Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove Series, Volume 2 by Debbie Macomber Page A

else, either.” She stretched out her hand, turning it this way and that. “The ring is beautiful, Anson. My favorite color. It’s perfect. ”
    â€œI had to guess at the size.”
    Allison threw her arms around him. “I love you.” They clung to each other for a long moment. When he kissed her, she felt as if she’d spun off into some new galaxy, unknown to anyone but them. It was hard to break away from him, hard to remember that they were in full view of the road and anyone who happened to drive by.
    â€œThank you, Anson,” she said softly, gazing down at her ring again. “This is so thoughtful. It’s so you. ”
    â€œI wish it was the Hope Diamond.”
    â€œIn my heart it is.” Allison would treasure this ring all her life. She didn’t want him to go, especially so far from Cedar Cove, but at the same time, she knew this was an unmatched opportunity for him. She wouldn’t take it away from Anson for anything.
    Anson locked his arms at the small of her back and leaned his forehead against hers. “Wait for me.”
    Allison nodded. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll always be here for you, Anson. Always.”
    He kissed her again. They separated reluctantly and, holding hands, walked back to the parked car.
    In the morning Anson would be gone.

Ten
    W hen Teri left the mall Tuesday evening after work, she found James waiting for her. Her husband’s driver, following Bobby’s instructions, drove her to and from the salon; Bobby seemed to think she was safer that way. James stood outside the car near the passenger door, waiting for her. “Good evening, Miss Teri.”
    â€œGood evening, James.” The minute she’d slipped inside the vehicle, she took off her shoes and rubbed her aching feet. She’d had a lot of clients and hardly any breaks.
    â€œDid you have a good day?” he asked in a solicitous voice.
    â€œYes, thanks.” Generally James wasn’t very talkative. For some reason he’d been more sociable the last few days.
    â€œI thought it was commendable of you to invite your family for dinner last weekend.”
    Well, it’d been an experience, that was for sure. “It’s nice of you to say so.”
    He dutifully closed the car door before walking around to the driver’s side. About halfway home, Teri noticed that James kept glancing at her in the rearview mirror.
    â€œIs something the matter, James?” she asked, finding his behavior curious.
    â€œWrong, miss?”
    â€œYou keep looking at me.”
    â€œSorry, miss, it’s just that you and your sister don’t resemble each other at all.”
    Teri snickered. “She’s my half sister and she got the beauty while I got the brains.” Teri wasn’t convinced that was an accurate assessment, but it sounded good.
    â€œShe is beautiful,” he murmured.
    Surprised at the comment, Teri studied him for a moment. It had never occurred to her that James might be romantically interested in her sister. But why not? And why wouldn’t Christie be interested in him? He was single, employed and attractive in his own way. A considerable improvement over the men she usually chose.
    â€œJames,” she said. “Don’t take me directly home this evening.”
    â€œI beg your pardon, Miss Teri?”
    â€œTake me to my sister’s house.”
    â€œShe lives in an apartment.”
    â€œOkay, her apartment then.” Teri hadn’t been in contact with Christie in quite some time and certainly hadn’t visited her current home.
    â€œShould I let Bobby know?”
    â€œNo, we’ll only be a few minutes.”
    James sat up a bit straighter. “Whatever you say, miss.”
    â€œJames, call me Teri.”
    â€œYes, miss.”
    The drive took a few minutes, so Teri asked James about her husband. Ever since the threat, he’d hardly left the house. But every day, regular