Reclaiming Katie

by Gardner, M. L.

  "You can come with me."

  "Isn't it a family thing?"

  "Well, sort of, but Sarah is bringing Ian. His kids are bringing their significant others, I don't see why I can't bring you."

  "If you want me to, I'll come."

  "I'll talk to them tonight, but I'm sure it will be fine. I want you to come. We can pick up on the house Monday."

  "Sounds good."

  "Besides, that will give you time to work on your place."

  She saw the shadow of amusement pass over his face. His eye twinkled and he smiled. "Sure, I'll work on my place."

  The mystery was back, that feeling that she didn't know him as well as she thought she did.

  "Did you call the leasing office?"

  "I did. Rent is seven hundred a month with a one year lease. Six hundred if I sign for two. There haven't been any calls on it in several months, so it should be there in a couple more when I'm ready to start."

  "Well, you're going to need a place to store all that stuff in the meantime."

  Her smiled dropped. "You're right. Crap. Maybe my mom will…no, I want it to be a surprise."

  "So, rent it now so you can store it."

  "I can't. Unless…"

  "Unless what?"

  "Unless I get the money the insurance company was holding. But then again, I need to put every cent of that into the house."

  She sank back in the chair with fresh worries.

  "It'll all work out, Katie." He dipped his head and found her eyes. "Okay? It'll all be fine. I promise."

  She nodded and smiled weakly.

  Walking into her mother’s house she still felt lightheaded from Will's goodbye kiss. She didn't think she'd ever get used to them, and that was fine with her. Her mother and the Judge were having a toe curling moment of their own, pressed against the stove and they parted quickly when she walked in.

  Katie pretended not to notice. "Is it alright if I invite Will to the dinner party Saturday?"

  "I think that would be fine," her mother said, looking up at the Judge for his say.

  "I don't mind. The more the merrier."

  "Where's Jacob?"

  "He's in bed."

  Katie glanced at her watch. It was barely seven thirty.

  "We were playing out back and then I gave him a bath and he was out like a light. I think he's in a growth spurt."

  She sighed, disappointed. She was glad everything in his little world was happy, but she missed him and was hoping to spend some time with him when she got home.

  Saturday morning, Katie woke up stiff and sore. Between two long marathon days of working with Will and helping her mother clean and rearrange furniture the day before, she felt muscles she didn't even know she had.

  A long hot shower helped work some of aches and served to wake her up as well, with the water suddenly going cold. She turned it off quickly and heard her mother shuffling around in her bathroom down the hall. She grinned. With a day like today ahead of her, she wouldn't see her mother for hours.

  Katie went downstairs to find the Judge in the kitchen.

  "Morning, Katie."

  "Morning." He poured her a cup of coffee.

  "Are you nervous?" she grinned.

  "I shouldn't be. But I am." He sat across from her, doctoring his coffee. "I feel like a teenager telling his parents he's going to marry his high school sweetheart and hoping I don't get into too much trouble."

  Katie smiled. "It's so sweet that you think of her like that."

  "She saved my life. I love her dearly."

  "Saved your life? How so?"

  "That's a story for a less stressful day." He grinned. "I had to leave before you and your mother got back from the store yesterday, but did you get my note?"

  "What note?"

  "Someone called for you yesterday. I left a note on the table."

  Katie looked around the table. "No, I didn't."

  He craned his neck to look on all the counters and under the table. "Ah ha. It must have fallen off with the breeze." He picked it up off the floor and handed it to her.

  As she read it, her face fell into concern.

  "Why did they send it to him anyway?"

  The Judge shrugged. "I don't know. But if you don't want to deal with Tom's father, I'll go with you to pick it up."

  She smiled gratefully. "He might be less nasty if you do."

  "There's no need to be nasty at all. It was his son's own fault, in the end. He made bad choices and ran with a bad crowd. No need to be angry at you for it."

  She could tell the Judge lived his life strictly by black and white, right and wrong. No room for excuses or gray areas.

  "You don't know him very well, do you?"

