Tears filled Cassie’s eyes. “That’s wonderful. After you get married, I want you to keep it. The necklace is my wedding gift to you.”
Sam’s mouth dropped open. “I can’t accept it. It’s far too valuable.”
“I made it for you,” Cassie insisted. “It doesn’t belong with anyone else.”
“Cassie’s right,” Megan said. “It’s special.”
Sam walked across to Cassie and hugged her. “Thank you. Whenever I wear the necklace, I’ll think of you.”
“I hope so. It’s made with love.”
“Talking about love…” Megan’s cheeks turned a soft shade of pink. “I have some news, too. William, Nora, and I are going to have a new addition to our family.”
Cassie frowned. “You’re getting a puppy?”
Megan grinned. “No. I’m pregnant. We’re having a baby.”
Sam rushed across the room and hugged Megan.
It had only been a few months since Megan and William had married in Pastor John’s church. Cassie knew they wanted a family, but—
“I know what you’re thinking,” Megan said with a smile. “It’s a little sooner than we planned, but we’re so happy.”
Cassie opened her arms and hugged her friend. “Congratulations. How are you feeling?”
“Like I’m seasick all the time, but it shouldn’t last too much longer.”
Mrs. Cousins smiled. “I know just the thing that will help. I have some ginger ale in my kitchen. While Sam is changing out of her gown, I’ll pop upstairs and get it.”
Cassie held onto Megan’s hand. “Come and sit beside me. When is your baby due?”
As she sat down, Megan sighed. “Next year, at the end of April.” She gently squeezed Cassie’s fingers. “The necklace you made Sam is beautiful. Tell me you’ve changed your mind about accepting the jewelry award.”
Cassie shook her head. “I can’t accept it. It would have been great to have the support of Wilson Enterprises, but it doesn’t matter. New customers are finding me all the time and, thanks to my website, each collection is getting noticed by more people.”
Megan studied her face. “You seemed to enjoy Noah’s company. Do you miss him?”
“He was only here for a week.”
“It doesn’t matter. Your heart knows when you’ve found the right person.”
Cassie looked down at their linked hands. She did miss Noah, but she wasn’t ready to admit it to anyone. If he was here, she would have called him and told him Megan’s news. But he wasn’t living in Sapphire Bay, and he never would.
“Noah looks at the world differently from me. A relationship between us would never have worked.” And the sooner she forgot about him, the easier it would be for everyone.
Noah was sittingon a chair on Cassie’s front veranda, waiting for her to come home. He checked his watch, then went back to editing the report his board of directors was waiting to see. It was nearly six o’clock in the evening. If Cassie didn’t arrive home in the next thirty minutes, he would drive into town and find somewhere to stay for the night.
Unfortunately, he hadn’t been able to leave New York City as quickly as he wanted. The earliest flight out of LaGuardia had left at nine o’clock this morning. To miss the rush-hour traffic, Noah had left his apartment at the crack of dawn. As soon as he arrived at the airport, he’d found United’s airport lounge and completed more work than he would have if he were sitting in Manhattan.
His phone rang and Noah looked at the caller display. His heart sank. “Hi, Granddad.”
“What are you doing in Sapphire Bay?” Patrick Devlin barked. “You’re supposed to be getting ready for tomorrow’s board meeting.”
“The board has a copy of my initial report, and they’ll receive my second report soon. Jack has organized a teleconference meeting so that I can be part of the decision-making.”
“You don’t run a business by telephone. You should be here.”
He knew his granddad was worried about the company, but Noah had anticipated as many issues as he could. “Jack will be at the meeting. I’ll be part of everything that happens. Being in Sapphire Bay won’t make any difference.”
