An Engagement in Seattle - Debbie Macomber [38]
A soft lullaby came to him. He didn’t have much of a singing voice, but this was a song his mother had sung to him as a child when he was troubled. Julia wouldn’t understand the words, but they would soothe her spirit as they had his.
After the first verse, she released a long, trembling sigh. A few minutes later, she was sound asleep once more.
Alek followed her shortly afterward.
Julia opened her eyes and felt the unbearable weight of her sadness crushing her. Ruth was dying. She rolled over and, despite her sadness, realized it wasn’t grief that was pressing her down, but Alek.
Alek! In a sudden panic, she vainly tried to recall the events from the night before. Oh, no, she’d asked him…asked him to sleep with her. She’d been distraught. She hadn’t known what she was doing and now he’d think, he’d assume she wanted him to make love to her…that she’d welcome him to her bed every night.
Scrambling to her feet, she backed away from him, her hand at her breast.
“Julia?”
Her heart leapt into her throat. She’d hoped to slip away without waking him.
“Good morning.”
“’Morning,” she said shyly.
“Did you sleep well?”
Julia nodded and glanced down as the tears sprang readily to her eyes.
“Julia?” He reached for her hand, pulling her back to the bed. She sat on the edge and he slid his arms around her. Words weren’t necessary just then. She was grieving and Alek was there to comfort her. She placed her hands over his and their fingers entwined.
“Thank you,” she whispered when she could form the words. She leaned back, relaxing into his warmth. He kissed her hair and she turned abruptly and flung her arms around his neck, holding him for all she was worth.
He spoke to her, and she smiled softly when she realized it was in Russian. He seemed to forget she didn’t understand him. It didn’t matter. She knew what he was saying from his tone—that he was there, that he loved her.
For the first time, the thought didn’t terrify her.
Sometime later, Julia dressed, although she had trouble holding back the tears. She finished before Alek did and wandered into the kitchen, intent on starting a pot of coffee. She stopped short when she caught sight of a woman working in her kitchen.
“Good morning,” the woman said, struggling with the language. “I am Anna, Alek’s sister.”
Seven
“Hello, Anna.” Julia had forgotten Alek’s sister was coming that morning. “Welcome to America.”
“Thank you.” Alek’s sister was small and thin with brown hair woven into a braid. Her eyes were so like Alek’s, it was as if Julia were staring into her husband’s own dark gaze. Her smile was warm and friendly and despite this awkward beginning, Julia liked her immediately.
“My English is poor, but I’m studying every day.”
“I’m sure you’ll do just fine,” Julia said, wondering why Anna was staring at her.
“I will cook your breakfast.”
“Thank you.”
“Eggs and toast?”
“Yes, please,” Julia answered and hurried into the bathroom. By the time she entered the kitchen, she understood Anna’s concern. There’d been tears in her eyes, and Alek’s sister must have assumed they’d been arguing. Julia hoped to find a way to reassure her that wasn’t the case.
Her breakfast was on the table. Generally she ate on the run, usually picking up a container of orange juice and a muffin at the local convenience store on her drive to the office. When Alek had suggested they hire his sister as a housekeeper and cook, Julia had readily agreed. It was a way of helping his family. A way of repaying her debt to him. A way of eating regular meals herself.
It wasn’t until she sampled the fluffiest, most delicious scrambled eggs she’d ever tasted that Julia realized Anna was the one doing her and Alek the favor.
She was reading over the morning paper when Alek appeared in the kitchen, smartly dressed. He poured himself a cup of coffee while his sister spoke enthusiastically in Russian.
“English,” Julia heard him say. “You must speak English.”
“This country is so beautiful.”
“Yes,” Alek agreed, pulling out the chair across from Julia and