by Melody Anne
“I’ll be here for you every step of the way. I’ll even pick it up for you,” Cassie offered.
“I’ll let you know. I’m not ready to take it yet.”
“It’s too soon. I know they have those early detection pregnancy tests now, but I think you’re better off to wait, get a level head, and then do it. That will give you time to think about what your next step will be. You know, Kinsey, you can always move in with us. I know I’ve offered before and you’ve refused, saying I need my newlywed space and all, but I don’t want you going through this alone. Just think, our kids can grow up together,” Cassie said.
She’d offered many times for Kinsey to come live with her. It had been great when it was just the two of them rooming in college, but they were adults now, and Cassie was married. Kinsey just couldn’t do it.
“I’ll keep that in mind. Now, get out of here so I can shower and go check on my patient.”
“Okay, I get it. You’re done talking for now. I’ll see you at dinner.”
Kinsey’s stomach knotted again as she shut the door behind her friend. She’d forgotten about their big dinner that night. They were celebrating Joseph returning home, even though he was still in a coma. Katherine felt him coming home was the first true step of his recovery. This was the dinner Austin had demanded she come to with him. She guessed he’d gotten his way.
Kinsey locked the door, then walked into the huge bathroom attached to her suite. She turned on the tap and started filling the tub, which was big enough for four people.
As she sank into the sudsy water, her stress started melting away. She laid her head back and pushed everything negative from her mind. She had a couple hours of peace and she was taking full advantage of it.
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Austin sat at the huge table, his eyes repeatedly looking to the door. Kinsey was late. He listened to the chaos surrounding him, catching a word here and there, but not much else. He didn’t know how any of them were having a conversation with everyone speaking at once.
It didn’t matter, though. He loved the chaos. As he looked around at his siblings and cousins, and all of their spouses and children, he thought they were a pretty lucky group, indeed.
He couldn’t imagine how lonely life would be if it weren’t for the people in that room. The laughter, tears, and even anger, were a part of his life, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. He felt almost complete.
As Kinsey finally made her entrance, he instantly knew what had been missing. As much as he’d fought it, rebelled against it, he wanted what the rest of his family members had. He wanted a wife and kids.
He wanted what he couldn’t have.
Unless…
He didn’t want to go there. She refused to even speak to him, so he couldn’t begin to think about whether they’d be parents or not. It was too soon. Only a week had passed. It felt like a month.
He’d made sure to leave an empty chair next to him, but as his bad luck would have it, there was also one empty spot next to Emily. Of course, Kinsey spotted it and made a beeline there. She wouldn’t even look up and acknowledge him.
Food was served and conversation continued to pour in from every direction. Austin didn’t pay much attention. He knew he was acting sullen, but he didn’t care.
“I’ve had enough. Everyone quiet!”
Austin turned in shock to see his father standing at the head of the table. Katherine was looking down at her plate and smiling. Esther looked surprised, but also a bit proud.
Austin gave his full attention to George. He wanted to know what had gotten him so riled up.
“You all know I love you. I’m grateful every day for the big family I’ve been granted. But right now, I could just whip each and every one of you. I’ve been trying and trying to get this beautiful woman alone for five minutes. That’s all. Just five minutes. But for the past month, there’s been emergency after emergency,” George huffed as he glared at everyone.
Heads turned back and forth between George, and a very red faced Esther.
“I’m sorry to do it like this Esther, but I love you. I love you so much my heart swells when I have the slightest thought of you. I can’t pass a floral shop without wanting to go in and buy out the entire store. I loved my late wife, as I know you loved your late husband, and I’d never ask to replace him. But, I’ve been granted a second chance at happiness. A chance to grow old in the arms of the woman I love. I know you wanted to wait. I know you’re worried about the family, and think I’m being rash because of the accident. But, dang it, woman, I love you. I can’t stand the thought of going even one more night without my lips touching yours. I want to go to bed each night with you by my side, and wake up in the morning to the beauty of your face. Please make me the happiest man alive and say you’ll marry me?” George asked as he got down on his knee in front of her.
Tears were streaming down Esther’s face as she looked at George. You could’ve heard a pin drop, it was so silent, as they waited to hear what she’d say.
Finally, her eyes lifted and she looked around the table, seemingly embarrassed to be the center of attention.
“I…I don’t…” she trailed off.
“It’s about time you asked, George. We’ve been wondering what’s taking you so long,” Katherine said with an approving smile on her face.
Everyone chorused their approval, smiling in encouragement at Esther. It seemed it was just what she needed because she turned back to George, love radiating from her.
“Yes, George, yes I’d like to marry you. I want all of that and more,” she whispered.
Everyone applauded and Katherine signaled the staff to bring out the Champaign and sparkling cider.
“Today is truly a day of celebration. My Joseph is home, where he can recover, and both of my friends have found happiness and healing with each other. We are blessed,” Katherine said as she stood up and made a toast.
