Reclaiming Katie

by Gardner, M. L.

  "Because the lawyer told you to."

  "I should have cut you out completely when you married that trash."

  "I don't want your damn money, Dad." He lied as convincingly as a drunk could.

  "What if I said I was going to change it? I can have my will changed long before you can get a divorce."

  Tom put on his best poker face. "Then do it. I told you, I don't care. I'm miserable, Katie's miserable, it's over."

  "Make it work. Make her happy. Lie through your teeth everyday if you have to, but you are not going to disgrace this family with a divorce. I’d sooner see you dead."

  "Tell you what, Dad. Why don't I divorce Katie, and you go to hell." He pushed past him and out the door, spilling his drink as he went.

  After ducking out of the dining room, Katie took her time leaving the house, looking for Will. She didn't understand the look on his face, except for the fact that it was an embarrassing shock for everyone involved.

  Leaning against the front of the truck, she felt like throwing up. Everything was such a mess and she simply wanted it to be all over.

  She'd call her sister and see about borrowing enough money to get the divorce started. And maybe, just maybe, Tom would move out and leave her in peace.

  Hearing footsteps in the grass, she turned quickly, anticipating Will. Her smile dropped and she stiffened defensively as Adrienne walked toward her.

  "Can I have a word, dear?"

  "I'm sorry it had to come out like that and ruin the party." That much she was sincere about.

  "My son should have had better judgment. But he doesn't, especially when he's been drinking, now does he?" She clasped her hands and tilted her head, looking at Katie with what appeared to be pity. But Katie wasn't fooled. She knew there were claws right beneath any peaceful extended hands of hers.

  "Will you share something with me?"

  Katie didn't answer.

  "Why do you want a divorce? You wanted so badly to marry Tom, despite both your families being against it."

  She fired back with something she thought no woman would tolerate and every woman would understand.

  "He's cheating on me. He has been for a long time."

  Adrienne chuckled lightly. "Is that all?"

  Katie's eyes bulged. "Isn't that enough?"

  "My husband has cheated on me more times than I can count."

  "And that's okay with you?" she asked incredulously.

  "It's not that it is so much okay, it's that it is expected in the Johnson family. Besides, it's my home and my bed he returns to after his romps."

  "I can't even believe what I'm hearing."

  "Katie, what is important is the empire." She sighed impatiently as if teaching a very simple lesson to a very stupid person.

  "That is the main reason we didn't want you to marry Tom. I knew you wouldn't understand the demand and sacrifice it would take to maintain an empire. It's not so much that you aren't a nice girl. I'm sure you are. Too nice, in fact. It's why you can't tolerate this. It's why you see it as wrong."

  "So, you'd rather your son be married to a gold digger that doesn't really love him but looks the other way when her husband is out doing half the town? So long as she doesn't make waves."

  "I want him married to someone who has the best interest of the Johnson family, and all its businesses, in mind. Johnson men are whores. That much I shouldn't have to explain to you, Katie."

  "But they bring home scads of money, so it's accepted."

  "Now you're getting it."

  Katie scowled. "I can't live like that, Adrienne. I'm sorry."

  "What do you plan on taking in the divorce?"

  "Ah, back to what really matters. Money."

  "I just want to protect my interests as well. You'd do well to know that you can't get your hands on anything of ours through Tom."

  "I don't want anything you've even touched."

  "That's good to hear." She crossed her arms and took a more defensive stance. "And there's no talking you into trying? I could send you on a nice relaxing cruise, anywhere you want for as long as you want. You could come back, refreshed with a change of heart. We could throw another party. Blame the baby blues on your rash decision. I can tell you that Tom Sr. would be much more generous toward you if you weren't responsible for tarnishing his family name."

  "I'm tired of being lonely."

  "You could take a lover of your own. Don't think it hasn't been done." Her tone and expression told Katie she'd had many lovers over the years. "Turnabout is fair play, so long as it's discreet."

  "This family has no shame," Katie scoffed.

