Dreams~Shadows of the Night

by Olivia Claire High

  “Yes.” Priscilla came into the room. “Luckily she doesn’t have it rented right now.”

  “How about the shop? Is she going to be able to work the extra hours?”

  “It’s all set. We had discussed when I hired her that she might be needed to take over from time to time since we have the baby. How long do you think I should stay away?”

  Catherine closed the suitcase. “I’m not sure, but hopefully not too long. I’ll update you as soon as I can. I’m sorry about this, Aunt Pris. I realize it’s an inconvenience asking you to drop everything on such short notice and take off. I might be over reacting, but I can’t take the chance that Josh will make good on this threat.”

  “I can’t believe he would really come here and try to take the baby from us. What does he hope to gain? He has no legal rights where Tommy is concerned.”

  “He thinks his long relationship with Tom takes precedence over blood ties.”

  “Well, I wish he’d make up his mind instead of just threatening us. One minute he’s saying he wants the two of you to help raise Tommy together, and the next thing I know you’re saying he wants to take the baby out of our lives.” She shook her head. “I still don’t understand why he’d even suggest something so selfish.”

  “I don’t think these legal threats and hostility are coming from Josh. I’m almost certain his mother has put the ideas in his head,” she said, while gathering up a few more toys and other essentials for the bag.

  “Considering the way she treated you when you tried to contact him earlier, and now all this turmoil makes me dislike her all the more. I can’t understand why she insists on wanting to hurt us. We would have happily shared Tommy with her.”

  “Ivy Dallas doesn’t believe in sharing.” Catherine’s voice cracked with anger as her hands tightened on a toy soldier.

  >>>>dreams<<<<

  Ivy was rolling out pie dough when Josh silently entered the kitchen. He cleared his throat to alert her to his presence. She looked over her shoulder and instantly smiled.

  “Why Josh what a lovely surprise. Why didn’t you tell us you were coming?”

  “As you said, it’s a surprise.” He came further into the kitchen, and she lifted her cheek for a kiss. He gave her a quick peck before stepping back.

  “Where’s Dad?”

  “Out fussing in his vegetable garden, Ivy said, wiping her hands on a towel. We can have a nice private visit. Would you like something to eat or drink?”

  “No thanks. I’m not here for food or drink. Sit down, Mom. I need to talk to you.”

  Her eyebrows slowly drifted upward, taking in the full view of her son.

  “Oh? What about? Nothing serious I hope.”

  “Please.” He added, pointing to a chair.

  She sat while he stood leaning back against the counter gripping the edge with both hands braced on either side of him. His body remained taut; his eyes watchful.

  “You seem upset.” she observed while staring at him. Her expression twisted into a hostile mask. “Don’t tell me that troublemaker Catherine has been bothering you again.”

  “Why did you make up all those lies about her?” he asked, fighting to keep his voice level. Shocked at the hatred in her eyes, he wondered how he’d missed it before.

  Bright color flushed Ivy’s cheeks while her eyes raked over him with disapproval.

  “Obviously something has happened to send you here questioning me as though I were on a witness stand,” she said in a censorious tone. “Catherine did get to you, didn’t she? I was afraid this might happen. She’s like an addictive drug to you. I warned you she would deny everything I said. I didn’t make it up. She’s a lying whore just as I told you.”

  Josh felt as though something fetid had crawled inside him making his gut churn with nausea. Unable to contain his inner rage any longer, he surged forward and slapped the flat of his hand on the table with enough of a bang to make Ivy jerk back in her chair.

  “Don’t call her that! And stop your lying, damn it! Can’t you see how this charade of yours demeans us both? Do you have any idea how difficult it is for me to stand here and tell myself that I still love you knowing how you tried to destroy my happiness?”

  She shook her head in a quick denial. “I did not try to destroy it. I was trying to preserve your chance to be happy. I wanted to ensure myself that you’d have a decent future ahead of you. Catherine puts you in jeopardy, but you don’t seem to realize that.”

  “Mother, all she’s ever done is try to love me. You’ve got to stop blaming her for my mistakes. Catherine is not responsible for any of the things that happened to me.”

  Ivy stood up so quickly her chair rocked perilously back on two legs.

  “Oh yes she is! You would never have taken that job if you hadn’t wanted extra money to marry her.”

  “She didn’t know about that until I got back and she did beg me not to go. I could have borrowed money if I really needed it, but I went because it was something new and I was feeling bored at work. I took the job because I was so egotistical I thought I could leave her dangling until I got back. As usual, I was only concerned with what I wanted.”

  “Why shouldn’t you be? You have every right to do what you want without having to answer to her. She’s obviously been chasing after you from the first moment you stepped into her hospital.”

  “I was the one doing the chasing. I chose her. I was lucky to get our first date.”

  “Bad luck, if you ask me. I don’t care what you say, she doesn’t deserve you.”

  “You have it all wrong. I’m the one who doesn’t deserve Catherine.”

  Now it was Ivy’s turn to smack her hand on the table.

  “How can you say that when you almost died because of that woman?” she shouted displaying her own fury.

