A Walk In The Wilderness (37 page)

       “I’ll get spoiled,”  she warned, but David and Grace would only laugh at that.

     One morning as David and Caitlin walked in the gardens, Grace called to them, and waved.  David’s brow furrowed with concern, and they hurried back to the house.

       “It’s the phone, darling.”  Grace huffed.  “New York!”

      David’s eyebrows flew up.  “Really?” he exclaimed.  He went in and picked up the phone hurriedly.  Grace and Caitlin waited and watched silently.  They couldn’t tell much from David’s end of the conversation.  At last, he came out to the porch with a quizzical smile on his face.

       “Well?” Grace prodded urgently.

       “There’s good news, and not so good news.”  he hedged.

       “What’s the good news?”

      “I’ve just landed a very lucrative tour.”

       “And the other?” Grace prodded, staunchly.

    David looked regretfully at each of them. “I’ll be on the North American continent for the next five months.”  he said quietly.

      Grace gasped and put a hand on her throat.  “David!  That’s a long time!  Is that wise?  You’d perhaps better see Dr. Gerard about it.”

       “I already have.  He’s given me his blessing.”  David admitted.

      “You have!  Well.  What about Caitlin, and the baby?”

      David smiled.  “It will come, never fear.”  he assured his mother.

      “Yes, but will you be here?” she asked pointedly.

     “Yes.  I will, indeed.  Either I’ll be here, or you two will be with me.” he assured them.  “I won’t miss it, believe me.”

     “What’s it entail?  Where will you go?”

     “It starts in Toronto.  From there, we dip across the border a number of times, until we hit Vancouver, BC and Seattle.  Then I’ll go south through Los Angeles, and east across the southern United States to Tampa Bay.  Then, north through Washington D.C. and back to New York.”

      “What if Caitlin should need you?”  she retorted, nearly hostile.

      David chuckled.  “Mother.” he chided.

      Caitlin put a gentle hand on Grace’s arm.  “This is what David wants to do.  It is important to him.  And it’s important to his career.  Grace, we must put David’s career above our own wishes.  Can you think what such a tour could mean for him?”

     Grace’s eyes lost the panicked look.  “Yes.  Yes, of course.  You are right.”  she agreed quietly.  “If you can stand it, I guess I can, as well.”  she determined.

      David hugged them both soundly.  “Thank you.”  he said gently.

      “When do you leave?”  Cait asked quietly.

    David gave her a grateful look, with a touch of sorrow.  “Next week.  They want to do a complete promotional work-up, with photos, television appearances, live performances, wardrobe.  The works.”  He smiled.  “However, I’d be honored if you ladies would accompany me.  I’ll be in New York for at least two months.  I’d much rather be with you there, than alone.”

     Caitlin chuckled.  “Will you have any time for us, David?”

    “I’m certain I will.  And when I’m gone, there is plenty you two can do together.  There are a million things to see in New York.”

    “I’m sure that’s true.  What do you think, my dear?”  Grace asked uncertainly.

    Caitlin smiled.  “I think we should go for a time, at least.  We can come home whenever we wish.”

     “That’s true enough.  I agree.  Let’s do it.”  Grace concurred happily.

     David gave a sigh of relief.  “Great!  I’m afraid I have some calls to make.  I’ll see you two later.” he said over his shoulder, as he headed for his office.

    Grace and Caitlin exchanged a sad look.  They were quite correct in supposing that they wouldn’t have much of David’s attention, for many months to come.

    Almost before they could blink, they were in New York.  They found limo service waiting at the airport, and a fabulous penthouse suite overlooking Battery Park that had been leased for David.  The limo took them directly there, and the driver gave them the keys.

     David unlocked the doors to the twenty-second floor suite, and they stood looking in, suitably impressed.  The carpets were lush white, smooth and soft as velvet.  The furniture was all suede, in a lovely but most unusual gray with brown undertones.  The tables were brushed steel and glass.  The lamps were clear acrylic, and very modern.  The curtains were a large print in oatmeal and turquoise silk, and there were fine pieces of teal glassware and art sculpture.  Turquoise velveteen pillows brightened up the furniture.