  "Maybe not, but we do have our pride. And I know that if you choose to go forward with this divorce, Tom Sr. will see to it that you are left with nothing. If you chose to play along, we can see you to a very comfortable lifestyle. Maybe finally give Tom that big promotion he's been wanting. Or help him open a franchise lot of his own." She wiggled her eyebrows as if teasing her with irresistible temptation.

  Katie shook her head firmly and dug in her heels. "I want my name, my baby and my freedom. That's all."

  The weekend dragged painfully slow. Fortunately, Tom stayed away for most of it, returning in the wee hours of Sunday morning and passing out on the couch. She wasn't in the frame of mind to work on the house that might not be hers in a matter of months. She went back to the methodical, the robotic, caring for the baby and the puppy and working in her small garden.

  She wanted to read, find some distant escape from her own reality and Samantha Emery's journal stared at her on the counter. She couldn't bring herself to pick it up. Samantha's detailed account of her and her husband's courtship, marriage and honeymoon were too much to bear. And she didn't think she could read another word of her excitement at having Richard home soon. It was romantic and it was an escape, but it was real.

  And it wasn't fair, Katie thought resentfully as she mulled about her house, ignoring the journal. All her thoughts were about Will. The odd look about him, the fact that he disappeared after the announcement.

  About midafternoon, when she thought she might go mad, she called her sister. She asked if she could come over, and promised to explain her tense silence when picking up the baby after the party. With Sarah's eager welcome, she packed up the baby and the puppy and left without looking back at Tom, who lay snoring.

  Bones jumped around, not sure which he was more excited about, the baby or the little cowering fur ball in Katie's arms. She shoved her way to the kitchen, dropped the baby bag and sat down with a bundle on each leg. Bones sniffed each earnestly, whimpering and nudging.

  "Isn't he the cutest thing!"

  "It's a she, actually. Do you think Bones would be okay if I put her down?"

  "I'm sure they'd be fine."

  Katie cautiously let the puppy down, keeping a hand on its back giving long, reassuring strokes. Bones wagged his tail and they touched noses. Sarah smiled. "See, they're best friends already."

  Sarah took Jacob from her and sat down and cradled him, covering his downy head with kisses.

  "Spill it." She grinned.

  After dropping the divorce bomb that left Sarah speechless and open mouthed, Katie filled her in with a blow by blow account of the party, including snippets that involved Will.

  With every turn for the worse the story took, Sarah's eyes grew wider, her mouth dropped further and her head bobbed in disbelief.

  After taking a moment to absorb the story, she shifted the baby to the other shoulder. "Sooooo, where does this leave you and Will?"

  Katie laughed. "There is no ‘me and Will’. Me and Will are shy smiles and curious glances. Polite conversation and maybe flirting." She scanned her memories. "Maybe flirting. It's been so long I'm not sure."

  "Well, it makes you available." Sarah grinned.

  Katie didn't look excited in the least. "I'd do this anyway, Sarah. Even if I'd never met Will Anderson."

  "But, Katie, since you met Will, I've seen such a change in you. It's
the old you. But with more sense," she said with a laugh. "You take care of yourself now and you smile more and your eyes are alive. That has to mean something."

  Katie sighed and reached for her teacup. Feeling as if she had to steel herself for possible rejection, she rationalized it as best she could.

  "Meeting Will showed me there is still some life left in me. It reminded me how it feels to be alive and hopeful. I thought all of that was over. I thought I had no hope, no options. No second chances, you know. But now I know I do. And I know that I can have that again."

  Sarah looked as if she were going to cry. "I'm so happy for you. It's been so hard to watch you live so sad."

  "Oh, don't cry. Please. It's going to be hard. I'm not looking forward to the whole divorce process. I don't even know what I'm going to do. He might try to keep the house."

  "Let him have it. You and the baby come here."

  "Thank you. I'll keep that in mind."

  "You know what you should do?"

  "What?"

  "Go see Mama."