  “You’ve got it all wrong. I stayed alive because of her. Even in my amnesia my subconscious mind knew she was one of the main reasons I wanted to live. If I’m fortunate she’ll forgive me for doubting her and give us another chance to be together.”

  Ivy let out a derisive snort.

  “Where was your precious Catherine when you were so ill?” she practically snarled. “I was the one who nursed you back to health, not her.”

  “Only because you wouldn’t allow her to come here.” He raked a hand through his hair. “Do you know how humiliating it was for me to have to go crawling like some beggar to strangers trying to glean information, so I could find out the truth? I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to forgive you for lying to me about Catherine’s supposed affairs.”

  She started to speak, but he held up his hand to cut her off.

  “I want no more of your lies. I don’t know how you can live with yourself knowing you deliberately used Tom, especially knowing he was dead and unable to defend himself. It makes me sick to my stomach just thinking about it,” he said not bothering to hide the revulsion he felt.

  “You weren’t here when they came to stay. I could see he was attracted to her. I’m still convinced they carried on with each other.”

  He blew out a hard breath fighting to keep his temper in check.

  “You don’t give up, do you? Now I see that you hated Tom, too. How it must have galled you all those years that I wanted him for my friend.” Josh stared at her as if he was seeing a stranger. “I never realized what lengths you were willing to go to in order to have your own way.”

  She reached out to him, but dropped her hands when he stepped back out of reach.

  “Please don’t look at me like that, darling. It’s never been about what I wanted. You’re my son. I needed to protect you like any mother would that loves her child.”

  “I know you thought you should shield me like you’ve always tried to do, but it has to stop. Your interference has put my future in jeopardy. I’m giving you fair warning, I don’t ever want to hear you say another disparaging word about Catherine again. If you do, I really will be dead to you.”

  Genuine tears began to r
un down Ivy’s cheeks and dripped off her chin. She used the hem of her apron to wipe them away.

  “You wouldn’t be saying these cruel things to me if you knew the agony I suffered thinking you had died in that horrible jungle.”

  “I’m sorry for the pain I caused you, but you have to move beyond that now.”

  “You know what you mean to me, Josh. I only have your best interests at heart.”

  “I wonder.” His eyes probed deep. “Or maybe it’s more what’s best for you.”

  “How can you even think such a thing?” she whined, her hands clenching her apron and tears continuing to fill her eyes.

  “What would you expect the way you’ve been carrying on with your trumped up stories? I’m not a little boy. I’m a grown man. I need to fight my own battles. You can’t keep me tied to you forever,” he said forcing himself to use a more gentle tone.

  “I wasn’t trying to do anything of the kind and in time you’ll see I’m right about Catherine. I chose Robyn for you because she’s the perfect girl for you and she deserves your allegiance considering all the years she’s waited for you to marry her.”

  “You chose her? Do you have any idea how ridiculously archaic that sounds? I’ve never wanted to marry Robyn and you were wrong to make her think otherwise.”

  She reached for him and this time he allowed her to clutch his arm.

  “But . . .”

  A tall figure stood in the doorway partially hidden in shadow.

  “Let him go, Ivy.”

  She snatched her hand away and spun around at the sound of her husband’s quiet voice.

  “What are you doing sneaking in here? I don’t appreciate being startled, John.”

  “I am not sneaking, Ivy. I do believe I still live here.”

  Her eyes snapped with impatience.

  “Josh and I are trying to have a conversation. A private conversation I might add. I would have let you know if you were needed here.”

  “I’ve heard enough to know what’s going on. You didn’t want me because you knew I wouldn’t approve.” He then looked at Josh. “You go to Catherine with our blessings.”

  Ivy shrieked her displeasure.

  “No! I’ll never give my approval to that woman.” She pulled on the front of Josh’s shirt. “Don’t listen to him. Your father has no right to try and shove Catherine down my throat. I will not tolerate being anywhere near her.”

  “I said let him go, Ivy.” There was steel behind his voice now.

  She pulled her hands away from Josh and turned at John’s unaccustomed commanding tone. She stared at him with astonishment clearly showing on her face.

  “What on earth has come over you? You’ve never spoken to me like that before and I don’t have time right now to deal with whatever you think you’re doing. Now go back to your squash and tomatoes and let me work out this little misunderstanding with Josh.”

  He came fully into the room and stood gripping the back of a chair until the tan skin covering his knuckles turned white.

  “I’ll thank you not to dismiss me in my own house as though I were some pesky child.”

  “Oh for heaven’s sake,” she ground out with irritation. “You don’t understand what’s going on as usual. There’s a history here you know nothing about.”

  “Because I haven’t said anything before doesn’t mean I don’t know what you’ve been doing. I understand more than you realize and I won’t stand by while you distort things to suit your own needs. Josh has a right to live his life without your interference.”

  “I know what’s best for my son and I don’t like you butting in,” she admonished.

  “He happens to also be my son too, and at this point I don’t care what you think.”

  “How dare you talk to me like that!”

  Josh looked from one to the other and frowned.

  “I had to come here and try to clear some things up, but I didn’t mean to cause trouble between you two.”

