Resilient (Rebound Book 2)

by Thompson, Nikki Mathis

  “Thank you, Madeline. That was vaguely insightful and completely confusing…One minute you want to see him in a full body cast and now you’re pleading his case?” Katrine was confused.

  “Let’s just say we have an understanding, he and I. Plus I’ve never seen you more in love than you are with him. I’ve never seen you as happy as he makes you. And despite my previous opinions, I can tell that he’s deeply in love with you. I mean balls deep, sis.”

  “Maddie, your wisdom gives me whiplash. But thank you.”

  “Speaking of whiplash, did I tell you what happened to me the other night?” Charlie began. “No? Okay, so Michael and I were having sex…”

  Her friends…they were loyal and trustworthy. Those two characteristics were high on Katrine’s list. Sure they were a crazy bunch, but she wouldn’t want it any other way.

  Two weeks had passed since her trip to Connecticut. Katrine and Maddie took Teddy to New Mexico to visit their parents as planned. They did visit tons of art galleries, much to Teddy’s chagrin. But Santa Fé was more than Native American art. It was flavorful southwestern food and old churches. It was shopping and kayaking. Antique meets new age. There was a positive and peaceful energy about the place that Katrine loved. It’s what drew her parents there over a decade before.

  Katrine went on a hike one afternoon. She found a large rock on the edge of a trail and decided to have a seat. The air was thinner, but her need for deeper breathes was lessened by the peaceful feeling that settled over her. Surrounded by pines and a blue sky that knew infinity by name, she meditated. The topic of her meditation was Xander and her future. They had spoken several times during the break, that morning, in fact. He’d said that this trip would give her some valuable time to think. He seemed to be getting nervous, expecting the worst, to be sure. He asked that she not make any final decisions until they were able to see each other again. So that’s how she found herself on a rock absorbing the picturesque surroundings. An immense bird with dark brown feathers glided left to right and back again. Katrine watched and admired its carefree grace.

  “All I need now is a John Denver tune.” She chuckled and started to hum “Country Road”.

  Picking up a large smooth stone, she tossed it out into the tree-lined gorge. Clicks of twigs and leaves followed as it made its way down the slope. She’d missed him something fierce. She’d missed his smell, his smile, his hands, his mouth, his laugh…just everything.

  So what the hell was she doing?

  She had a hard time taking pragmatism out of decision making, even in matters of the heart. Maddie was the ‘throw caution to the wind, who cares where I land’ one in the family. She wished she were more like her sister sometimes.

  It was never a question of love or chemistry or want. It was a question of long term feasibility. Katrine shook her head.

  Feasibility? It’s a relationship, not a marketing proposal.

  The time to mess around was over. It was time to bring out the big guns. It was time…to talk to her parents.

  “Katrine, hand me the lavender, please.” Her mother knelt in front of her large English style garden, huge hat on her head and bright green gardening gloves protecting her hands. Her mother was her mirror image, save a few more wrinkles. Her arms were toned and brown from toiling away in her garden for hours on end. The climate was mild in the summer, but only the sturdiest grasses and flowers made it through the cold winter months. But if she had to plant all over again after the snow melted, that was fine with her. It was her favorite pastime, tending to their backyard oasis.

  “That, I can get you. It’s one of the few I can identify.” Katrine brought back the requested flowers and sat cross-legged while her mom dug in the dark soil. She watched Teddy and Maddie kick the soccer ball back and forth at the other end of the expansive yard. Maddie wasn’t very sporty, so seeing her run and kick the ball was very entertaining. Her long limbs should have been graceful like a gazelle, but she looked more like a chicken.

  “So Mom, can I ask you some advice?” She didn’t ask often, and from the surprised and excited look on her mom’s face, that much was obvious. Letting her mom in on the details of her love life was a tricky proposition, but she had to take a chance.

