by Nancy Hopper
Patricia laughed. “Sounds quite improbable.” she denied. “I would rather suspect it means you’re shacking up with a rich man.”
Caitlin blushed. “I am not ‘shacking up’ with anyone.” She growled.
“Who are you dating, now?”
Caitlin shrugged. “No one, really.” she denied.
“Come on, now. Give, Cait.” she pleaded. “I know that you were dating Skyler Vaughn. Though I’m dismayed to say I didn’t hear it from you, my friend. Is it still him? He’s the only one I know who might have limo service.” She pried.
Caitlin gave her a suspicious look. “How did you know I was seeing Skyler?” she asked darkly.
Patricia shrugged. “People notice what guys like Skyler Vaughn do. I heard about it. I was disappointed that you didn’t tell me.” she hinted.
Caitlin blushed. “It wasn’t something I wanted to talk about.” she evaded. “It was only two dates, and he … he was not pleasant.”
“Really?” Patricia drawled.
“Really.” Caitlin assured her flatly.
Patricia raised her eyebrows, and gave Caitlin a smug look. “Who is giving you the limo, girl? You may as well tell me.”
Caitlin looked at her almost angrily. She looked terribly pleased with herself.
“It doesn’t matter.” Caitlin snapped.
“Okay, it doesn’t matter.” Patricia agreed in a voice that denied her statement. “Why haven’t you been in classes?”
Caitlin was distinctly uncomfortable with Patricia’s questions. “Why do you want to know all these things?” she asked, facing her squarely.
Patricia stepped back. “Cait, I thought that we were friends. Why are you turning on me this way?”
Caitlin shut her mouth, and pressed her lips together. “Did you ever start a chapter of Skyler’s fan club?” she asked suspiciously.
Patricia paled. “Um. Well. Yes, I did.” she admitted lightly. “Why?”
“Then you got to know Skyler a bit better, did you?”
“No. Not really.” Patricia denied. Her eyes darted away uncomfortably.
“Patricia! Tell Skyler to mind his own business.” Caitlin said angrily. She went into the college office, and stayed there until Patricia was gone.
CHAPTER FOUR
Miraculously, Connie was kept in jail until after Cait’s departure. The limo and special arrangements at school for private testing, kept Caitlin safe and sequestered until the end of the week. She worked on packing her things and disposing of everything she didn't need, in her spare time; so she was kept quite busy.
Friday evening, she left the school in David's limo for the last time. She’d passed all her finals with flying colors, and she was ready to start her new life.
She arrived home in record time; took a bath, and then packed her final, few things.
She decided to wear a new mossy green dress, on her trip to her new job. The skirt was full, the bodice was scoop-necked, the sleeves elbow length. It was quite simple, yet it had nice style. She hated to admit it, but she had agonized over what to wear to meet David's mother, far more than she should have. She so wanted to make a favorable impression! She kept trying to keep telling herself that this was no different than any other job, but given that it involved David and his mother, she wasn't finding it easy to do.
She added a cultured pearl necklace, bracelet and earrings that had a warm, almost golden tone to them. She rightly thought that the jewelry choice would add a refined, timeless touch to the outfit that would make a good impression.
Over the dress, she finally layered a light, waist length, boxy jacket in a deeper green. The color matched her heels perfectly -- and also matched the new wool overcoat and hat she'd be wearing. Examining herself in the mirror, she was satisfied.
She felt very elegant, slipping into her new dark green wool coat and hat. The fox fur collar had a tinge of copper on the ends, to add zing to the main color, a rich gray. Her riot of auburn hair was neatly rolled against her head. When they reached the airport, she waited while David placed a call to his mother.
“Mother. Did you get the telegram? We’re about to get on a plane.” he said sweetly.
“David! How dare you take such license?” she demanded irritably. “I don’t need any young woman underfoot just now. I am extremely disappointed. How could you think of arranging this without consulting me?”
