Lisa swung the car around another tight bend and heard Helen Banks moan again about her driving. As she’d done for the last two hours, Lisa ignored it. One thing she knew about was driving at speed and control. She’d taken her advanced driving test and passed with flying colors when she turned eighteen. At no time would she place her passengers not to mention herself in danger. However, she did push the speed limit when a clear road and wide open spaces presented itself. It was’t a responsible thing to do and in town, she tried to keep to the limits but on the open road, it was a temptation. She wished they’d taken up Catherine’s offer of the helicopter home for it would have saved listening to the continuous whining of the English woman. Jake did’t help for he was so attentive and on her side. Men!
“I’am taking the short cut over Cutter’s pass Jake. We can shave half an hour off the journey,” Lisa announced as they neared the guarded gate of the Destiny homestead.
Jake frowned. “Do you think it’s a good idea? It looks like rain and you know how that rack can be…even the horses struggle.”
“If it’s a short cut Jacob let’s take it…I’am fed up with green fields full of sheep. Those mountains look scary,” Helen said.
“Two to one Jake,” Lisa threw back over her shoulder and pulled up at the gate.
“Hi Danny, how are you doing?” Lisa grinned at the guard who was a middle aged man with a bald head and a ready smile.
“Good and you Lisa?” The man’s eyes scanned the other passengers in the car–he did’t recognize them.
“Great thanks Danny. This is my brother Jake and his girlfriend Helen. Catherine will have informed you of their arrival I suspect.” Lisa waited for him to check the board for visitors.
The increased security had been a contentious between their parents for years but Catherine always won. Home had to be safe, end of story. No one entered the property unless they were on the board and that meant family as well.
The man tipped his head. “Oh yes, I have them noted. The family all back together again…your parents are excited I know.” He opened the electronic gate.
“Yeah, big day on Saturday. You’All be busy. See you later Danny.”
“Have a good one Lisa. Do you want me to inform the house you’re on the property?”
“No, we want to surprise them.” Lisa set the car in motion as Danny waved them inside and closed the gate immediately behind them.
The Toyota Land Cruiser set off with a squeal of tyros and headed up the main drive toward the homestead, which was a tiny speck in the distance. In minutes, Lisa turned the vehicle off the main road onto a dirt track that led up to Cutter’s ridge.
+ + +
Chapter 12
Jace sat quietly at the kitchen table and watched Mrs. Snow prepare the buffet they were going to have later after Lisa, Jake and his friend arrived. Catherine’s impromptu supplemented snack for the kids that afternoon had solved the problem of them groaning about being starving around their normal dinner time. Then they all trooped off to the cinema in town, including Elena, to watch the Spider wick Chronicles. It had been a fabulous family afternoon out. Tonight was special and even the kids were excited. Elena in particular decided to shower and find something different to wear other than a grungy T-shirt and ripped jeans. Maybe one day, her eldest birth child might actually supplement her wardrobe with a dress or skirt. She could dream.
Sighing heavily, Jace steeple her fingers together and contemplated her birthday in two days time. It was the big four o. She Haydn’t wanted anything fancy but she did want her family together again. Catherine had been as good as her word and arranged everything. They ordered the marquee, booked the band, and arranged for the food. All she had to do was to turn up and bask in the glory. Her gut wrenching agony over her deteriorating relationship with Catherine overshadowed her excitement for the arrival of friends old and new.
The only thing she could say that was still functioning at a high level was their sex life. Somehow, no matter what the argument they managed to still end up in bed making love. It had happened the day before and probably would happen that day too. She wondered if she could call it making love when neither of them said I love you while they were in each other’s arms. Passion was great but love was even greater for it made the good things that happened even better and the bad things less dire.
The big question was when would be a good time to give up being a coward and face Catherine with her own admission. Not that she felt guilty or anything. Yeah right!
“Jace, are you ok?” Mrs. Snow asked. She had discreetly watched the woman as she prepared the savories for the buffet.
Dragging herself out of her miserable thoughts, Jace gave the older woman a smile. “I’am fine Mrs. Snow. How are the preparations going? Do you need any help? I’am sorry I’am just sitting here doing nothing.”
“Oh, I’am fine dear. Why don’t you take this coffee and sandwich to Catherine? I’am sure she’d welcome the break especially from you.”
Pulling a hand through her hair, Jace stood up and nodded. “I’all be back shortly and give you a hand.” Taking the plate with the sandwiches and the pot of coffee on a tray, she headed to Catherine’s study. Moments later, with the tray precariously wobbling in her hand, she knocked on the door. A muffled voice shouted, “enter’, and Jace with her knee helping to stabilize the tray opened the door. She entered the room that immediately attacked her senses with Catherine’s smell. You could’t deny whose study it was when you met Catherine. She had that exotic musky kind of smell that sent tingles down Jace’s spine and always would. The Reverend Gillian Jacobs had no chance against the evocative Catherine Warriorson.
Jace quickly announced her reason for invading the study when Catherine was working. “Mrs, Snow sent you a tray. I thought I’d bring it and save her the time. She’s busy with the buffet for this evening.”
Catherine gazed at Jace and felt her heart swell at how much she loved the woman who just by being in the room brought a freshness and peace to it. “Thanks, do you want to join me?”
The smile that Catherine shot in Jace’s direction had her heart beating rapidly at its effect on her system. “Sure, if I’m not disturbing you.” Jace moved to the sofa in the room and placed the tray on the coffee table there.
A minute later, Catherine was sitting next to her pouring them both a cup of coffee. “For the record Jace, you can disturb me anytime…it’s a given.”
Jace contemplated the words and rolled them around in her head for a second then replied quietly, “I had a feeling lately that wasn’t the case.”
Passing the coffee cup over to Jace, Catherine sighed heavily. “If I’ve given that impression I’m sorry. Look I know what I’m asking is a big thing of you and the family Jace but I do have to go and I’m serious when I say it will be with you or without you. I have no choice.”
“Please just tell me why? Is it so difficult a question to answer? I don’t understand the secrecy.” Jace looked up into the intensity of the blue eyes that had captured her heart and bound her soul to this woman over fourteen years earlier.
Frowning, Catherine sipped on her coffee, hoping the caffeine injection would help. Then she replaced the coffee cup on the table and took Jace’s cold hands in hers chaffing life into them as she spoke. “I have some problems with the corporation. When Constance left with Clare for France and with your dad spending more and more time in California things haven’t been going so well.”
“Surely Dad checks everything and then you do. How could things be getting into a mess?”
Catherine pursed her lips, it sounds so damn easy to her and in truth, it is with the right people at the helm. “Jace for a long time now I’ve allowed things to drift. Yes, I check things but not as thoroughly as I used to do. The twins and Elena have been quite a commitment.”
Jace’s eyes widened at the mention of the children. “Are you implying that it’s the kids fault…my fault? My dad’s not capable?”
“No, no of course not! You know I’d give everything up for the kids if it came to the wire. Xianthos is like a kid too. It’s a large corporation that needs to have someone at the helm twenty-four seven. That someone has to be competent. Between Constance leaving and your dad, having the heart attack, along with me not paying attention to the smaller things that go on, things have been drifting and…” Catherine sighed heavily and wiped her hand across her brow. “Bottom line Jace, someone is manipulating the corporation into the brink of bankruptcy.”
“Bankruptcy? That’s impossible you would have known,” Jace said immediately.
“Yes, in the old days at the helm I would have known. Technology has moved on and someone can manipulate things to say that aren’t strictly correct. The only reason I know now is because Jake, who works for one of the economic analyst companies we use in London, passed on some information that had been circulating the market place.”
“That’s why you left in a hurry?”