  Her mom continued to work as she absorbed the story and details of Katrine’s situation. Without preamble, she said, “Katrine, any man worth having, is worth fighting for. I think people these days think everything is supposed to be easy and wonderful all the time. But love, it’s hard. It’s work. And anyone that says otherwise is selling fiction… But, if you do it right. Ahhh, there’s nothing like it. You think your father came out of the box like that? No way, I had to mold him, as he molded me.” Her mom started digging a deep hole without skipping a beat. “We grew as separate people first. Then and only then were we able to grow together. It’s okay to have differences. It’s essential to have you own life and your own identity. I think you lost that in your first marriage, darlin’. It’s nothing to ashamed of, it happens to the best of people. I think now you have it figured out, who you are. What you want out of life. You’re going to be just fine. Of that I have no doubts.” She tilted her head, causing her hat to flop over, and winked.

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  The sun was setting and the air was getting crisp, heavy with the scent of piñón and grilling steaks. Connor MacNamara lit a large copper fire pit on their deck. His large frame was illuminated by the orange flames. He gave the fire a few pokes and when he was satisfied with the tinder, he took a seat in a large wooden chair beside his daughter. She loved the delicate crease beside his hazel eyes and the silver strands at his temple. He was a man of few words, but the few words he chose were usually well thought out and to the point. This moment was no exception. “Follow your heart, butter bean. It’s always been in direct contact with that head of yours, so you can’t go wrong. Not to say nothing will go wrong. But you can be sure you made the right decision for yourself at the time, regardless of the outcome.”

  She pushed out of her chair and stood behind him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Thanks, Daddy. You always have a way of making me feel like a grown up and your little girl at the same time. I love you…When are those steaks going to be ready, old man? I’m starving.”

  Chapter 37

  After a lot of advice, much deliberation, and soul searching, she made the call. When she got his voice mail for the fourth time, she called his office.

  “Hello, dear. He’s in Seattle and he’ll be in meetings all day. He said he would be heading home tonight though,” Ellenor told her. If Katrine had actually picked up her phone to talk to him in the last couple of days, she would have known he was out of town.

  Palm slap to the head.

  “Thank you. I’ll just try him back tomorrow.”

  She called him again, leaving a message this time. “Xander, hey it’s me. I need to see you if you can fit it in. What needs to be said should be said in person. If you can come down here, that would be easier for me, but let me know. See you soon.”

  Well, nothing to do but wait…

  Fours hours of waiting and nothing. Katrine was starting to squirm a little. If she didn’t get this off her chest, she feared she wouldn’t get the outcome she wanted. Now that she thought about it, her message did sound like she was going to break up with him. She’d meant to keep it neutral. She didn’t want to spook him. Now she’d be lucky if he even called her back. Who flies across the country to get dumped? Not him. But he said he wanted to see her in person before any decisions were made. She needed to see him, she just had to. Should she call him back? What would she say? She cursed under her breath. Usually she’d shout it out, but Teddy was in his room.

  Patient, just be patient. He’ll call you back and you can set something up.

  She let out a deep, calming breath and decided to start dinner. The water on the stove was starting to boil and she was putting in the angel hair pasta when her phone dinged.

  Just arrived. Talk to
you later.

  She wasn’t sure what she was expecting, but she was hoping for a little more warmth.

  Sorry about my voice mail it didn’t come out the way I wanted it to.

  It’s ok, I get it.

  This was what she was afraid of. This was going to blow up in her face.

  When can I see you?

  Nothing.

  “Damn it!” She hoped Teddy had his head phones on.

  “I heard that, Mom!” he yelled.

  No such luck.

  “Sorry, sweetie, I burned my hand!” she yelled back. He came in a few moments later.

  “You okay? Is it bad?”

  “Um, no, it’s fine.” She was regretting her white lie. “Want to make the salads?” He nodded and then began their ritual. Veggies beside the cutting board, large white bowls waiting to be filled.

  “Mom, I think I heard a knock on the door.”

  “It must be your dad. He’s not supposed to be here until eight. Must have finished up early.” He looked up at her, hands full of mixed greens. “It’s okay. You finish that and I’ll let him in.”

