The Contract (The Contract 1)

“The flue sticks.” Katy kneeled beside me, reaching past me to tug on the duct.

I struck a match, making sure the kindling caught, then stood, replacing the small screen. Bending down, I brought her to her feet, tugging her damp jacket off her shoulders, tossing it to the side. Wrapping my arms around her, I held her tight, the sense of relief saturating my body. She shivered, a long, low breath escaping her mouth. I cradled her head in my hands, dropping a kiss to her crown. She tilted her head back, the firelight dancing over her features, highlighting the delicate contours of her face.

“I can’t believe you’re here.”

“Did you really think I wouldn’t try to find you, Katy?”

“I don’t know. I wasn’t thinking. I only knew I had to go.”

I pulled her to the sofa, gathering her hands into mine. “Why, sweetheart? Why did you run?”

“Because I fell in love with you, and I didn’t think you could love me back. I couldn’t hide it any longer, and I knew when you realized how I felt you’d—”

My heart clenched at her words. She loved me. I squeezed her hands, prompting her. “I’d what?”

“You’d turn back into the Richard I hated and laugh at me. You didn’t need me anymore and you would tell me to go. I thought it would be easier if I went.”

“Were you planning on coming back at all?”

“Only to find out what you wanted to do and get my things. I assumed you wouldn’t want me around anymore.”

“You thought wrong. About all of it. I need you. I want you back. I . . .” I faltered. “I love you.”

She looked down at our joined hands, then back up. Bewilderment was evident in her expression; blatant disbelief was in her eyes. I couldn’t blame her, but I wanted to eradicate both.

“You don’t believe me.”

“I don’t know what to believe,” she admitted.

I slid closer, knowing I needed to find a way to convince her I was sincere. My gaze swept the small cottage as I mulled over my words, landing on the small urn sitting on the fireplace mantle.

“Did you bring Penny’s ashes with you to scatter them?” I asked.

“Yes. We had many happy memories here. She worked hard to make sure I could come here every year. She and Burt used to come here, too. She scattered his ashes on the beach.” She swallowed, voice quivering. “I thought maybe, somehow, they’d meet up and be together again in the sand and water.” Her gaze lifted to mine. “I guess that seems silly.”

I lifted her hand to my mouth, kissing the knuckles. “Silly? No. It sounds like a sweet gesture. Something a gentle soul like you would think of.”

“A gentle soul?”

“You are one, Katy. I realized it a few weeks ago, when I stopped being such a bastard. I watched you, the way you were with Penny. The interactions you had with the Gavin family. The kindness you showed to the staff at the home.” I traced the back of my fingers down her cheek, the skin like silk under my touch. “The way you treated me. You give. You constantly give. I had never experienced that until you came into my life. I didn’t think there was anyone like you on this earth.”

I bent closer, needing her to see the sincerity in my eyes. “I didn’t think anyone like you could ever be a part of my life.”

“Because you didn’t deserve it?”

“Because I didn’t believe in love.”

Her reply was a whisper. “And now?”

“I know now I can love someone. I do love someone. I love you.” I held up my hand when she started to speak. “I know you might not believe me, Katy. It’s true, though. You taught me to love. You showed me everything you said was true. What I feel for you makes me stronger. It makes me want to be a good man for you. Be honest and real. That’s why I came clean with Graham. I knew the only way I had a chance to get you back, and keep you, was to be honest. Make you proud.”

“When?”

“Pardon?”

“When did you start to change? When did you stop disliking me?”

I shrugged. “I think maybe the day you told me to go fuck myself. That was the first time I saw the real Katharine. You’d been hiding that fire.”

“I had to. I needed my job. Penny was far more important than you or your nasty attitude.”

“I know. My behavior was horrendous. How you managed to get past any of it and agree to be with me—even for Penny—is still a mystery. That night you told me your story and let me know exactly what you thought of me was an eye-opener. I don’t think I’ve ever sobered up as fast in my life. And once again, you forgave me—you married me.”