Chapter 48

forty-eight

BEN

Near the end of my speech, I looked up and smiled at the audience. More than two hundred people were staring back at me, still shocked, I imagined, from hearing my name announced as the winner of the Wilson Award.

For the first time since I'd stepped into the Rainbow Room, I wasn't worried about anyone knowing about my father. B. J. Davis was a mystery to almost everyone here and, as long as I had anything to say about it, that's the way it would stay.

"And finally," I said to the audience, "I would like to thank my family and friends for their support. Without them, I wouldn't be standing here today."

As I stepped away from the microphone, I shook Daniel's hand. I smiled when the photographer took a picture of us and acknowledged the clapping audience with a nod of my head.

My smile became more forced when I thought about my dad. I'd invited him to the presentation, but he didn't want to come. Too many people knew him and he didn't want to spoil my night.

"You're doing great," Daniel whispered from beside me. "Once the photographer's finished you can enjoy the rest of the evening."

I moved the heavy trophy to my other arm. I didn't know if I would have described tonight as enjoyable. Being the center of attention had never come easily to me. If I had a choice, I would have preferred to be in Sunrise Bay, working on my next project.

After Daniel thanked everyone for coming and announced dessert was ready to be served, he escorted me back to my chair.

Owen shook my hand. "Congratulations. Your jewelry's beautiful."

Daniel's granddad opened his arms and hugged me. "Well done. I'm looking forward to seeing your new designs."

I glanced across the table as Daniel sat down. "I thought you would have seen the sketches of my new collection."

"I'm not as involved in the company as I used to be. Daniel and Owen keep telling me I should retire, but even thinking about it gives me nightmares. I wouldn't know what to do with myself."

I smiled and nodded. "My dad has a few years to go before he retires, but it's been on his mind, too. It isn't easy making such a big change in your life."

Patrick studied my face. "I think you understand better than most how it feels. Moving to Sunrise Bay couldn't have been an easy decision to make."

I carefully thought about my answer. "It wasn't. Dad and I are incredibly close, but I needed a fresh start."

"It happens to most of us at some point. Your dad must be proud of you."

I nodded. "He was sorry he couldn't be here tonight." Regardless of what Patrick might have been told, I wanted him to know my dad was a good man. "My dad's a jeweler, too. When I was little, he made me a set of tools I could use in his workshop. He didn't mind if I made a mess or wasted some of the materials. All he cared about was allowing me to be creative and find my own feet in the world."

"You were fortunate. A lot of children don't get the same opportunity." Patrick looked at each of his grandsons. "Before Daniel and Owen's parents died, we spent a lot of time on Shelter Island. Their mom and dad took them to the beach each morning. They spent hours making sandcastles. When it was too hot to be outside, their grandma and I took them to Peggy Anne's Ice Cream Shop. Staying at the cottage gave everyone a chance to be themselves and enjoy each other's company."

After what happened to Daniel's parents, those memories must be even more special. "Daniel told me about Shelter Island. Do you still go there?"

"I haven't been back in years. Daniel's talking about returning for Christmas, but I don't know if it'll happen." He leaned sideways as a waiter placed his dessert in front of him. "I wasn't the best grandfather in the world. After Daniel's parents died, I spent most of my time at work. Mary, my wife, was their rock."

I looked into Patrick's sad face. "Everyone handles grief differently. Sometimes, the hardest part is learning how to let go."

One of the finalists sitting at our table tapped a spoon against a crystal glass. "I'd like to propose a toast. To B.J. Davis. Congratulations on winning the award. May you have a long and successful career."

As everyone around the table raised their glass, I forced a smile. After tonight, I'd slip back into the background, create beautiful jewelry, and make my dad even more proud.