A Dream to be Loved Kandi Jaynes (19 page)

"If you give these to me now, how are you going to get in to pack?"

"I'll have the landlady let me in." He wriggled his eyebrows, "She likes me."

"I'll just bet she does," mumbled Kate. Irritated to find herself disliking a woman she had never met.

Drake, obviously pleased with her reaction, squeezed her tight. "Yes, she does. And I like her too. We've become very close."

"Then maybe she should get your mail. Since she already has a key and lives in the same building. How handy for her." She grated, getting increasingly angry with herself for her response.

"It really would help me out if you could do that for me."

"Can do. Anything else you need?"

He leered at her suggestively and she laughed. "I don't think so. Even if I were so inclined, you have to go home and pack."

He heaved a dramatic sigh. "Okay. I do have to pack. I hope I have enough time to say goodbye to the landlady." She tried not to react, but couldn't stop the glare she gave him. With a mischievous self satisfied grin, he kissed her goodbye and told her he would let her know what his travel arrangements were as soon as he knew.

*****

The final bell rang and Kate was relieved. She couldn't believe how slow work was going this week. It just wasn't the same knowing Drake wasn't in the building. Instead of going home, she drove to Drake's apartment as she had done for the past two days. She stepped in the main door and retrieved his mail. She secured the box and wandered toward the elevator. While she was waiting, a noise echoed down the hall. A petite elderly lady maneuvered a walker toward her.

The woman broke into a smile. "You must be Kate."

Kate's brows drew together. "Yes, I am. How did you know?"

"Drake described you perfectly. I would've known you anywhere." When she was close enough, she held out her hand. "I'm Lila Miller. I'm the landlady here. Actually, my son owns the building and when my husband passed away I moved in here. I collect the rent. I'm not capable of doing much more these days."

Kate felt herself flush slightly, feeling foolish as she shook the other lady's hand. "Nice to meet you." She was definitely not the trashy little tramp trying to get her hooks into Drake, Kate had imagined.

"Oh, it's nice to finally meet you too. Drake has told me so much about you. He indulges me by sitting and talking with me when he comes home from work. He knows I don't get much company." She got a look of mischief about her. "He even brings me pistachio ice cream from the shop in town since I can't get there on my own anymore. He knows it's my favorite."

The elevator door opened, "Would you like to come up with me?" Kate offered. "I was just going to take his mail and paper up. We could chat on the way."

Lila beamed. "If you're sure you don't mind."

"I don't mind at all." Kate held the door while the older lady scooted in. It was obvious this woman was lonely. Kate's heart went out to her. She liked Lila instantly and understood why Drake did too. She could just throttle him, however, for giving her the wrong impression. On the other hand, she had to blink back tears at the thought of him making a special trip to the ice cream stand to bring his widowed landlady her favorite ice cream.

After spending almost an hour getting to know Lila, Kate went home, deciding not to return the next day without pistachio ice cream.

*****

Early Saturday morning, Kate stopped at a local garden center to buy a plant. Drake had called her a couple of times from Europe to update her on his progress and she knew he would be home late that evening.

Spending the past week without him had given her time to think. For a long time she tried to put what Kelsie said out of her mind, but it would creep in at times when she was with Drake. Possibilities would waft around the outskirts of her mind, not really fully formed, but like shadows drifting in and out of the evening light.

She was still afraid to let herself believe he would truly want her, and yet, he was still around. Still called regularly, still came over often, still came by at work to talk to her. He showed no signs of being ready to be rid of her even after all this time. Even though it frightened her, she was becoming increasingly aware she didn't want to live without him. She had herself almost convinced maybe he did really love her. Maybe he did really want to spend his life with her. Maybe he wasn't just using her as a distraction until someone better came along. Maybe there really was something about her someone could love. After all, like Kelsie said, she still had her friends and they still wanted her. Maybe she wouldn't have to spend the rest of her life alone.

