Chapter 59

fifty-nine

BEN

I held the cake box and took a deep breath. I was having dinner with Daniel and his granddad. We'd share some food and talk about what we were doing. After dessert, I'd come home and spend a few minutes staring at the stars before going to bed.

If tonight was going to be so straightforward, why was I nervous? I'd tried on three pairs of jeans, four shirts, and all three of my sweaters before I'd settled on what to wear. My blue jeans and cream shirt weren't new, but they were comfortable.

At least Daniel's dinner would be better than the frozen meal I would have eaten. The smell wafting across the yard from Acorn Cottage had sent my taste buds to heaven and back. I was a sucker for a good barbecue, and Daniel's smelled divine.

As I was about to leave my house, my cell phone rang. Rushing across the kitchen, I answered the call. "Ben speaking."

"You sound like you've run a marathon."

"Dad! It's good to hear from you."

"That's better than the last time we talked. How's the new collection coming along?"

I looked at the door to my studio. "It's great. I've finished the Victoria necklace. I'm working on some of my own pieces while I wait for the gemstones for the Elizabeth necklace. They should arrive in the next few days."

"Are you sure you'll be safe? I don't like you having so many valuable gemstones in your studio."

From the moment my dad saw the draft sketches of the royal collection, he'd been concerned. He was worried someone would break in and steal the gemstones and possibly hurt me. "The new security system has been installed and I keep everything in my safe. As soon as each piece is finished, a security company from Boulder collects it and takes it to Manhattan. Besides, no one apart from you, Daniel's family, and my friends know B.J. Davis lives here."

"I'd still prefer you to work from your jewelry store."

Jacqueline, my liaison person with Wilson Enterprises, had said the same thing. "It's only for a few more days. The person who's looking after my store starts a teaching job next week. When she leaves, I'll be working from town."

"Will you be able to meet your deadline with Wilson Enterprises?"

"I hope so."

Dad must have heard the uncertainty in my voice. "If you need me to look after your store, I can take some time off work."

I leaned against the kitchen counter. "You're as busy as I am."

"I don't want you to miss this opportunity. If I need to move to Sunrise Bay for a couple of months, I'll do it."

"Thanks, Dad, but I think I'll be okay. I'm well ahead of schedule." I glanced at my watch. "Can I give you a call in the morning? Daniel and his granddad have invited me to dinner. They're staying in Acorn Cottage."

There were a few seconds of silence before Dad spoke. "Daniel and his grandfather are there? When did that happen?"

"Patrick arrived last Sunday. Daniel came today."

"How do you feel about seeing Daniel again?"

I looked through my kitchen window. "I thought I'd be upset but, when I saw him, I realized how much I've misjudged him."

"But?"

Dad had a habit of knowing when I wasn't telling the whole truth. "I'm still upset he paid Emanuel's legal expenses. It's not right that Emanuel walked away with no debt, but you lost everything."

"Once the case went to trial, no one could have stopped it. If Wilson Enterprises knew Emanuel was lying, do you think they would have kept going?"

I rubbed my forehead. "No."

"The trial had an impact on everyone. If there's anything your mom's death taught me, it was that life's too short to hold a grudge against someone. Sometimes you have to let it go and move on with your life. If you don't, it eats you up and leaves you less than what you were."

"Have you been able to let it go?"

"It took a while but, yes, I've let go of the anger and resentment. So, when am I going to meet Daniel?"

"I don't know. We're still working out what's happening between us."

"Do you love him?"

I held the phone tight. "Yes."

"And how does Daniel feel about you?"

"I think he loves me."

Tony sighed. "It sounds as though I need to meet him sooner rather than later."

"He's a good man, Dad."

"So are a lot of people. But it doesn't mean they're good enough for you."

I smiled. "I'm a grown up now, Dad."

"Not in my eyes. Be careful, Ben. You've been through a lot over the last few years."

"I will. I love you, Dad."

"Love you, too. Tell Daniel and his grandfather I said hello."

"I'll tell them. Bye." I ended the call and picked up the cake box. Tonight didn't have to be about my relationship with Daniel. It could simply be dinner with two people whose company I enjoyed.

With that thought in my mind, I closed the front door and walked across to Acorn Cottage.