The Contract (13 page)

I, in turn, introduced Katharine as my fiancée, smiling as she blushed and greeted them both.

“You must tell me what excited you so much, Katharine.” Laura smiled at her.

“Richard just told me about an unexpected gift. He’s constantly surprising me. Please call me Katy. Richard insists on my full name, but I prefer Katy.”

I shook my head. “It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”

She rolled her eyes, and Laura chuckled.

“You’ll never convince him otherwise, Katy. Men are such stubborn creatures.” Reaching out, she hooked arms with Katharine, tugging her away. “Come; let me introduce you to my family. Jenna is dying to meet you. Now, what is this gift he gave you?”

Following behind, I listened carefully, wondering what she would decide I had given her. Jewelry? A trip? Those were the extravagant gifts the women I dated liked to receive.

Once again, she surprised me.

“Richard made a generous donation to the ‘no-kill shelter’ where I volunteer. I had told him I was afraid they may close up due to lack of funds.”

Laura glanced over her shoulder with a wide grin. “What a lovely gesture, Richard. Graham and I will match your donation. We both have a soft spot for animals.”

Katharine gasped. “Oh, Laura, you don’t have to do that!”

Laura hugged her arm. “Of course, we do. How long have you been volunteering there?”

I spoke up; thankful for the lists we’d made and the fact I had a good memory. “Three years. She’s been named Volunteer of the Year twice.”

“How wonderful! Graham, make sure you write out a check for Katy when you’re talking to Richard later.”

Those words encouraged me. If he was going to talk to me in private, I hoped it meant what I thought it did.

Graham smiled at Laura. “I will, my love.”

I had planned to stay close, but it seemed my plans were thwarted at every turn. Once introduced to Jenna, her husband Adrian, as well as their older son Adam, his wife Julia, and their two children, Katharine and I were separated. Jenna was eager to meet Katharine, her green eyes much like her father’s, wide and excited. She was average height, attractive, with blonde hair and a friendly smile. Her husband resembled a linebacker, as wide as he was tall, with dark hair and eyes. Their mutual adoration was obvious—if not a little nauseating.

Jenna grabbed onto Katharine, dragging her around to meet some other women, while Graham introduced me to several key members of his staff. It was obvious Graham’s intention wasn’t a secret. He was letting the rest of his valued staff meet me, and I knew their opinions would matter, so I was on my best behavior, putting on the charm. For the first while, I kept glancing over to Katharine, wondering if she was saying or doing anything to jeopardize our situation, but she looked surprisingly calm, and seemed to be holding her own. Graham noticed my preoccupation and ribbed me good-naturedly.

“Relax, Richard. No one will kidnap her. I promise.”

I forced a chuckle. “Of course not. She, ah, she’s rather shy, that’s all,” I stated lamely. I couldn’t tell him why I needed to stay close.

“You’re protective of her.”

I was? That was what he thought?

“It’s been a rough few days, for both of us.”

He nodded, looking serious. “I heard what happened.”

Perfect.

“I couldn’t let him berate her that way, or allow him to belittle our relationship. It was time to leave, regardless of how it affected my career,” I stated with conviction. “I wanted our relationship—our real relationship—out in the open. I wanted the world to know we were engaged.”

“You put her first.”

“Always.”

He clapped my shoulder. “Come meet some people, Richard.”

A while later, I walked toward the small group of people with Katharine. I had observed the Gavins and how they interacted, and I was correct in my assumption. They were a very demonstrative group. When they were close to each other, the couples were constantly touching. Both Laura and Graham were also affectionate with their children and grandchildren. I knew I needed to show the same sort of affinity with Katharine. I hoped she could respond in kind.

The women were laughing, shaking their heads. Katharine spoke up. “I know, for someone usually so health conscious, Richard is terrible. He eats far too much red meat. Every chance he gets, especially at Finlay’s. The twenty-four ounce rib-eye every time.” She chuckled. “I’ve given up trying to stop him because there’s no point. At least he eats better now that I cook for him. The number of take-out menus I found in the drawer when I moved in was frightening.”

Stepping up behind her, I wrapped my arm around her waist, drawing her back to my chest and dropping a quick kiss to her neck, noticing her small shiver. “What about you, Katharine?”

I glanced around at the small group of women she was talking to with a wide smile. “She worries constantly about that, yet every day, I find her eating a peanut butter and jam sandwich.” I shook my head, looking back down at her. “I keep telling you, sweetheart, you need to eat more protein. You are far too tiny. I could put you in my pocket, I swear.”

There was a collective sigh among the women in the group. I had obviously said something right.