“Because you must go along, Mother. Trust me in this. She’s wonderful, and it’s not good for you to be alone all the time, at any rate. You’ll just have to adjust. She’s terribly wounded, mother. Take care of her for a few months. It won’t hurt you to put your needs aside every now and then. She’ll be no trouble. She’s quiet, dignified and polite. She’ll charm you in short order.”
“But, her nerves are completely shot; and she’s exhausted. There is to be no work of any kind, for her. Just be nice to her. Talk to her. Make her eat. Get her to sit in the garden. And you will please greet her warmly at the airport.” he warned softly. “This is not her fault, it’s mine.”
“What are you up to, David? Is this girl … special?”
“Not in the way that you’re insinuating.”
“When are you coming home?” she asked petulantly.
“Soon. Her name is Caitlin Kilpatrick, mother. In a month, you’ll wonder what you ever did before she came.”
She snorted at that, and David laughed.
“Come to the airport with James, and I’ll kiss you as I catch my return flight.”
“You’re flying with her?” Grace asked suspiciously.
“Absolutely. I don’t trust anyone or anything at this point. Skyler is stalking her, and it’s going to stop today. See you in a bit, mother. I really must go, now.” he said cheerfully. He hung up.
Caitlin was saying goodbye to William. He hugged her, and kissed her forehead. There were tears in Caitlin’s eyes as she thanked him for all he’d done for her.
David stood and watched as Caitlin turned to William’s blonde wife. She looked severe, with a thin face, too much make-up and dyed hair.
“Goodbye, Aunt Vera.” Caitlin said sadly.
The woman nodded. “Goodbye then, Caitlin.” She said, rather coldly. There was no hug. David judged that Caitlin was wise not to try.
Caitlin found her head turned a bit when the limo took them to a private Air strip, and drove up to a very expensive-looking jet plane. She looked at David questioningly. He winked, and took her hand.
“Not afraid to fly, are you?” he teased.
“I haven’t been on a plane since I was a child, but I wasn’t afraid then. We’re flying in this?” she questioned hesitantly.
“Yes, I chartered it. Why?”
She looked at David, and shook her head to dismiss her questions. Still, she wondered in the depths of her heart just how wealthy and influential this man truly was. It was hard for her to imagine that the David she’d come to know so well over the past week or so, was truly a man of such means and fame.
Although she was not well acquainted with Christian music charts, she was beginning to see that in fact, David was very well known.
The plane was comfortable to the point of opulence. There were white leather seats, and plush carpets. She sat down gingerly, and looked about her in silent wonder.
David took her hand, as the plane lifted off the ground. “Doing all right?” he questioned. At her nod, he smiled. “It was hard saying goodbye to William, eh?” he guessed correctly.
“Yes.” she admitted, trying not to let the tears spill. “But I’ll be all right.”
“I know.” he assured her. “You’re a trooper, Caitie. I'll be certain that provision is made for you to visit, whenever you want to.” he promised. He continued to talk to her as the flight continued, hoping to distract her from thoughts about meeting his mother, and in an effort to put her at ease.
“This is really quite commonplace for you, isn’t it?” she asked quizzically. “Being in planes and such, I mean.”
> He chuckled. “This is how I spend a good portion of my life.” he admitted.
“Do you like it, David?”
He shrugged. “I’m content. I get very tired sometimes, though. Travel can wear one down to nothing, and performing is grueling, as well. It’s a good thing it’s so satisfying.”
“Do you ever get lonely?” she asked.
David looked into her innocent eyes, and saw nothing there but curiosity and concern. He smiled. “Yeah. Yes, at times it gets very lonely. Thank God for Jesus. Without Him, I’d be too lonely for words.”
He explained that he would have to get back on the jet immediately in order to get back to Sterling in time to do his concert.
“You’re only flying down to keep me company?” she asked almost fearfully.
David carefully evaluated the question, along with the look in her eyes. “That’s right.” he answered confidently. “I thought with all that’s happened with Skyler, and leaving William, that it might be best for me to accompany you. I don’t want you at an airport alone, or anything. And besides, you’re going to a new place. I’d like to introduce you to mother personally. And, say hello to her, as well.”
