Breakaway - A Contemporary Romance Drama Story (7 page)

Kate's heart skipped a beat. "Thank you, Clara."

"How's your eye?" Clara asked quietly.

"It's tender," Kate said, turning to face Clara. "I- I haven't the heart to look in the mirror. Does it look horrible?"

"Yes, dear it does."

Kate nodded. "Thank you for being honest."

"You should hurry," Clara said. "You know he doesn't like to be kept waiting."

Kate reached for the baby receiver on the dresser and left the nursery. She hurried down the hallway and knocked lightly on the door.

"Enter!" Edward barked.

Kate opened the door and stepped into the room. It was her first time in Edward's office. She glanced around and did her best not to shiver as an uneasy feeling came over her. The room she
saw was decorated in dark browns and deep reds. It lacked warmth and was too masculine for Kate's taste. Feeling like she had stepped into a lion's den, she crossed the room and stopped in front of the large black walnut desk.

Without looking up from the files he was putting in his briefcase Edward said, "I'm going out of town on business for father. I'll be back Sunday evening."

Relief swept through Kate. She was going to be free of Edward for three days. "I hope you have a safe flight."

"While I'm gone William will be keeping an eye on you," Edward said. "I expect you to treat him with respect."

Kate gripped the baby receiver hard and stared at the carpet. "Is there anything else you want me to do?"

"Get rid of the car," Edward said. "I want it gone by the time I get home from my trip."

"And if it isn't?"

Edward moved around the desk and took Kate by the arms. "What has gotten into you, Katelyn? Lately you've been talking back. You know I don't like it when you do that."

Kate raised her head and gazed into his eyes. "You've kept me away from my family and friends for six year. We move back and you're still trying to keep me away from them. You want the car gone? Fine. I'll get rid of it, but that's not going to keep me in this prison or away from the people I love like you think it will. That's the reason you want me to get rid of the car, isn't it? If I get rid of it I won't have a way to get around and see everyone."

Edward smiled coldly. "You hit the nail on the head, sweetheart."

"I can still go places and do things without a car," Kate said. "I have legs. I'll walk."

"Not if I break them," Edward snarled. "You had a bad accident. That's what I'll tell everyone when they ask how your legs ended up in casts."

Let go of me," Kate whispered. "Your touch makes my skin crawl."

Edward threw Kate from him. She lost her balance and fell backwards, hitting her hip on the corner of the desk. Pain shot across her back and she bit her lip to keep from crying out.

"I'm through with you," Edward said coolly. "You can go now." He turned his back to her and finished packing his briefcase.

Kate slowly got up off the floor and left the room.

Nathan pulled up in front of Connie's and killed the engine. He removed his seatbelt and got out of the car. Bounding up the steps, he let himself in the front door. "Connie," he yelled.

"In the kitchen," Connie yelled back.

Nathan found her tossing a salad. "Hey, babe."

"Hey yourself," Connie said, smiling at him.

Nathan kissed her on the lips. "Is there anything you need me to do?"

"You can open a bottle of wine," Connie said.

While Nathan located the corkscrew Connie went out to the deck to take the steaks off the grill. She came back with the meat just as Nathan pulled the cork out of the bottle. He poured them a glass of wine and they sat down to eat.

"This looks and smells delicious," he said, cutting into the steak with his knife. He took a bite and found the meat tender and juicy. "I'm glad you called me and asked me over. I was going to go home and throw a TV dinner in the microwave."

"Well I'm glad you're here." Connie picked up her wine glass and took a drink. "I didn't want to eat alone."

After dinner Nathan and Connie moved to the living room and sat down on the couch. Connie slipped off her shoes and curled up against Nathan, laying her head on his shoulder. They talked about work briefly and then grew quiet.

"Nathan," Connie said after several minutes of silence. "Do you ever think about the future?"

"Not really," Nathan answered. "I've always tried to live in the present. We're not promised tomorrow. Being in the medical field you and I know that better than most. I don't want to lose precious time thinking about what could happen five years down the road."

"I try to live in the moment and not think about the future, but I- it's just that-" She broke off, hesitating.

Placing his hand on her leg, Nathan said, "What, babe?"

Connie sighed. "I'm thirty-one years old. I'm not getting any younger, Nathan." She removed her head from his shoulder. "I want children-your children."

Stunned, Nathan was speechless. "You- I- you-" He took a deep breath. Exhaling loudly, he ran a hand through his hair. "Does this involve marriage as well?"

"Of course," Connie said. "We've been together for a year now. I think it's time we take the next step. I love you, Nathan. I want to marry you."

