The Contract (41 page)

“No. In fact, she has her computer course tonight, so I’m free as a bird.”

“Great. Thanks.”

“Sure. Now, let’s finish this, then I’ll take you.”

The drive was pleasant and quick. Having been there many times, I didn’t need directions. Jenna, as usual, found lots to chat about, filling the time in the car with stories of looking for a new sofa.

She and Adrian lived on the edge of town in a new subdivision. It was close to the water, the homes large and set well apart. I liked the quiet, affluent look to the area.

After dropping Jenna off, I took a drive around the surrounding streets, admiring the houses and the peacefulness of the neighborhood. I slowed down, pulling to the curb in front of a house that caught my eye. The deep gray of the brick and the vivid blue trim stuck out in the area of more subdued colors. Two-storied with a huge wrap-around porch and large windows, it looked homey. What caught my eye, though, was the man pounding the
For Sale
sign into the ground. There was also a cylinder attached with a place to keep information sheets about the house. Without thinking, I was out of my car, walking toward him. He grinned at me when I asked for a copy.

“Those are still in the house. I need to grab them,” he replied in answer to my query. “The owners aren’t home, but I’m sure they wouldn’t mind. Did you want a quick look?”

I looked back at the house, not at all certain why I was interested. Katy and I had never broached the subject of a house, or moving.

Except, I liked it.

“Yes, I would.”

An hour later, I was back in my car, the information sheet clutched in my hand, another appointment booked for the morning. I wanted Katy to see this place.

She looked over the sheet, confused. “A house? You want a house?”

I tapped the paper. “I want this house.”

“Why? You don’t like the condo anymore?”

I had been thinking about it all evening, while I waited for her to get home. “It’s fine. I’ve always liked it. I was thinking, though, it’s not a good place in which”—I nervously scratched the back of my neck—“to bring up children.”

Her eyes widened.

“They need a yard to play in, yes? A place to run?”

She grinned, patting my hand. “Well, they aren’t dogs, but yes, a yard for children is a good thing.” She ran her tongue over her bottom lip, a mischievous smile curling her mouth. “Are you . . . are you pregnant, Richard?”

“No,” I scoffed. “I was thinking one day, you would be.”

She laughed, then turned serious. “One day in the near future?”

I inhaled a calming breath before replying. “If you wanted to be.”

“
Richard
,” she breathed out. “Are you sure?”

“I’m not saying tomorrow, or even next month. Eventually, yes, I want a family with you, Katy. However, I don’t want to bring them up in a high rise. I used to wish for a yard instead of only being allowed to play at the park for a set amount of time. I want that for my children.” I paused, clearing my throat. “Our children.”

“Then I would love to go see this house with you.”

“It’s close to Jenna,” I added.

“Is that a plus for you or a drawback?”

I smirked. “Depends on the day.”

“You really liked this place?”

I nodded. “It’s only two years old—the owner built it himself, so it’s solid. His wife’s been transferred which is why it’s up for sale. It’s open and light. Four good-sized bedrooms and a great office for me. It’s got a well-equipped kitchen I think you’ll love.”

“Sounds great.”

“The backyard is huge. Plenty of space for a pool, which I’ve always wanted. We’d have to fence it off, of course, but it’s doable.”

“It sounds as though you’re ready to move in.”

I wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. “As long as you like it, I am. If you’re happier here for the time being, then this is where we’ll stay. If you want to look at other places, that’s fine, too.” I looked down at the picture. “There was something about this place I liked.”

“I can’t wait to see it myself.”

Katy loved it even more than I did. She went from room to room, opening closets and looking at fixtures. In the master bedroom, she gazed in silence at the view from the private balcony. We were close enough you could see the ocean. To the left and right of us, tall, thick trees surrounded the property. It was spectacular.

“You like it?”

“It’s amazing,” she murmured. “It’s so peaceful.”

I pointed to the break in the trees in the middle of the yard. “There’s a path that leads right to the edge of the property. It’s all open at the end. You can see the ocean for miles. It’s like at your cottage. Your own little piece of paradise.”

