Breakaway - A Contemporary Romance Drama Story (8 page)

"All right."

Kate gave Nathan a hug, told him she would talk to him later, and then left.

Chapter 6

Kate found Mr. Miller sitting on a bench in the rose garden. He was staring off into the distance, appearing to be deep in thought. Wondering what he was thinking, Kate settled on the bench beside him and smoothed her yellow sundress over her legs. Mr. Miller turned his head and looked at his daughter. His eyes swept over her face and he frowned.

"What is it, dad?" Kate said softly.

Mr. Miller reached for her hand. "Your eye. What happened to it?"

"It was an accident," Kate said. "Nothing to worry about. I'm fine. Now tell me how your doctor's appointment went yesterday. Did you get a clean bill of health?"

"No," Mr. Miller said. "I have high blood pressure. I have to take medication now."

"Dad, you have to take better care of yourself," Kate said worried. "That means eating healthier and getting plenty of rest and exercise." She squeezed his hand. "I want you to be around to see Gaby grow. Now promise me you'll start taking care of yourself."

"I promise," Mr. Miller said. "Where is my granddaughter?"

"She's in the living room," Kate answered. "I left her with Grace." Grace was Mr. Miller's maid. She had been with the family for years and was like an aunt to Kate.

"You know," Mr. Miller said. "I would like to spend some time with Gaby. Why don't you go shopping or see a movie? Leave her with her old grandpa for a few hours."

"I – I don't know," Kate said. "It's not that I don't trust you it's just that I've never been away from her before."

"She'll be fine," Mr. Miller said. "I know how to take care of a baby. I helped your mother take care of you. You turned out all right. If I have any questions or trouble Grace is here. She's raised five children. I'm sure between the two of us Gaby will survive."

"Well- okay," Kate said reluctantly. "I'll keep my cell phone with me. Call me if you need me."

Mr. Miller picked up a pair of garden shears off the ground and got to his feet. He paused in front of a bush full of yellow roses and cut one. Holding it out to Kate, he said, "A rose for a rose."

"Thank you," Kate said, taking the flower as she stood. She raised it to her nose and inhaled its sweet fragrance. The scent made her think of her mother. Mrs. Miller had been fond of roses and it was her that planted the flowers in the garden. Kate remembered her mother sitting on the bench in the evenings admiring the roses while the sun was setting.

"You look so much like your mother," Mr. Miller said, gazing at Kate. "She was wearing a yellow dress the first time I saw her. She was so beautiful."

"You miss her, don't you?" Kate asked.

"Yes," Mr. Miller said. "There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of my precious Nora."

"I miss her too," Kate said.

Mr. Miller slipped an arm around Kate and kissed her cheek. "I know you do. I wish she could've been here to see you grow up. I know there were times when you needed her."

"Nathan's mom was there for me," Kate said. "Granted she wasn't mom, but she was like one."

"I will always be grateful to Becky for being there for you," Mr. Miller said. "Lets go into the house and see the little princess."

"I'll be right there," Kate said, taking her cell phone out of the pocket of her dress. "I want to call Nathan first."

"Take your time," Mr. Miller said as he headed toward the door.

Kate opened her phone and dialed Nathan's number. As the phone rang she studied the flower in her hand.

"Hello?"

"Hi," Kate said. "What are you doing?"

"Reading the newspaper," Nathan said, "and drinking my second cup of coffee."

Kate checked her watch and saw it was after ten. "Would you like to meet me at Forsyth Park near the fountain?"

"Sure," Nathan said. "How does twenty minutes from now sound?"

"Fine," Kate said. "I'll see you then. Oh and no more coffee for you, doc. Two cups is enough."

"Yes, ma'am," Nathan said.

Kate returned her phone to her pocket and went indoors. Mr. Miller was sitting in a wing chair holding Gaby and talking to her.

"As soon as Grandpa gets rid of Mommy we'll take a nap. After our nap we'll have a little lunch and then maybe another nap."

"I brought a few bottles of milk with me," Kate said. "I had Grace put it in the refrigerator. There are plenty of diapers, wipes and baby powder in the diaper bag."

"Then we have everything we need," Mr. Miller said.

"I guess I'll go then." Kate bent down and kissed Gaby's forehead. "You be good for Grandpa. Mommy loves you and she'll be back soon."