Nathan stood and moved to the other side of the room. He needed to put some space between them while he tried to absorb everything Connie had just said. Marriage and children, was he ready for that? Sure he was thirty-three years old and most men his age had a wife and children. Could he give up his bachelor lifestyle for Connie? Better yet, the question was; did he want to?

"Please say something," Connie said softly. "I can't take the silence another second."

"I-I don't know what to say," Nathan said, turning to face her. "I need some time to think. This isn't something I can decide on the spur of the moment."

"I understand," Connie said. "When you've reached a decision let me know."

"And what's going to happen to us if I'm not ready for marriage and children?" Nathan asked.

"I don't know," Connie said honestly. "I just don't know."

Kate stepped out of the elevator the following afternoon and turned left. She walked down the corridor counting the doors on her right as she went. When she came to the fifth door she saw a plaque with Nathan's name on it. She knocked and then adjusted her sunglasses.

"Come in, Katie."

Kate opened the door and walked inside. "How did you know it was me?"

Nathan rose from behind his desk and came toward Kate. "It's after twelve. You did say you would be coming for lunch." He kissed her cheek. "Let me take Gaby from you."

Kate handed him the infant seat. "I just got her back to sleep so try not to wake her."

Nathan carried the infant seat to the couch in the corner and set it down gently. He pressed a kiss to Gaby's forehead before joining Kate at his desk. "I need your advice on something, Katie."

"I'm listening," Kate said as she removed their lunch from her picnic basket.

"First lets remove your sunglasses," Nathan said. "I like to look into your eyes when we're talking."

Kate's heart knocked against her ribs. She held her breath as Nathan reached up and removed her glasses.

"What the hell happened to your eye?" he growled.

"It was an accident," Kate said, staring at the pattern on Nathan's tie. "Remember the other night when I had food poisoning?"

"Yes."

"I had just thrown up and was feeling weak," Kate said. "I was getting up off the floor to rinse my mouth out and my legs gave out and I fell. I hit my eye on the counter. I'm fine, so don't worry."

Nathan brought his hands up and cupped Kate's face. He tilted her head back and studied her for a moment. "You would never lie to me, would you, Katie?"

Yes I would,
Kate thought.
I'm sorry, Nathan. I'm so sorry, but I'm doing it for you.
"No of course not."

Nathan lowered his head and brushed his lips across Kate's bruised eyelid. "Forgive me. I know you would never lie to me. I don't know what made me ask you that."

Hating herself for deceiving him, Kate felt a sudden urge to cry. She fought against it with all her might. "Lets sit down and eat. While we're eating you can tell me what's on your mind."

They sat down to a lunch of cold chicken salad and crusty bread. While they ate Nathan filled Kate in on the conversation he had with Connie the night before.

"Connie wants to get married and have children. She said she's not getting any younger. We've been together for a year and she thinks it's time to take the next step. What do I do, Katie? I don't want to lose her, but I'm not sure I'm ready for marriage and everything that comes with it."

Kate swallowed a forkful of salad. "Do you love her?"

"I love her, but I'm not in love with her," Nathan said. "I don't know if it's enough to want to get married. Marriage is a lifetime commitment. I don't want to enter into it lightly and then start having regrets later."

"All I can tell you is to talk to her. Tell her how you feel, but don't let her pressure you into something you're not ready for. If you need to, spend some time apart from each other. Maybe a little separation will help make things clearer."

"Maybe," Nathan said.

Kate smiled at him. "You don't have to have all the answers right now. Take your time."

Nathan smiled. "Thank you, Katie."

"I didn't do anything."

"You did more than you know."

"I only wish I could do more," Kate said. "Will you let me know what happens?"

"Sure." Nathan leaned forward in his chair. "Before I forget to tell you. I found a doctor for you. He's a good friend of mine. His name is Henry Paulson. I think you'll find that you like him. He's a good man and a caring doctor."

"What about Gaby?" Kate asked.

"Henry recommended Dr. Rick Weston. He told me children adore Rick."

"If Gaby takes to him I'll keep him as her doctor," Kate said. "As for Dr, Paulson- well if he's a friend of yours and you think highly of him then I'm sure I'll like him."

"I know you will," Nathan said.

Once lunch was over Kate gathered up her things. "Are you busy tomorrow?" she asked as she placed an empty container back in the basket.

"Nope," Nathan said. "Do you want to get together and do something?"

"Yes," Kate said. "But it'll have to be in the afternoon. I promised Dad I would spend some time with him."

"No problem," Nathan said. "Let me walk you to the elevator."

"You don't have to do that," Kate said. "Gaby and I can show ourselves out."