Chapter 10
After what had happened at lunch, Father realized that if they wanted time to talk with Peter and bring him up to speed on everything they needed to, then their dinner would need to be a bit more private. So not long after he arrived some of William's best kitchen help carried in meals for the four of them.
They told Peter everything, from Catherine's boss being involved in her kidnapping, to the fact that their child's conception had taken place that night in the cave. Also from how Catherine would have to remain in hiding until it was discovered just how high up the corruption went, to the fact that the wedding was going to be in three weeks at Winterfest.
To his credit, Peter took it all very well. Even though he had been sure in his heart that Cathy was dead he had never been so glad to have been proven wrong. The four of them talked until Vincent rose and held out his hand to Catherine. It was time to go and see if Jenny Aaronson was at the carousel waiting for her college buddy.
Vincent hadn't been thrilled when Catherine told him that she intended to meet Jenny herself and had tried his best to talk her out of it. When it had become clear that he wasn't going to be able to do so, he had informed her that he would be going with her to the meeting. Then Catherine surprised him even more by responding, "Good! It will be the perfect time for the two of you to meet!"
"Meet?! Catherine you can't be serious!"
"I am, Vincent! Jenny is my best friend in all the world, other than you, and it had killed me over the last two years not to be able to tell her about you. We're getting married in three weeks and since she is going to be my maid-of-honor, the two of you need to meet. Do you think it would be better to wait till the wedding?"
He bowed his shaggy head knowing when he'd met a force greater than his own. How had he ever doubted that Catherine was not strong enough to be his mate? This woman had more courage than any five men he knew put together! "I shall be pleased to meet her, Catherine. I only hope she will feel the same."
"Jenny will love you! She wants me to be happy just as you do. She might even threaten you and make you promise to do so."
"I will try not to be afraid," he told her with a tongue in cheek attitude.
She grinned up at him, but still warned, "I wouldn't get too cocky! She may be little, but she's a fighter!"
"I shall endeavor to remember that," he'd promised and now it was time to head out to the long awaited meeting. The plan was for Vincent to make sure it was safe and no one else was around. He would stay in the background until Cathy and Jenny had a few minutes to reunite, then Catherine would introduce Vincent and if all went well, Jenny would be asked to come Below with them for her first visit.
Getting a book sent to her at work was nothing out of the ordinary for Jenny Aaronson, however the one that had arrived that afternoon was quite unusual. First, it hadn't arrived via UPS, Fed Ex., or by US mail, instead it came by private messenger. Then it was wrapped in brown paper, tied with twine, and there was no return address on it! Jenny was intrigued enough to open it right away.
The book turned out to be a very old leather-bound copy of "Great Expectations". Jenny was pretty sure that this was not a poor attempt at plagiary. Seeing that the front cover didn't completely lay flat, she opened it and discovered a note.
She barely managed to suppress her cry of joy as she read it, but there was no way she could keep her tears from flowing down her cheeks. She even let out a little giggle when she read the PS. Her 'college buddy' had asked; 'Please bring the book with you, it isn't mine to give you.'
To be continued….