  Katie bit her lip and then blew out her breath. "Boy, she'd have a heyday with ‘I told you so', wouldn't she."

  "I think she'd keep it to a minimum. Once she sees you're really serious, she'll forget the past and stand by you."

  Katie debated. "And that baby is getting older every day. I know she wants to see him so bad it hurts."

  "Give me some time on that, okay?"

  "Can I tell her when I talk to her next?"

  "I suppose. And, er..." She drew up her strength and swallowed her pride. "I need to borrow some money to get the divorce started. I'm sorry to ask."

  "I'll talk to Ian and get you whatever you need."

  "I feel so bad for asking. I know how hard Ian works. I'll pay you back, I promise. Out of the profit from the crops I'm planting."

  "Sounds like money well spent. Both yours and ours. Oh my gosh, look at that!" Katie broke into a broad grin.

  Bones had the puppy wedged between his paws, grooming her gently with his tongue. The puppy looked sleepy and didn't protest the impromptu bath.

  "How sweet, they made friends."

  Katie glanced at the clock. "Shoot. I'd better get going."

  "Aw, don't go. Let the dogs play some more."

  "I'll come back. I have a feeling I'm going to need a frequent escape over the next few months. I hope I don't wear out my welcome."

  "Never." She hugged Katie tightly. "Call me tomorrow, okay?"

  "I will." She bent to pick up the puppy and Bones whined long and desperate, placing his large paw over the puppy's plump middle.

  "Excuse me, sir, I need my puppy back." As if answering her, he yowled again and lowered his chin to cover the puppy, looking up at her with big pleading eyes.

  "You have got to be kidding me."

  "Looks like Bones made a best friend. Why don't you let her stay here tonight. A doggy sleep over."

  Katie looked down at Bones, who now had the puppy cuddled protectively close, sniffing and licking her ear. "I don't think I have a choice."

  Chapter 13

  When Katie woke up the next morning everything felt different. She lay in bed staring at the ceiling, knowing this was the point of no return. Butterflies of excitement and anxiety vied for control of her stomach. She didn't eat breakfast. She found herself busy all morning tending to the baby and with small chores. She realized she'd been neglecting her house for the last week. She waited patiently reading the journal while the dress she wanted to wear tumbled in the dryer.

  She smiled as she turned the page, able to enjoy Samantha's recounting of her road to happily ever after now that she was in pursuit of one of her own. The thought of Will floated in and out of her mind. While nothing was certain, anything was possible. Turning each page, she glanced out the window, looking for the tractor. By one in the afternoon she began to wonder if he were coming today. He said he would, but that was before Tom had humiliated her and announced their divorce. She wouldn't blame him if he wanted nothing to do with this whole mess, but desperately hoped that wasn't how he felt. Secretly, selfishly, she wanted him to be happy about it. Or, at least, hopeful.

  When she finally saw the plume of dust rising up down the road, she did a quick check of her hair and makeup, smoothed down her dress and stepped out on the porch just as the tractor reached the edge of the yard.

  Her face fell when she saw that it wasn't Will, but another young man driving. He looked no more than twenty and Katie thought she might recognize him from around town.

  He nodded and tipped his hat. "Ma'am. I'm Tim. Will sent me out here to finish tilling up your acres."

  "Oh. Is he not feeling well?"

  "No, ma'am, he's fine. Just real busy is all. Getting ready for a hunting trip this weekend."

  "I see." Deep in her gut, Katie knew it was more than that.

  "So, he won't be back to plant?"

  "Most likely not. He asked me to do it. I could use the money, so I appreciate the job."

  Katie smiled tightly and nodded. "It's just back that way." She pointed in the general direction of her half tilled acres and turned inside the house. If Will was paying this young man to do the work that was going to severely cut into what little startup money she had. She quickly grew angry at his irrational decisions regarding her acres with her money. Her investment. But really, she was angry that he hadn't bothered to show up today. True, it would have been awkward at first, but she wanted to talk to him and explain things. Needed to tell him…She dropped her head in her hands. Tell him what? That in a matter of months she'd be free? Did he maybe want to catch dinner and a movie around Christmas time? She felt arrogant. He'd been nothing but a perfect gentleman. And this whole time she had been floating on an assumed attraction. With eyes full of prideful tears, she got her things together and headed into town for her consultation with the divorce attorney.