Forsyth Park had always been one of Nathan's favorite places to visit in Savannah. It had Spanish moss draped trees, walking paths, a children's play area, a large fountain and many other things that made it appealing to people of all ages. As Nathan sat on a park bench near the fountain to wait for Kate he thought about Connie. It had been two days since their conversation and he still hadn't reached a decision. Sighing, he shifted on the bench and looked around. It was then that he spotted Kate approaching. His breath stuck in his throat at the sight of her in the yellow dress. The wind had plastered the garment to her body and he saw the shape of her curves hidden beneath. Alarmed at the thoughts racing through his head he swallowed hard and looked away.

What the hell is wrong with you?
the little voice in his head said.
This is Katie you were gawking at. She's your best friend. You can't have thoughts about her.

"Hi, doc," Kate said.

"Hey, Katie," he croaked.

"Are you okay?" Kate asked.

Nathan cleared his throat. "I'm fine. Where's the little one?"

"With Dad," Kate said. "He wanted to spend some time with her."

"You miss her already, don't you?" Nathan said.

"Yes," Kate said. "I've never been away from her before. I feel lost without her."

Nathan took Kate's arm and looped it through his. "Lets take a walk and enjoy the nice weather. Gaby is with your father. She's in good hands."

"I know," Kate said. "Dad told me he has high blood pressure. Will he be okay?"

"As long as he starts eating right and exercising," Nathan said.

"Did you give him a good scolding?"

"I did."

They walked along the path in silence for a time. Looking at the flowerbeds as she passed by, Kate found herself smiling. It was a lovely spring day; Edward was thousands of miles away and she was spending time with Nathan. She mentally took a picture of that moment and stored it away in the back of her mind. When Edward returned home she knew she was going to need to draw on the memory of this day to get her through.

"So when is Edward coming home?" Nathan asked, breaking the silence.

Suddenly it wasn't such a lovely day anymore. "Tomorrow," Kate said.

"You don't sound too enthusiastic about it." Nathan glanced at Kate. "Are you and Edward having problems?"

Kate raised an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry," Nathan said. "What goes on between you and Edward is none of my business- as long as he doesn't abuse you. If he ever hurt you I'd make him wish he were dead."

Her face losing all color Kat stopped walking. "Don't say things like that."

"I'm sorry if it upsets you." Nathan touched her cheek tenderly, "but I meant every word. No one hurts you and-"

"I don't want to talk about it anymore," Kate said. "I'd like to change the subject. Have you talked to Connie?"

"Not yet," Nathan said as they started walking again. "I know I need to, but I still don't know what to do. I wish she had never brought up the subject of marriage and children. I was happy with the way things were going."

"Why don't you tell her you're just not ready for that kind of commitment right now?" Kate said.

"If I do that I could end up losing her," Nathan said.

Kate gave his arm a pat. "You'll figure out what to do."

Nathan sighed heavily. "Why can't things be simple like they were in high school? No strings attached. You didn't have to worry about a relationship becoming too serious. You just had fun and lived in the moment."

"I wish we were back in high school," Kate said.

Nathan grinned. "We had fun, didn't we?"

"Yes," Kate said, yearning for the old days. "Remember that night we snuck over the fence and went skinny dipping in old man Johnson's pond?"

"I'll never forget," Nathan said his eyes sparkling. "You couldn't find your bra afterwards. We went back the next day and found it in a tree."

"I still can't believe I let you talk me into going skinny dipping," Kate said. "Do you think Mr. Johnson knew?"

"No," Nathan said, "but in my senior year I heard he caught Kevin Walker and Shelley Robbins and they were doing more than just swimming."

"Is Mr. Johnson still alive?" Kate asked.

"No," Nathan said quietly. "He died a few years ago. I went to the funeral."

"You didn't know the man yet you went to his funeral."

"Yes." Nathan smiled at her. "The man owned our pond. The least I could do was pay my respects."

"Our pond?" Kate said. "We only swam in it one time."

"True, but we swam naked. That makes the pond special."

Kate rolled her eyes. "You're a big goof."

Nathan laughed. "Come on, Katie. I'll buy you lunch."

"Lets go to the Beach Café," Kate said.

"Your wish is my command."

The small restaurant was crowded when Nathan and Kate arrived. They managed to get a small table in the corner. The minute they sat down Kate took out her cell phone and called Mr. Miller to check on Gaby. While she was on the phone a waitress appeared to take their order.

"I'll order for her," Nathan said to the waitress. "We'll have cheeseburgers, onion rings for me, fries for her and two ice teas."

"All right," the waitress said, writing their order down on her pad. "I'll be back shortly with your order."

"Thank you," Nathan said.

"Gaby is napping," Kate said, closing her phone. "Dad just finished giving her a bottle and laid her down. Did you order for me?"