Austin looked at his father, beaming with happiness as he took Esther in his arms and kissed her. For a moment he looked no older than his children. The slight wrinkles on his face faded away, the graying of his hair gone. He looked like a new man, ready to conquer the world. Austin was proud of his father for having the courage to not allow the woman he loved to get away.
He turned, looking for Kinsey, but her seat was empty. He didn’t know what to do. Should he keep pursuing her? Maybe, she really didn’t want anything to do with him. He just didn’t know what was right or wrong.
He stayed with his family and celebrated long into the night, trying to forget his troubles for at least a few hours.
Chapter Seventeen
“Ugh, I’m so sorry I haven’t been able to make it over sooner, but Jasmine came down with the flu, so you know that meant Isaiah got it, too. It was pure luck I haven’t gotten sick,” Amy said as she quickly came into the sitting room and found a seat.
“I hate it when the kids are sick. Poor babies. There’s not a whole lot you can do for them other than hold them close and keep giving them fluids,” Emily said with sympathy.
“She’s already getting so big. I can’t believe she just turned eight. Where’s the time going?” Amy asked, a slight panic filling her eyes.
“I know. Trevor is shooting up like a weed. He’s my little boy. I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like when they hit their teen years, and then, even worse, go off to college,” Emily said.
“I miss them already,” Jessica added, though her youngest was sitting on her lap, contentedly sucking on her thumb.
“Okay, enough complaining about the future. I’ve waited days for you to continue, Mom. Thank you, everyone, for waiting on me. It would’ve killed me to be the only one not knowing what was happening. I still can’t believe dad was such a pain. And I want to know what happened with Uncle George. How did they make up?” Amy asked.
Katherine closed her eyes, obviously drifting into her past. They waited.
“I ran that night.” Kathe
rine began. “I was quickly losing my battle with myself to tell him no. I loved Joseph. I had since the first night I was in his arms. But, you see, there were a lot of misunderstandings, and I truly did believe he’d only been with me because of a bet. I didn’t want to give him my heart when I thought all he wanted was to get me in his bed. But each time I saw him, it was a little bit harder to walk away. He had his own plans in the making, though, and like a headstrong man, he was going about things completely in the wrong way…”
Joseph slowly left the elevator, then walked from the building. He couldn’t even think straight. His thoughts were consumed with nothing but Katherine.
If he wasn’t careful, he’d lose his grandfather’s corporation. He had to find a way to balance his life. He just couldn’t think of how to convince Katherine they should be together, while still keeping his head clear for the race ahead.
He’d come to prove he could still have her, prove her wrong for walking away from him, but he was the one being proven wrong. He needed her in a way that was neither healthy nor logical. He wondered if it was just the chase. Was he enjoying the game? Or was he truly incomplete without her?
He drove to his property, his lips turning up as he looked at the calming presence of the water lapping on shore. He’d chosen right. As he sat alone on the sandy shore, he turned and looked at his land, the moon shining down on one particular spot.
“That’s it,” he whispered as he rose to his feet and walked up the grassy slope. He reached the spot and turned in all directions. One way gave him a beautiful view of the water and the soothing sound of the lapping sea. The opposite direction showed him the top of the snow covered mountain, standing high above the ground and offering a sense of protection.
He knew Seattle was growing, and as it grew, more people would spread out further, overtaking the serene little island, but he could make his own paradise right there, build the perfect home, a place fit for a queen.
Before he left that night, he had it all planned. All he had to do was begin making phone calls. Within a couple weeks, his palace would start rising. He’d be there to ensure it was perfect.
He hung his head as he made the decision to stay away from Katherine for a while. He had to save his grandfather’s company. He couldn’t distract her, or let himself be distracted. Soon, though, soon they’d be together.
With that thought, he walked to his car and got in. He had a long week ahead of him and much to do.
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Katherine was mortified as she walked in her door and quickly shut it. She couldn’t believe she’d done something so foolish as to practically make love to Joseph in a public elevator. She really wanted to find out if there was a camera in there, but if she started asking, then people would wonder why.
Hopefully, she was just making the situation into something it wasn’t. So what if there was a camera, she tried to reason. It wasn’t like any clothes had come off. He’d kissed her. Yes, it had been beyond hot, but that’s where it had stopped.
She shuddered to think what would’ve happened had they not been interrupted. She lost her mind too easily when he was around.
Katherine climbed into the shower, and then quickly into bed. The last week had been exhausting and she instantly fell asleep, for once too tired to even dream.
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“Katherine, do you have those numbers?”
“Yes, one minute,” she replied, looking through her desk for the requested document.
“What’s going on, Katherine? This isn’t like you,” her boss asked as he stepped in her small office.
No, it wasn’t like her, Katherine had to admit. Lack of sleep, mixed with stress wasn’t helping her a bit.
