Page 63 of Save the Drama for your Mama
We turned to each other and laughed.
“You don’t seem surprised that my mom had your photos,” Cooper said. “Were you aware that she knew you were alive?”
“Not at first,” James said. “I received a large order for ten pictures. That was unusual—most customers only buy one photo, maybe two or three at the most. When I saw they were being shipped to a man named Alfredo at the Twin Palms Cemetery in Coronado, it piqued my curiosity, but I let it go because I figured they were remodeling or something. Then I saw the name on the credit card.”
“Sandra Galloway?” Melody guessed.
James nodded. “You got it. That was when I figured out your clever mother had found a way to keep me close to her heart, even though we couldn’t be together. I was very touched by the gesture. And that just shows you how much Sandra and I were connected, because I did the exact same thing with her books. I have read all twenty-five of them, which keeps her close to my heart as well.” He reached over and patted Cooper on the side of the arm. “And you are a special gift that keeps her even closer. Life goes on. I am a very lucky man. I have a life companion that I adore, and now I have gained a long-lost son.”
I was struck by James’s resilience. Even after everything he had been through, including losing his first love, he had an infectious zest for life. His warm spirit was a reminder to embrace each day and look for things to be grateful for, even when things don’t go our way.
“I wanted to go to her memorial, but I didn’t want to risk being seen and complicate matters,” James said.
“I understand,” Cooper said.
“I assume you live in Coronado?” James asked.
“San Francisco,” he said.
A sinking feeling hit the pit of my stomach.
Abigail had mentioned to me at the bookstore that she thought Cooper lived in San Francisco, but I blew it off because it didn’t matter. Then it slipped my mind when we started living together in the same house.
Why did it feel like it mattered now? What changed? Maybe I was disappointed he would eventually go home because it was right when I was just getting to know him and enjoy his company.
“It’s a short flight,” Cooper added. “Little over an hour and I’m back.”
“That’s close enough to join us for Thanksgiving,” James said, grinning.
“Count me in,” Cooper replied. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Perfect.” James glancing at me. “My goodness, where are my manners? Cooper and I have been talking up a storm while you’ve not had a chance to get a word in edge-wise, Melody.” He smiled at me. “Please, tell me a little about yourself. What is it you do?”
I dabbed my lips with a napkin, then pushed my plate away since I had finished my lunch. “I’m a historic restoration consultant. I oversee the preservation of historic homes and structures.”
“What a fascinating job,” James said. “What made you go into such a niche field?”
“I guess you could say I’ve always had a passion for the past,” I said.
Cooper cleared his throat and mumbled, “Obsession is more like it.”
I gave him a knowing smile and nudged his shoulder. “I prefer the term concentrated preoccupation. There’s just something so powerful about preserving pieces of history. It’s like dusting them off and giving them a new life.”
“And she’s not just into historic homes,” Cooper said, gesturing to me. “She loves historical movies, books, old coins, antiques, just about anything. It’s one of the things I admire about her.”
Wait, Cooper admired something about me? Since when had he paid such close attention to anything I had done? And since when had his lips looked so yummy? I stared inside my drink, still wondering what was in it.
“I’m surprised you don’t own an antique shop,” he said. “With all the hidden treasures in the world, it seems like you would be in your element.”
“It’s funny you should mention that,” I said. “Even though I love being a historic restoration consultant, it has crossed my mind a few hundred times to have an antique shop, or venture into becoming an online antiquities dealer. I’ve also wanted to run a museum. There are so many possibilities, and luckily, I love what I do right now.”
“You’re a natural, that’s for sure.” Cooper glanced at James, but gestured to me. “You should have seen her face when we found an original love letter from Alexander Hamilton in the attic. Her eyes just lit up. It was such a beautiful thing to behold. She truly does have a passion for history.”
What was going on?
Why was he being so nice?
And that way he was looking at me . . .