As she hiked the large potted plant into the elevator, she smiled. She would leave the plant and tell him she would be willing to help him keep it alive if he wanted. Wondering if she had the courage to actually say the 'L' word out loud, she stepped off the elevator and unlocked the door.

The plant slipped, and in the process of trying to catch it, she knocked the door open.

Inside stood a woman in a peach silk robe. Dark brown hair floated around her shoulders. Startled, the woman squealed, bringing a slim hand with long bright red nails up to her face.

Drake came into the room, wearing only a pair of jeans and drying his hair with a bath towel.

"What's all the commotion?"

Stunned, Kate dropped the plant and ran for the stairs. Drake pulled the towel from his face just in time to see her turn and leave.

Kate got in her car and just drove. She cried so hard she didn't know how she managed to stay on the road. She had been so afraid this would happen. That someday she would convince herself someone could love her, then have the rug yanked out from under her. She had managed to avoid this type of pain her entire adult life. She had accepted how things were years ago, how could she be so stupid? Again?

Hours later, she ended up at her cousin Cheryl's house. Her face swollen and red. She didn't tell Cheryl the whole story and knew she wouldn't ask. Kate just needed a place to stay where Drake couldn't find her. After spending the rest of that day and all of the next taking long walks and crying, Kate knew it was time to go home.

It was almost one in the morning when she pulled into her drive. Kelsie's car was sitting in front of the house; she was relieved it wasn't Drake's. She dragged herself out of the car. As she entered the house, Kelsie met her at the door. "It's about time you got here. Where have you been? We've all been worried sick."

"I've been at Cheryl's."

"Drake left about an hour ago. I convinced him he should go get some sleep. He was going to camp here until you returned, but he has to be at work tomorrow to update them on the situation in Europe."

Kate breathed a sigh of relief. At least she wouldn't have to face him tonight. She'd call in and take tomorrow off. Even if Drake wasn't going to be there she was in no shape to work. At this point she still didn't know what she was going to do about her job. She just didn't think she could continue working there knowing she would have to face him day after day. There were other orthopedic companies in town. She had enough experience, she could probably find another job fairly quickly.

Kelsie smiled at her. "You really are a mess, aren't you?"

"Thanks for noticing." Kate said, dropping onto the couch.

"Are you ready to put yourself out of this misery yet and tell him you love him?"

Kate glared at her, too tired for any more tears. "It's a little late for that now."

Kelsie's voice softened. "Do you really think Drake's the type of guy who would spend so much time with you while sleeping with another woman?"

A tear slipped down Kate's cheek. "I didn't think he was but...." she didn't finish, just shrugged a shoulder.

Kelsie rested a hand on Kate's arm and slowly explained. "Kate, the woman you saw in Drake's apartment was his sister."

Kate's head slowly lifted and she looked at her friend. "His sister?"

"Yes, his sister. He called his parents from Europe and discovered she was going to be flying into the same airport the same day he was, only much earlier. He was able to book an earlier flight to meet her. He told his family about you and they're all eager to meet you. Drake and his sister rented a car in Detroit and drove here because it was going to be quicker than waiting on the next flight to Fort Wayne. They were tired when they got back so after a short rest they were getting cleaned up to come and see you when you walked in, Kelsie said. "I've met Wendy, she's really nice and feels terrible about the misunderstanding. You startled her, then ran away before she could explain who she was. She had to leave this afternoon."

Kate dropped her head in her hands. "I'm such an idiot." She burst into tears, surprised she had any left. "Do you think he'll forgive me for being so stupid?"

Kelsie laughed, "I don't think that'll be a problem." She patted Kate's shoulder. "Why don't you go get some sleep. I'll call the others and let them know you're okay."

"Thanks." Kate didn't have the energy to get up. She just kicked her shoes off and fell sideways on the sofa.

Before Kelsie left, she said, "I don't know if Drake will be able to call you anytime soon. He said he had meetings all day tomorrow. Anything else he could put off, but the damage was pretty extensive over there and needs immediate attention."

"I understand. Maybe that's good. It will give me more time to figure out how to apologize for making such a huge mistake."