“Yes darling, that’s why I left so quickly. The worse thing is he was right. The company has been hemorrhaging cash and business assets for over eighteen months. The IRS is suspicious. I have a meeting with them on Tuesday. I leave Destiny on Monday morning.” Catherine’s words rang out in the study with a foreboding tone.
“But, but the party is Saturday! We have guests staying for the week. How can you just up and leave?” Jace‘s frustration and her lack of real understanding of what was going on fuelled her irrational annoyance.
“I know Jace. If there were any other way, I would take it. It just isn’t that easy.” Catherine’s anger over the situation began to resonate in her tone.
“Sell the monster Catherine. Get out and let us just live here in peace as a family.”
Catherine rolled the heady statement around in her mind for a few seconds. It was so easy for Jace to say that. It was also naïve and irresponsible. Drawing in a deep breath, she quietly said, “If this was the children or a friend or your family would you abandon them so easily?”
Jace frowned. “It isn’t the same thing Catherine.”
“Isn’t it? Xianthos allows us to maintain the homestead here. The luxury travel we enjoy. The kids generous trust funds and the charities we support. When the kids need braces, we don’t have to worry about where the money is coming from. When our friends are in trouble, we can help and support them until their back on their feet. Everything we do Jace has an element of Xianthos running through our lives. It might be just a name to you but it’s more than that to me. In a way, its family and I do not abandon family. Lots of people depend on Xianthos Jace and I won’t abandon them either.” Catherine felt that a weight had shifted to another, more manageable point while she tried to sum up what Xianthos was to her.
Jace shook her head slowly trying to visual exactly what Xianthos meant to Catherine and her perception of the giant corporation. “That isn’t strictly true is it Catherine.”
“What do you mean?” Catherine’s expression as she faced Jace was a blank mask.
“Stephen.” Jace said one word and saw the flinch on the side of Catherine’s left cheek. Her wife knew exactly what she meant.
There was a deafening silence in the room as Catherine stood up and marched over to her desk. “I have work to do. I need to make plans for my leaving on Monday.”
There it was again, the wall built years before they’d met and no matter how many bricks Jace managed to break down another layer surfaced. “Ok, as usual you’re shutting me out. One day you’ll regret doing that Catherine. There are only so many times you can do this and expect me to unconditionally understand and stick around.”
Catherine’s back stiffened as she heard the words. In a way, she deserved them but that didn’t mean they hurt any less or that she was prepared to do what Jace asked and give Xianthos up. Perhaps all those years of keeping Jace from her business life was detrimental. If she’d done things differently would Jace take the road she was currently on…she hoped not. A voice cursed her. You’re so damn stubborn that you will jeopardise what you have for what’s out there. Will a bunch of ledgers ever kiss you, hold you or love you like the woman you just turned your back on? “As I said, I have plans to finalise. You can take the tray back…I’m done with it.”
Jace was angry and curled her lips in irritation. “Take it back yourself. I’m sure Mrs. Snow is going to be upset that you haven’t eaten. I’m taking the kids out to walk the dogs.” For effect, Jace slammed the door on the study as she left. She knew Catherine hated the sound of slamming doors and her action would set her wife’s teeth grinding.
+ + +
Chapter 13
Lisa smiled slightly as she heard the groaning of the English woman in the back of her vehicle. Yep, it worked every time. Cutter’s Ridge was notorious in wet conditions for making the journey treacherously exciting in her book. The woman had almost been sick three times, as they negotiated some of the tight bends with a heady drop below. Even Jake had cursed her under his breath a few times. They were going to have words once they arrived at the house but she’d been there before and knew she would be again. It was the order of their relationship; contentious at times but they cared about each other.
“I can see the lights of the stables. We’ll be there in five minutes,” Lisa announced in an upbeat voice as she negotiated the final bend and landed them finally on the flat track toward the road to the drive of the house.
A few minutes later, the car pulled up with a squeal of brakes outside the house and there was a sense of relief from them all. They sat there for a few seconds in silence as they all tried to gather their wits.
Lisa popped the truck and swung her small body out of the car onto the tarmac. Surprisingly enough, no one came out to greet them. That’s a bit odd.
Jake helped Helen out of the car. The girl’s face was as pale as the white picket fence around Jace’s herb garden. “Darling we’re home now. I promise it will get better from here on in.”
Helen didn’t say anything. She stood there with her china doll face puckered in misery.
Lisa dragged out the smaller bags and waited for Jake’s help. When he arrived, the look on his face said it all.
In a whisper for only for Lisa to hear he said, “If you ever pull a stunt like that again so help me I’ll do something you’ll regret.” He began to pull out one of the larger suitcases.
“She agreed to the short cut. I was appeasing the majority,” Lisa tartly said as she collected a couple of the bags. “I wonder why it’s so quiet. I expected the twins to at least to welcome us home like they normally do.”
There was no reply as she walked up the steps to the porch and she felt the weariness of the journey slip away like magic. She was home! Opening the wooden door, she briefly touched the stained glass windows that allowed a kaleidoscope of colours to flood the hall when the sun streamed through. It had always fascinated her as a child. There were times when she simply sat in the hall surrounded by their shoes and watched Mother Nature’s free show.
“Are you going inside or do we have to stay out here all day?” Helen acidly remarked behind Lisa.
For a second, Lisa was about to retort in a similar manner but decided against it. At least now that they were home the rest of the family could diffuse the irritating woman’s invasion of her personal space. Maybe she’d go home early to save herself the grinding journey back with that woman. “Sorry,” Lisa stepped into the highly polished hallway and glanced at the area set aside for their regular outdoor shoes and coats. Surprisingly, there were only two pairs. She knew Catherine’s distinctive leather footwear immediately. The other smaller pair were definitely not the twins and they were scuffed–Elena was home.
“Anyone home,” Lisa bellowed.
“Well this is a fine welcome,” Helen announced as she glanced depreciatingly around the hall.
This time, Lisa turned to the woman and scowled. Her temper was showing in the glow of her blue eyes and the red hair that flared around her shoulders. “Give it a rest Helen…not everything is about you.”
Helen didn’t say anything as her eyes transfixed on a figure moving down the corridor toward them.
“I see nothing changes.” The figure stated quietly as a smile hovered around full lips and ice blue eyes that seemed to twinkle with love.
Dropping the bags, Lisa grinned and squealed much as she’d done as a child. “Catherine,” she said as she hugged the taller woman affectionately.
Catherine let an all out smile flood her face as she held the girl close and hugged her. “We missed you Princess, how are you doing?” She kissed the red head before releasing her and gave her a once over.
“I’m great thanks. It’s wonderful to be home again.”
Catherine nodded her head and felt the love she had for her children bath her in the warm glow they always emitted. “It’s good to have you home. You’re earlier than expected.”
“That’s because my sister decided to take the short cut,” Jake said. His muscular body framed in the doorway an unfathomable expression in his serious features.
Allowing her eyes to drink in the sight of her boy…boy you could hardly call him that he was definitely a man as she saw the breadth of his shoulders filling the doorway and his confident stance. She desperately wanted to rush over and hug him after such a long absence but refrained out of politeness to the stranger standing between Lisa and Jake. “I’m sure you suitably chastised her. It’s good to have you home Jake.” Her eyes filled with unshed tears at the unexpected but extremely welcome sight of their eldest son.
She turned her attention to the woman with a cool expression on the china doll features who was standing between her children. So this is H Banks! “Hello, I’m Catherine, welcome to Destiny, Jake’s family home.” She held out her hand to the tiny woman.
