Chapter 26
Jessica hesitated, unsure if she should hand her phone to Herbert
But Herbert had already sipped it from her grasp.
He tapped away in the app store, quickly downloading a new app.
After a moment, he typed a line into the app, “Little Mute, how does this voice sound?”
A stranger’s female voice came from somewhere nearby.
“Do you like it?”
He typed again, the same gentle voice repeating his words!
Jessica realized the sound was coming from the necklace.
Her eyes lit up with surprise. She had never seen a necklace like this–it was fascinating
And the voice sounded eerily similar to her own, as if it camed echoes of her past!
Jessica hadn’t been bom mutex
Herbert handed her phone back to her
sayth
“With this app, you just type what you want to say, he explained. The software can mimic your tone, too. And the more you use it, the more natural it gets.
Jessica’s heart skipped. The prospect was tempting.
Not everyone could read sign language. Herbert only knew it because, after they’d reconnected, he’d begged her to teach him, finding it amusing
But with everyone else, she had to scribble notes or type messages on her phone and show people the screen.
If she had this necklace, she could just type, and it would speak for her–no more awkward moments or delays waiting for someone to read her words. It would save hertime, make things easier
Still, a diamond this size couldn’t be cheap
She typed into her phone: “It’s too valuable. I can’t accepti
Amazingly, the necklace’s voice matched not just her words, but her own cadence and inflection–exactly the way she imagined herself speaking.
Herbert pressed the necklace into her hand. “Silly, the diamond’s just a replica. I was worried you’d be upset it wasn’t real “2
Relieved, Jessica typed, “How much was it? Let me pay you.
“We haven’t seen each other in years, and you’re quibbling over a Sttle gift? Are you trying to make me mad?
Jessica smiled, letting his kindness stand and typed two words: “Thank you.
“It’s late, I should let y
t you get some rest, Herbert said, gathering his things. Just remember–don’t get the necklace wet, and try to get some sleep. Don’t forget our plans for tomorrow.
Jessica nodded, waving goodbye and watching as he left
Once his car disappeared down the street, she tumed and unlocked her door.
She had barely stepped inside when a warm, strong hand caught her wrist, pinning hec against the wall.
Jessica locked up.
Her clear dark eyes met Timothy’s, his gaze brooding and intense
She tried to push him away, hand pressed against his solid chest, but he was unmovable
Timothy bent down, sliding the box with the necklace from her hand.
She couldn’t speak, and with one hand trapped, she couldn’t even sign.
He ficked open the lid with his thumb, studying the necklace inside
The design matched the ring he had once bought–a matching set.
powerful, impossible to budge
Jessica’s brows knit with confusion.
She’d never told him she was from this town. He had never even asked.
How did he know her family lived here?!
His low, steady voice broke through her thoughts, his words curling into her eack
“Don’t tell me after seven years as Mrs. Lawson, you still can’t tell a real diamond from a fake?%
Jessica glanced at the necklace in the box. She hadntaven looked closely before–she’d been too distracted by the voice.
Suddenly, Timothy leaned in, his lips nearly brushing her earl
“You like it, don’t you?“!!
His voice was cool, magnetic, his breath hat against her skin
A shiver ran through her
She did like it
For the first time in so long, something could make her life easier–a voice so much like her own
But she couldn’t answer him!
Timothy finally released her wrist
www
Jessica’s eyes
s widened: She struggled free and reached desperately for the necklace
Too bad–she only caught air
Chapter
