The Contract (18 page)

He nodded, stood, and held out his hand. “Congratulations, Richard. I hope today is everything you want it to be.”

I took his hand, shaking it firmly. “Thank you.”

“I think today is the start of a new, great life for you.” He flashed me a smile. “I’m thrilled to be a part of the new direction.”

He walked out, leaving me staring after him.

After last night, I wasn’t sure Katharine would even speak to me today, never mind marry me. She was out when I left, and she hadn’t answered her phone when I tried to call earlier.

I turned back to my computer. I had narrowed down my search, and I was sure I had found the home where Penny Johnson now resided. It was close to my place, private, and from the information I found on the website, expensive. I picked up the phone and dialed the number.

“Golden Oaks.”

“Good morning,” I replied. “I want to bring my fiancée’s aunt some flowers when I visit this morning, and I want to make sure she isn’t allergic to anything. I forgot to check with Katharine before she left.”

“The resident’s name?”

“Penny Johnson.”

“I’m sorry—did you say your fiancée, Katy?”

“Yes.”

“I wasn’t aware Katy was engaged.”

I cleared my throat. “It’s a fairly recent development.”

“Well, I’ll have to congratulate her. Penny isn’t allergic to any flowers, but if you really want to get in her good graces, be sure to bring Joey a treat.”

“Joey?”

“Her parrot.”

“Oh, and what does one bring a parrot, if I may ask?”

“Joey’s favorite treat is a mango, but he loves any fresh fruit, or popcorn.”

I felt as though I was in
The Twilight Zone.
Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected to wake up on a Saturday morning with plans to get married to Miss Elliott, after stopping to buy fruit and popcorn for a bird who belonged to a woman I had never met.

“Mangoes and popcorn. Got it.”

“The caregivers like chocolate, Mr., ah . . . ?”

“VanRyan. Richard VanRyan. Has Katharine been in today?”

“Not yet. She’ll be along soon, I imagine.”

“Okay. Thank you, ah, Miss . . . ?”

“Tami. My name is Tami. Penny is one of my favorite residents.”

“Good to know. See you soon.”

I hung up. I had some shopping to do.

Along with lots of groveling.

I stopped in the doorway of Penny Johnson’s room, taking in her appearance. She was a small woman, plump, with pure white hair and raisins set into her chubby cheeks for eyes. Those eyes lifted at my knock, regarding me with suspicion.

“Can I help you?”

I stepped in, holding out a large bouquet. “Hello, Penny. I’m Richard VanRyan, a friend of Katharine’s.”

“Are you now?” She reached for the flowers. From the corner, a colorful parrot flapped his wings, squawking loudly. “My name is Penelope. I haven’t given you permission to use Penny yet.”

“My apologies, Penelope.”

I winced a little at the noise from the bird, and held out my other purchase. “I brought Joey a treat.”

“What did you bring?”

I dug into the shopping bag. “I brought him a mango. Should I put it in his cage?”

She pursed her lips, looking up at me. “Not the brightest button in the box, are you?”

“Pardon?”

“He can’t eat a whole mango, young man. It needs to be cut.”

I looked at the mango, then at the bird. “Oh.” From the bag, I lifted out a package of microwave popcorn I had grabbed from the cupboard. Katharine ate a lot of popcorn. “I suppose I should have cooked this, too.”

She began to laugh. Loud peals of amusement echoed off the walls. “Katy must like you for your looks because it can’t be for your brains.”

I couldn’t help but grin at her sharp tongue. She reminded me of someone—the woman I once called Nana. In the brief time I had known Nana, she was the one person who cared about me. She was blunt, direct, and had no problem expressing her opinion.

Reaching to her left, she pressed a button on the wall to bring a caregiver to her room. “Tami will put these in water, and cut the mango for poor Joey. If I ask her nicely, she’ll bring us some coffee.”

I fumbled in the bag, and held out some chocolates. At least I got that part right. “Maybe these would help.”

She arched an eyebrow at me. “There may be hope for you yet. Now, sit down, and tell me how you know my Katy—and why you call her Katharine.” She smiled when I produced a second box of chocolates. “If those are for me, then you have my permission to call me Penny.”

Penny Johnson was bright, smart, and as I learned, filled with stories of Katharine as a teenager. However, I discovered, her short-term memories were shaky at best.

More than once, I saw a veil come over her eyes, and she would stumble over her words if I asked something about the present. I would steer her back to a more cohesive time by questioning her about meeting Katharine. She beamed and gave me a longer version of the story than I had heard last night. She described the thin, scared girl she had found rooting in a dumpster for food. She talked about the pain and need she saw in Katharine’s blue eyes, and how she knew she was meant to find her that fateful day. I could feel the love she had for the younger Katharine, and I found I liked hearing about her life.

Penny wavered in her thoughts after that, asking for something to drink. By the time I found Tami, she showed me the kitchen area, and I went back to the room, Penny was dozing in her chair. Her bird was still in the corner, flapping around, and the music she had playing when I arrived was a gentle noise in the room.