“Oh, Richard.”

“I want to give you that.”

She turned in my arms, her eyes luminous. Cupping her face, I drew her into me, kissing her full mouth.

“Let’s go see some more, okay?”

“Okay.”

The en suite was luxurious. The deep corner tub made me think of relaxing in the warm water with a glass of wine, and my wife nestled in my arms.

I drew her into my embrace, resting my chin on her shoulder. “I want you in that tub, Katy,” I whispered, dragging my lips up her neck to her ear and nibbling on the lobe. “I want to make a huge puddle on the floor and hear the way my name echoes off these walls as you scream it.”

She shivered, and I placed another kiss on her neck. I stepped back with a grin, holding out my hand. “Shall we keep looking?”

She narrowed her eyes at me, making me chuckle. I loved making her flustered.

The kitchen got the biggest response. I crossed my ankles, relaxing against the counter, watching her as she walked around. I always loved observing her reactions. She traced her hand over the richness of the wood cupboards, the cold of the quartz countertop and the sleek appliances.

“I could cook so many things here!” she exclaimed as she peeked in the double ovens, and sighed over the huge sub-zero refrigerator. “I’m not sure I’d ever leave this room!”

Meeting her eyes, I knew we’d found the next step in our journey together. I wanted to do this for her—for us. I wanted to give this to her. A home of her own, where she would feel safe. A place we could create memories that belonged to us and build a life.

I raised my eyebrows in a silent question. There was no hesitation in her nod. I knew we could look at other places; in fact, we probably should, but this one felt right. It felt like us.

Turning, I smirked at the agent, who was watching us with eager eyes.

“We’d like to make an offer.”

I was certain my ears were going to burst when we shared our news with the Gavins a few days later. We invited them all for dinner and, after we ate, told them we purchased a house, and we would be living only a few blocks away from Jenna.

“The gray one?” She squealed. “With the bright blue trim? I love that house!” She threw her arms around Katy. “We’re going to be neighbors!”

Katy beamed, her intense blue gaze finding mine. She had been smiling all day—joyful and laughing. Her eyes were peaceful, her happiness evident. I felt a sense of pride that was different from the kind I was used to experiencing. This had nothing to do with a job well-done, or praise for a campaign I had put hours into. This was personal pride based on the fact I had made another human being happy. A human being I loved more than I thought was possible.

I had done that.

Graham caught my eye, tilted his head toward Katy, and raised his glass in a silent toast.

I lifted mine, accepting his unspoken approval, knowing that for the first time, ever, I had earned it.

RICHARD

THE FAMILIAR ACHE FORMED BY
degrees in my head, my eyes became heavy, my shoulders and neck sore. I stared out the window at the gathering storm, wondering if I would make it home before it and the massive headache hit.

The three raps that Amy always used sounded like gunshots to my aching head. I slouched back against the cool leather of my chair, shutting my eyes.

“Come,” I called as loudly as I dared.

“Do you need anything, Richard?”

I didn’t bother to lift my head. “Can you cancel Board Tech?”

“I already did.”

“Great. You might as well take off the rest of the afternoon, Amy. I’m going to be useless.”

“Can I do anything else?”

I sighed, keeping my eyes closed. “If it wouldn’t offend you, a cup of coffee and a couple of pain relievers would be appreciated. If you can get my wife on the phone, it would be great.”

Her chuckle was low. “I think I can handle it, Richard.”

“Thank you.”

She left, and I rubbed my temples. I knew when I spoke with Katy, she would tell me to leave my car and grab a cab home. I also knew, when I got there, she would have cold compresses, much stronger pain pills, and her soothing touch to make the headache ease. I only had to get to her. The coffee and Tylenol Amy brought me would help until then.

I heard footsteps, felt pills pressed into my hand, and the smell of coffee hit my nose.

It wasn’t Amy’s voice that met my ears, however. “Drink.”

I swallowed the pills gratefully and reached out blindly for my wife’s hand.

“What are you doing here? You aren’t scheduled to be in today.”