"How long has it been?" Her voice was tired and rough as she reached for Jacob.
"Three days. Come and sit down. I'll get you some coffee."
She sat and pushed past some flowers for a banana with her stomach growling loudly.
"They've never lasted three days before. I'm starving."
"Those flowers are for you. Will dropped them by yesterday, along with that note."
Vicky sat across from her and smiled. "He stayed by your bed the whole first day. And he came by several times to check on you after that. Sarah came by a few times as well."
"He's out of town," Katie said, reading over the note. "Says he hated to but had to leave for a few days and will give me a call when he gets back." She looked up quickly. "Did you call the Johnsons?"
Vicky's face fell flat. "I did."
"And?"
"He thinks you're avoiding him. He's being a real horse’s ass, I'll tell you."
"You don't have to tell me. I'll call later today and explain."
"There's a few other messages for you here, too. The realtor called, she said there's already some offers on the house."
"Oh, that's good news."
"And some man about a lease. He talked like you wanted to lease a place, not lease yours out. I didn't understand what he was talking about, so I told him you'd call when you felt better."
"Thanks." She looked out the window, trying to Judge the time of day.
"It's two o’clock," her mother said.
"Wow. I can't believe I slept so long." She glanced at the flowers and the note, wishing Will were here with her.
"Your sister helped me make a little headway on the wedding plans. She's talked me into hiring a caterer. I was going to do the cooking myself."
"You would cook for your own wedding," Katie said, grinning at her. "What else did you decide?"
"We found a place to rent the chairs and arch and I've decided on my dress." She turned and began digging through a stack of magazines.
"See, you didn't need me at all."
"Oh, but I do! There's still so much to do! What do you think about this?" She turned the magazine around for Katie to see.
"Mom, that's the same red dress you showed me the other day."
"I know. I love it."
Katie shrugged. "If that's what you want."
"It is. And, I want you and Sarah to stand for me. I thought these dresses looked nice." She flipped more pages and then showed Katie simple, ivory short sleeve dresses.
"So, me and Sarah are going to wear Ivory while you wear red?"
"Yes! Your flowers will match my dress. My flowers will match your dress. I think it will be beautiful."
Katie tilted her head. "I suppose. Different, but pretty."
"What kind of flowers?"
"I need your help deciding. We could have red carnations."
"Carnations? Bleh." Katie made a face that Jacob immediately copied.
"Okay, roses, then?"
Katie scrunched up her nose and made a face.
"Why not roses?" Vicky asked. "Roses are romantic."
"Yes, but they are traditional. A bride wearing red is far from traditional. You need something more unique. What about poppies? Red, romantic, but simple and sweet." Again, her thoughts drifted to Will.
"Oh, I like that!" her mother grabbed her notebook and started scribbling down. "See, I desperately need your help. You have such a good eye and what with your sister being down with morning sickness." Vicky bit her lip.
"What? Sarah's pregnant?"
"I wasn't supposed to say anything. She wanted to tell you."
Katie grinned from ear to ear. "I'll pretend to be excited, I promise. When did she find out?"
"A few weeks ago. They didn't say anything to anyone right away."
"I'm so happy for her." She looked down at Jacob. "You're going to have a cousin!" She bounced him for a moment and then rose, reaching for the phone.
"What are you doing?"
"I have to return these phone calls."
"It can wait until tomorrow, Katie. The last thing you need to do is have a relapse." Vicky took the phone from her hand and hung it up.
Katie spent the rest of the afternoon taking it easy. She didn't have a choice, really, her mother planted her on the couch with Jacob on her lap and they sipped tea, flipping through bridal magazines all afternoon. Katie found herself admiring the tiaras and wedding cakes and had more than one daydream fantasy while staring at the tropical honeymoon advertisements.
Chapter 34
A week later, Katie stood outside her leased shop space, shaking the keys in her hand. She had really wanted Will to be with her when she first walked in. She turned the key and stepped inside. Dark and dusty, it would take a lot of work to get it presentable for her grand opening.
Flipping on the light, she smiled.
This was hers, all hers and she couldn't wait to make the dream a reality. She had the idea to make the place a replica of a Victorian parlor. With light blue walls and white wainscoting, she glanced up at the ceiling. Perhaps she could have a candled chandelier hung…She designed in her mind as she swept, wiped and scrubbed. Two of the display pieces could be salvaged, one could not. She propped open the back door and dragged it, grunting and sweating, to rest next to the dumpster.
Wet strands of hair matted to her cheeks and she wiped them away, cursing the heat. July in Cedar Hollow was miserable and she went in search of the air conditioner.
After much protesting, the old A.C. kicked on and Katie sighed a breath of relief. While it filled the room with cool air, she decided to go next door for frozen yogurt and take a small break. She locked the door behind her and stepped back, directly in the path of a man walking down the sidewalk. He grabbed her, keeping her from falling into her large storefront window.
"Oh, Katie…are you alright?"
"Stephen, I'm fine…good to see you again."
"You, too. How've you been?"
"Good. Helping mom with the wedding plans."
He grinned. "I can't believe they're doing it so soon."
Katie nodded. "I was going to get some frozen yogurt, want to join me?"