“Don’t hate the PB&J, my darling,” Katharine insisted. “Being your assistant, I was lucky to have time to eat a sandwich.”

I kissed her again. “My bad, baby. You shouldn’t be so invaluable to me.”

As the women around her all laughed, Jenna patted one on the shoulder with a smile.

“Look out, Amy, you’ve been warned. If Richard comes on board, no more lunch hours.”

Amy laughed. “I’ll find out all his secrets from his fiancée to keep him in line.”

Ah, Amy Tanner, Brian’s girlfriend, and the way things seemed to be going, my next assistant. I smiled at her—she was exactly his type: tall, pretty, and polished.

“Hello, Amy. Brian away this weekend?”

She nodded. “Another trip. He said to remind you about golf next week when he gets back.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“I hope I’m not a disappointment as an assistant after having your fiancée at your side. If, of course, you come on board.”

I stiffened a little, but Katharine laughed, patting my arm. “Richard is brilliant,” she enthused. “He is amazing to work with. I’m sure the two of you will get along famously.”

Jenna winked at Katharine. “Spoken like a woman in love.”

Katharine relaxed back into me with a small sigh. She glanced up, a gentle smile playing on her lips. Her hand traced my jaw, her voice low and husky. “Because I am.”

It was an Oscar-worthy performance.

The afternoon waned away. We ate, talked, and met many people. Often when we were with other people, I would look up to find Katharine’s eyes on me. Because it amused me to watch her reaction, I would blow her a kiss or send her a wink, simply to see her cheeks flush. She did it every single time. She did the same thing when I would walk up to her, wrapping an arm around her waist, dropping a kiss to her shoulder or cheek. She played her part well, never reacting in any way except welcoming. In fact, a couple times she sought me out, leaning up on her toes to whisper in my ear. It was easy to imitate the way Adrian bent his head low to hear whatever Jenna was murmuring, with an indulgent look on his face. I had no doubt the words Jenna whispered were far more intimate than what Katharine had to tell me, but no one else knew that.

At one point, Graham drew me to the side and asked if I was available for another discussion on Monday. It was all I could do not to fist pump the air, knowing we had done it. Instead, I told him Katharine and I had an errand on Monday morning, however, I was available after lunch. I didn’t want to appear too eager, but as soon as he nodded knowingly and informed me the license office was always busy on Monday so we should hold off until two o’clock to meet, I realized my mistake.

He thought we were going to apply for our marriage license. Rather than correct him, I agreed two o’clock would be a good time and shook his hand. I noticed a few other people had left, so I thanked him for his hospitality. When he reminded me of the donation, I told him we could take care of it Monday—in actuality, I didn’t have a clue the name of the shelter.

Laura was talking to Katharine, when I approached. “Ready to go, sweetheart?” I asked. “I know you want to go see your aunt this afternoon, as well.”

“Yes, I do.” Katharine turned to our hostess. “Thank you for the lovely afternoon.”

Laura beamed, and pulled her in for a hug.

“Your aunt is very lucky to have you. It was good to meet you, my dear girl. I look forward to seeing more of you. Remember what I said about your wedding!”

Katharine nodded, taking my outstretched hand. It wasn’t unpleasant when Laura stretched up and pressed a kiss on my cheek. “So happy to meet you, Richard. I look forward to seeing more of you, too.” She winked. “Both here and at the office.”

I grinned at her. “Likewise.”

“Did Graham give you a check for the five thousand?”

I blinked at her, then at Katharine.

Five thousand?

Apparently, I
had
been generous. I smirked, deciding it was well worth it.

“He’s giving it to me on Monday.”

“Excellent. Now you two lovebirds, enjoy the rest of your day.”

I gave a low laugh, making Katharine’s cheek darken and Laura’s smile wider. “I plan to,” I assured her with a wink as I tugged my fiancée away.

I chuckled all the way to the car.

Inside, I was celebrating. It had worked.

RICHARD

MONDAY MORNING, KATHARINE LOOKED AT
me as if I had two heads.

“We’re doing
what
?”

I sighed, folding my paper and setting it on the counter. “I didn’t want to appear too eager, so I told Graham you and I had an errand to run this morning. He assumed it was to go get a marriage license, and I never corrected him.”

She picked up our plates and carried them to the sink. I had to admit she was a damned good cook. I couldn’t remember the last time I had eaten breakfast at home that didn’t come out of a box. Yesterday she had taken her car to do “errands,” and when she returned, it took two trips with me helping to bring up all the groceries she bought. I had thought she was crazy, but I was having second thoughts. Dinner last night had been some kind of delicious chicken and her scrambled eggs today were stellar. So was her coffee. I fully approved of the purchase of the new coffee maker.