A New Foundation by Rochelle Alers (philippa perry book txt) 📕

diamond-and-sapphire ring. “This must be worth quite a bit.”

Sonja met his eyes. “I’ve seen enough jewelry to make a rough estimate as to carat weight. The diamond looks to be around two carats and the sapphires flanking the center stone approximately a half carat each, while the platinum setting increases the ring’s value exponentially.”

Taylor balanced the ring on his palm. “Whoever wore this had a small finger.”

Sonja took the ring from him and slipped it on her left hand. “It’s a five,” she said, taking it off and giving it back to him.

“The diamond is not like any I’ve ever seen.”

“It’s known as an Asscher cut.”

Taylor peered closely at the ring. “It’s exquisite.”

“It’s beyond exquisite,” Sonja agreed. “I’m not going to repack the jewelry. I’ll give everything to you for safekeeping until I take them to a gemologist I trust who will give you an honest appraisal.”

“You can hold on to them for now.”

She blinked slowly. “Are you sure, Taylor?”

“Of course I’m sure. I trust you with my life.”

“That’s a lot of trusting.”

Taylor couldn’t pull his gaze away from the large brown eyes with lashes that had touched the ridge of high cheekbones as she slept. “It is for me, because I equate trusting to loving.”

A hint of a smile curved the corners of her mouth upward. “And I believe trust is more important than love because people can fall in and out of love. I’d rather trust you than love you.”

Sonja had just given Taylor the opening he needed. “Can you love me?”

“I’m sure I can.”

Her response was both indifferent and evasive. Do you love me, Sonja?” Taylor saw indecision in her eyes, and that was enough to give him hope that what he felt for her could be reciprocated.

“Why are you asking me this?”

“I’m asking, sweetheart, because I need to know.”

Sonja’s gaze did not waver as she gave him a long, penetrating stare. “If I tell you that I do, it’s not going to change anything between us. Whether you know or admit it, Taylor, you’re a traditionalist. You want a wife, two or three kids, a cat and dog, along with a house in the suburbs with the white picket fence.”

He struggled not to laugh. “I’m really not crazy about cats.”

“I’m serious, Taylor.”

“So am I, Sonja. I admit I’m a traditionalist because I don’t believe in living with a woman unless I’m married to her.”

“That’s where we differ, Taylor. I lived with a man to whom I was married, and I realized later that if I’d lived with him I never would’ve married him.”

If she does tell you that she loves you, then don’t put any pressure on her to marry. That must be her decision. Taylor recalled his mother’s words as if she were whispering in his ear.

“Did you love him, Sonja?”

She closed her eyes and shook her head, and Taylor felt her vulnerability as surely as if it was his own, because falling in love with Sonja Rios-Martin had allowed him to open his heart to love a woman beyond those in his family.

“Good.”

“Good?” Sonja repeated.

“Yes. Because he didn’t deserve your love.”

“And you do?”

“I should hope I do. Remember I told you if we do share a bed, then that decision will have to be yours and yours alone. And it will be the same if you want more.”

Sonja rested her head on his shoulder. “Should I assume you mean living together and then marriage?”

“Yes.”

“I need time, Taylor.”

“Take all the time you need, sweetheart. You’re not going anywhere, and neither am I.”

There came a light tapping on the door, and Taylor and Sonja sprang apart. He glanced over his shoulder. “Yes, Dom?”

“Your next interviewee just arrived.”

“Thank you, Dom.” Pushing back his chair, he stood and rested a hand on Sonja’s shoulder. “How long do you plan to hang out here?”

Sonja picked up her cell phone. “I want to leave around three.”

“I’ll be here much later than that.” Robbie had called to say he was coming to New Jersey to spend the weekend with his sister and her family in Hackettstown and wanted to set up a time when they could meet. “I’m going to be tied up for the next few days. Is it all right if I come over Sunday morning to let you sample my chicken and waffles?”

“Of course.”

Leaning down, Taylor kissed the bridge of her nose. “I love you.”

“Love you back.”

“Did I really say that?” Sonja whispered aloud. She did not want to believe she’d admitted to Taylor that she loved him and entertained the possibility of them living together.

She wasn’t the twenty-year-old coed with stars in her eyes, and she wouldn’t lose her head just because a former top male model and successful engineer had shown an interest in her. At thirty-four, she knew exactly what she wanted and what she would or would not do. In the years following her divorce, Sonja had not had a relationship with a man because she did not trust them not to go from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde when she least expected. She had dated a few, and those expressing a sincere interest in her were made aware that she wasn’t looking for anything serious, and for her serious meant sleeping together or seeing each other exclusively.

Taylor said she should take all the time she needed to decide whether they would live together and eventually marry. They had two years, and that was more than enough time for Sonja to know if she’d want to share her life and future with Taylor Williamson.

“I’m sorry to bother you, but is there anything you need, because I’m leaving.”

Sonja glanced over her shoulder at Dom. “I don’t think so. Thank you for everything.”

“Are you coming tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

Dom smiled, the expression softening his features to where he appeared almost boyish. “If you need me to move something just send me a text.”

“I would if I had your number.”

Dom walked into the library, scooped her phone off the table and entered his cell number. “Now you have