The Price (17 page)

“That’s the way most people are.” He placed his arm around her shoulder. “When you’re alive they hate you, but when you’re dead you become their best friend.”

“Well, they make me sick,” she snorted, then took Jesse and sat him on her lap. “The whole lot of them.”

“We don’t have to stay if you don’t want to,” said Jack, seeing tears well up in her eyes.

“I would love to just get in the limo and go home,” sighed Kate, fighting back the pent up emotions from spilling.

“We could, if that’s what you want.” He grew serious. “Baby, you did what you came to do and that is to say your goodbye to your dad. I don’t like to see you get so upset.”

“I’m okay.” She gave him a sad smile and leaned her head on his shoulder.

Jesse reached for his daddy and pulled on his neck tie.

“I love you, Kate,” said Jack, brushing a kiss to her hair. “Whatever you want, I’m here for you.”

“Thanks,” she said. “Let’s just get through this for now.”

“All right then, that’s what we’ll do.” He held on-to both wife and child. “But all you have to do is say the word and I’ll take you home.”

And Jack meant it. He couldn’t stand seeing Kate being all torn up inside while she put on a brave front to everyone else. He could tell that the whole charade made her nervous. She practically bit her nails all throughout the funeral and at one point while Cheryl was saying a few words about her dearly, departed husband, Jack had to take Kate’s hands to prevent her from biting them all the way down to the quick. She squirmed and fidgeted in her seat more than their six-month-old son.

At the cemetery, Kate was ushered to the front and made to stand next to her step-mother as they lowered the casket into the ground. To a stranger one would think they were a close family in mourning, but if one looked closer the reality of the façade was visible for all to see—Kate with her look of indifference and Cheryl glancing in Jack’s direction trying to make eye contact with her ruggedly handsome step-son-in-law.

Kate said a silent farewell to her father as she took one last glance before walking across the cemetery lawn, heading back to the car. With a sleeping Jesse in her arms, she looked up at Jack, and he placed his arm about her waist and escorted his family away from the gravesite.

“Kathryn,” called Cheryl, moving toward the family of three.

Kate stopped walking and turned just in time to see her step-mother approach.

“I’m glad you came today,” she said with a sincerity that Kate thought might be real. “It was a lovely service for your daddy don’t you think?”

“Yes,” she nodded. “It was nice to hear good things about the kind of man, Charlie was.”

“You are coming back to the house?” asked Cheryl, directing the question more to Jack than to Kate.

She scooped up Jack’s arm in hers and started walking beside them.

“It’s been a long day for Kate and Jesse,” said Jack, speaking on Kate’s behalf.

“Now, I’m not taking
no
for an answer,” she insisted, ushering Jack away from his family and started walking him to her car. “I want to hear all about how you and our little Kathryn met.”

“I’ll leave that up to Kate,” said Jack as he looked over his shoulder and saw his wife following up the rear.

She didn’t look very pleased and he saw the scowl on Kate’s face.

“I love a modest man,” Cheryl stated as her red lips parted into an alluring smile. “But somehow I don’t take you for the modest type.”

“I’ve been called many things but modest isn’t one of them,” Jack laughed.

“Do tell,” she said, running her hand along his arm and feeling his muscular strength. “I would love to know who your trainer is because he has done a fine job in sculpting your arms.”

“Ranching is my trainer,” said Jack matter-of-factly. “And working the hard Nevada soil.”

“Well aren’t you all rugged and wild.” She got goose bumps and held on tighter.

“Rugged, maybe but wild? No,” said Jack, and he glanced back once more at Kate and smiled. “I’ve been tamed by the best.”

Jack hung back and Cheryl released his arm. He waited for Kate to come up beside him before placing his arm around her waist.

“I think we’ll pass on the invite,” said Jack.

He looked down at Kate and brushed a kiss to her lips. It was a bit territorial in reverse as Jack made it known where his loyalty lied.

“I wish you two would reconsider,” sighed Cheryl.

“Maybe another time,” said Kate, trying her best to be polite. “We’ll see you for the reading of Charlie’s Will.”

“Oh, you’re going to the reading?” Cheryl took a step back.

“Yes, Mother asked me to go.” She felt a wave of satisfaction wash over her as Cheryl’s expression dropped to a frown.

