The Amendment (The Contract 2)

“I sent flowers to her this morning. And to Gracie.” Katy had sent me a picture of Gracie holding her flowers and beaming. Her text of thanks ended in two kisses and a heart. When I responded and asked for a picture of her with her flowers, I didn’t like what I saw. Katy was pale, and although she was smiling, it didn’t reach her eyes. I had a lot to make up for.

“Good start.” Bentley sat back, stroking his chin. “Maddox and I had an idea. I did a little research on the plane. There’s a great boutique hotel downtown. Five-star. Specializes in spa treatments and pampering. The chef is world-class. I think a couple of days there for all the girls would be a great idea. Laura and Jenna included. They even have in-house day care so the kids would be looked after.” He explained. “They offer kid pampering too. Indoor playground and kiddie pool. Mini massages, face painting, fun food, that sort of thing.” He glanced my way. “I checked—there’s a two-day package, and I took the liberty of booking it starting tomorrow. I blocked an entire floor for them.”

“That’s a great idea.”

“They can look after the girls, and we’ll look after you.” He winked. “I’ll make sure Aiden doesn’t kill you.”

“Katy might prefer it if he did.”

Bentley shook his head, looking thoughtful. “No. She needs some time. You both do. But she loves you.”

I hoped that was still the case.

“All right, Bent. Teach me the art of wooing my wife.”

He rolled up his sleeves. “Prepare to learn, Padawan.”

We all laughed at his words.Later that night, I went into the den. We had cleaned up the wreckage I had caused the first day they were here. Aiden made me bend over in the chair, picking up papers and drawings and stacking them on the desk. I lifted items that were intact, while he and Maddox cleaned up the broken debris. Shame had rippled through me as I worked, my body exhausted from everything else Aiden had made me do, but I kept my mouth shut. I still had a lot of work to do to make the den tidy, and I didn’t want Katy to see the mess I had caused.

With a sigh, I picked up a stack of papers to sort through, startling when a voice interrupted me.

“Richard.”

I looked up. Becca was in the doorway, her expression unhappy.

Rebecca Holden had come to The Gavin Group on a co-op her first year in school. I recognized her talent right away and took her under my wing. She became a valued coworker to me, a friend to Katy, and an adopted auntie to my girls. I considered her part of my family, and when the contract came up with BAM and she asked to be the liaison between the two offices, I hated to see her go. I had hoped she would return, but she had fallen in love with Toronto, the office there, and more importantly, Reid Matthews, BAM’s resident IT genius. I missed her in the office and having her around after hours, but she was happy and settled, and that was more important.

Except now, she was here and looking at me as if she was disappointed in me. Knowing she had seen Katy, I was certain she was upset with my behavior.

I swallowed, hating to think I had disappointed yet another person I cared for.

“Becca.”

She strolled in, gazing around, and sat in the one chair that was free from clutter.

“Love what you’ve done with the place.”

I scrubbed my face. “Yeah, not my most shining moment as an adult.”

She laughed, the sound without humor. “I’d say nothing about your behavior has been very adult-ish lately.”

“I’m aware.”

“Are you?” she asked quietly. “Are you aware of what you’ve put Katy through? How devastated she is right now, Richard?” She shook her head. “I’ve never seen her like this. Your behavior isn’t the Richard I know. What’s going on?”

I folded my hands on the desk to stop the trembling. The thought of the pain I caused my Katy made me want to rage again—this time at myself. “I got lost in my head. In the what-ifs.”

“The what-ifs being if you can’t walk again?”

I decided to be honest. “Basically, yes. In my head, I decided I wouldn’t be enough for Katy and the girls if that were the case.”

She shook her head. “I don’t think that’s your decision to make. I know your wife. She would love you regardless.”

“I didn’t want that for her.”

She huffed. “Again, not your decision. Katy is smart and strong. She can decide what she wants—what she feels is best for her and your family.” She paused. “And she feels that is you—regardless of your mobility.”

“I know.” My voice caught. “She’s been far more forgiving and understanding than I deserve.”