“You’re going to a lot of trouble.” she mumbled uneasily.
He chuckled. “To tell you the truth, it’s nice to get away, and fly. I get tired of motel rooms.”
She looked up at him, but he seemed to be very much at ease. It must be the truth, she decided. “Well, it’s very kind of you. I just feel like I’m a bit of trouble, sometimes.”
He shook his head, and leaned back in the seat. “You don’t know what trouble is, then.” he teased. “I’m afraid that I don’t see anything but a quiet ride, watching the scenery, and enjoying the company of a good friend.”
She smiled. “All right, David. Who can argue with you?” she sighed.
And, he put her at ease in short order. They shared the most relaxed, enjoyable time together as they flew. Caitlin found herself tensing up as the pilot advised they needed to prepare for landing.
She was going to have to say goodbye to David’s reassuring company, and start a new life. She wondered how difficult it was going to be, to win over David’s mother. If she suspected Cait to be a gold digger, it could become a difficult proposition indeed, she mused. But surely it wouldn’t take her long to see that she and David were truly, just friends.
He looked at her, as though reading her mind. “Now, listen to me. My mother is a very good judge of character. Stop worrying. It will only take a day or two for her to decide that you’re the best thing since cake.”
Cait laughed. “What if she doesn’t like cake?” she hedged.
He shook his head and gave her a sidelong look. “She does.” he assured her.
They touched down so softly that Caitlin could hardly feel it.
David squeezed her hand, and smiled at her. “It’s not going to be easy to say goodbye to you.” he said quietly. “I’ve become quite accustomed to your company.”
Caitlin smiled shyly. “Me, too. I want to thank you for all that you’ve done, David. I won’t ever forget your kindness to me.”
He smiled. “You sound as though we’re saying goodbye forever. I do come home from time to time, you know.”
“Oh, I know.” she assured him.
“Give me a private goodbye, before we leave the plane.” he said, wrapping his arms around her. Caitlin obeyed, and hugged him back soundly. He held her for some moments, and Caitlin felt tears welling up in her eyes.
She was almost afraid to be without David. She’d become so accustomed to him, and his protection. Although she was also feeling the warm, strong comfort of his arms around her, and his chest under her cheek, she would not even allow her mind to go that direction.
She felt his warm breath on her cheek, and froze. He kissed her cheek softly and then turned his lips to whisper in her ear. “It’ll be all right. Just relax. She’s going to fall in love with you.” he assured her.
Caitlin smiled and nodded. “I’ll be fine, David. Please don’t worry.”
“I’m not. I’ll be calling you, to see how it’s going.”
Caitlin nodded, and smiled. She felt a tenderness in his eyes that went straight to her heart. But it was more than that; it was mirrored somehow in her heart. It suddenly made her hurt, to think of not seeing him for awhile. She was going to sorely miss David’s company, as well as the comfort of his protection.
They got Caitlin's things together, and disembarked. The co-pilot met them on the ground, and got Caitlin’s two trunks out of the plane. There was an old Bentley limo, waiting off to one side. A man dressed as a chauffeur climbed into the car, and drove it slowly nearer to the plane. Then, he climbed out again and faced David with a placid smile.
“Hello, James.” David greeted him. “Mother in the back?”
“Yes, she is, Sir. Just these two trunks, then?” the blond man asked.
“That's right.” David agreed absently. He walked immediately to the rear passenger door of the limo, and opened it while the chauffeur struggled to put Cait's trunks in the boot of the car.
Caitlin looked on with apprehension, as David revealed an elderly lady seated in the rear of the limo. She looked up at David with sharp, blue eyes. “David.” she said in a voice that expressed affection.
“Hello, Mother.” he said with a boyish grin. “Come out here, and give me a hug.”
“I shouldn’t. You won’t even come home for tea, I suppose.”
“I really can’t. You know I wish I could. I have to be back by seven. That leaves only thirty minutes or so, here with you.”