“Well wasn’t that kind of her to extend the offer.” Her face puckered.

“I thought so too,” said Kate with a smile.

“It was good to see you again, Kathryn.” Cheryl reached over and squeezed Kate’s hand. “Take care of yourself and that fine husband of yours.”

She couldn’t have been more blatant and it grated on Kate’s nerves, seeing her former step-mother reach up and brush her hand along Jack’s face then slide it down to her side. They both blinked, as if in disbelief and watched the widow St. Claire walk away, then climb into her black Bentley and motion for her driver to leave.

“You have the strangest family,” said Jack as he watched the car pull away from the curb and drive off.

“She’s not my family,” frowned Kate. “At least not anymore.”

“I give that woman six months and she’ll be hitched again to some old geezer with a load of cash in his pants.”

“Just as long as it isn’t you.” Kate glared at him.

“Me?” Jack laughed. “Hell baby, I’d be nothing but eye candy for a woman like that. Besides, you’re the only gal for me.”

“I hope so, Jack,” said Kate, and he saw her insecurities rising up through those blue eyes of hers.

“We aren’t going to start this again are we?” He squeezed her closer to him. “Come on, Kate, I was only joking about the eye candy stuff.”

“I know.” She gave him a forced smile. “Don’t listen to me Jack. I’m just being oversensitive.”

“It’s been a hard day for you whether you want to admit it to yourself or not.” He reached over and took a sleeping Jesse from his wife’s arms. “Let’s go back to Marnie’s place and just unwind for a spell.”

“Okay.” She nodded and he led her to the black limousine.

Jack was never so glad to be back at Marnie’s home after the funeral. They called it an early evening and retired to their room. Kate seemed withdrawn while they got ready for bed. Jack didn’t pressure her. It was a difficult day for Kate though she didn’t say as much, but he knew. After settling Jesse down for the night, Jack crawled into bed and folded Kate into the safety of his arms. It was there she finally let go and wept.

TWELVE

PAMPERING AND PAUL

Kate woke to a stream of yellow light rising over the Scotts valley and she stretched, feeling its warmth penetrate her skin. A slow, luxurious smile formed, and she soaked up the long-forgotten feeling of waking to a bright, California morning. If there was one thing she missed, this was it.

Kate rolled over and looked at her sleeping husband. She lifted on-to her elbows and saw in the playpen her son quietly playing, occupying his time until his parents awoke. Their eyes met and Jesse rocked back and forth in an effort to lift himself up against the mesh and stand firmly on his feet, though his coordination had not met his determination. Kate laughed to herself, knowing soon he would be standing and then finally walking, running about and creating terror once his legs caught up with his mind.

She climbed from bed, donned her robe, then walked to the playpen and lifted her son from its chamber. She grabbed the diaper bag and quietly exited the bedroom so not to disturb Jack.

Descending the stairs, she met a crew of workers shuffling about in the foyer carting catering tables and bouquets of flowers. She paused for a moment while a woman holding white linens greeted her in passing before disappearing down the hall.

Kate made her way into the morning tea room. She found Marnie sitting at the iron-rod table reading the newspaper and enjoying the morning sun that was streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

“Good morning, Mother.” Kate sat down across from her and adjusted Jesse to her lap.

“Good morning, Kathryn,” said Marnie. “It appears you slept well since I don’t see those tiny dark bags under your eyes today.”

“I don’t have dark bags,” Kate protested, but in truth she had noticed them since her schedule became heavy with career and family.

“A good eye cream is the secret to keep those eyes of yours from looking tired,” she stated. “And a good night’s sleep without interruption from that husband of yours.”

Kate ignored her comment as once more she noticed another crew of workers pass in the hall carrying large catering trays.

“What’s going on today?”

“Have you forgotten it’s New Year’s Eve?” questioned Marnie, as she lifted her tea cup and took a sip.

“You’re having a party?” she questioned with a tone of surprise, as the date finally registered.

“No, just a small get together with a few friends.” Marnie took another elegant sip of her tea. “Where has your mind wandered to, as of late, Kathryn? I told you before.”

“No, I would have remembered if you told me you were having a party,” she frowned, knowing Jack was going to have to endure another night of elite banter and superficial small-talk.