Helen, with an expression of chagrin for not being the centre of attention, sniffed the air. She took Catherine’s hand and gave it a wimpy handshake. “Helen Banks …pleased to meet you. You must be Jacob’s mother.”
The words appeared cordial enough but Catherine had experienced enough aloofness to recognize it. The woman had about as much warmth as a cold fish.
“Yes I am. Now, let’s get you inside. I’ll have Mrs. Snow make you a snack of whatever you want. Dinner will be in about two hours.” Catherine’s smile slipped a little. “Jace has slipped out with the twins for some fresh air. She’s really going to hate not being here when you arrived.”
“I’ll show Helen, her room,” Lisa volunteered. “I’m sure she’ll want to freshen up after her journey. Come along Helen.” Lisa knew Catherine wanted to welcome Jake properly. She hadn’t missed the slight expression change when Catherine spoke of Jace.
Helen, who was about to say she’d wait for changed her mind when she saw the cool intimidating stare from Jake’s mother. “Thanks, I’ll see you up there Jacob.”
Jake grinned and nodded. Then dropped the suitcases he was holding on the wooden floorboards. For a few seconds the mother and son maintained their distance. Then, Jake moved toward Catherine and engulfed her in a loving hug while kissing her on the cheek. “I missed you Catherine,” he whispered.
Tears did flow this time as Catherine hugged her son as hard as she could. It had been too long. “It’s good to have you back Jake. We all missed you.”
The young man nodded and then looked into the eyes of the woman who had given him everything including love, even if she didn’t say it that often. It was in all the things she did including the little things. He saw the tears and didn’t say anything. If it were Jace, he’d tease her, but with Catherine, no way. “Sorry I didn’t tell you about H Banks being my girlfriend. I figured it would be a surprise.”
Catherine laughed. “Jake it isn’t me you owe an apology to. Can you imagine what Jace is going to say? Rather you than me son.”
Jake chuckled. “Yeah you’re right. How are things? Did you sort out the problems in New York?”
Catherine’s face dropped a fraction before she shrugged. “How about you go freshen up and settle in then we can talk about that kind of stuff tomorrow.”
Jake nodded. “It’s good to be home,” he repeated as he picked up the suitcases and headed for the stairs.
“Oh and Jake…you should dropped your head around Elena’s door. She’s going to be annoyed if she finds out you’re here and she didn’t know. Believe me…you don’t want to see that! Teenage rage is the pits.”
“I’m surprised she didn’t come down. Lisa isn’t exactly the quietest person on the planet.”
They both laughed. “Have you forgotten so soon being a teenager and loud music?”
Jake grinned and said, “Ah that phase…it’s wonderful.”
Catherine watched him go and closed her eyes. It was good to have them all home. This was going to be one family birthday party to remember.
+ + +
Chapter 14
Jace had a headache, partly due to the twins bickering on their impromptu walking of the dogs. Two feisty children when you were feeling depressed didn’t exactly go together. If it hadn’t been for the dogs, Rio and Charlie, Jace would have been tempted to march them over the hill and back again. One good thing about their walk was that the rain held off. As the children ran up the steps of the rear deck, she shouted for them to rub down the dogs before they got ready for the evening. They reluctantly tugged the dogs into a small hut that was more like a mini hotel than a dog kennel.
“Don’t forget to feed them,” Jace shouted and heard a muffled reply as the children entered the kennel.
Jace stood at the bottom step of the deck and looked at the small building. The first Rio had been a house dog. Catherine’s guide dog became a beloved family pet. His death two years earlier had been a blow to everyone. Catherine had taken it the hardest and somehow never quite got over it and Jace never understood why. Even today, she rarely entertained the dogs physically and no amount of gentle persuasion to engage her with them worked.
Two months later Lisa had arrived home from University with two squirming handfuls of life and presented them to the twins. Rio the second and Charlie had arrived. They were boisterous dogs and eventually the housekeeper Mrs. Snow gave an ultimatum–her or the dogs. They both couldn’t live under the same roof. So the two dogs moved to the kennel outside. It was no ordinary kennel. Catherine had purpose built a hut that had every possible dog convenience she could think of, even heating if the weather became cold. Now, it was doubtful the dogs would want to live in a house full of humans when they could have the peace and quiet of their own abode. The thought made Jace smile and she felt a little more upbeat.
Walking onto the decking, she looked at the sky. It was probably going to rain again but the forecast for the next day was sunshine and progressively better weather for the weekend. Entering the house, she heard voices and it didn’t sound like any of the familiar voices she’d left behind an hour earlier. Puzzled, she kicked off her shoes and walked in socking feet that had a hole in the left toe, toward the voices. Opening the door to the hall, she didn’t see anything amiss but the voices grew louder then she felt her heart racing as she began to pick up the tones. Lisa and Jake had arrived. With a beaming smile, she rushed into the lounge and stood at the threshold drinking in the sight of her eldest children arguing. Nothing has changed there.
“You’re early!” Jace exclaimed as she moved forward.
Lisa grinned at the small woman in the door. Jace was actually a couple of inches taller than she was but after being in the presence of Catherine and Jake, everyone was small in comparison. “We made good time,” Lisa said as she rushed to kiss and hug Jace.
“I can just about work out why that was…you drove right?” Jace whispered into the young woman’s ear.
Lisa giggled and nodded as she withdrew from the hug. “You look great Mom. The wee ones haven’t been too much for you I see.”
Jace chuckled. “Thank you Lisa and we both know I need a shower and a change of clothing.” Her eyes looked down at her faded jeans and aged woolly sweater. She made a mental note to throw away the socks.
“You always look great Jace, no matter what you wear. Anyway look who I picked up on the way here.” Lisa moved away slightly so that Jace could see Jake.
Jake smiled and the serious expression he sported lifted slightly as his face filled with warmth. He moved forward and engulfed his surrogate mother in a bear hug. “It’s good to be home Jace, I missed you.” He kissed her cheek and then moved back slightly so that he could look at her closely. He saw the beginnings of dark circles and a pinched expression around the eyes. The lightness he usually associated with the woman wasn’t evident and he had an idea why.
“We’ve missed you too Jake. Why did you leave it so long?”
Jake smiled and shook his head. “I was busy…you know how that is.”
“Yes, yes I do. You take after Catherine.” She hadn’t meant the words to sound harsh but they must have since Jake had a startled expression.
“Must run in the family,” he replied gently.
Jace nodded. “Yes I guess.”
“Jacob, aren’t you going to introduce me?” A cultured voice similar to Catherine’s without the sexy undertones filled the room.
Lisa moved off to the side and watched the scene enfold as Jake stiffened slightly and then with a forced smile turned to look in the direction of the patio door where the other occupant of the room had been hiding.
“Jace, I’d like you to meet Helen,” he said. “Helen this is Jace.”
Helen drifted forward and gave the woman a once over. It was clear that she didn’t like what she saw, especially when her gaze fixed on the sock with the toe popping out.
Jace felt the scrutiny and it made her skin crawl. There was something distasteful about the woman. She always told the kids not to make quick judgments about people but she’d made one–she didn’t like the woman.
“Yes Jacob,” Jace gave her son a wink when she used his full name. “Welcome Helen. It’s a pleasure to have a friend of Ja…cob’s visit in our home.” She held out her hand and she felt that Helen took it reluctantly. She was certain once the woman left the room she would immediately go and wash her hand. In its own perverse way, Jace found it amusing.
“Thank you.”
The cool retort had Jace biting down fractionally on her lower lip.
Silence invaded the room as no one spoke for a few seconds then Jace with a bright smile asked, “I take it Catherine and Elena know you’re here?”
Jake chuckled. “Yes. Elena is quite the grown up these days. She reminds me of a certain person not that far away.” His gaze flashed to Lisa who was trying her level best to sneak out of the room unseen.