She hadn’t seen Joseph in a month. Not a phone call, not at the meetings, not at all. She sure heard his name often, though, as he was quickly rising to the top of the board’s favorite candidate. The closer it came time to elect their new CEO, the more times she heard Joseph’s name.
She desperately wanted the decision over with so she could get on with her life. She knew the minute he was elected, and she had no doubts, he would be, she’d turn in her resignation, no notice given.
There was no way she could continue working in the building he was in every day. It would eventually turn her into only a shell of the person she once was. As it was, she was only operating on half her brain function from just the stress of knowing he was in town.
He must’ve gotten tired of chasing her, because he’d taken her last rejection seriously and hadn’t contacted her again after the elevator. She should be thrilled, but instead, she was heartbroken all over again.
She didn’t understand. He was giving her what she wanted, but she knew that truly what she wanted, was for him to tell her he was in love with her, always had been and always would be. She hoped he could somehow explain the awful bet, tell her he hadn’t meant it. It was all wishful thinking and obviously not going to happen.
“Katherine?”
She snapped out of her reverie and looked at her boss, who was looking at her like she’d lost her mind. Maybe she had. Only time would tell.
“I’m sorry, sir. I haven’t been able to sleep the last few nights. I should probably go see my doctor soon,” she tried to explain. It sounded weak, even to her own ears.
“I’m sorry about that. Are you up for working today?”
She knew he wasn’t threatening her, but honestly asking if she needed to take the rest of the afternoon off. She had too much to catch up on, though, and couldn’t leave.
“No, I’ll be fine, sir. Here’s the paperwork. Is there anything else you need right now?” she asked, hoping the answer was no.
“Actually, I’m a bit afraid to bring it up, but Joseph has scheduled a talk with the board. He has some ideas to turn around the downward spiral the stocks have taken. With them dropping points each day, this is important, and all the board members need to be there,” he apologized.
“I understand, just give me the time and place,” she told him. He didn’t need to know how even the mention of Joseph’s name had her stomach knotting.
Her boss left, and then she got buried in her work, starting to run behind, making it impossible for her to make it to the meeting on time.
Katherine called Joseph’s secretary and left him a message, letting him know she’d be an hour late. She had to smile, knowing it would probably irritate him, since he normally waited for no one.
By the time she got out of the office, she hoped she’d be able to get a taxi. It took a bit longer, but finally one pulled up. She hoped he knew the address, because she didn’t recognize it.
As she climbed inside the car, she handed him the paper, and he assured her he knew exactly where he was going. As the driver began leaving the city, Katherine became more nervous.
When they reached the floating bridge, leading to Mercer Island, she was perplexed. She’d never been there before for a business meeting and hoped the driver wasn’t getting her lost.
“Are you sure you looked at the address correctly?”
“Yes, Ma’am. I double checked. This is the location,” he responded.
He turned down a long driveway, and finally stopped the car in front of a small, older home. What was Joseph thinking? She was afraid to leave the car.
“Okay, find a place to park and wait for me. I’m not sure how long this will take, but I’ll pay the waiting fee,” she said before climbing out the door he held open for her.
He agreed before climbing back into the driver’s side and slumping in his seat. She nervously walked to the open front door.
“Hello?”
There wasn’t an answer. She turned to look back down the road, debating with whether to leave or not and just deal with the consequences.
Finally, her business ethic won out and she stepped inside. She followed the sound of the soft music coming from the back. Walking through a small kit
chen first, then an even smaller living room, led her to an open patio door. She stepped through and found a large table in the lit up back yard. Upon closer inspection, she found food and drinks, so this had to be the place.
No one was around, though. Had she been so late, they finished without her. If they had, why hadn’t anyone called to tell her she didn’t need to come? She’d left the message saying she’d be late.
“I’m glad you could make it, Katherine.”
She tensed, her entire body reacting to Joseph’s simple words. If he bottled that sex appeal, women around the world would be buying it up for their men, spraying a little on late at night, especially after a particularly hard day, when they needed to feel something other than exhaustion.
Pure passion – that’s what he invoked, from the souls of her feet, all the way to her brain. She had to fight the yearning his presence inspired in her.
Katherine slowly turned to find him silhouetted in the doorway. His frame was eating up the small space, his stance confident, man-of-the-manor strong.
He was stunning, whether in a suit and tie, or the casual clothes he was wearing. It didn’t matter. He was Joseph – the man she’d always love, but never have.
Her heart pounded, and her voice fled as she felt his powerful presence wash over her. What was she thinking coming to the meeting? She couldn’t possibly keep fighting the burning need she felt for him, not even after being distanced from him for a month.
“You’re late,” he said as he stepped forward.
His motion snapped her out of her trance and she walked slowly around the table. She didn’t want him to realize her distress, but she needed something solid between them. It gave her the illusion of protection.
“I notified you I would be,” she finally said as he kept the same steady motion forward, only stopping when he reached the table, standing directly across from her. From the rise of his brow, he wasn’t fooled by her seemingly casual movements.