His face lit up. "I'd love to. Say, is this yours?" he asked pointing to the shop.
"It is. I just leased it yesterday. I hope to have a grand opening in September."
"Grand opening for…?"
"Antiques. I'm opening an antique shop."
"Oh, great. You know my father will be your biggest customer."
"He collects?"
"His basement and attic are full."
Katie's mind began to work, seeing even more potential. The idea of consignment entered her mind as another revenue stream.
"Well, it's a secret right now, so don't say anything to anyone, ok?"
Stephen turned an invisible lock on his lips. "Your secret is safe with me." He looked up at the blistering sun. "It's miserable. Let's get some yogurt."
They walked ten steps to the shop next door and he held the door open for her.
"Where's Will," he asked casually.
"He's out of town. He'll be back tonight." Butterflies filled her stomach as she said the words. Even she didn't realize how much she had missed him until that moment.
"Ah. Where'd he go?"
"I'm not sure."
He tilted his head. "You're not sure?"
"He never said."
"And you didn't ask?"
She shook her head. He had called the night before, apologizing for being gone so long, but never explaining why his trip—wherever he was—had been stretched from a few days to seven.
"You must have an amazing amount of trust."
"We do," she said, though her insides churned. It wasn't that she didn't trust him. She was curious and not bold enough to ask him point blank. She never wanted to be one of those clingy, insecure girlfriends. If he wanted to tell her where he was, he would.
"How's Jacob?" His tone made her stiffen. It wasn't put as a casual
question, but more of trying to show a genuine interest in her child, for her sake.
"He's fine. We're going over to Will's for dinner tonight," she said, politely closing that door.
"Just be careful, Katie. I've heard some stuff about Will lately."
She rolled her eyes. "I'm not surprised." She remembered her father in law and the fact that she had completely blocked out the need to call him and schedule a visit with Jacob. She grimaced, making a mental note to do it first thing in the morning.
"I don't want to see you get hurt."
They stepped forward and ordered. While waiting, he turned to her. "Just be careful."
She tapped her foot, waiting. "Alright, I'll bite. What have you heard?"
He shifted and looked uncomfortable. "I don't know that I should say. I mean, our parents are getting married next month and we have to see each other at family functions and stuff…"
"It's not going to change how I feel about Will. In fact, I'm almost sure I know what you're going to say. We were warned, so to speak."
"Then you tell me." The young gal handed them their cups of frozen yogurt. "Oh, here, I got this," Stephen said and pulled out his wallet.
They wandered to a table in the back. Her good mood for the morning was muted. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to open a store here in this town. There was less gossip in a girl’s high school bathroom.
"I'm sure you've heard he's a home wrecker and has no remorse for it."
He nodded slowly. "That and other things."
"Such as?"
"Katie, I feel bad."
"Just tell me, Stephen." She stared at him, waiting.
"I heard he preys on lonely women. Ones that have something by the way of money or property. He gets what he can and then moves on. I hear rumors he has sugar mommas all over the country."
Katie laughed. "That's absurd. Tell me you don't believe that, Stephen."
"Well." He shrugged. "How else do you explain how he bought the old Miller place and hasn't worked regular since he got here. Odd jobs won't support a person. Not when that person fancies five hundred dollar bottles of wine. I talked to the liquor store owner. He has wine special ordered."
"What are you, a part time private detective?"
"No. I just thought I'd follow up on the rumors, is all. I was hoping to dispel them completely, for your sake."
Katie's eyes flickered to the side. True, he did like ridiculously expensive wine, and he didn't seem worried that Mr. Johnson was going to smear his name and keep him from working. Perhaps he has a savings? But from where? The sale of his father's farm, surely would only last so long. And he had been so encouraging for her to get her business up and running. She shook the thoughts from her head. Stephen had obviously taken an interest in her and while flattering that he would look after her best interest, she did not return the sentiment.
"Don't be mad at me, Katie. You did ask." He reached across the table and put his hand over hers. Suddenly, a light went on and she saw this for what it most likely was. She pulled her hand away.
"I'm not mad, Stephen. But it really is just rumors. Nothing but pure, hateful, bullshit." She smiled prettily.
She pulled up to Will's cabin and saw his old truck sitting off to the side. She could smell the scent of something cooking on the grill and her mouth watered. Still shaken from her talk with Stephen, she didn't realize she was frowning as she unbuckled Jacob.
She heard the cabin door creak open and she raised her head above the car. Seeing him standing there, leaning against the doorframe with that excited, silly smile, her heart melted.
There is no way those rumors could be true, she thought as she walked into his arms. He hugged her tight, careful of Jacob on her hip.
"I missed you so much," he whispered. Jacob squealed and Katie laughed.
"Apparently, we missed you, too."
He kissed her and touched Jacob's nose. "I have a surprise for you," he said, leading her into the cabin.
"I have a surprise for you, too," she said. "The shop is mine. I started working on it today."
His eyes lit up. "That's wonderful! A cause for a celebration." He opened a cabinet and pulled out a bottle of wine, presenting it to her. The writing on the label was French and she couldn't read it. "Trust me, it's good." He winked.