“Yes, well Lisa was a handful at the time. Believe me…Elena is making the idiom of teenage parody come to life. Just ask Catherine.” Jace felt her buoyancy fade a little at the mention her wife’s name.
“I actually meant Catherine, “Jake drawled. He smiled and then placed an arm around Helen‘s shoulders in intimate possession.
Jace watched and wondered if he knew he did that. My but they grow up fast. “Look I need to change and make the twins presentable before they meet you. Have a drink, chill, we’ll all be down for dinner in about half an hour…Mrs. Snow has out done herself.” Jace flashed them all a warm smile and fled the room for the safety of the hall. Helen Banks made the room claustrophobic.
She turned and headed back in the direction she came, intent on speeding up the twins. She had a feeling Helen was one of those people who didn’t like being kept waiting. Poor Jake what has he gotten himself into?
+ + +
Chapter 15
“Look, I’ll leave you too it and be back shortly. Jace might need help with the twins,” Lisa announced seconds after Jace left. She didn’t wait for anyone to reply. Jake and Helen were so intent on looking into each other’s eyes that it made her feel ill.
When the door slammed shut behind Lisa, Jake broke his concentration on Helen. He looked around then immediately back to the woman who was barely inches from him and pulled her unresistingly into his arms. “What do you think of the family so far?”
Helen gave him a slight smile. “You never told me it was so large. I thought you had parents and maybe a sister or two.”
Jake frowned slightly. “I guess with the trip being a spur of the moment decision on your part we never quite got into that kind of detail. What do you want to know?” He led her to the large armchair, sat down, and pulled her onto his lap.
“Where’s your father and who is that other woman? I’ve just met, Jackie or something?” Helen said. She snaked her arms around Jake’s neck before nuzzling into the expensive cologne smelling skin.
A part of Jake wanted to react to the indifferent way Helen spoke of Jace, but his body responded to a more primal instinct. “My father’s dead. Catherine and Jace share responsibility for us all.”
Helen knew what she was doing to Jake. He was a push over when it came to her sexual wiles just as most men were. “Catherine’s your mother…so the other woman is a cousin of hers?”
“No, they’re friends…good friends. Can we talk about this later? Right now I have other tasks for your lips.” He bent to crush the thin painted portion of her body, effectively silencing her as they indulged in a passionate kiss.
The sound of the door opening had Jake feverishly looking in the direction of the door. The teenager standing there had an expression of disbelief and betrayal in her eyes. Struggling up from the chair, he almost bounced Helen on the floor as he held out his hand to the newcomer. “Elena, come on in and meet Helen.”
Elena felt like her world had caved in when she saw her hero kissing a stranger. It isn’t right…it isn’t what was supposed to happen. Jake was hers and always had been! She finally channelled her anger that had been mounting with every passing second. With a passionate that equalled the as the kiss she witnessed, she said, “I hate you Jake! How could you! She’s no more than a tart! I hate her too!” With a muffled cry of pain, she shut the door and charged up to her bedroom.
Helen who had watched the girl’s tirade smirked at the reaction. “Now tell me Jacob, exactly who was that spitfire?”
Jake dragged a hand through his short hair and shook his head. “My sister Elena. Sorry, about that…she has a temper when things upset her. You know what teenagers are like. At the drop of a hat the whole world is against them.” He turned to look at the woman he’d fallen in love with and had a bewildered look on his face.
Nonchalantly Helen said, “I wouldn’t know. At that age, I was in boarding school where I learned decorum and how to speak in company. Perhaps your mother should consider that for her. She’s obviously out of control.”
The words seemed to insinuate themselves into Jake’s subconscious and he didn’t particularly like the inference but felt there was a kernel of truth in them. His frown deepened. “Helen I need to sort this out or there’ll be hell to pay with Catherine. Have another drink I’ll be back shortly.” He gave her a quick kiss and left the room in three easy strides.
Helen, with an irritated expression on her face watched him go. To the empty room, she bitterly said, “God I hope this isn’t what life is like in the outback. If it is, I’m leaving after the party on Saturday and taking Jacob with me.”
From the decking outside the room, a figure sat in a chair and heard everything said while imagining the scene and the people in it. Silently, the figure moved out of the chair and walked quietly through the patio door to another room in the house. The thunderous expression on the figure’s face grew deeper.
+ + +
Chapter 16
Jace checked her room but no Catherine.Typical of Catherine. When I need her the most, she isn’t around. With a heavy sigh, she padded out of the room toward the twins rooms. Opening the door to Allison’s room, she spoke decisively. “Ali, take a quick shower…no half hour under the steam. Don’t forget to put on your good clothes. You have fifteen minutes tops.” Jace shut the door after being satisfied that her daughter had heard her.
Then she proceeded to the door opposite where Nathan’s room was. Knocking on the door, she heard a high pitched ‘yeah’ from inside. Jace allowed a tender smile to cross her lips. His voice was going to break sooner rather than later. Opening the door, she glanced at the mess on the floor where he’d thrown the best part of the week’s clothing. No amount of censure from her or Catherine had any effect. “Nat clean your teeth ok. Jake’s girlfriend won’t let you within a hundred feet of her if you don’t.”
Nat, still dressed in his outdoor trousers emerged from the bathroom. “Is she pretty Mom?”
Jace pondered that for a few seconds then with a smile she nodded. “Yes she is. I want you ready in fifteen minutes. If you’re not, I’ll have your Mamma collect you and you know what she’ll say about this mess.”
It was a threat his Mom used from time to time and mostly she didn’t do anything but occasionally she did. When that happened, we grounded him or took his computer privileges away. He looked around his room and it didn’t look all that bad to him–he still saw some of the floor space. “I’ll be ready, if you let me.”
Jace shook her head at his cheeky grin. “No smart talk from you Nat. I’ll see you downstairs in fifteen. Oh, and bring your sister. You know how she dawdles when dressing up.” Jace left the room but heard him groan as she shut the door.
Then, Elena, who with tears running down her cheeks and a heavy scowl on her face, rushed by her and almost bowled her over. Elena darted into her bedroom and slammed the door shut.
Blowing out a breath, Jace closed her eyes and tilted her head heavenward. “I can see it’s going to be one of those nights.”
Catherine stood at the top of the stairs where she’d heard someone running up them like a bull after a red flag. “Who was that running?”
Jace turned to the voice in irritation and said, “Elena. Where have you been? I need to have a shower and change for dinner, but the kids needed supervising. I could have done with your help.”
Catherine, with a voice that was tinged with ice, said, “I’m here now. What do you want me to do? Besides it’s a family homecoming not a formal party.”
Unable to decipher if the coldness was aimed at her or something else Catherine hadn’t found palatable that day, Jace sighed. She is becoming as touchy as Elena these days. “Catherine I have two words for you and one task.”
Catherine raised her eyebrow at the testy tone and asked, “And they would be?”
“Be good and check on Elena. I think she’s going to announce that dinner isn’t part of her world right now.” Jace opened their bedroom door and shut it behind her rolling her eyes and wishing she could take a nap instead of attending dinner. At that moment, climbing Mount Everest would be easier.
From her place at the top of the stairs, Catherine saw Lisa coming up and said, “I’d stay down there if I were you Lisa. It’s probably more amenable right now.”
The redhead chuckled. “Trust me Catherine, no matter what happens up here I’d rather I was here than in the room with those two.”
