The Contract (22 page)

“What?” she whispered.

“David,” I muttered.

She stole a glance his way, turning toward me. “I think I need a kiss now.”

“You read my mind.”

With a wicked smile, I lowered my head. Her fingers threaded into the back of my hair as she tugged me close, pressing her mouth to mine. It was hard, deep, and far too short; enough to anger David even further, but not embarrass Graham. When we broke apart, Jenna was giggling, and David was headed for the exit. I dropped another kiss on Katharine’s lips.

“Well done.”

Most evenings, I ate dinner with Katharine and found myself talking about my day, sharing my projects with her, wanting to hear her thoughts. She knew me better than anyone at the office, and often she came up with a word or a concept I hadn’t considered. Instead of sitting in the den, I often brought my laptop into the living room, working while she watched TV or read. I found I liked her quiet company.

Twice, we had Adrian and Jenna over for dinner, using the new table that now resided in the once empty space. Katharine assured me it was what a normal couple did—they socialized with other couples. I discovered a very competitive side to her when Jenna announced she’d brought some board games over for after dinner. I’d rolled my eyes at the thought of game night yet found myself enjoying the camaraderie of it. Adrian and I beat them at
Trivial Pursuit
, but they wiped the table with us on
Pictionary
and
Scrabble.
After a couple glasses of wine, Katharine became lippy and liked to trash talk, which I found quite amusing. It reminded me of Penny.

I’d now had four “dates” with Penny while Katharine went to yoga. She was surprised to see me show up the first Tuesday, but once I flashed the rich chocolate-covered cherries Katharine told me she loved, I was welcome. The jazz trio was surprisingly good, and we both enjoyed the music before going back to her room for tea and a chat. I liked listening to her talk and hearing the memories she liked to share with me. She would drop tidbits about herself and Katharine, I could store away for future reference. On the following Thursday, I stole back to see her at lunch, sneaking her in a cheeseburger she’d confessed to craving.

Our next two dates were local choirs, and we cut out early for tea, more stories of Katharine, and whatever goodie I had picked up for her that day.

The past Tuesday had been a classical group, but she was fitful and anxious, and far more forgetful. Partway through, I took her back to her room, hoping the familiar surroundings would comfort her. She calmed some, but still seemed upset. When I hunted down Tami, she told me that had been happening a great deal more often and usually Katharine could soothe her best. I called her, and she came to the home, leaving her yoga class right away. When she arrived, Penny was asleep in her chair, waking up when she heard Katharine’s voice.

“Oh, my Katy! I was looking for you!”

“I’m right here, Penny. Richard called me.”

“Who?”

“Richard.”

I peered around Katharine. “Hello.”

She frowned. “Do I know you?”

I felt a small fissure in my heart open, but I held out my hand. “I’m a friend of Katharine’s.”

“Oh. It’s nice to meet you. I want some time with my daughter if you’d excuse us.”

I stood up. “Of course.”

Katharine smiled sadly. “I’ll see you soon.”

Even though I knew it was part of the disease, it bothered me to the point I went to see Penny the next day. I picked up a bunch of her favorite flowers—daisies—and presented them to her with a bow. Her dark eyes twinkled in her chubby cheeks and she let me kiss the downy skin.

“I see why my Katy is so taken with you, Richard.”

“Is she now? Well, I am a charmer.” I smirked down at her, relieved.

She pursed her lips. “I think there is more there than that.”

Ignoring her words, I stayed until she fell asleep. I left somewhat calmer. I could imagine if it upset me when she didn’t know my face, how much it must affect Katharine.

It struck me odd I should be worried about that. Nevertheless, I was. I decided I needed to start tagging along for more visits with Katharine, as well as going to some on my own.

I turned back to the file in front of me. The Kenner Footwear campaign I had pitched to Graham had been met with huge enthusiasm by the client, and I was still working up all the different concepts. I rubbed my temple, wishing I could concentrate more. When I spoke with him on the phone earlier, Graham had told me to cut out early, and I closed the file, shutting down my laptop. Maybe I would take him up on his offer. I could go home and see what changes had occurred today—see what my wife was up to.

My wife.

Katharine.

Somehow, since we had exchanged vows, we had come to an unspoken truce. The things I always found annoying, no longer bothered me. Maybe it was because I understood where they came from. Maybe I was more patient because she understood
me
.

Between our talks, Penny, yoga, paint chips, dinners and games, we had become . . . allies. Maybe even friends. We had a common goal, and instead of fighting and pulling, we had almost settled into a life, together. I knew my tongue wasn’t as sharp. What before was nasty, now became teasing. I liked hearing her laugh. I looked forward to sharing my day with her. When she felt sad about a bad day with Penny, I wanted to cheer her up. I had taken her out to dinner a few times, simply to have her dress up and enjoy herself.

I found myself wanting to be affectionate with her. It felt natural to hold her hand, drop a kiss to her brow, or brush a caress over her lips—and not always when we were in public. She often pressed a kiss to my head when heading upstairs, and there were times I slipped my arms around her for a hug or dragged my lips over her soft cheek in thanks for dinner or to say goodnight. They were actions without thought—all simply a part of being with her now.

