Free Hidden Legacy by Sylvie Kurtz

truth or a polite lie? She settled on something in between. “I’ve had a family emergency. I don’t want to rush the job and—”
    “Rush it. I’ve got to have it tonight.”
    “If you’ll give me a couple of days, I’ll let you have it at cost.”
    “Everything’s set. I’ve got to have it tonight.”
    Brent Horton wanted what he wanted when he wanted it, and was stubborn enough to stick to his guns no matter what. She wouldn’t have time to send the stones out to be set, she’d have to do it herself. Setting the stones would require concentration she didn’t have, devotion she didn’t feel. If she told him the truth, would he understand her inability to focus?
    “I—”
    “If I have to reschedule, I’ll go elsewhere. If I go elsewhere, Juliana, I won’t be back. I need to know I can depend on you whatever else is going on in your life—just as my clients depend on me with unbending faith.” Though the tone of his voice was avuncular, the threat was implicit. With him would go a good third of her business.
    Go to hell , she wanted to shout. My daughter’s life is worth more than your damned engagement ring. Venting would have felt good, relieved some of the strain making her feel like rice in a pressure cooker. But she didn’t. A business like hers was built on quality of service and good word of mouth. Brent had done much to advance the latter. The former was up to her.
    “I hear Ben Reeves has been looking at real estate,” he said. “He’s been looking to start his own business.”
    Ben was one of her part-time workers. He had both skill and ambition. She’d already started advertising for a replacement. “Yes, he’s told me as much.”
    “He’s a good man, a good worker. Dependable.”
    Brent left so much dangling between the words. The un-subtle threat made Juliana’s teeth ache, her saliva bitter.
    “The ring will be ready by six.” Somehow she’d have to pull herself together.
    “I’d like the box gift wrapped after I’ve examined the ring.”
    “Of course.” She hung up slowly, deliberately.
    “Problem?” Lucas asked, looking up from his laptop as she hung up.
    “Part of the job.” She removed the ring and tray of stones from the safe, adjusted the flex light over her bench, donned a mask over her nose and mouth, and strapped on her safety glasses.
    “Can I help?”
    “You can leave.” With a prayer for strength, she turned on soft music on her iPod to cut the whine of the motorized buffer, and bent to the task.
    Her fingers shook as she poised the band over the buff of soft flannel. Her brain buzzed with thoughts of Briana.
    “I’m going to get some coffee next door,” Lucas said. His hand on her shoulder seemed to transfer steadiness. The gesture both reassured and troubled her. She wanted to lean into it, recoil from it. “Want some?”
    She shook her head. She couldn’t afford to lean on him. She had to hang on to herself for strength.
    “I’m here if you need me.”
    She turned on the motor.
    Find your focus. Everything will be all right.
    Briana would be home tomorrow. Juliana had to believe that. Until then all she could do was trust.
    The relaxing sound of surf pounded through the earpieces over the buffer’s whine. She concentrated on the notes riding the waves, let her mind slow, her purpose sharpen, and for Briana’s sake, tuned out the world.
    * * *
    She finished the ring, but it wouldn’t showcase her best work. She wasn’t happy to see the piece go out the door with her jeweler’s stamp on it. Brent seemed pleased, though. For now, that was all that should matter.
    As promised, Ella had dinner waiting for them when they returned from the workshop. As she made them sit and served them their chicken with mole sauce, she talked about her pepper-locating adventure, but did not once refer to Lucas or Briana or their resemblance. For that, Juliana was thankful. As Ella tottered out the door, she gave Lucas one last smile and headed home.
    He ate