  "I do. That's why I'm offering to go with you. My second unofficial step father act."

  "Thank you, I'd appreciate that. I'm relieved actually; I need this insurance money to finish the house."

  "Well, we'll go Monday, pick it up and you can put it right into the bank."

  She crumpled up the paper and tossed it in the garbage. The Judge glanced up at the ceiling.

  "Think she's nervous?"

  "I don't think we'll see her until lunch," Katie said with a grin. He fumbled around in his robe pocket and pulled out a small box.

  "Think she'll like this?" He flipped the lid and Katie's mouth dropped open at what two months of his salary bought.

  It was an impressive diamond, surrounded by small red rubies.

  "You're going to ask her today?"

  "I am." He looked nervous to the point of nausea. "Think she'll say yes?"

  Katie laid a hand on the Judge's arm. "I'm sure she will. Does she have any idea, do you think?"

  He shook his head. "We talked about it but it was always far off in the future. But I figure, at our age, the future is sooner than we might think. I just hope I'm not moving too fast. For her," he added quickly. "It's a long time coming for me."

  "I'm really happy for you. Thank you for sharing your secret. I promise to keep a straight face."

  Midafternoon, Katie started getting ready. She couldn't decide what to do with her hair. It was too hot to wear it down, but an up-do was too formal. She decided loose twist, pulling small strands of hair out to frame her face. She touched her cheeks, now rosy and full. The dark sunken circles under her eyes had vanished; she didn't remember exactly when. The acts of living, feeling and loving were good for her, she decided. And so was Will.

  Jacob sat in his walker near her legs, babbling and staring up at her. He tossed his toy on the floor and seemed to enjoy the new game of 'make mommy pick it up'. Over and over. She could smell the briquettes of the barbeque and her mouth began to water.

  She pulled a thin yellow summer dress with sheer sleeves over her head and arranged it over her hips. She filled it out nicely and tying the stings in the back accentuated her waist. It was long and airy, romantic but not too formal. She tilted her head at her reflection. She looked good in yellow, she decided.

  Her mother knocked on the door and poked her head in. "Can you help zip me up?" she asked.

  "Sure." Her hair was still in hot rollers and she was missing one earring.

  "Mom, it will be fine," she assured. She zipped up the back of her dress. It was a calf length white dress with small crisp blue flowers. She could only hope she would look as good as her, when she was that age.

  "Is Sarah here yet?" her mother asked.

  "Yes, she just got here."

  The knock on the front door sent her mother spinning around with a look of panic.

  "Mom. Go finish getting ready. I'll go handle things downstairs. And find your other earring!" she called after her as she scurried down the hall.

  Chapter 28

  Everyone stood together in the front room, stiff and awkward.

  "Do you want me to go see what's taking Mom so long?"

  "No, that's fine. Stephen isn't even here yet."

  As if summoning him, a car pulled up in the driveway and a young man
got out, glancing from his invitation to the house number and back. The Judge stepped out onto the porch.

  "You're in the right place, Son," he called. Stephen looked up, nodded and reached into his car, pulling out a bag before walking toward the porch.

  Vicky came downstairs with a white knuckled grip on the staircase.

  "Hello everyone," she said. Her nervous voice was shaky. The Judge smiled at her with reassuring eyes.

  Stephen walked in and the Judge let out a loud breath. "Well, now that we're all here, let's get introductions underway."

  Katie looked over his shoulder into the yard. Will wasn't here yet, but she wasn't going to keep her mother and the Judge in their misery by insisting they wait for him.

  His children stood close together and the Judge went down the line in order. "This is Helen and her husband Frank, Audrey and her husband Ron and my son, Stephen."

  Katie and Sarah nodded politely and smiled. Stephen stepped forward and shook hands.

  "Very nice to meet you," he said, staring just a moment too long.

  "My daughters, Katie and Sarah. And Sarah's husband, Ian."

  Stephen's eyes flickered back to Katie, who stood alone.

  "And this is Vicky. I'm sure you remember my mentioning her."

