Cedar Cove Collection

“Are you saying an agent’s interested in me?”

She nodded. “More than interested.”

“Who?”

“His name is Marc Albright and he’s already made two tentative sales of your photographs.”

“Already? What about the terms?”

“It’s limited use and Jon, oh, Jon, the money is fabulous.” When she told him the figure, his eyebrows shot up in disbelief.

“Limited use?” he asked. “As what?”

“One’s being picked up for a print ad for an outdoor clothing franchise and the other’s the backdrop for an author’s promotional kit, which is being sent to booksellers and distributors.”

“Which shots?” he asked, immediately curious, just as Maryellen had been. She had them ready and pulled out the two photographs for his inspection.

Jon glanced at them, then looked up, his eyes filled with shock—as if, only now, had this become real to him.

“Remember how we talked about me being your manager one day?” she asked.

He nodded.

“Well, my beloved husband, that day has arrived.”

Jon smiled widely. “That’s wonderful, Maryellen.” He stood and hugged her, then announced that he needed a shower.

A shower? Jon wanted to go upstairs and take a shower? She’d just delivered the best news of his career and all he could think about was a shower?

Maryellen didn’t allow her disappointment to show. She hadn’t known Jon all these years for nothing; he needed to process this information in his own way.

When he’d finished his shower, Maryellen was in bed. Drake would wake for his feeding soon. She considered waking him now and getting it over with so she could count on a few hours of uninterrupted sleep, but that wasn’t a practice she wanted to start.

The moonlight shone through the uncurtained window. Jon kept the bedside lamp off as he slipped between the sheets. “I did hear you right, didn’t I? I have an agent?”

“He’s one of the top agents in the country.” She smiled. “I did my research, you know.”

Jon lifted her hair and dropped soft kisses on her neck.

When he stopped, Maryellen rolled onto her back and discovered him looking down at her, his head propped up on one elbow. “He’d like to talk to you in the morning,” she said.

“And you only mention that now?”

She grinned and threw her arms around him. “Are you excited yet?”

“I’m getting there.”

“You should be, Jon.”

“He likes my work?”

Maryellen wanted to laugh out loud. “He thinks you’re brilliant. And you are.”

In response, Jon lowered his mouth to hers. Their kisses took on an urgency that matched their happiness, and soon he’d divested Maryellen of her nightgown. When he moved over her, she sighed her welcome and arched up to receive him. They were familiar lovers and clung to each other afterward, their kisses warm and loving.

“When I walked into the house, I thought I’d fall asleep on my feet,” Jon told her. “I was that exhausted. Now I’m so excited I don’t know if I can sleep.”

“Me, too.” Maryellen felt like giggling. “I’m dying to tell people. Mom phoned this evening and Rachel, too, and I didn’t say a word.” Her mother was a nervous wreck over the wedding reception; in fact, Maryellen had never seen her so unnerved by a social event. She’d thought of saying something about Cliff and Will Jefferson, but hadn’t. It all seemed too complicated, and she didn’t feel she should involve herself or interfere.

“Well, you can tell them now,” Jon said sleepily.

Maryellen nodded. As a matter of fact, she intended to let the whole world know.

Cuddling up with her husband, Maryellen murmured, “Rachel and I had a long talk.”

Jon made a noncommittal sound, obviously drifting off.

“I’m afraid I’m going to lose her,” she said.

“What do you mean?” Jon mumbled.

“She’s been seeing this navy guy and he recently got transferred. She really misses him.”

“That’s nice.”

It wasn’t, but Maryellen didn’t bother to explain, since Jon was more interested in sleeping. “You remember what it’s like to be in love, don’t you?” she couldn’t resist teasing.

“Sure do.”

Maryellen could tell he was smiling. “Lots of benefits come along with it.” Maryellen kissed his jaw. “I think she might move to California.”

“Who?”

“Rachel.”

“Oh, yes, your friend …” His response was followed by a soft snore. For the next few minutes, she listened to Jon’s deep, even breathing. He worked hard and was on his feet for a long, stressful shift. But that was about to change; soon his photography would bring in enough to meet their financial obligations.

Contented, Maryellen closed her eyes. She was almost asleep when Drake’s hungry cry startled her. Her eyes flew open.

“Okay, okay,” she whispered, tossing aside the covers and climbing out of bed. Although she’d begun her new role as Jon’s manager, her job right now was that of a mother. Just to make sure she remembered that, Drake squalled again.

Twenty-Nine

The day of her reception had finally arrived. Preparing for it, trying to get all the details right, had made Grace more nervous than she’d been about either of her weddings. Her first to Dan Sherman, shortly after her high-school graduation, had been a large formal affair. Olivia Jefferson had been her maid of honor, and she’d had three bridesmaids. Her parents had invited a crowd of family and friends, some of whom she’d never even met.

Wearing a traditional white wedding dress had been hypocritical, since Grace was nearly four months pregnant with Maryellen at the time. Her mother, who’d wanted to keep the pregnancy quiet, had insisted, however. Grace had gone along with it, although she suspected that anyone looking at her would guess.

Still, she’d been a happy bride. She’d loved Dan, although in retrospect, she’d known virtually nothing about either love or life. The hard realities would hit soon enough. In an effort to support his wife and child, Dan had enlisted in the army and been sent to Vietnam. The young man who’d left her behind with their unborn child had been forever changed in the jungles of Southeast Asia. The man she’d loved and married had never returned; a very different Dan Sherman had come home instead.