“Ok. Will you check on the Allison? You know what she’s like when she can dress up. All frills and bows along with the time it takes.” Catherine allowed a smile to crease her lips at the thought of her youngest daughter’s penchant for pretty clothes. She was all feminine. No worn out drab work clothes for her. Even her outdoor clothing was serviceable but colourful and fashionable. It cost them a fortune. If only Elena had a little of that temperament. With a heavy sigh and a frown to match, she headed for Elena’s room.
Lisa shook her head when she saw Catherine’s expression. “Good luck Catherine.”
Catherine this time allowed a grin to settle and remain on her face as she knocked on the door and entered.
A tear stained faced looked up at the intruder and scowled. “I didn’t invite you in.”
Sucking in a deep breath, Catherine chose to ignore the angry censure for the moment. “Yes, well I wasn’t sure you would hear me.” She moved further into the room until she was close to the child sprawled on the bed. The room was tidy and everything had a place, which quite amazed Catherine that any child of Jace’s could keep a room orderly. Her wife was notoriously chaotic if allowed any latitude in that department.
“Well I hear you now so please leave.” The childish anger vented into the warm, almost stale, air of the room.
“Do you ever open your window? This room could use some fresh air..” Catherine’s eyes never left those of her daughter’s eyes.
Like rabbit caught in headlights, Elena felt some of the pain leave her at the gentle tones of her Mamma. “I don’t like it open…besides it’s been raining.”
Catherine smiled. “Yes it has perfect timing,” Catherine said as she walked over to the closest wind. Once she opened the window, Catherine said, “Come here Elena I want to show you something.”
Elena reluctantly moved and stood at her mother’s side and looked out of the window. It was dusk, the sky was clear and she saw nothing out of the ordinary. “What?”
“Take a breath of air Elena and look at the stars with me. Somehow taking the time to sit and ponder nothing in particular under the stars helps when I’m upset. Try it,” Catherine said softly. There was a thread running parallel that told her daughter it was more of a ‘you will’ rather than a request.
Elena stood side by side with her Mamma with no words spoken. Surprisingly, she did feel a little better. “I hate her.”
Catherine felt a satisfied smirk lurk at the corners of her lips but declined to let them visit her face. Instead, with a face devoid of any intense emotion, she said, “You do. Who exactly do you hate…your sisters, me or your mom?” She knew exactly who Elena was talking about but the child had to say for herself. Second guessing a teenager usually ended up with the wrong result.
“You know…her! Why did Jake bring her here? He was supposed to come home to us.”
“Jake’s getting older Elena he has friends and thought we might like to meet one of them. No matter what Elena, he loves us and always will. His friends might change over the years but we won’t.” Catherine didn’t really know what to say for she felt the same way about Helen.
Elena digested the words for a few moments. “You think he’ll move on to another girlfriend?” Her face brightened at the prospect.
Catherine shrugged. “He’s young. I’m sure he isn’t intending to settle down just yet. Are you going to shower and have dinner with us? You know Jake will be upset if his favourite girl isn’t there on his first night home.”
With a round eyed expression, Elena looked at the tall woman silhouetted against the window. “You still think he calls me his favourite girl?”
Turning, Catherine hugged Elena. “Yes, I’m sure he does. What are you going to wear? Allison is going to wow us with one of her party dresses…what about you?”
“Oh no, Mamma…how gross! She can sit next to that Helen person. I’m going to wear my trousers but I will find a decent top. Is that ok?” Elena asked. Her anger dissipated as quickly as it had arrived.
Catherine kissed the top of her head. “Perfect just like you.” She checked her watch and pulled a face. “You have ten minutes according to your Mom, but what do you say, fifteen?”
With a beaming smile and a sparkle that seemed to flow from her green eyes, Elena said, “Thanks Mamma. You know if it had been Lisa he was interested in I wouldn’t mind because we all know she loves him a lot.” Elena went to the bathroom and closed the door.
Catherine stood there her mouth dropping open like a guppy.
+ + +
Chapter 17
Jace had one of the quickest showers in history. Once in the shower cubicle she allowed the water to spray over her body before liberally adding her shower gel and soaping up. She didn’t wash her hair for it would take too long to dry. Minutes later, she was standing naked beside her bedroom mirror contemplating her body. There was the faint scar from her caesarean of the twins and a sagging of her muscles in the stomach wall. Once she’d been trim, now she had the telltale signs of letting her body go. Excess pounds that never seemed to move and she didn’t have the inclination to try to remove them. In the past and now when she felt stress, especially if it had to do with Catherine, her solace was her special goodie cupboard. Fourteen years later, Catherine still religiously stocked it for both her and the children. In part, if her wife complained about her weight gain, she could legitimately say Catherine had contributed to both the cause and effect.
“You look beautiful.”
The heady voice that always sent goose bumps up her arms and over the rest of her body, didn’t disappoint her as she felt tell tale signs rushing through her bloodstream. Spinning around, Jace looked at her wife and felt the love she had for the woman who was standing silently watching her with a quirky smile.
“Even though I’ve put on weight and it shows?” Jace asked breathlessly as she felt her breathing grow shallow as Catherine walked like a panther toward her. The intensity of her gaze sent thunderbolts through her body.
“As I’m usually the cause of your indulgence and I do support your addiction to the chocolate regime, is that a fair question.” Catherine closed in on the petite woman and bent her head to kiss the skin at the corner of Jace’s neck and collarbone.
Jace’s heartbeats increased and she could feel Catherine’s responding in a like manner. It didn’t matter what disagreements they had, they could always rely on the primitive responses of their body when in close proximity. Jace hoarsely said, “Are we having Elena’s company for dinner?” Her own lips attached to Catherine’s throat, which was the only part of Catherine that was naked flesh.
“Yessss,” Catherine hissed as her blood fired at the lips cruising along her throat. Her hands reached around Jace to cover the hot flesh of her wife’s bottom and she felt the quiver of sensual reaction to her touch, which ignited her own passions even more. Then Catherine moved her lips to the creamy channel between Jace’s breasts. “God I love you.”
Jace felt the flood of desire dribble down her thighs and she lost all sight of any previous assignations except the need for her lover. “I love you too.”
From deep inside, Catherine looked into the green eyes that were so close to her own and breathed raggedly. “We can’t do this right now…we’ll be late for dinner.”
Jace was damned if she was letting the moment of desire pass her by–dinner would have to wait. “It won’t be the first time or the last. Now where were we?”
Catherine laughed softly before taking a pert nipple in her hot mouth and began an oral assault that had them both breathing heavily for some time.
+ + +
Chapter 18
Jake introduced the twins to Helen and gave a more formal introduction of Elena who managed to remain remarkably calm during the process. From Elena’s point of view, it was all worth it as she glowed with pleasure at Jake’s wink and encouraging smile.
“Well, that’s all the intros. I wonder what’s keeping Catherine and Jace.” Jake asked his eyes watched the door expecting them to walk through it at any second.
No one answered. Allison took the opportunity to sit on the floor beside Helen who was sitting in the armchair and began an animated conversation with the visitor. Helen seemed to thaw at last to someone other than Jake.
Jake saw Lisa, who looked like she was lost in thought, holding back the chintz curtains and peering out into the darkness. He joined her and whispered, “Do you know where they are?”
Lisa had been so absorbed in her own thoughts that she jumped slightly when he spoke. . Frowning slightly, she shook her head. “Last I saw was Jace going to their bedroom to change. Catherine was dispatched to talk to Elena, who was upset. Did the bitch you brought with you do that to her.”
Lisa said the words so quietly that it was hard to imagine any real emotion behind the–Lisa found a way.
Jake retaliated immediately. “Why do you always do this? You always want to pick a fight. What’s Helen done to you or anyone else that you think you can call her that? You barely know her.”