Looking around, it was easy to understand why Katharine wanted her here and why she worked so hard to achieve that long-term. Penny’s room was light and airy, with large windows, and filled with easels, boxes of charcoals, pencils, and watercolors. There were books and photographs on the shelves, and many pieces of her work hanging on the walls.

An unaccustomed wave of guilt drifted through me as I remembered the small canvas Katharine had been carrying that first Saturday. I had been my usual caustic self, telling her she couldn’t hang it up in the condo. The wave of guilt and shame became a tsunami, engulfing my brain, its prickly tentacles piercing at my skin. I shifted in my chair, unused to the strange emotions.

“Richard?” Katharine’s shocked voice startled me. “What are you doing here?”

I stood up, more guilt flooding my head. She looked exhausted, and I knew it was because of me. “I came to meet Penny.”

“Why?”

“I felt it was important.”

“I’m surprised to see you up and about.”

I cleared my throat, feeling more uncomfortable. “About that—”

She held up her hand. “Not here.”

I approached her in slow steps. “Will you give me the chance to talk to you? I owe you an apology.” I sighed. “Many, I think.”

“I’m not looking for your pity.”

“And you’re not getting it. All I’m asking is the chance for a civilized conversation.”

“
Can
you be civilized?”

“I want to try. Please, Katharine.”

She pursed her lips. “Does this have anything to do with what is supposed to happen this afternoon?”

“I don’t expect you to still marry me today.”

“You don’t?”

“After my behavior last night, absolutely not.” I sucked in a deep breath, rubbing the back of my neck. “I would appreciate it if you would, but I don’t expect it.”

“You sort of announced it last night. I tried to stop you.” She waved her hand. “You seemed determined.”

“I know. I drank far too much, and my mouth seemed to have a mind of its own. I’ll deal with it.” I ran a hand over my aching temple. “At this point, I’m lucky you’re speaking with me.”

She worried the inside of her cheek, the way she always did when she was nervous. Before she could speak again, Penny stirred and looked up.

“Hello, my Katy.”

Katharine moved past me, dropping a kiss on Penny’s cheek. “How are you today?”

Penny reached up and tweaked her nose. “I’m fine.” She jerked her chin in my direction. “Why haven’t I heard about this one until today?”

Katharine smiled and shook her head. “I think I did say something.”

“Not overly smart, but he’s easy on the eyes—and he has good taste in chocolates and flowers.”

I chuckled at the shocked look on Katharine’s face. I was grateful Penny was still with us and lucid. Tami told me she drifted in and out, often confused and lost when she woke up from a nap. I didn’t want to think I had been the one to see her lucid today and rob Katharine of her chance. I wasn’t sure I could take any more guilt.

I picked up my coat. “I’ll leave you ladies to it.”

I bent down, lifting Penny’s hand and kissing the back of it, her veins like blue spider webs blooming under the thin, powdery skin. “Penny, it was an honor.”

“If you bring more chocolates, you can come back.”

“I’ll be sure to do that.” I rested her hand back onto her lap. “Katharine, may I speak to you for a moment?”

We stepped into the hall.

“Did you drive?” I asked, thinking I would wait for her if she had walked.

“Yes.”

I glanced down at her hand. “Where is your ring?”

“I don’t wear it when I come here. It would confuse Penny. It’s safe in my purse.”

That made sense. I was relieved she didn’t tell me it was because the entire deal was off.

“Okay. Good. I’ll see you later at the condo?”

She hesitated, remaining silent.

“What?”

“If I . . . if I agreed to marry you today, would you give me something? Think of it as a wedding gift.”

“What do you want?”

“I want to know your story. Your childhood.”

“I don’t talk about my past.” The conviction in my voice said it wasn’t up for discussion.

She drew herself to her full height, holding her shoulders rigid. “Then go marry yourself, VanRyan. I’ll see you at the condo later.”

I caught her arm before she could leave. “Katharine,” I began wearily.

Our eyes met. I saw her determination.

“All right. Marry me today, and I’ll tell you.”

“You promise me?”

“Yes.”

“I want you to wear a ring.”

“Fine,” I huffed. “Nothing fancy.”

“You can go pick it out yourself.”

“Anything else you want as a gift?” My voice laced with snark.

“No, your story and a ring.”

“I’ll go get one now.”

“Then I’ll marry you today.”

I was momentarily stunned. I had expected screaming, accusations, and arguments. Maybe even tears and her telling me to go fuck myself, for real this time. Her agreement surprised me.

“Thank you. Three o’clock?”

“I’ll meet you at home.” She turned and went back into Penny’s room, leaving me staring after her, dumbfounded.

When had Miss Elliott become such a force to be reckoned with?

I had no idea, but for the first time, I felt grateful she was on my side.

RICHARD

I WAITED IN THE KITCHEN,
pacing and fidgeting with my tie. Damn thing wouldn’t lay flat no matter what I did, as if I had forgotten how to tie a proper Windsor knot. It wasn’t as though I was nervous. I had nothing to be nervous about—Katharine and I were simply going to say a few words, sign a piece of paper, and be done with the formality of marriage. It was another layer in my plans. Simple. It meant nothing.