The Contract (The Contract 1)

She nodded, bringing the blanket tighter around her shoulders. “It gets cold when it’s dark now.”

“It is fall.”

“I know.”

“How much longer do you want to stay?”

She sighed, her fingers fiddling with the blanket. “I suppose we should get back.”

It had been three days since I arrived. It was the first time in my adult life I had no place to be—no office to head to, no meetings planned, no agenda. The one thing I had to concentrate on was Katy. Aside from the couple trips into town for supplies, we hadn’t left the resort. We walked the beach, made use of the small game room where I tried to teach her the game of checkers and failed miserably, and used the time to know each other better. We talked, often for hours at a time. She knew more about me than anyone in my life. She had a way of asking questions that made me want to tell her things I’d never shared with another person. She shared more stories of her life prior to and after she met Penny. Some of the stories she told, about the time she was alone and on the streets, made me hold her tight and thank whatever deity was listening for keeping her safe.

We made love, often. I couldn’t get enough of her. The body I once found unappealing was now my version of perfection. She fit me so well, and the passion I felt for her was paramount. Her lack of experience made her response to me even more erotic. I loved watching her discover the passionate side of her nature.

She was right, however. We did have to go back to our life, or what was left of it, and figure out what our future held.

“Why don’t we stay another couple days, then we’ll head back? I heard on the radio the weather is changing, so we’d be stuck in the cottage anyway. Not”—I grinned, leaning forward and kissing her—“that I’d object being stuck inside with nothing to do except stay in bed with you.”

“All right,” she agreed with a soft laugh, then turned serious. “I still have to scatter Penny’s ashes.”

“Are you ready to do that, sweetheart?”

Her eyes had a far-away look in them when she spoke. “The fall was her favorite time of year. She didn’t like the heat of the summer. She looked forward to coming here as much as I did. I think she’d like to stay here.”

“As long as you’re sure.”

“Tomorrow,” she whispered.

I lifted her over to my lap, pressing a kiss to her head. “Tomorrow.”I woke up, the fluttering of panic fast in my chest when the spot beside me was empty. I sat up, throwing the blanket back and striding out of the bedroom. I relaxed when I spotted Katy on the beach. She stood, facing the water, holding something to her chest. I glanced over, confirming the fact Penny’s urn was gone from the mantle.

My wife was saying goodbye.

Returning to the bedroom, I grabbed my pants, tugging them on. I picked up my T-shirt and yanked it over my head as I hurried outside, crossing the beach. The weather system they had predicted was already making its presence known. The waves were higher, hitting the sand with loud slaps. The wind was picking up, and I knew, soon, the rain would follow, and the storm would make my wife nervous.

I reached her side, enveloping her in my arms.

“I was waiting for you.”

“You should have woken me up.”

“I wanted a little time. I knew you wouldn’t be far behind me.”

“Are you sure?”

She smiled up at me, the glimmer of tears in her eyes telling me the whole story. “Yes.”

“Okay, sweetheart.” I reached for the urn. “Do you want me to open it?”

“Please.”

I held the simple green container in my hand, running my fingers over the wildflowers that decorated its smooth surface.

“Thank you.” I murmured to Penny. “You won’t regret trusting me.”

Carefully, I opened the urn and handed Katy the small bag. She walked away from me toward the edge of the water. I let her go alone, knowing what a personal, emotional moment this was for her.

She was motionless. I could see her lips moving, and I knew she was saying her final farewell. She crouched down, opening the bag and letting the contents drain to the sand at her feet. She stood up, shaking the bag, the final remains caught and taken by the wind. Her head bowed, and she wrapped her arms around her waist, a solitary figure against the backdrop of the heavy skies.

I wanted to go to her, comfort her, but I was still unsure how to handle all the emotions I had when dealing with Katy. Should I leave her alone? Wrap her in my arms?

She solved my dilemma, turning and holding out her hand wordlessly. I grasped it and brought her close.