“I’m glad I don’t. She’s a stuck up cow and that’s being detrimental to the cow,” Lisa hissed.
Jake, furious at her attitude, grabbed her arm. “I never have understood you Lisa. Ever since we started living here, you’ve always found fault with my friends. Well for the record, I’m going to announce something tonight and your opinion isn’t welcome…not that it ever was.”
“Go for it Jake! There’s nothing you can say that can hurt me in any way shape or form,” Lisa shot back. Their eyes caught and for a split second, they were the only ones in the room until a door opened and the connection was lost.
Two contrite figures entered the room. “Sorry we’re late,” Jace said.
“Thank god your here,” Jake said as he moved swiftly to Helen’s side.
Lisa remained stationary locked in a moment she didn’t understand and Jake’s next words slammed into her like a freight train.
“Now that everyone is here, Helen and I want to tell you the real reason I came home and she came with me.” He glanced at the small woman by his side and gave her a loving look before taking her hand in his. “Helen and I are getting married. We’re engaged,” he proudly announced.
For such a joyous announcement, there was a pitifully sad response until Jace who had seen Catherine imperceptibly wince at the words, moved forward and kissed Jake and gave Helen a small peck on the cheek. “Congratulations,” she said. That galvanised everyone else into the congratulatory round and Catherine finding she needed some personal space left the room in the ruse of finding champagne. She returned ten minutes later suitably bearing the champagne and several flutes on a tray.
Dinner followed and although there was an undercurrent of laughter in the room, it was hardly a merry event. Elena had a scowl fixed permanently to her face that no one not even Jake could remove.
The twins seemed to be happy with the news but mainly they were happy to indulge in all the goodies Mrs. Snow had provided for dinner that evening.
Lisa and Catherine had been quiet. Jace had watched them both eyeing the happy couple whenever they thought no one would notice.
Jace sighed inwardly as she moved closer to her wife. “Why don’t you and Lisa have a chat? She looks kind of left out and it is her homecoming too.”
Catherine, disinterested in its contents of the champagne flute, twirled it in her hand before downing the contents. “Good idea Jace. Want to join us later in the study when the kids go to bed?”
“What about Jake and guest?” Jace asked. She looked at the couple engrossed in each other and oblivious to everyone else.
Catherine tossed Jake and Helen a look. “They won’t notice that you’re gone. Besides, we go to bed early in the country right.”
Jace chuckled softly. “Yeah right. Go on, I’ll catch up with you two later.”
Catherine caught Lisa’s attention and with a quick goodnight to the Jake and his lady friend, left the room on the pretext they had something important to discuss.
Jace watched them go and wished she could go with them. However, she walked over to Elena who hadn’t said a word all evening and sat next to her. “Hey darling, how are you feeling?”
Elena scowled. “I want to go live with dad.”
Jace blinked and wondered where that idea had come from–it was definitely out of left field. Peter Adamson Elena’s father and her ex-husband usually had to beg his child to visit him and his family in Italy. “You do? Have you discussed this with your dad? Is it something new that happened like the news this evening?”
“My dad says I can live with them anytime. They have a cool place in Rome and I think it will be good for me to get to know my half sister better,” Elena announced.
Jace pondered her daughter’s words. Elena’s demand rather than a request had hurt. Right now, she could do without her daughter adding another problem to the melting pot. “Can we talk about this tomorrow with your Mamma too?”
At the mention of Catherine’s involvement, Elena’s scowl moved more to a pensive frown. “Ok, can I go now?”
Pursing her lips and nodding her head slightly, Jace quietly said, “Sure darling. Why not take a few snacks on a plate to your room. I noticed you didn’t eat much. I’ll be by later to say goodnight.”
Elena stood up and nodded, then made her way to the door ignoring Jake’s warm smile. When she left the room, the young man turned to Jace who merely shook her head.
Half an hour later, she rounded up the twins and headed them off to their bedrooms. Jace looked at the two remaining people in the room. “I’m going to have to excuse myself. It’s been a long day. Let’s catch up over breakfast in the morning."
After Jace left, Helen gave the comfortable, if a little shabby, furniture the once over before she whispered something in Jake’s ear that made his pulse fire.
“Oh yeah, an early night sounds like a great proposition to me. We’ll have to sneak around…your room or mine?” He gathered her close and kissed her passionately. They disengaged long enough to make it up the stairs and into Jake’s room with their laughter filling the otherwise somber unusually silent house.
+ + +
Chapter 19
Catherine sat at her desk as Lisa strolled in an agitated fashion toward the window completely obscured by the heavy drape. She flicked it back and peered outside.
Taking a few moments to study her eldest daughter, Catherine decided to give Lisa a few moments of personal space before she broke the silence. “That was a surprise,” she said softly.
When there was no reply from Lisa, Catherine scratched the underside of her chin in what to say next. “I’m going back to the US for a while on Monday. I’ve asked Jace to go with me along with the younger. She’s not happy.”
Still no reply.
Catherine stood up, walked over to her daughter, and drew back the drapes so they could both look outside. It was surprisingly a clear beautiful night. The rain had duly served its purpose and cleared away the heavy clouds that obscured the magnificent light show of the stars at night. “You’re not listening to me Lisa,” Catherine softly said close to Lisa’s ear.
With a startled jump, Lisa looked at Catherine. “Oh I’m sorry Catherine…I was miles away. What did you say?”
“I said Jace isn’t happy.”
“Oh really…well I’m not surprised. Who would be having that bitch affiliated to our family?” Lisa spit out.
The venom in the words was so unlike Lisa. She was headstrong and annoying at times but rarely did she find malice in anyone. It was quite the opposite usually. Catherine didn’t understand the undercurrent Lisa was projecting. “Well actually, I meant with me. What do you know about Helen Banks that would elicit such a strong feeling Princess?”
Lisa sighed and ran a hand through her already wild red hair. She shrugged and in a half-apologetic tone said, “Other than meeting her earlier today I don’t know her. Let’s just say some people get up your nose immediately and the smell isn’t one of roses.”
“To be honest I’m not that taken with her myself but I have to give it a go for Jake’s sake. If what he says is true she may well be his future bride.” Catherine saw Lisa flinch slightly at her words.
“Well I don’t have to be nice. It’s not like she’s nice to any of us. She barely acknowledges that Jake has a family and who the hell calls him Jacob! He could have done heaps better,” Lisa said in irritation.
“It’s his given name Princess.” Catherine reminded her gently.
The young woman grunted something inaudible to Catherine as she tried to decipher exactly what was going on. Then she recalled Elena’s innocent statement earlier. You know if it had been Lisa he was interested in I wouldn’t mind because we all know she loves him a lot.
“Yes well currently he thinks he’s doing pretty well right now. If you had to choose do you have a candidate in mind?” Catherine asked as her eyes fixed on the stars rather than her daughter.
With a startled look in her eyes, Lisa flicked her glance to Catherine thankful she wasn’t looking directly at her. It was hard to keep things from those ice blue eyes, even if she only saw out of one of them. “No. I think it’s too soon. He’s too young and should wait until he’s about thirty.”
“Maybe he should. Is that what you’re going to do?” Catherine let a half smile cross her lips.
“Yes, although I probably won’t marry. I don’t think I’m cut out for marriage,” Lisa said. All her pent up anger was gone and her words spilled out in a forlorn manner.
Catherine nodded and stifled a chuckle. “Really…I thought that about myself once after Adam died. Now look at me…totally henpecked and with a load of kids. You never know what fate has in store for you Lisa. Don’t shut the door on life too early. It’s a rather wonderful state of being…even the bad times. It makes the good things all that much more wonderful. Trust me I know better than most.”