  "We do," the daughters said, with a teasing glance at him. Katie had a feeling they knew exactly why they were here.

  "Well, now that introductions are over, why don't we have a drink?" The Judge looked more than ready.

  His son held up the bag. "I brought contributions."

  "Good thinking, Son." He put his hand on his shoulder and asked everyone if they would like to go out to the backyard.

  They seemed to be impressed with what Katie and her mother had done, a long banquet table sat in the middle of the grass with a long white table cloth. Three bouquets of wildflowers decorated the table. Another table near the barbeque held chafing dishes keeping some things warm while chillers kept others cold.

  The Judge had set up a small, mobile bar and took his place as bartender serving everyone a few ounces of relaxation.

  Everyone mingled and chatted politely, slowly getting to know each other. They seemed like happy, well-adjusted people and Katie wondered why her mother was so nervous to tell them. Stephen sat down beside Katie at the table.

  "I think I know why we're all here," he said.

  She grinned. "We do. But let's act surprised anyway."

  "I have to admit, I haven't seen my dad so happy in years. I had a feeling it had something to do with a woman."

  "I think they make each other very happy," she said as her eyes flickered to his drink.

  "Rum and coke…would you like one?"

  "No, thank you."

  "Well, you're the only one here without a drink. What can I get for you?" He made to get up and she stopped him.

  "Nothing, really, I'm fine."

  "Alright, if you're sure," he said, keeping his eyes on her as he sat.

  Katie looked toward the yard gate.

  "This might sound crazy, but I was wondering if you were alone. Single, I mean."

  Will stepped out from around the corner of the house and Katie's face lit up.

  "I'm not, actually," she said as she stood. She willed her legs to walk slowly, gracefully toward him. She felt ready to break into a run, like a fool.

  He looked amazing in light khaki pants and a crisp white shirt. He could easily be placed on a yacht in the tropics and look completely at home. She smiled seeing he brought a bottle of wine.

  She hugged him on tip toes and pressed her face into his neck, inhaling.

  "You look wonderful," she said, stepping back to take another approving glance.

  "Well, you didn't expect me to show up in holey jeans and a t-shirt, did you?"

  "No, it's just not what I'm used to seeing, is all."

  "I clean up well," he said with a flirty smile. "You, however, always look beautiful."

  Something caught her eye, a flash of something bothersome in his eyes.

  "Everything alright?" she asked.

  "Fine," he said convincingly. "Where's Jacob?"

  "My mother has him."

  She led him to the table and introduced him. Her mother and sister grinned uncontrollably. The Judge seemed instantly comfortable, shaking his hand and asking his opinion on food grilling. Will handed the bottle of wine to Vicky and wandered off with him. Katie resented it as she admired him from afar.

  Sarah got her attention, pointed to Will and then fanned her face, "Hot," she whispered. Katie struggled to keep a straight face.

  Her mother had the idea to have food ready to serve quickly after guests arrived and she had been right. Everyone loosened up considerably after the feasting began, laughing and joking and asking the Judge and Vicky rounds of questions.

  Jacob sat on his grandmother's lap and served to distract Vicky and keep her busy, Katie figured. Helen, who seemed to be the wild child of the bunch, delighted in embarrassing them completely. Close to when the plates were empty and guests were sitting back with full stomachs and topped off drinks, everyone slowly admitted that they had caught on to the two, if only in the last few months. Both the Judge and Vicky looked relieved.

  Will sat close to Katie and held her hand. He was quiet, listening to the others stories and jokes, only letting go to refill their wine.

  The Judge offered up seconds and only Stephen accepted. Katie felt Thanksgiving full and groaned when her mother carried out a beautiful white cake for desert.

  A fine sweat broke out on the Judge's forehead. He was suddenly clumsy, dropping his fork and stumbling over his words.

  "Is he okay?" Will leaned over and whispered.

  "He's fine. He's getting ready to propose," she whispered back, feeling the urge to give his earlobe a little bite.

  His eyes lit up and he smiled. "No wonder the poor guy is a wreck."