  She kept her eyes strictly on the road as she passed the old Millers place on the way home.

  The consultation went well. Mr. Gibbons didn't think it would be too long and complicated a process, considering all Katie wanted was the house and land, willing to even forgo alimony and asking for the barest amount of child support. The excitement she'd felt that morning was gone. She had expected to feel relieved and empowered, but she felt low. Starting a divorce case was a sad thing, she realized, no matter how badly it needed to be done. She stopped and rented a movie. Something to distract her for a small time.

  Pulling up in her driveway she saw Tim pulling away. He gave a small nod and wave as he passed. He looked odd.

  The warmth of the sunshine had disappeared and as she stepped out of the car she noticed dark storm clouds on the horizon that threatened a rocky night ahead. Something in the field caught her attention. She squinted to see Tom and another man walking side by side, surveying the freshly turned earth. She walked closer and saw Tom talking, the other man nodding. Tom pointed and shrugged, slapped the other man on the back and appeared to be smiling. She picked up her pace. What the hell was he doing?

  They shook hands. An envelope was passed to Tom. Katie's heart hammered in her ears.

  "No, no," she whispered as she broke into a jog. Tom caught sight of her and tried to suppress a grin. She reached him as thunder punched out of nowhere.

  "What's going on?" she asked, breathless. Her eyes were narrow and full of mistrust.

  "I sold the land. Part of it anyway. Twenty acres. I’m afraid your tilled up spot was part of the deal."

  Her mouth fell open in shock as she looked over the dark, rich soil that now belonged to someone else. Those crops were supposed to provide her with some income through the winter.

  "How could you?" she choked out. The rising lump in her throat prevented her from yelling and she resented it. She wanted to scream at the top of her lungs.

  "I told you I needed that money.”

  "I think you better find somewhere else to stay," she said, her voice shaking with rage.

  He turned and
met her eyes with a defiant glare. "It's my house, Katie." He had fallen out of love with her, true. He had found his pleasure elsewhere for months. But she could not rationalize the meanness that he directed at her.

  She opened her mouth to argue but found herself mute. The house was in his name. Only his name. And she'd be lucky if he didn't sell it right out from under her, the first chance he got. Looking at the thunderheads swirling above her, she asked herself if she were willing to lose everything to be happy again. To be free. Lightning crackled across the sky. She would. She'd told Adrienne her baby, her name and her freedom was all she wanted. As she watched Tom walk away, counting his cash, she realized that was likely all she would walk away with. Pulling together her resolve the skies opened over her.

  Sitting in the dark sipping tea, Katie stared at the flame of the single candle that lit the living room. She realized this was as good an excuse as any to go over to Will's. To tell him further work on the land wasn't needed, by him or anyone else. But there was no going anywhere tonight. The early summer storm raged over head, shaking the shutters of the house and periodically lighting it with bright, angry flashes.

  Tom had left before the power went out. Well dressed and reeking of cologne, he didn't say a word as he stuffed the land money in his pocket and slammed the door behind him. She stared at him with more loathing than she thought one person could possibly feel for another and she hoped he'd slip in a mud puddle and mess up his perfect hair.

  Early the next morning the phone rang, waking Katie from her uncomfortable slumber on the couch. Jacob had been up most of the night, waking nearly every hour and crying inconsolably. As she rose to answer the phone, he began writhing and crying in a pitch that demanded her attention. She scooped him up, her brow knitted in a knot of concern. He'd always been such a quiet content baby and she began to grow concerned. Balancing the baby on her shoulder, she grabbed the phone and answered it with a flustered 'hello?'