Lisa nodded and then caught Catherine’s look and saw the love and safe haven where it always was and always would be. With a sob, she threw herself into Catherine’s arms and broke down much as she did as a child.
Catherine hugged her close and whispered words of comfort. When Lisa eventually stopped crying she gave Catherine a chagrined expression. “Sorry about that. It must be the wrong time of the month.”
“Yes, I’m sure that’s the answer. How about we open a bottle of wine to celebrate what you’ve achieved,” Catherine didn’t wait to hear a reply as she quickly departed the room and minutes later came back with three glasses and a bottle of white wine.
Catherine popped the cork, filled the wine glasses and gave one to Lisa before raising her glass. With a bright smile, Catherine said, “To our Princess and her success.”
Half an hour later, Jace appeared and when she saw Catherine and Lisa laughing, a loving smile filled her face. “Is there room for one more?”
Lisa giggled and waved Jace over. “For you Jace, we’d part the pacific ocean to make room…right Catherine?”
Catherine drank in the sight of Jace, as she stood silhouetted in the doorway. With a smile, she nodded and quietly said, “Absolutely.”
Walking inside the study, she shut the door behind her as she recalled the last time she was there and the less than friendly visit. Squaring her shoulders, she crossed the room and sat next to Lisa. “What are we celebrating…other than the obvious?”
Catherine remained silent as she poured Jace a glass of wine and handed it to her. Her eyes hooded and speculative as she listened to Lisa reply.
“Catherine and I are celebrating my success…at least my dreams.”
Jace grinned and squeezed Lisa’s hand as she raised her glass, “To dreams, old, new, and those yet to be revealed.”
Catherine kept her gaze on Jace as she felt the years they’d had together flash by, along with the numerous hopes and dreams they’d built a life on. “Without dreams where would we be?”
Lisa felt undercurrents in the room. It hadn’t been the first time in the short time she’d been home. Something was wrong between her parents and she wanted to find out what it was and help them. “Jace, what do you think of the announcement?”
Jace sank back in the sofa she shared with Lisa and curled her legs under her body. With glass in hand, she stared into it as a contemplative expression crossed her face. “I wasn’t surprised.”
Both Catherine and Lisa gave her a surprised look and in unison asked, “You aren’t?”
Chuckling at the expressions on her companion’s faces, Jace shook her head. “Jake isn’t like you Lisa…he doesn’t bring every friend home including boyfriends…well of course in his case girlfriends.”
Lisa interjected, “Oh Jace that’s unfair. I don’t bring every friend home.”
“Really? You could have fooled me. When you were sixteen I swear we were feeding the whole school at one stage,” Catherine softly added.
“Catherine!”
“That’s my name.” The amusement on her face increased as she settled back in her chair enjoying the ease in tension of the day–the week.
“Ok, so what do you mean about Jake?”
“Jake only brings home people who are important in his life. I think you can count on one hand his friends and the only girl he brought home back in high school was Maya. I always knew the next girl he brought home would be the one.” Jace said.
With a snort of disgust, Lisa gulped down half of the contents of her wine glass. “He should have stuck with Maya she was lovely.”
“Because we might not approve of his choice doesn’t mean it isn’t the right one for him. We have to respect that he can make up his own mind. He’s a man now.” Jace looked down into her own glass of wine and with a heavy sigh sipped some of the contents.
Catherine considered Jace’s words and a small smile began to generate around her lips as she twirled the amber liquid around in the glass.
“What are you smirking at Catherine?”
Raising her eyebrows in an exaggerated fashion, Catherine gave her best impression of surprise. Then she chuckled before her low sexy voice answering the question. “Can’t think of why we all don’t like the woman.”
“I never said I didn’t like her. It’s just…”
“Just?” Catherine prompted.
Jace shook her head and then with a pained expression said, “She’s the coldest woman I’ve ever met. Do they coach English people as part of the curriculum to be like that?”
Catherine grinned. “No it’s all in the genes.”
Jace moved slightly so that she could reach across and touch Catherine’s knee. “Except for you my love.”
Lost in the wave of emotion that Jace caused by the tender touch she felt her breath lock inside her chest. She could barely breathe. Finally, using all the strength she could muster, she placed her hand on Jace’s and replied, “I have my moments.”
Lisa watched the two women. It was like a screening of a romance in 3D. Clearing her voice, she stood up. “It’s been a long day. I’m going to bed. I need my beauty sleep and I have a feeling that it’s going to be a heck of a weekend.”
Jace smiled as she stood up, hugged Lisa and kissing her cheek. “Goodnight darling, sweet dreams.”
“Thanks Jace,” Lisa murmured. When Jace whispered in her ear she was startled.
Moments later, she was saying goodnight to Catherine in much the same fashion but without the whispered words.
As she left closing the door behind her, Lisa mulled over the words, Jace said. He’ll understand one day and come back to you.
+ + +
Catherine and Jace stood opposite each other both silent until Catherine moved to take Jace in her arms and pull her gently to the sofa. She held Jace across her chest without breaking the silence.
Jace turned slightly to kiss the bare flesh that the open buttons of Catherine’s she revealed. The musky scent invaded her as she felt lips caress her hair as the jolts of excitement crashed through her body.
“I love you Catherine,” Jace said against the flesh.
For a second Catherine didn’t respond and then she hugged Jace tightly to her. “You are my dreams. You always have been always will be.”
With a muffled cry, Jace disengaged from the bear hug and reached up to kiss the woman who with a minimum of words made everything in the world ok. A thought traversed the swirling sexual excitement building in her body. How can I even think of letting this go and still feel alive?
+ + +
Chapter 20
Breakfast had been a mishmash of comings and goings while others stayed in bed. As usual, Catherine woke up early with Jace curled around her like a limpet. The fact that she hadn’t indulged longer in the warm flesh that enclosed her in a cocoon of love was remarkable. Their sexual appetite for each other hadn’t waned. Other obstacles like living together the rest of the time no longer glowed. The thought of another intense discussion about her new plans caused bile to settle in the back of her throat and make her feel sick. It was easier to get up and see Jace when others were present. They didn’t argue then, especially in front of the children.
As Catherine sat at the kitchen table, she allowed her thoughts to wander as she relished her first cup of tea of the day. Her eyes automatically tracked to the almost silent appearance of her youngest son as he tried and failed to pull out a chair quietly.
“Good morning Nathan.”
Showing slightly crooked teeth, the boy grinned. His dark blue eyes seemed to glow as he snatched the cereal box and began to pour some into his bowl. “Morning Mamma. Can I have sugar on my cereal…please?” His infectious grin brought a like minded twist to Catherine’s lips as she nodded.
“Not too much or your Mom’s going be mad at both of us.” Catherine mentally noted that his teeth needed braces sooner rather than later.
With a wink, the boy placed two heaped spoonfuls into his bowl and lavishly poured in milk before he began to eat with gusto.
With his mouth half full, he gazed at the sad expression on his Mamma’s face. She’d been sad a lot lately and he was sorry for her. He still didn’t want to go to America to live not even for a little while. “Do we really have to go to America and live with Gran and Grandpa?” he asked.
Catherine’s left eyelid rose at the question. Puzzled she asked, “Who said anything about living with your grandparents?”
Scoffing down more cereal he replied in a slightly muffled voice, “I just thought we might. If you and Mom don’t agree, it’s what happens with families when they break up sometimes…isn’t it?”
In shock at the child’s revelation, Catherine contemplated what to say next as she looked at the mug of tea suspended half way between her mouth and the table. Placing the mug down she watched her son demolish the last of his cereals and then with her head to one side to concentrate on him and his reaction she asked, “Mom and I have differences of opinion Nathan. It doesn’t mean that we aren’t happy. Do you think we are?”