  She threw the dish towel over her shoulder and went to get the door. She was in cropped yoga pants and a faded tank, her hair in a clip. But David had seen her look a lot worse and anyway, who the hell cared?

  His wife uses a fork as a brush, so how good could her hair look?

  Never gets old!

  She snickered. “Hey David,” she said, opening the door.

  Mouth open…deer in a head light.

  “It’s later…I think I know what you wanted to say, but please talk to me first, let me expl—” Katrine put her hand to his mouth, silencing him. His eyes were pleading and his mouth grim, tie crooked. She grabbed his hand and led him into her hallway.

  “Katrine, please.” The expression on his face was breaking her heart.

  “Shhhh, It’s going to be okay, I promise.” They walked to the living room. She stopped and slowly turned towards him. This was it and it was big.

  “I’ve been thinking and I think, no, I know it’s time…Oh, I’m messing this up…Xander, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

  He looked at her strangely, like she’d spoken in a foreign language. But maybe it was the look you got when someone pulls the trigger and there’s no bullet in the chamber.

  She smiled and walked into the kitchen, Xander following close behind with a bewildered look on his face. Teddy glanced up from the chopping board and cocked his head to the side.

  “We have a guest,” Katrine announced. Teddy wiped off his hands and took a few careful steps towards his mom. “Teddy, this is Xander. Xander, this is my son, Teddy.” Teddy shot her a look. Xander, showing no signs of his previous distress, approached Teddy with confidence and a warm smile. With the respect he’d give any CEO, he shook his hand firmly. “I’m so pleased to finally meet you, Ted.”

  Teddy was sizing him up and didn’t say anything right away, but shook his hand. Katrine watched as the two most important men in her life met for the first time. It was surreal, nerve-wracking, and wonderful all at the same time.

  “So you’re the guy from New York, huh?”

  “That’s me. So you’re the biggest Yankee fan in Texas, huh?”

  “Yup.”

  “So whatdya think of that double play to win the game last night?”

  Teddy’s face lit up. “It was awesome! I can’t believe they held ‘em, I was going crazy!” Katrine grinned. She stood by the island, reveling in the love she was feeling.

  “Can you really get tickets to any game?” Teddy asked. His voice sounding both leery and anxious.

  Xander nodded.

  “You stayin’ for dinner?” Teddy asked, looking at Xander, then at his mom.

  “I couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather eat.” He gave Katrine a kiss on the cheek and took his jacket off, followed by his tie.

  “Hope you like pasta with meat sauce. My mom’s is awesome. She makes the best lasagna, too. Oh, and her chicken parmesan is killer.”

  Xander laughed out loud. “I see you love food as much as your mom does.”

  Teddy blanched a bit, but then smiled and agreed. “Yeah, we eat a lot. And Italian’s my favorite, right, Mom?”

  “Right. But don’t worry. Xander, here, loves to eat, too.” She nudged Xander with her hip.

  “The first time I went out to eat with your mom, we ate at an Italian restaurant. She made me order like four appetizers,” Xander teased.

  Teddy laughed and said, “Did she eat your dinner? She always wants to eat my food.”

  “Oh no! She does that to you, too? That’s horrible, Katrine, stealing a kid’s food.” He shook his head with disapproval.

  “Hey! It was two appetizers, by the way,” she said, pointing at Xander. “And I take a bite, a-bite. So no one’s going hungry, I assure you…Well, boys, if you’ve had enough fun teasing me, come have a seat. I’m starving to death.” She shooed them towards the table.

  “Better do what she says. Mom gets feisty when she’s hungry.”

  Xander laughed again. “Don’t I know it.”

  The guys sat down by each other. Xander started to ask Teddy about school and the sports he played. Katrine shook her head, filling the large bowls with steaming thin pasta.

  Guys. The only thing they need in common is sports.

  But, for the guys at this table, their love for Katrine was the real tie that binds.