Maybe tonight, I’d surprise her. Offer to take her out if she wanted. We could drop by, visit Penny, and take her some decadent treat she loved—or we could order in. Afterward, I could relax, she could watch one of the shows she liked, or we could watch a movie. Maybe a quiet night would help ease my head.

I’d ask her what
she
wanted.

I still liked seeing the surprise and confusion cross her face when I offered
her
the choice.

I opened the door, hearing voices. I recognized them both, and smirked. Jenna was over—again.

“Katharine, sweetheart!”

Hurried footsteps headed my way and she came around the corner. She looked unusually frazzled. I was used to seeing her calm and was surprised when she wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me close.

“Are you okay?” I murmured into her ear.

“Jenna is frightened of storms—Adrian is away. She asked if she could stay here until the storms break.”

The warning behind her words hit me.

“Your room?” I asked, worried.

“Yes.”

I drew back. “Is it . . . ?”

“All ready, yes.”

“Okay.”

“I–I didn’t—” she floundered.

“It’s fine.”

I walked ahead of her, pulling her behind me. “Hey, Jenna.”

The woman I was used to seeing flitting around, enthusiastic and vibrant, was curled into the corner of my sofa, looking anything but vibrant. She was pale and looked scared to death.

“I’m sorry, Richard. Storms terrify me. With both my parents and Adrian away, I didn’t know what else to do. The house is so big when he’s gone.”

I sat beside her and patted her leg awkwardly. “It’s fine. I’m glad you came.”

“Katy said you had no plans I’m interrupting?”

“No. In fact, I have a headache. I was looking forward to a peaceful night at home. We’ll sit it out together, okay?”

She clasped my hand with her shaky one. “Thank you.”

I stood up. “No problem. I’m going to change and grab a shower.”

“I’ll bring you some Tylenol,” Katharine offered. “You’re rather pale, Richard. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“It’ll pass. I may grab a nap.”

“I’ll bring a cold compress, too.”

I went past her, stopping to drop a grateful kiss to her head. “Thank you—that will help.”

Upstairs, I peeked in her room, not having looked while she was redoing it. There had been some delays with the furniture she ordered, so the room took longer than she had planned, only being finished this week. There was a bag on the floor I assumed was Jenna’s. The room was complete, looking like what Jenna would think was a guest room. Empty. None of Katharine’s personal possessions were scattered around. She had added a bookshelf and unpacked her few boxes, the knickknacks and books filled the shelves. A new chaise lounge sat in the corner, a small table, and lamp beside it. Some of Penny’s watercolors adorned the walls. I pulled open the dresser drawers and closet, seeing they were empty, aside from a couple of boxes stored in the closet. The bed was made up with the new linens she had bought. It was staged well.

I went to my room and had to pause for a moment. Katharine was everywhere. Her robe was draped across the end of the bed, the deep red silk shimmering in the light. A few pictures of Penny and us were sprinkled around. The once empty night table had books and a half-f glass on it. The top of the dresser had her favorite perfume, jars, and bottles strewn around. Without even looking, I knew the bottom drawers of the dresser now held her clothes, and the closet still housed the contents of hers she had planned on moving back this week. In the bathroom, her toothbrush was beside mine; her daily skin care items were on the counter. She must have moved like a tornado, to make sure it looked like this was her room, too.

She was waiting when I got out of the shower, holding the cold compress and pills. She had shut the door, giving us some privacy.

“How much time did you have?” I asked, keeping my voice low.

“About fifty minutes. A bunch of items are in the boxes I had unpacked. I switched things around as fast as I could when she called, crying, asking if she could come. She called the cell phone—I told her I was out and would be home in an hour. I didn’t know how to say no.”

“You couldn’t,” I acknowledged.

“Are you okay with this?”

I sighed and held out my hand for the pills. “It’s fine. Thank God, it’s a king-sized bed. You stick to your half, I’ll stick to mine.” I smirked. “You can have a close encounter of the wheezing.”

Her eyes grew round, making me snicker. She’d been so anxious to set the scene, she hadn’t thought about what happened later. Swallowing the pills, I reached for the bottle of water she was holding.

“Unless, of course, you’d like to revisit the whole ‘fucking, no fucking’ topic. You’ve already resisted me for a month.”

She glowered, and I couldn’t resist bending down and brushing her mouth. “Think about it, sweetheart,” I murmured against her softness.

I
was
getting weary of my hand.

She slammed her hands on her hips. “I doubt you’re up to your usual
stellar
performance at this moment. Especially being so out of practice—and having a
headache
.”

I smirked as I collapsed onto the mattress, groaning with relief when she laid the compress on my head.

“I’d be willing to put forth my best effort.”

I was shocked to feel her mouth on mine again.

“Go fuck yourself, VanRyan.”

Her words had no venom, and my offer was bullshit. We both knew it, and we both laughed, the sound of our joint amusement low in the room.

“Rest, I’ll come get you for dinner.”

I caught her hand and kissed it.

“You’re going soft,” she chided, running her hand over my aching head.

I shut my eyes and surrendered to her gentle touch.

“All your fault,” I mumbled.

“I know,” she replied as the door closed.

RICHARD

SPENDING AN EVENING WITH TWO
nervous, tense females proved to be interesting.

Jenna was unnaturally still, which was disconcerting itself, but Katharine was the bigger surprise. I had gotten used to her quiet nature, but tonight, she rambled.