The Contract (The Contract 1)

“She is bossy,” I muttered. “She tells me what to do all the time.”

“Payback,” Katharine mused.

“That’s what wives are for!” Jenna laughed.

Both Katharine and I froze. We had never mentioned being married to Penny. Our gazes met over her head, unsure what to do next.

Penny sat up, her lunch forgotten. She looked between us. “You’re married?” She turned to Katharine. “You got married, and you didn’t tell me? Katy, are you pregnant?”

Katharine shook her head. “No, Penny. I’m not pregnant.”

“But you’re married.”

“Yes.”

Penny looked at me, pushing away her lunch tray. “I’d like to speak to my daughter in private.”I paced the hall, my eyes on the closed door. With a groan, I slumped against the wall, letting my head fall back on the hard surface.

“Richard, I’m sorry,” Jenna pleaded. “I had no idea she didn’t know. It never occurred to me she wouldn’t have been told.”

“Of course it wouldn’t.”

“She didn’t know? She hadn’t simply forgotten?”

I wanted to lie and tell her we had told Penny. That the disease was at fault, not us. Except, I was getting tired of the lies. I pushed away from the wall, rubbing the back of my neck.

“Katharine had a rough time in her teens. There is more to her story than you know, but it’s her story to tell. Penny is the world to her, and she was trying to protect her wellbeing.”

She nodded, waiting for me to continue.

“I was the instigator, Jenna. I pursued her. I was way ahead of her this whole relationship. She didn’t want me to meet Penny at first, until she was sure.” I tugged on my cowlick roughly. “I forced the issue and came to see Penny without her knowing. I wanted to know more about the woman who helped Katharine. I pushed everything forward. I married her quickly—before she could change her mind. Katharine was worried Penny would think it was too fast, so we decided to stay quiet for a while and let Penny get used to me.”

“And I blew it.”

I shrugged. “We should have bitten the bullet and told her ourselves. This is on us.”

The door opened, and Katharine stepped out. “Richard, can you come in?”

“Shit,” I cursed under my breath. “If I don’t make it out in one piece, look after Katharine for me.”

Jenna gave me a sympathetic smile and patted my shoulder.

At the door, Katharine laid her hand on my arm. “I’m sorry.”

I squeezed her fingers. “It’s fine.”

I stepped in, Katharine close behind me.

I had faced angry clients in boardrooms. Stood in front of conference rooms filled with unfriendly faces waiting for me to fail in my presentation. I had done it all without breaking a sweat. Yet, standing in front of the stern-looking old woman, I was sweating, and gripping my wife’s hand like a talisman.

Penny fixed me a look. “You married my Katy.”

“Yes.”

“Without my permission.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I’ve never done this before. I didn’t know I had to ask—”

She waved her hand. “Oh, you really aren’t that swift at times, are you, young man?”

I swallowed. “Sorry?”

“Why did you marry her?”

“I couldn’t be without her.”

“And you didn’t say anything because?”

I had no idea what Katharine had said, but I sensed I needed to stick close to the truth.

I crouched down, meeting Penny’s eyes. “I married her fast because I didn’t want to lose her. I need her in my life. We were worried you wouldn’t approve, but I hoped once you got to know me, you might be okay with the thought of her marrying me.”

“She’s too good for you.”

I laughed because it was the truth. “I’m well aware of that.”

“You should have asked me first.”

“You’re right, I should have. I apologize.”

“She says she’s happy.”

“I am, too.” I glanced over at Katharine, surprised at the fact it was the truth. “She constantly amazes me.”

Penny sniffed. “Just wait. You haven’t seen anything yet.”

“I can only imagine.”

She pursed her lips. “I’m watching you.”

“Duly noted.”

“Fine. Now you owe me cake.”

“Cake?”

Katharine stepped forward, laying a hand on my shoulder. I noticed her rings were now in place, the sight of them making me smile for some reason. I hadn’t taken mine off, and Penny had never questioned it. Without thinking, I pressed a kiss to her hand, the action making Penny beam.

“We always celebrated good things with cake.”

“So, it’s a good thing? I’m a good thing?”

Penny patted my cheek. “I’m depending on you to take care of her for me.”

“I will.”

“Now, that cake?”

There was a bakery down the street.

“I’m on it.”

“Chocolate,” Penny insisted.

I brushed her downy cheek. “As if there was any other kind.”Katharine came in, carrying a cup of coffee that I gratefully accepted. I indicated she should sit down.

“Where’s Jenna?”

“Having a nap. I think she’s taking advantage of the lull in the storm. I don’t think she slept well last night.”

“I slept like a baby.”

She rolled her eyes. “A clingy baby.”