“I’m sure I did,” stated Marnie, not losing her reserve. “Oh Kathryn, please tell me you brought something nice to wear for a change.”

“I have the dress I wore to the funeral.”

“That will never do,” she said firmly, and set her cup on the iron rod table. “I suppose we will have to go shopping for tonight’s event. Perhaps it was for the better. Now we can get you the night cream that your skin so desperately needs.”

“I can’t go shopping,” laughed Kate. “What would I do with Jesse?”

“My dear, that’s what nannies are for,” Marnie smiled. “Have some breakfast then get dressed. I will meet you at ten in the foyer and we will have a mother-daughter outing.”

“A mother-daughter outing?” Kate hid the groan escaping from her lips as she watched Marnie stand. “Oh, boy!”

Marnie ignored the sarcasm and left her daughter alone in the tea room. Kate fed and changed Jesse, then ate breakfast. She met Jack along the stairs on her way upstairs to change. He was dressed in his usual attire of jeans and a t-shirt. He looked hot and Kate couldn’t help feeling a little tug in her belly, seeing his muscular form pressed against the cotton material.

“Why didn’t you wake me?” he asked, planting a quick kiss to her and his son.

“I didn’t want to disturb you,” she smiled. “You were sleeping so soundly.”

As Kate talked, Jack glanced over her shoulder and saw a team of workers shuffling in and out of the front door.

“What’s going on here today?” he asked with an all-knowing feeling he was not going to be pleased with her answer.

“Mother is hosting a small get together for New Year’s Eve.”

“You’re kidding, right?” his smile faded.

“No.”

“How long have you known about it?” he asked, lifting a sandy brow.

“Mother said she mentioned it to me but I must have been too preoccupied with the funeral and all.”

“Why is it I somehow don’t believe you?” Jack’s eyes narrowed as he studied his wife.

“Jack I’m telling the truth,” she huffed, and it was her turn to frown.

“Do we have to go to this thing?” said Jack, thinking that he preferred to stay in their room rather than mingling with a bunch of uptight socialites.

“Of course we have to go,” said Kate. “Mother is expecting us. Besides she wants to take me shopping for a dress to wear for the party.”

“Are you going?” He looked concerned.

“She’s not the kind of person who takes
no
for an answer,” said Kate, thinking the same about Jack. “Do you mind if I go?”

“Do you want to go?” He asked her.

“Kind of.” She shrugged. “It’s been years since Mother has asked me to do anything with her. What could it hurt?”

Jack wanted to say he had a long list of why she shouldn’t go.

“If that’s what you want, Kate,” he said instead, seeing that lost little girl yearning for her mother’s approval.

“Thank you,” Kate smiled with excitement. She leaned on her toes and gave him a quick kiss. “You don’t mind looking after Jesse?”

“Do I have a choice?”

Apparently he didn’t as Kate tucked Jesse neatly in Jack’s arms then scampered up the stairs to get dressed. He looked at Kate and then at his son who was trying to re-arrange his nose to his cheek, like a Mr. Potato Head piece.

“I guess it’s just you and me for the day, my little man,” said Jack, before he made his way down the stairs and headed for the kitchen to get something to eat.

Kate showered and dressed in record speed. She was down in the foyer promptly at ten awaiting her outing with her mother. Marnie St. Claire waltzed in to the foyer with her cell phone plastered to her ear. She was engrossed in conversation, and she barely paused while she motioned for Kate to follow her. Like a baby chick, her daughter stepped in behind her mother, exiting the house and into the black limousine. Kate listened to the one sided conversation while her mother continued with the call.

From what Kate could make out, the call was about a fund-raiser for breast cancer Marnie was planning, so she remained silent and stared out the window, taking in the sights of her hometown that she had not seen in almost two years.

Instead of bad memories floating to the surface, Kate recollected the good she experienced being a part of this community. There was a piece of her that still missed it. It was a cultural hub, hosting a variety of artistry. Small galleries displaying struggling artists’ work, cafés boasting alternative music and poets’ personal reflections. Kate watched with deep appreciation, taking quick peaks into the lifestyle that was once hers, as the limousine traveled along the main street.