His parents might’ve been fools back in the day, but their actions had left deep scars in Julian and the siblings who were old enough to remember the details of those seemingly unending years they’d spent at war with each other, with their nine children trapped in the middle.
They’d understood at an early age that the only way to keep from reliving that experience was to remain unmarried.And here he was, thinking he might be able to overrule a lifetime commitment to staying single if it meant giving Isla what she wanted.
He would’ve laughed at how intensely tempted he was to cave if the stakes hadn’t been so high.
Twenty minutes later, when Mattie buzzed to tell him his first client of the day had arrived, he’d done nothing but stare off into space, thinking about Isla.Every moment with her had been pure bliss.He’d never experienced a connection with another human being that could rival the one he’d found with her—even with Aimee.
If there was any one indicator that this was different, it was that.Aimee had been his only love until now.No one else had ever come close to making him feel the way she had.
Until Isla.
And now…
Julian gathered the case file, his notebook and pen and headed for the conference room where his client waited for him, taking thoughts of Isla and the things Mattie had said with him.
He wondered how he would think about anything else.
Isla had putthe kids down for naps, showered and done her hair when Mrs.V came in, bringing salads for both of them.She’d come over to stay with the kids while Isla went to the wake in Santa Barbara and would spend the weekend with them while she worked at the Whisky.
They sat at the kitchen table to eat.“Thanks for bringing lunch.”
“No problem.How’re you feeling?”
“My stomach is in knots for multiple reasons.”
“You want to talk about it?”
Isla picked at the salad with grilled chicken, goat cheese and walnuts, usually one of her favorite meals.Today, she couldn’t seem to work up enthusiasm for food or anything else, for that matter.
“I’m anxious about the wake.”
“Which is only natural.It’s a very sad thing.”
“Yes, it is.I’m doing the right thing by not taking the kids, right?”
“Absolutely.They’re far too young to understand, especially if it’s an open casket.”
“Ugh, I hope it isn’t.”
“It’s apt to be.His appearance didn’t change much, despite his illness.”
“I can’t bear to see him like that.”
“As his wife, you could request that the casket be closed.”
“His parents should have whatever they want.”
“You have a say in it, too.If it’s too upsetting for you, you can request that it be closed.”
“I’ll think about that.”
“What else?”
Isla looked up at her, knowing she shouldn’t be surprised that Mrs.V saw right through her.“Julian and I have decided to just be friends.”
“How come?”
“We want different things.”