  “You needn’t concern yourself about us. You have more important matters to take care of. You go find your Catherine and make things right with her. She’s a good woman and I’d like to see you have her in your future.”

  “I’ll not have you speak for me. I forbid you to go to that woman, Josh,” Ivy said.

  “You forbid me?” His expression mirrored his frustration. “What part of me telling you I’m a grown man didn’t you understand? I do happen to have a mind of my own, and it’s about damn time I start making my own decisions without you butting in. You’ve got to resign yourself to the fact that I love Catherine and I want to be with her. Now let’s leave it at that before we both end up saying something even more regrettable.”

  She snorted out a harsh laugh while pointing an accusing finger at both men.

  “What’s regrettable is how gullible you both are. If you had listened to me you wouldn’t have allowed yourselves to be duped by that lying bi . . .”

  “That’s enough!” Fury racing through his blood, eyes black with rage, Josh thrust himself toward Ivy making her stumble back. “I told you not to talk about Catherine like that. You’re slandering the woman I love. It’s like plunging a knife into my heart when you insult her, and if you really do love me as much as you claim, you wouldn’t say such awful things.”

  John stepped between them and touched Josh on the arm before Ivy could say anything else.

  “I think it’s time for you to leave now.” He looked over his shoulder and gave Ivy a warning glare when she started to speak.

  Josh felt his insides clench. If he hadn’t been a part of it he wouldn’t believe he’d actually had this shouting match with his mother.

  “I’m sorry for the way things have gotten so out of hand. That wasn’t my intention when I came here.”

  “I’d say you’ve shown remarkable restraint considering the damage that’s been done. I hope Catherine will understand.” He squeezed Josh’s shoulder. “Good luck, son.”

  “Thanks, Dad. I have a feeling I’m going to need it. I’ll be in touch.”

  He stared at Ivy for a few seconds. She reached out her hands to him, but he shook his head and walked away without allowing her to make contact. As soon as the door closed, she whirled around to lash out at John with the wrath that boiled inside her.

  “Well, I hope you’re satisfied now that you’ve turned Josh against me.”

  “That was not my doing.”

  “You think not? I didn’t notice you doing anything to help defend my position. That’s what a good husband would have done for his wife. I’ve only been trying to protect Josh. Am I to be condemned for wanting what is best for him?” she demanded.

  “You need to give that question some serious thought. Josh knows what he wants and it’s about time you realized it. Instead of casting blame on others, you should try examining your own motives. If you don’t want to kill whatever love Josh still has left for you I suggest you don’t abuse that love because he wants to share it with others.”

  “I don’t care if he shares it with others; just not Catherine.”

  “Because she represents competition for you? That’s pretty pathetic, Ivy. Did you really believe you were going to be able to keep Josh as your own exclusive pet forever?”

  Her cheeks brightened with a surge of color. “That’s a disgusting thing to say.”

  “Call it what you will, but you had better get used to the idea that you either learn to share Josh, or not have him at all. In the meantime, you owe Catherine an apology.”

  “I don’t owe her anything. She deserves to be punished for causing all this.”

  “You’re never satisfied until you’ve squeeze out every last drop of pain, are you? You thrive on making people your victims. How sad that you’d do it to your own son. Well know now that I’ll not support you in continuing to drive Catherine out of his life.”

  She watched him go and shoved his words aside. She neither needed nor wanted his help. Her anger was coupled with frustration at Josh’s rebe
llion. Despite his threat, Ivy was confident he would never push her out of his life, but Catherine was definitely swaying his judgment on where his priorities should be, and that she could not allow. No one had ever bested her and no one would; certainly not a little nobody like Catherine.

  The annoying girl was like an unwanted weed in a garden. Some were more stubborn than others, but Ivy had always prided herself on knowing how to get rid of weeds. She went back to her pie dough, her brain a whirlwind of activity, and by the time she’d slid the pastry into the oven the expression on her face was positively evil.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Catherine roamed restlessly around the empty house. She felt unsettled, but she reminded herself it had been her idea to have her aunt take the baby away for a few days. Although, like Priscilla, she doubted if Josh could legally take little Tommy, she didn’t want to risk him coming here and upsetting her aunt.

  She hadn’t realized how much she’d taken for granted her aunt’s friendly chatter and the baby’s presence. Now, the quiet was beginning to close in around her. Feeling the need for some fresh air, she wandered outside to the patio. A light breeze ruffled her hair while the mélange of scents tickled her nose. Her aunt loved gardening and had planted a profusion of flowers in the yard and around the patio in various pots and tubs.

  This had always been a special place for her; and now with Josh’s latest cold attitude toward her, Catherine needed the warmth of happy memories. Her father had helped her uncle pour the cement here. She’d only been five years old at the time, but Catherine could remember how the two men had insisted on having her and Nancy’s small handprints pressed into their handiwork before the concrete dried.

  She couldn’t help smiling as she recalled how their mothers fussed over them afterward making sure all the thick grainy mixture had been thoroughly washed off. Special attention had also been added to be sure their tiny fingernails were spotlessly clean again. The fathers had allowed each girl to print her name next to her own handprint. Catherine recalled complaining that it had taken her longer than Nancy because of the extra letters in her name.