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.Alek didn’t like the way the other man had looked at her, either, with a leer, as if he could have her with no more than a few persuasive words.Alek hadn’t thought of himself as jealous, but the quiet rage he’d felt when he found Roger Stanhope pestering Julia couldn’t be denied.The man was a weakling.Stanhope relied on his sleek good looks, his flashy smile and compelling personality instead of intelligence, honest work and business acumen.Alek wasn’t fooled.Roger Stanhope was an enemy.Not only of Julia’s, but Jerry’s, as well.Julia hadn’t explained the telephone conversation she’d had with her brother, even when he’d asked.Although she’d tried to make light of Jerry’s call, Alek had caught snatches of the conversation, enough to know she was worried.She’d been unable to disguise her distress.Stanhope wasn’t worth one iota of anxiety.As Julia’s husband, it was up to Alek to make sure that the man who’d betrayed her and her family wouldn’t be allowed to do so again.Alek was gone when Julia woke and she instantly experienced a surge of disappointment.One look at the clock explained Alek’s absence.The last time she’d slept past ten had been as a teenager.Nevertheless, she missed him.A slow smile spread over her lips.She’d married quite a man.Obviously he worked with as much energy and enthusiasm as he made love.She climbed out of bed and threw on her robe.Since it was Saturday, and her week had been hellish, she intended to relax.There would be problems enough to deal with on Monday morning.The desire to rush into her office today was nonexistent.She was knotting the belt on her pink silk robe as she wandered into the kitchen.Anna was there, busily whipping up something delicious, no doubt.“Good morning, Anna.”“Good morning.” Alek’s sister stopped what she was doing and brought Julia a cup of coffee.Being waited on was a luxury that would soon spoil her.“I’ll take care of myself,” Julia told her, not unkindly.“You go back to whatever you’re doing.” She walked over to the counter and on closer examination saw that the contents of Anna’s bowl resembled cookie dough.A sample confirmed her guess.Oatmeal raisin, she thought.“Yum.”Anna grinned at the compliment.“Alek asked me to bake them this morning for your picnic.”Julia paused halfway across the kitchen floor.“Our picnic?”“Yes, he left a note asking me to pack a basket of food.He gave me a long list of everything he wants.”“Where is he?” Julia asked, adding cream to her coffee.“Do you know?”Anna shook her head as she resumed stirring the thick batter.“No.He had some errand.He doesn’t tell me much.I’m only his sister.”“He doesn’t tell me much, either,” Julia added with a short laugh.“I’m only his wife.”Anna giggled.“He should be back soon.He said you were very tired and wanted to be sure you slept as long as you needed.I’m very sorry about your grandmother.”“Thank you—I’m sorry, too,” Julia said, breathing in deeply at the fresh stab of pain she felt at the mention of Ruth’s death.That pain would be with her for a long while.Losing her grandmother had left a wide, gaping hole in her heart.Alek’s love had helped her begin to heal, but she would always miss Ruth.Sitting down at the table with the morning paper, Julia tried to focus her attention on the headlines.Soon the words blurred and ran together.The tears came as an unwelcome surprise, and she bent her head, hoping Anna wouldn’t notice.The sound of the front door opening announced Alek’s return.Julia hurriedly wiped the tears from her cheeks and smiled up at him.She hadn’t fooled him, she realized, but it didn’t matter.He strolled over to her, his eyes full of love, and kissed her deeply.Julia had trouble not losing herself in his kiss.It would have been so easy to let it lead to something more.…Alek glanced impatiently over his shoulder at his sister.“I’ll give her the rest of the day off,” he whispered.“Don’t be silly.”The hunger in his eyes told her how serious he was.He raised her effortlessly from her chair, sat down and held her in his lap.“You slept late?” he questioned, smoothing the hair away from her face.“Very late.You should’ve gotten me up.”“I was tempted.Tomorrow I will have no qualms about waking you.”“Really?” she asked, loving him so much it felt as if she could hardly contain it.She saw Anna watching them and could tell that Alek’s sister was pleased at their closeness.“We’re going on a picnic?”“Yes,” Alek said, his face brightening.“Where?”“That’s a surprise.Bring a sweater, an extra set of clothes and a…” He hesitated, as if searching for a word, something he rarely did.“A kite.”“Kite…as in a flying-in-the-wind kite?”He nodded enthusiastically.“Alek,” she said, studying him, “Are you taking me to the ocean?”“Yes, my love, the ocean.And,” he added, “we’re leaving our cell phones and BlackBerries behind.”Julia had no problem with that directive.Within fifteen minutes they were on their way.Anna’s basket was tucked away in the backseat, along with an extra set of clothes for each of them, several beach towels, a blanket—and no fewer than five different kites, all of which Alek had bought while he was out.He drove to Ocean Shores.The sun shone brightly and the surf pounded the sand with a roar that echoed toward them.The scent of salt stung the air.Sea gulls soared overhead, looking for an opportune meal.There were plenty of people, but this was nothing like the crowded beaches along the Oregon and California coasts.Alek parked the car and found them an ideal spot to spread out their blanket and bask in the sunshine.Julia removed her shoes and ran barefoot in the warm sand, chasing after him.“This is perfect,” she cried, throwing out her arms.“I love it.”Alek returned to the car for their picnic basket and the kites and joined her on the blanket.He looked more relaxed than she could ever remember seeing him.He sank down beside her and stretched out with a contented sigh.The wind buffeted them and a minute later, Alek moved, positioning himself behind her
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