  "I think he's getting ready to do it," she whispered. "I better take Jacob." She slipped out of her chair and rounded the table, plucking him from Vicky's lap.

  The Judge pushed his chair back and offered up a toast. It was official, mostly due to his profession, but nerves probably had a lot to do with it. He thanked his kids, and hers, talked about how happy Vicky made him and how lucky they were to have found each other. Will gave Katie's hand a squeeze and she smiled, keeping her eyes on the Judge, who had inconspicuously slipped his hand in his pocket. He turned to Vicky, set down his drink abandoning his faux toast and dropped to one knee in front of her. She slapped her hands over her face and looked like she was going to burst into tears.

  He seemed to lose his voice, whispering a simple, "Will you marry me?"

  She said yes and threw her arms around his neck.

  "Don't you even want to look at the ring?" he asked, muffled against her shoulder and everyone laughed. She pulled back and searched for it. He took her hand, slipped it on her finger and then held it up for her to see. She looked equally as shocked and then kissed him. Everyone burst into applause. Jacob jumped and looked around at the commotion, not sure what to think of it. Deciding he liked it, he joined in, patting his chubby hands together with a big grin.

  The Judge wiped his brow with an exaggerated swipe. "Whew. I'm glad that's over. I haven't been able to eat for days!"

  "Did any of you know about this?" Vicky asked.

  Katie sheepishly raised her hand. Followed by Sarah. Then Helen…Stephen…soon, everyone had their hand up. Jacob, grinned, thinking it was a fun game. "Even you?!" Vicky said to him. He giggled, slapped his arm down and raised the other.

  The Judge relaxed considerably and offered everyone another drink. Helen helped Vicky pass cake and Jacob began reaching and grunting for Sarah. Katie passed him over the table. "Don't feed him too much of that, please."

  "Of course not," Sarah said, winking to Jacob.

  Katie sat back and leaned over so her shoulder touched Will’s. He raised his arm and put it around her, rubbing her shoulder with his thumb.
It sent light shivers through her body.

  "I don't think I like the way Stephen's been looking at you all evening," he whispered.

  "Who? Stephen? Oh…" To be honest, Katie had forgotten about him as soon as Will came around the corner. "Yeah, he was talking to me earlier."

  "What was he saying?"

  "He asked if I was single."

  Will's eyebrows went up.

  "Don't worry, I told him I wasn't."

  Will looked at Stephen across the lawn. "Do you want me to remind him?"

  "Confrontations aren't your style."

  "I wasn't talking about a confrontation," he said and pulled her close. He kissed her until she became self-conscious and pulled away.

  "It worked," Will whispered. "He's staring over here like I've just ripped his heart out."

  "Maybe he was hoping we weren't serious." She grinned.

  "He can hope till the cows come home. I'm serious and you're mine."

  Katie smiled with a warm, butterfly filled stomach and put her head on his shoulder.

  "I forgot to tell you. I have some good news."

  "What's that?" she asked.

  "I found out a little more information about your journal woman yesterday."

  "Oh?"

  "Well, Samantha Emery…" he paused for dramatic effect and Katie began to squirm.

  "Will, come on! I have to know if she lived."

  "She did," he said in short. "She got out. She showed up about five years later in Canada where she married a man named Aaron Williams. They later moved to Massachusetts, opened a tannery and had a daughter, Elizabeth Williams."

  Katie sat back with a sigh of relief. "I'm so glad she escaped. I don't suppose you know anything about Elizabeth?"

  "I found a few things."

  "Such as?" She loved the way his eyes teased and danced.

  "Well, if you thought the journal stuff was weird, it only gets weirder."

  She sat straighter, anticipating.

  "Elizabeth Williams married a man named Simon Sinclair, in Canada."

  "I thought you said Samantha moved to Massachusetts." She felt dizzy trying to keep track of who moved where and when.

  "They did. I began to wonder why Elizabeth would move from Massachusetts back to Canada, so I did some digging. Both she and Simon Sinclair were patients in the Massachusetts Asylum for Feeble Minds and Lunatics."