  “Your ex seemed like a decent guy. He’s good looking, too. I was almost intimidated.” They were laying on the couch, her head on his chest. The television was on, but it was more background noise than anything.

  “I guess he has his moments,” she shrugged. “And he’s okay if you like blondes. I’m kind of in a golden brown hair phase myself.”

  “Phase, huh?”

  “Don’t worry, I don’t see this phase ending anytime soon.” She raised her head to kiss his cheek.

  “Better…You were right. Teddy is a great kid.”

  “Yeah, he gets that from me.”

  Chapter 38

  She walked slowly, yet the clicking of her shoes still boomed with the stellar acoustics. The ceiling was a hundred feet high. The last time Katrine walked on these white marbled floors she was in a flowing yellow gown, anxious and uncertain. She smiled, remembering her nerves that night, what a roller coaster it had been. Running into Ian and David, meeting the other woman for the first time. And of course there was her cranky boss. She’d seen a softer side of Xander Abbot that night. Up until that point he’d acted cold and mildly condescending, maybe more than mildly, something she still teased him about. He’d confessed to her later that the events of that night turned the tides for him. He’d been fighting his attraction to her for few weeks and to see her in tears and to hold her in his arms…he was a goner. Katrine, of course, had no idea he was attracted to her, he’d hid it very well. The love came a little later, but the heat between them was instant after that night. Once they’d given themselves permission to go there, there was no turning back. Tonight she again felt anxious but for completely different reasons.

  The place was silent. No one was about. She looked down at the cream square card in her hand once more.

  Meet me at the Dallas Opera House 7:00 sharp

  Sit Anywhere

  She was in the right place. She just hadn’t expected the place to be deserted.

  What is he up to?

  If she’d known there would be no one here, she wouldn’t have taken so long to pick her outfit. Five dresses and an hour later, she’d chosen classic black. It had a fitted wrap bodice and fell in loose fabric just above her knees. It was sleeveless with a plunging v-neck. Simple drop black pearl earrings and a silver braided link pearl bracelet. Hair down with a light curl. Strappy black high heeled sandals. It may have taken some time to choose, but the end result was worth it. Whatever he had up his sleeve, she was glad she looked good. He was the only one she wanted to impress, anyway.<
br />
  The thought of seeing him quickened her pace and she pulled the door leading to the auditorium. The stage was pitch black. In fact the only light was the dim glow coming from the floor. It was so dark she couldn’t enjoy the beauty of her surroundings. But she remembered. The large rounded room was decorated in dark woods and golds with red velvet chair cushions. The polar opposite of the modern foyer done in white marbles, glass and metal.

  “Hello?” Her voice echoed in the dark.

  A few seconds passed and then a lone spot light revealed a piano in the center of the stage. She smiled and looked around for Xander. Was he already sitting somewhere? It looked like they were going to have a private concert, but there was still no sign of him. She walked down the left center aisle and stopped midway, taking the third seat in. She gripped the card in her hands, rolling it inwards until it was a tube. Her hands were getting sweaty so she put it inside her purse and waited.

  Where is he?

  Her only focal point being the piano, she started to fidget, crossing and uncrossing her legs. Then finally she heard a noise, a door closing somewhere. She looked behind her, but there was no one there. Someone started to walk onto the stage, no not someone, Xander. He was wearing a fitted black button up with dark jeans. They were tight where they needed to be and loose everywhere else. A large smile spread across her face. The light shining down on him made his hair look like it was warm spun gold.

  Joy filled her chest as she soaked him in. It had been almost two weeks since she’d seen him. She wanted to go to him, but when he took a seat in front of the piano, she sat back down. He put his hands on the keys. Silence. Then slowly, mournful notes floated towards her, wrapped around her. Bringing chills to her skin. His head was low, just above the his fingers. She knew this song. It was familiar…‘The Moonlight Sonata’. He played the haunting song with precision. To see him, the man she loved, play so beautifully and only for her. There were no words.