*****

The next morning, Drake was frantic. He had been so tired he slept through his alarm and was now running half an hour late. He tried to call Kate during the drive to work, but she didn't answer. He did manage to reach Kelsie. He at least knew Kate was home and she knew about his sister, but he wouldn't feel completely relieved until he talked to her himself.

By three-thirty, Drake was at his wits' end. He had been hustled from one conference room to another all day, having to recite facts, figures, and projections when all he wanted to do was talk to Kate. Having been told she called in for a vacation day, he was back to being frantic. He tried to call her during his short lunch break, but again there was no answer.

He looked at his watch again, only five minutes since the last time he checked. He tapped the crystal, wondering if the battery was getting low and it was losing time.

Bill noticed the gesture. "I think we could all use a break. Why don't we all stretch our legs a little?"

Drake stood immediately. He left the room so quickly he almost knocked down the lobby receptionist. "I'm sorry, Cindy. Wow, that's quite a load you have there."

She grinned, "Yes, it is, Mr. Hampton. And it's for you."

He stood dumbstruck staring at her. "Me?"

"Yes. Here you go." She handed him a large vase with what looked to be two dozen roses and a small white box with a silver ribbon.

"I... thanks." he stammered. Bill was the only one left in the conference room. Drake stepped in and set the flowers down. Opening the small white box, he saw a note on top tissue paper. He unfolded it and read,
This is to apologize for being such an idiot. Hopefully, this will tell you how sorry I truly am. Kate

Drake pulled back the tissue and grinned. The box was full of white chocolate. He set it down and removed the larger than standard card from the flowers. When he pulled it from the envelope a small object wrapped in tissue paper fell out. He caught it and read the card.
I'm hoping you can find it in your heart to forgive me for all that I've put you trough.
On the chance that you haven't given up on me completely, I wanted to make sure you had a way to find me so I can finally tell you how I feel about you. She knows the way home, Kate.

He slowly unwrapped the small object to find a well-worn key with a mustang emblem on it. He threw his head back and yelled, "Yes!"

Bill jumped slightly, then laughed. "Good news?"

"Bill, I know these meetings are important, but you're going to have to do the last one without me. Right now there's a much more important proposal I need to take care of."

Bill slapped him on the shoulder. "Congratulations! You go right ahead. I'll finish up here. Tell Kate I'm happy for you both."

"Thanks, Bill."

*****

Kate had been pacing the floor for the last hour. Looking at the clock with every pass. Had he gotten them yet? Would he come over? Would he listen to her if he did? Had he given up on her? The questions were endless, and about to drive Kate insane.

Finally, she heard her car come up the drive. Her whole body began to tremble.

Drake didn't bother to knock. He pushed open the front door. She stood with her arms wrapped tight around her middle. They simply stared for a moment, each unable to breathe.

"Kate..."

Tears clouded her eye. She slowly walked to him. "Drake, I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Kate, there's nothing to be sorry for."

She reached out and took his hand leading him to the sofa. When he was seated, she sat on the coffee table facing him still holding his hand.

"Kate--"

She shook her head and held up her hand to quiet him. "Drake, I know I've put you through an awful lot, and you deserve an explanation."

She looked down at their entwined fingers and started to speak. "I was passed around from family member to family member most of my childhood. I know those people loved me, but the way someone loves any member of an extended family. I was never special enough for any one person to want to keep me. I was taken in when someone felt obligated, or wanted to do my parents a favor. But no one ever just wanted me for me. The people I've been closest to are Sue, Missy, and Kelsie. We were all misfits in school, and with our families, so we stuck together." She smiled slightly, "They've always teased me about my obsession of owning my own house."

She drew a shaky breath, "I've always needed that stability. I needed to have a place that was mine. A place where other people could come and go if they needed, but that I could stay forever. A house where no one could tell me I have to move because they need my room for someone else. A place where I can feel safe and not wonder who's going to replace me, and when. A home where everyone that comes through the door is equally important."