"You'll have to save me some for next time. I have to drive Jacob home."
"I thought of that." He took her hand and led her into his bedroom. He had pushed his queen sized bed over to the side to make room for a crib and a changing table.
"Will, what is this?" It was not cheap furniture. The dark, shiny wood of the crib stood out against the rough plaster walls behind it.
"This way, when you're visiting, if you find yourself unable to go home, you both can stay the night. Here, look…" He walked over to the changing table and held up a box. "I even bought diapers." He grinned. She took a closer look and started laughing.
"What? Did I buy girl ones or something?" He flipped the box around and studied it.
"No, but they are about three sizes too small," she said.
"I didn't even see 'newborn' on there."
"It's fine. We can exchange them."
He shrugged and tossed the box in the crib. "I'll just donate them and pick more up later."
She tensed slightly. "Will, diapers are expensive. You should exchange them."
He didn't reply but came close to her again, pushing the end of her pony tail over her shoulder. "And, if you decide that you and Jacob want to live with me, we're all set up." He kissed stiff lips and pulled back with a look of question.
"What's wrong?"
Katie shifted Jacob to the other hip. "It's nothing. I'm tired."
"Well, come sit down. Tell me about what you've done with the store." He began working the wine bottle open. "Do you have any idea when your grand opening will be?"
"No." She looked around for somewhere to put Jacob. "I need to use the restroom," she said.
"I'll take him," Will said, tossing the cork in the garbage and holding out his hands. Jacob went to him willingly, kicking his chubby legs in excitement.
She walked in and closed the door. It was a simple cedar lined bathroom with an old time replica tub, sink and toilet with the tank mounted high on the wall. The kind you flush with a chain. She looked in the mirror and scoffed.
"You're being ridiculous, Katie. Completely ridiculous." She pulled her hair out of its ponytail with a yank and her hand hit the towel rack. A formal jacket fell to the floor, exposing papers tucked in the breast pocket. She stared at it, debating.
If she hadn't wanted to be a clingy, needy girlfriend, she certainly didn't want to be a nosy one, poking in his papers behind his back. She lifted the jacket and put it back on the hook next to the towel rack.
She used the bathroom and washed her hands, staring at the jacket in the mirror. Curiosity was getting the best of her. She was writhing inside and she grabbed the door knob, intent on leaving his privacy intact. She let go of the handle, grabbed the jacket and pulled out the papers.
Damn you, Katie Emery. This isn't who you are! she scolded herself as she opened the tri-folded paper.
One was a list of names and numbers, scribbled hastily. Beneath it was a copy of his plane ticket. Round trip to New York. She bit her lip. What business did he have in New York? Beneath that were a few receipts, the one that caught her eye was a receipt for a restaurant whose name she couldn't even pronounce. Appetizers, drinks, and two entrees cost a whopping eight hundred dollars. "What the hell?"
She heard Jacob babbling and stuffed the papers back into the jacket pocket. Give him a chance to explain, she told herself as she left the bathroom and put on a fake smile.
Will was out on the deck, holding Jacob with one arm, turning the steaks on the grill with the other. "Dinner's almost ready," he said.
She sat down and eyed the glass of wine waiting for her on the patio table. Next to it was a small white box with a red bow.
"What'
s this?" she asked.
He turned with a grin. The way he looked at her over his shoulder was so alluring. "It's for you. I didn't just buy Jacob presents. But you have to wait until after dinner."
She nodded, turning the box over in her hands.
"How was your trip?" She tried to pull off an innocent, indifferent tone.
"It was good. My sister says hi."
"Oh, you went to see her again?"
"Yeah." Jacob leaned hard to get ahold of the grilling spatula and Will laughed. "This little guy can't wait to learn the ways of the grill master."
Katie gave a tight smile. "I forgot, Will, where does your sister live again?"
"Michigan."
Her heart beat hard and an icy feeling began to fill her chest. "It's nice that you two are so close."
"Well, we are, but whenever she needs help with something, she calls me."
"Isn't she married?"
"She is."
She was intent on extracting information now and he wasn't making it easy. "What kinds of things you do you guys do while you're there? I'll bet you have lots of fun."
He shrugged. "I'm mostly helping her with a new business she started recently."
"But you have to have some fun…I mean, don't you go sightseeing or anything?"
He shook his head. "No, not really." He held out her plate and went back for his.
"I have some crackers for Jacob," Katie said, getting up to grab the baby bag.
"Nonsense. I filled a cupboard just for him." She followed him inside and he showed her a small pantry of baby food jars of every possible flavor.
"Will, you didn't have to do this." She reached for a jar of chicken and rice and another of peas.
"Well, I didn't just expect him to watch us eat, you know."
"This is very sweet, thank you."
He caught her arm as she turned. "Hey, what's wrong?"
Her words could lie, but her eyes couldn't. "I'm tired, Will. And…confused."
"About what?"
"You…me…us…all of it."
He straightened and his smile fell. "Am I moving too fast?"
Distance…that's what she needed. Just a little more time to find out if there really was more to Will Anderson than met the eye. She prayed to God there wasn't.
Reclaiming Katie Page 24