Stroke of Sapphire by N.J. Walters Page A

them. Her emotions were too volatile.
    “I’ve been busy.” Great, now she sounded defensive.
    Topaz sipped her coffee, her eyes filled with concern. “Just know I’m here for you whenever you want to talk.”
    The knot in her stomach lessened somewhat. “I know. And thanks.” She could always depend on her sisters. “I’m just not ready yet.”
    “Fair enough.” Topaz set her cup back on the table. “Now what have you got for me?”
    More than ready to drop the subject of her personal life, Sapphire dug into the oversized leather purse she used instead of a briefcase and pulled out a folder. Her personal life might have been in turmoil for the past weeks, but not her professional one. She drew out the sketches she’d been working on and handed them to her sister. They were extremely different for her, the jewelry more industrial, more masculine, instead of her trademark feminine.
    “I know we’re doing Emerald’s ‘farmhouse seasons’ line over the next year.” Her sister had designed some beautiful pastoral scenes for their trademark journals, stationery, greeting cards, scarves and accessories. They’d have four lines in the next year, starting with the summer line. Each season would have new pieces. It was an ambitious and exciting undertaking.
    It was Sapphire’s job to design and create the jewelry to go with the line. “You’ve already seen the pieces I’ve planned to go with that line.” She’d created floral pins and jeweled bracelets that looked like clusters of wildflowers. Necklaces, anklets, chokers, hair clips and rings as well. It was all very feminine and beautiful.
    This new line she’d been playing with was edgier than anything she’d ever done for Sisters’ Jewels. If Topaz didn’t think it was right for the boutique, she might try to shop it around to some other retailers. She’d already done one mass-produced line for a major department store and it had done so well they’d come looking for more designs. She was still considering her options.
    Topaz studied each design carefully before shuffling the page to the next one. Sapphire hadn’t felt this nervous about her work in years. It was the one part of her life where she’d always been confident. But this was such a departure for her.
    She might kid herself, but she knew Jake was the inspiration for the line. He was so masculine and tough and urban. She’d been drawn to make jewelry pieces that reflected his strength and solidity and that meant industrial, but with a twist. Instead of just using silver as she usually did, she’d used copper and brass and stainless steel as well.
    Sapphire reached into her tote and pulled out a sample bracelet. “This is one of the designs. I haven’t had time to try all of them yet.” And she probably should have waited until she’d had a prototype of everything, but she’d been so excited about the new work she’d had to show it to someone.
    Topaz set down the designs and took the bracelet. It was made with links of brass, copper and stainless steel, woven together in an intricate design. Topaz slipped on the cuff and studied it.
    “Well?” Sapphire couldn’t wait any longer.
    “It’s very different for you,” Topaz began.
    Sapphire bit her bottom lip and tried not to let her disappointment show. “You don’t like it.”
    Topaz shook her head. “No, I don’t.” Sapphire’s stomach plummeted, but her sister wasn’t done yet. “I don’t like it. I love it.”
    The corners of Sapphire’s mouth turned upward into a huge grin. “You do?”
    “How could I not? It’s incredible.” She gestured to the stack of designs. “They all are.”
    Sapphire sat back, picked up her éclair and took a huge bite, savoring the creamy filling and dark, rich chocolate. Then she had a sip of coffee to wash it all down. “I’m so glad you love them.”
    “I really do.”
    But Sapphire could hear something else in her sister’s voice and some of her jubilation faded.