The boy nodded. “Since you came home this time you and Mom have been upset with each other. The other times you and Mom worked it out and it was over quick. This time is different…I’ve seen Mom crying in her garden and you are always sad.”
The words sounded like some she’d expect to receive from an adult not a ten year old boy. Had they been so transparent that it had permeated into their children so quickly and disastrously? Catherine squared her shoulders and felt the tears prick at her eyes. Since the children…since allowing Jace into her life to be exact, she vowed she’d place them above everything. She promised herself that she would never do anything to make them unhappy. It looked like yet again, one of her goals in life had been shattered and she was the perpetrator.
“Nathan, sometime adults don’t always see eye to eye but your Mom and I love each other a great deal and we love you and your brothers and sisters way too much for anything to split us up.”
Nathan gave her a bright smile. “Does that mean you’re not sad anymore and Mom won’t cry?”
With tears forming rapidly in her eyes, she blinked them away and brushed a hand over her eyes to wipe away the moisture. “You got it Nathan. I’ll talk to Mom and you’ll see everything will be like it was before.”
His whoop of joy had Catherine shaking her head as a wry smile twisted her lips. “Good as gold Mamma. I’ll go wake Ali she’ll be happy it means we don’t have to go to America now.”
Before Catherine could haul him back and say it meant nothing of the sort he was gone like a whirlwind.
The door to the laundry opened and Mrs. Snow stepped inside. “Are you ready for your eggs now Catherine?”
Catherine startled by the older woman’s appearance had to shake her head before replying, “Yes, thank you.” Her thoughts were on Nathan’s admission and his enthusiasm over not leaving the family home. In a whisper she said, “Christ this is harder than I thought.”
+ + +
Jake stood on the decking and watched as Catherine cantered off toward hills for her personal time alone. As he did, a figure silently approached and was startled when a voice quietly interjected his thoughts.
“She’s like clockwork. Even after all these years at four o’clock, weather permitting, away she goes off on her travels.”
Jake smiled and turned to the petite woman at his side and slung one of his much longer arms around her shoulders and hugged her close. “Yeah, somehow it’s weirdly comforting. I always figured one day you’d join her.”
Jace grinned. “You have got to be kidding me Jake. Horses are gigantic there’s just something about them that doesn’t enamour me.”
The young man chuckled and steered Jace toward the wicker chairs and they sat down. “I’m sorry about springing my little surprise on you. I had it all worked out to mention it after the party but…”
Jace smiled warmly and shook her head. “Are you happy Jake? Does Helen make you as happy as Catherine makes me?”
Considering the question and the way Jace posed it, had Jake at a loss for words. Then he solemnly said, “I’m happy Jace. Helen is a very special woman once you get to know her. She can be a little standoffish with strangers but once she gets to know you all I know you’ll love her as I do.”
The one thing Jace notice that had the most impact on her was his hesitation. There shouldn’t be any hesitation when it came to loving someone you just did, end of story. Or was she so engrossed in her own good fortune that she didn’t understand that there were all kinds of love and some not as strong as the bond she and Catherine shared. “Lisa mentioned this morning that she thought Helen didn’t quite understand Catherine and my relationship. Is that true?”
Jake fidgeted in his chair and his head dropped a fraction as his eyes refused to meet Jace’s green eyes. Then he angrily said, “Lisa should mind her own business!”
A gentle chuckle was his initial reply then Jace said, “Lisa cares about you Jake. She’d never do anything that would hurt you.”
“Oh don’t give me that Jace. From the moment she met Helen, she’s been giving off bad vibes. I wish I’d never taken her up on the offer of giving us a lift here,” Jake said as his temper rose.
There had never been a time when Jake and Lisa hadn’t created sparks growing up, but those were harmless sparks. Now, they gathered momentum and had developed into what Jace thought was irrational anger. Jace again asked, “I take it that Helen knows that Catherine and I are partners in every way?”
This time Jake stood up and walked over to the wooden balustrade, which covered the full length of the decking along the front of the homestead. His gaze fixed at a point far away.
“I suppose she’s right then,” Jace said with a note of sadness. “Is there a problem with your fiancé knowing Catherine and I are lovers?” Jace’s face turned serious as she waited for an answer.
Jake gazed out over the scenic landscape of green luscious fields and the animals that grazed them to the backdrop of the beauty of the mountain range that held the property in a valley of protection. Here he always felt that he could be himself, he loved the place and intended to return one day once he’d made his own fortune. Finally, he said, “I intended to tell her when I got back. She wasn’t originally supposed to come with me. Somewhere along the line, time just defeated that prospect. I guess as it’s natural to me I figured it wouldn’t be an issue. I hope I’m not wrong.”
“I see,” Jace said as her eyes stared at the rigid profile of the young boy who had turned into a very handsome young man. His dark features accentuating a broody, yet decisive nature. He was like Catherine–waters ran deep within him.
Jake turned to face Jace and nodded his head. “Do you? Helen’s beautiful and she loves me. Of all the people she could choose, she chose me…a hick boy from a country on the other side of the world who has nothing to offer her but his love.”
Jace smiled. “A hick boy. Have you looked in the mirror recently Jake? Trust me you look very sophisticated even in the casual look.” Her eyes took in the designer jeans and shirt he wore, money oozed out of each seam.
“What have looks to do with it?” Jake asked with a rising tone.
“Well believe me, for most women their heads are turned by a handsome face just as men do. It isn’t a male trait Jake, it’s human nature. Besides, you make a decent salary from the clothes you wear and the apartment you rent. I’m sure you’re not in the poverty line and Helen understands your current circles. I think she knows she’s onto a good thing.” Jace felt her heart harden when she considered that Helen Banks might actually be a gold digger. “Catherine knows her father…is that right? They’ve done business together for several years?”
Jake moved back to the seat he’d taken earlier and sank down in it. “Actually she doesn’t know Helen’s father. He’s a silent partner in the company. He attended the annual party and that’s where I met her. He leaves the business to the other partners. Her father is associated with property development in Europe.”
“Independently wealthy,” Jace said seriously. “Then perhaps you’ve hit a good thing?” Jace’s eyes seemed to twinkle and Jake fortunately saw that before he bit her head off for the remark.
He felt the tension leave him and he grinned back at her. “Catherine’s going to kill me if she finds out I haven’t been very forthcoming on the family front isn’t she?”
Jace chuckled. “I could with the right incentive help you there.”
With a cautious glance in Jace’s direction, Jake shook his head. “I’m going to live to regret this I know, but what incentive?”
“Be nice to Lisa. She’s missed you. I know she wanted to share her good news about her business and future with you. Now she feels like you’ve no time for anyone but Helen.”
Jake considered her request then, with a wide smile, he nodded, “for you Jace anything.”
With that said, they both stood up and Jake impulsively hugged the petite woman. “I love you Jace, thanks.”
“I love you too Jake. Now is a good time to consider telling the love of your life the real set up here before one of the kids innocently lets the cat out of the bag.”
“I will. She’s taking a nap. It’s a good excuse to wake her…dinner will be in a couple of hours anyway.” He kissed her cheek and left the deck with a spring in his step.
Jace stood there for a second completely motionless then moved to stare much as Jake had to the mountain range ahead of her and the person who drifted as she always did into every waking moment of her life. “Now how do I tell Catherine that little snippet of information without her losing the plot? Although my own admission might be wilder, it’s an interesting conundrum. I wonder if I can induce Grace to do it when she arrives tonight.” Jace frowned in concentration and then turned away from the tranquil scene to the sound of arguing children. Oh the joys of parenthood.
There's more --->