“It’s not nice. Just a tease, really.”
“I know, but it's better than nothing. Remember, now, we agreed that this tour was important for me to do.”
“Oh, stop. I do remember.” she grumbled. She took his hand, and got out of the car. She was wearing a very elegant but reserved suit of Navy blue.
“This is Caitlin, Mother. She and I have become good friends; and I know that you’ll enjoy her as much as I do.”
The lady looked at Caitlin, and found her to be quite beautiful. After giving David a sharp look, she turned to Caitlin and held out her hand.
“My dear. Welcome! I am certain that we shall be good friends.” she said obediently.
Caitlin smiled. “Mrs. Majors, it is a pleasure, Ma'am. I am looking forward to it. David has told me so much about you.”
The blue eyes dissected Caitlin intensely. “Has he? Well, he hasn’t told me nearly enough about you, yet. But we can take care of that ourselves once he’s out of the way, can’t we?” she threatened lightly.
David put his hands on his hips, and gave his mother a warning look. “You’d better behave yourself, Mother.” he warned. “I’m not that far away.”
“Threaten to come home, and I will misbehave.” she answered flippantly.
David shook his head and rolled his eyes. “She can give you a run for your money, Mother, though she seems just a lamb. Be good, or you’ll regret it.”
Caitlin watched in amused fascination as the woman turned mischievous eyes up to challenge her son’s. “Is that so? Well, then, we shall have outrageous stories to tell you when you finally decide to grace us with your presence at home.”
David laughed, and put an arm around his mother’s tiny but determined shoulders. “I’ll just bet.” he growled.
She asked her son many questions about his tour, and Caitlin simply listened politely. She wanted his mother to have all the time possible with her son.
She saw that they were close, and she felt a pang of envy, wishing someone loved her as much as David’s mother obviously loved him. She swallowed hard and looked away to still the stinging tears, before they could rush out.
It seemed as though they’d just been introduced, when David had to say goodbye. He took his mother’s hands, and kissed her cheek softly. Caitlin was touched at the tenderness and respect that he showed her.
“Mother, I’ll
be coming home for awhile, very soon. Perhaps when I get done in Scotland I’ll have a few days. We’ll have to see what I can arrange.”
She looked up at him with longing. “That would be lovely, David.” she agreed.
David smiled. “Mum, I would like Caitlin to have the suite next to mine. I think it would suit her best and be the most quiet, as I am hardly ever in. You will see to it, won't you?” he asked.
Grace tipped her head, and lowered her eyes. “Yes, of course, David – if that is the way you want it.” she answered lightly.
“Thank you, Mum.”
He then turned to Caitlin. He pulled her under his arm, and smiled down at her.
“Lots of rest, food and solace for you, my lady.” he ordered. “You can bet that Mother will keep her eye on you.”
Caitlin blushed, and tried to smile. “I’ll try.” she promised.
David climbed back into the plane, and waved. Then he was gone, and she was alone again.
David’s mother climbed back into the car, and directed Caitlin to follow suit. James closed their doors and took the driver’s seat.
“And how was your flight?” Mrs. Majors asked politely.
“Very comfortable, thank you.” Caitlin assured her shyly.
Grace began to notice the dark circles under the girl’s eyes. She saw the subtle droop of her lips when she forgot to smile. She had a bit of a pinched, frightened look. She was pale.
Compassion stirred in her heart. David had not exaggerated about the girl’s distress, it seemed. He had also told the truth about her respect and politeness. She was lovely, and seemed very sweet. Grace noticed that the girl was willow thin, and knew that David had been correct in his concern. She obviously had suffered a very debilitating blow.
It bothered her a bit that it had been over a man. Why was David intervening in such a situation? What was it all to him? Was he involved with the girl, or did he want to be? She was pretty, there was no doubt. But there could be no goodness in it if she were involved with another man.
Grace curbed her curiosity sharply, seeing the apprehension in the young lady’s eyes. David would berate her severely if she didn’t make the girl feel at home; of that, she had no doubt.