     The kitchen was immense: big enough for three to work in at once.  There were three bedrooms, all with en suite baths and walk-in closets. 

      One was occupied by a man servant, named Jacob, who dressed in tails and waited on them hand and foot.  He also was a superb chef, and made them all glad of his presence with the evening meal.

   The master suite was a wonderful study in white velvet, simplistic but sumptuous.  The bed looked out a bank of windows that spanned a curved wall covered in glass tiles, and gave one a breathtaking panorama of the waterfront, the bay, Ellis Island and Liberty Island, where the lady stood gleaming in the sun.  The walls were a restful taupe, and dark woods on the furnishings kept the suite feeling rich, rather than sterile with all the white.  There was a magnificent secretary desk that allowed David to use his computer when needed.

     The en suite bath was all tumbled marble in a warm, beige tone. The floor and towel rack were heated, and they had hotel-style service on bedding, towels and laundry daily.  There was a Jacuzzi for two set into the center of the floor, below skylights.

      David’s new manager for the United States arrived for an initial meeting with David, the day after their arrival.  He was a very congenial and low key man of about forty, named Robert Hammond.  They all liked him immediately.  He had very full, sandy blonde hair and a wide smile that showed slightly crowded teeth, and hazel eyes that sparkled.

     As he briefed David regarding his itinerary, disappointment filled the ladies’ hearts.  There would be precious little seen of David in the coming months, even before the tour began.  But, they both knew that was to be expected.

     David found time to go with them sightseeing from time to time, and often Robert accompanied them, too.  Those times were the happiest for Caitlin and Grace, but they also went alone whenever necessary.  In a matter of weeks, they knew Manhattan well, and had found a plethora of wonderful restaurants and places to find entertainment.

     Sometimes, Cait went with David to live performances, taping sessions, fittings and interviews with journalists, magazine writers and television personalities.  She was very proud of David, who was finding favor at every turn, and was very skilled in his interaction with the many people he met daily.  He presented himself as a warm, friendly English gentleman of integrity and yet, he was humble. 

       David was real, and that’s what people loved best about him.  He found that Americans were more open, and they loved it that David would answer their questions in ways that revealed his heart to them.   

     Anticipation and excitement began to build for the tour.  As the time drew near, pressure became intense upon David to complete the album he’d begun taping in England.  Caitlin spent some time with him at the studios, but they were long, grueling days for David, and there was little for her to do there.  She took her knitting with her.

      Caitlin was also having a fair amount of nausea, which made it difficult for her to do much.  And so, as her pregnancy advanced, she spent more time at the apartment, and less with David.

     All too soon, the time came to say goodbye.  David’s opening night in Toronto was the following day, and Caitlin and Grace were headed home.

  There were tears as they hugged and kissed goodbye.  Robert stood respectfully to one side, watching.  David placed his hand on Caitlin’s belly and silently blessed his child before he gave her a last, regretful smile and walked away with Robert.

CHAPTER TEN

     David called home only once a week, because of the exorbitant cost.  The tour was going very well, and David, though tired, had to admit he was glad he’d agreed to do it. 

      The crowds were massive, generally sell outs, and sales on the just-released recording were phenomenal. Sales on David’s prior works were also exceedingly good, and so he was excited.  The tour was not only lucrative, but promised to build a foundation for unprecedented success in the United States and Canada for years to come.  David was quickly becoming an internationally recognized talent.

    Caitlin hadn’t been home long, when the pains began.  She didn’t say anything, because she thought they’d go away.  About a week later, Grace came on her unawares outside, and ran to her side as she groaned and doubled over.

       “Darling! What is it?”

       “Oh, nothing, I’m sure.  Just … cramps, I think.”

