone, especially Julianne. Do you understand?”

  “You never treated me like a guest when you were in my mouth,” Paulina muttered, eyes flashing.

  Julia inhaled sharply, her stomach rolling. If she’d met Paulina a few weeks ago, the encounter would have been awkward and uncomfortable. But meeting her now, after having spent hours in Gabriel’s bed, was incredibly painful.

  Paulina knew what it was like to be intimate with him. She knew his sounds, his smell, the look on his face when he climaxed. She was taller, more sophisticated, and far more beautiful. And it was clear that unlike Julia, she had no hesitation about performing oral sex. Furthermore, and far more damaging, she’d created a child with Gabriel, something he was now unable to do with anyone else.

  Julia tore herself from Gabriel’s grasp, turning her back on the former lovers. She knew it would be better if she and he maintained a united front. She also knew it would be better to stand her ground rather than retreat. But her spirit had taken a beating at Kinfolks restaurant, and she no longer had the energy to fight. Emotionally exhausted, she shuffled up the stairs without a backward glance.

  Gabriel watched her walk away, and he felt his heart plummet to the soles of his feet. He wanted to go after her, but there was no way he was going to leave Paulina alone with his father and sister. He excused himself for a moment, disappearing into the kitchen to tell Rachel that Julia had fallen ill and to ask if she would check on her.

  Rachel climbed the staircase and found Julia exiting the washroom on the second floor. “Are you all right?”

  “No. I need to lie down.”

  When Rachel obligingly opened the door to Gabriel’s old room, Julia disdained it and walked across the hall to enter the guest room. Rachel watched as her friend slowly removed her shoes, placing them on the rug next to the bed.

  “Can I get you an aspirin or something?”

  “No. I just need to rest.”

  “Who is that woman? And why is she here?”

  Julia spoke through clenched teeth. “You need to ask your brother.”

  Rachel’s hand tightened on the doorknob. “I will. But the fact that I don’t know who she is tells me something. She can’t have been very important if Gabriel never brought her home.” She turned to leave. “That should tell you something too.”

  Julia reclined on the bed, hoping that sleep would take her quickly.

  * * *

  Gabriel walked into the kitchen three hours later and found Aaron and Rachel engaged in an argument over the correct way to make Grace’s famous chicken Kiev.

  “I’m telling you, you need to freeze the butter first. That’s the way your mom used to do it.” Aaron sounded exasperated.

  “How do you know? She didn’t say anything about freezing the butter.” Rachel gestured to the recipe card.

  “Grace always froze the butter,” said Gabriel, frowning. “She probably assumed everyone would know that. Where’s Julia?”

  Rachel turned on him, wielding a very large wire whisk. “Where have you been?”

  His jaw tightened. “Out. Where is she?”

  “Upstairs. Unless she decided to go back to her father’s house.”

  “Why would she do that?”

  Rachel turned her back on her brother and resumed beating a few eggs. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you went out with one of your ex-girlfriends and left her for three hours. I hope Julia dumps your ass.”

  “Honey…” Aaron reproved her, touching her shoulder.

>   “Don’t.” She pushed his hand away angrily. “Gabriel, you’re lucky Scott isn’t here. Because he’d have dragged you outside by now.”

  Aaron frowned. “What about me? I could drag Gabriel outside, if I wanted to.”

  Rachel rolled her eyes. “No, you couldn’t. And right now, I need you to freeze the God damned butter.”

  Gabriel muttered something unintelligible and walked away. He took his time as he climbed the stairs, trying desperately to formulate an apology that would be worthy of her.

  (Not that it was possible, even with his silver tongue.)

  He stood outside the door while he gathered his bearings, inhaling deeply before entering. But the bed was empty.

  Puzzled, he searched the room. No Julia.

  Returning to the hall, he wondered if she’d sought refuge in Scott’s room, but she hadn’t. The bathroom, likewise, was unoccupied. His eyes alighted on the closed door of the guest room across the hall. He opened it.

  Julia was lying in the center of the bed, sound asleep. He contemplated leaving her to her dreams but rejected the idea. They needed to talk, away from prying ears, and at least for the next little while his family was preoccupied.

  Wordlessly, he removed his shoes and crawled into bed, spooning behind her. The surface of her skin was smooth but cool. He wrapped himself around her.

  “Gabriel?” She blinked sleepily at him. “What time is it?”

  “Six thirty.”

  She rubbed her eyes. “Why didn’t anyone wake me up?”

  “They were waiting for me.”

  “Waiting for you to do what?”

  “I was out. When I came back, Richard wanted to speak with me.”

  “Where did you go?”

  He looked away guiltily.

  “Were you with her?”

  “Her driver’s license is suspended because of the DUI. I dropped her off at a hotel.”

  “Why were you gone so long?”

  He paused, his expression conflicted. “We were talking.”

  “Talking? At a hotel?”

  “She’s upset about the turn her life has taken. Her appearance here was a desperate attempt to change direction.”