Loving Treasures by Gail Gaymer Martin Read Free Book Online Page A

Jemma. Tell me you’re not.” He moved his hand across the tabletop and rested it on hers.
    His touch wrapped her in an unexpected calm. “Not miserable, exactly. But far from where I’d like to be.”
    “And where would you like to be?”
    She longed to tell him. She’d like to be close to him, protected in his strong arms and soothed with his deep, reassuring voice. “I don’t know,” she answered finally. “But not at the Dorchesters.”
    “Then, resign.”
    It was as simple as that. Resign. She pondered the thought. She could easily give her notice—give them time to replace her—but she wasn’t one to act rashly. “What would I do then? Go back to Claire’s?” She lowered her eyes. “I can’t. I really can’t.”
    “I have a job waiting for you. Believe me, you can take your pick. Reservation desk, office clerk, waitress, housekeeper. You’re doing that now. A jobat Bay Breeze would be much better…and I guarantee a better wage.”
    She needed to think. Even more, she needed to ask God what to do. “I don’t know. I just can’t—”
    He pressed his finger to her lips, then turned her head with his free hand.
    She looked through the window and witnessed a lake of fire and diamonds. A miracle of orange, gold and silver spread across the water in glinting prisms of refracted light. A gasp escaped her.
    “So beautiful,” Philip whispered.
    “It is,” she whispered. She returned her gaze to his and felt her head spin, seeing his tender, telling smile.
    “The sunset, too, Jemma, but I’m talking about you. You’re like a spring day…all fresh and glowing with your golden hair and dress covered with sprigs of flowers.”
    He touched the sleeve of her simple print gown, sending a shiver of excitement down her arm.
    “So young…and expectant. I envy you. I wish I was young again.”
    “You envy me?” Jemma stared at him with disbelief. “Me?” She shook her head. “Anyone would envy you. You have everything a person could want. Success, wealth, generosity, kindness, people who look up to you—”
    “I have nothing.”
    She stopped breathing.
    “Don’t look at me like that. I’m not out of mymind. My life is set. No adventure. No surprises. No family.”
    Her mind shot back to their first birthday dinner. “Your brother?”
    “No. Not that kind of family. A family of my own.”
    Jemma couldn’t believe what she heard. “A while ago you told me to spread my arms and fly. How about taking your own advice?”
    “My own advice is for the young. I’m old enough to be your father, Jemma. Could you see your father spreading his arms and flying?”
    “He could be…in heaven. My father died years ago.”
    His face blanched. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
    “That’s okay—but don’t you see? You’re only fifty. That’s still young enough for—”
    “Not for what I want.”
    Like a whirlwind, questions spun through Jemma’s mind. What did he want? Not her, that was clear. Was there some woman in his life? A woman he loved who didn’t love him? How could that be? She had no words, no answers that rose from the gale in her head.
    She turned and faced the water, seeing the last of the golden rays spill across the horizon, the heavens shadowing to coral and violet. Like her dreams, the sky had glowed, then faded to nothing but black night.
    One stark thought pierced the darkness. She could never work at Bay Breeze. Seeing Philip every day would weigh on her heart. And she’d already had enough sorrow for a whole lifetime.

Chapter Four
    “I understand,” Philip said, controlling his discouragement. “I’ve heard the complaints myself.”
    Ian Barry fiddled with the keys clutched in his hand and shuffled from one foot to the other. “You’re the boss, Philip, but I’m getting nailed every day for the positions we haven’t filled.”
    “I know.” Philip’s focus riveted to the telephone. Why hadn’t Jemma called and accepted his job offer? He knew the time had come