Even though her dad couldn’t see her, Cassie forced a smile. “Imagine if I’d wanted to be an accountant. You wouldn’t have known what to do with me.”
Her dad’s response was immediate. “We would have loved you with all our hearts and then asked you for advice. Completing our taxes was never a favorite part of our lives.”
“It’s not mine, either. What are you doing today?”
“I’m working on a new spring collection. I have some rough ideas about where I want to go with the design, but the individual pieces need a little tweaking.”
Tony Harper might have been cleared of stealing another jeweler’s designs, but it hadn’t helped him find work. Before the accusations hit the media, he’d worked for a high-end jewelry company in Los Angeles. Afterward, the only job he could find was working for a small jewelry store in San Francisco.
The owner was a friend of her dad’s and knew he wouldn’t have stolen anything. But mud sticks and Tony Harper had borne the brunt of every false lie and accusation hurled at him.
Cassie knew how much his job meant to him. When everyone had turned their backs on him, his friend stood beside him, allowing her dad the dignity of grieving for his wife and rebuilding his career.
“If you get stuck, you can always send your drawings through to me. I can have a look and tell you what I think.”
“You have enough work to do. Did you decide to close the store today?”
“I did. It feels strange to still be at home and not on my way into town.”
Tony sighed. “You spend too much time in your jewelry store. Maybe this year you could try working forty-hour weeks.”
Cassie knew her dad worked just as many hours as she did. “I promise to be more aware of how many hours I’m working.”
“I suppose that’s better than nothing. Did you get the flowers I sent you?”
The pale pink roses sat in a vase in the center of Cassie’s table. She touched one of the delicate petals and smiled. “I did. Thank you, they’re beautiful.”
“They reminded me of the dress you wore for your graduation. I wish I were there to celebrate your birthday.”
Cassie’s eyes filled with tears. The price of clearing her dad’s name had cost him more than his job. The attorney’s bill had bankrupted him. “I thought I’d fly to San Francisco to see you. It wouldn’t be for another three or four months, though.”
“I’ll look forward to it. Just let me know when you’ll be coming and I’ll take some time off work.”
“That sounds great.” A knot of grief stuck in Cassie’s chest. “Have you been to the cemetery?”
Each year, on her birthday, Cassie and her dad left three roses on her mother’s grave. The first rose represented the past, the wonderful childhood she’d shared with her parents. The second rose was for the here and now, the choices Cassie and her dad were making to create a better life for themselves and the people around them. The third rose represented the future, the hope that the next twelve months would bring happiness and joy into their lives.
“I’m driving to the cemetery soon. When you come to San Francisco, we’ll go back together.”
“Thank you. I’d like that.”
Her dad sighed. “You don’t need to thank me, Cassie. The roses help me, too. Are you doing something special to celebrate your birthday?”
“I’m going hiking.” Cassie could only imagine what her dad must be thinking. For someone who never did more than walk around the lake, hiking in the mountains was pushing her comfort level to the extreme. “Don’t worry. I’ve got a good map and all the safety gear I’ll need.”
“Remember to tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back. And call me when you arrive home. I don’t want to spend the day worrying about you.”
“I’ll be back around three o’clock. If you aren’t home, I’ll call your cell phone.” Cassie checked her watch. “I have to go, Dad. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Make sure you remember to call me,” Tony said sternly. “I love you, baby girl.”
“Love you, too.” After Cassie said goodbye, she stared through the kitchen window. Neither of their lives had been the same since her mom died. But somehow, they’d made every day count toward something amazing. And if it weren’t for the jewelry award, Cassie’s life would be even better.
Noah checked his watch.Without missing a step, he increased his speed, sprinting the last quarter mile around the lake.
Running was the only time he truly felt free. If he was stressed, tired, or had something on his mind, he would change out of his suit and run through Central Park.
This morning, he wasn’t stressed or tired, but he did have something on his mind. He had never met C.J. Davis, never heard her voice, or looked at a clear photo of her. But her jewelry was distracting him from everything he needed to do.
