Free The Gift of Love by Peggy Bird Page A

made sure to wear the neckpiece she owned created by Cynthia Blaine and left in plenty of time to get to the Pioneer Square gallery by seven.
    It was the usual drizzly end-of-winter/beginning-of-spring night in Seattle, and finding a parking place was difficult, but on her third, or maybe fourth, swing around the block where the gallery was located, a car pulled out in front of her. She squeezed her little Kia into the space and ran through the rain toward the bright lights and buzz of the reception.
    “How nice to see you.” Marius greeted her with a hug as soon as she was in the door. She resisted at first because she could see, over his shoulder, the woman she knew was his wife. But when Cynthia smiled, she relaxed a bit and returned the gesture. He walked her across the gallery with his arm around her shoulders and stopped in front of his wife. Looking down at her, his expression one of barely contained amusement, he started the introductions. “Cynthia, you met Bella Rodriquez last year, but the circumstances weren’t exactly the most conducive to getting to know each other.” He couldn’t seem to stop a wicked grin from breaking out. “Bella, I believe you remember Cynthia Blaine.”
    Bella could feel her face heat up with embarrassment.
    “Oh, for heaven’s sake, Marius, stop torturing the poor woman. Of course we remember meeting each other.” Cynthia extended her hand. “We should both ignore my husband. He’s having way too much fun with this. I’m happy you could join us tonight. It’s long past time we met under more amiable circumstances. And you wore my Cleopatra collar Marius gave you.”
    “My
family
gave her,
querida
,” Marius corrected.
    “Sorry, your
family
gave her.” The couple exchanged smiles, as if this was something they’d said to each other before.
    Bella could feel the flush creeping up her neck again. “I love it. And I wear it all the time.”
    “I’m glad. I always like to know my pieces find homes with people who appreciate them.”
    “Can I get you a glass of champagne, Bella?” Marius asked.
    “You don’t have to. I can get my own,” she said.
    “No, you two talk. I’ll be back shortly.” Marius headed for the bar.
    There was an awkward silence for a few moments. Bella broke it with, “I’m glad I have this chance to give you the apology I owe you for what happened in Portland at the art museum.”
    “That was some evening, wasn’t it? Not exactly the best time for either of us,” Cynthia said. “You’d just lost your father. I’d just found out I was pregnant and thought Marius was cheating on me.”
    “Yes, well, my hanging on to him like some sort of monkey certainly must have looked like he was. I’m sorry I upset you.”
    “Don’t worry about it. Everything worked out. We’re fine. So’s our daughter. And you’ve got a great new job, Marius said.”
    “Yeah, I’m working on opening a branch office for a friend’s business here in Seattle. I thought about contacting Marius when I moved here but wasn’t sure what kind of reception I’d get after ... well, you know. Then I saw him at the Chamber event, and he was his usual friendly self.”
    “He was surprised his family hadn’t mentioned you’d relocated. I assume your family knows you’re here?”
    “Yes, but since my father died, I don’t know how much contact my brothers have with the Hernandez family.”
    “Well, I’m glad you could come tonight. Longtime friends like the two of you shouldn’t lose touch, should they?”
    Bella was impressed by how calm Cynthia seemed. Could she really be so understanding about the woman who’d tried to stake a claim to the man she was now married to? It seemed so. “You’re being gracious and I appreciate it. I’m relieved we’ve begun to clear the air. But I shouldn’t keep you from your other guests. Thank you for inviting me, by the way.”
    “No problem. The more the merrier at an opening reception. Besides, Marius said he’d