       “Cramps are hardly nothing!  I will call the doctor.”

       “Oh, Grace.  Come, now.”

       “You will not take this lightly, Caitlin.  A great deal might be at stake.”

      Caitlin paled at the tone of Grace’s voice.  “All right, then.  If you think it is important.”  she agreed hesitantly.  Grace was already on the phone.  When she was done with her call, she put Caitlin down on the couch and kept a strict vigil until the doctor arrived.

       The doctor listened and prodded.  Finally, he sighed and looked at Cait over his glasses.  “Any spotting of blood?”  he asked tersely.

       “Well; yes.  A little bit.”  she admitted.

       “For how long?”

       “The last day or so.”

      The doctor sighed heavily, and shook his head.  “Well, young lady.  I think you have a chance of carrying the child, but you are certainly at risk.  I recommend strict bed rest and nothing else for the next few weeks.  Then, we will see how you’re doing.”

       Caitlin’s face went white, and her eyes closed.  Grace had a similar reaction.  Grace somberly showed the doctor out, and then came back to sit with Caitlin.  She held her hand and blinked back worried tears.

       “I’ll call David.”  Grace said at last.

       “No.  Grace, you mustn’t.”  Caitlin denied.

      “Darling, I have to.  He has a right to know.  He’d be furious if we didn’t tell him!”

      “Grace, he’ll come running home -- and there is absolutely nothing he could do, but sit by my bed and worry.  To interrupt his tour now would be disastrous!  Just think a moment.  All the millions of dollars lost, all the people who purchased tickets, and David suddenly gone, just to sit at my bedside and worry?”

       “And what of David, not knowing?” Grace argued.

      “I don’t want him to worry.”  Caitlin objected tearfully. 

    Grace sighed.  “Neither do I, darling, but one can hardly help it.  Be reasonable.  David would be furious to find out we kept this from him.”

      “Grace, he is under so much pressure.  He’s already lonely for us, and on such a schedule.  It would do no good to tell him!  It won't change anything at all, and David would stand to lose so much!  Perhaps he won’t need to know.  If anything worsens, we can always change our mind.”

     Grace sighed.  “All right, dear.  Do what you think best.”  she agreed hesitantly.

         Still, it was difficult the next time David called.  Grace answered, and had a nice chat with her son.  But he detected the worry in her voice and manner.

         “What’s bothering you, Mum?”  he demanded quietly.

         “What?  Why nothing, darling.”  she assured him. 

         “How is Caitlin?  And the baby?”

       Grace felt her throat constrict.  “Well, darling;  perhaps you’d best ask Caitlin.  She’s the one who knows.”

       There was a short silence.  “As if you don’t ask her fifty times a day?” he hazarded.

         Grace gave a short laugh.  “Well, I do try to look after her.”

         “What’s the doc say?”

        Grace thought hard.  “You know, David, I think it might be a good idea for you to talk with him, yourself.  Every once in awhile, you know?  It would ease your mind I’m sure, being so far away.”

        “I suppose I could.  Seems silly, though, when you can tell me.  What is it, Mother?”  he demanded.

         “Darling, let me see if Caitlin’s awake, will you?  Just one moment.”

         “Is she napping?  Isn’t it dinner time?” he asked worriedly.

        “Yes, past.  I had Bonnie take her a tray in bed.  Just a moment, darling.” she insisted.

       David was alarmed.  He couldn’t fathom what all this might mean.  His mother’s reticence, Caitlin in bed at dinner time.  Soon enough though, Caitlin’s voice was there on the phone, to comfort him.

         “David?  Darling, how are you?”  she asked softly.

        “Much better, now that I’m talking to you.”  he chuckled.  “Tell me, love, how are you?” 

         “I’m fine, darling.”

         “I understand that you’ve had dinner in bed?”

         Silence.  Then finally, “Well, yes.  I did.”

         “Does this happen often?” he asked pointedly.

         “Well … rather, lately.  It’s the nausea, David.”