Chapter 6
When Katelyn saw Jarrod's townhouse, her eyes opened wide. She quickly schooled her features as she was supposed to have been there before. Jarrod watched her and hid his smile. He had enjoyed her slight reaction.
The carriage pulled to a stop and Jarrod helped the ladies down. He escorted them inside and then went to retrieve their things. Immediately, Katelyn could see why Lucky wouldn't be welcomed here. Jarrod's townhouse was impeccably clean and tastefully decorated. Carol had gone in first and Katelyn stood behind her, at the door looking around. She was not paying attention and Jarrod bumped her from behind as he came in with the luggage. Katelyn's face warmed with embarrassment and she moved out of his way. Jarrod smiled at her and gave her a little wink, letting her know he understood her reaction.
"Mother," he said to Carol, "Come this way and I'll show you your room."
Jarrod led the way upstairs, the ladies following. He opened a door to reveal a beautifully decorated bedroom. The quilt on the bed was navy blue as were the rugs on the floor. The cherry furniture complimented the room well. Katelyn found that she very much liked this room and knew her mother would be comfortable there. The room was so spacious and Katelyn wondered that if this was the guest room, what did Jarrod's room look like? Katelyn shut her eyes, trying at the same time to shut that thought out.
"We'll leave you to get settled, Mother," Jarrod said and put his hand on Katelyn's back, propelling her forward. They walked down a hallway to the opposite end of the house. Jarrod paused outside the door and watched Katelyn's face for a moment. She looked pale. She looked at him and he stared back, his blue eyes begging her to trust him. He wouldn't allow her to be harmed. She nodded, his message seeming to get across and he opened the door.
They walked in to a small sitting room. There was a fire place and a small settee and chair. Jarrod again place his hand on Katelyn's back and gave her a little push forward. He found himself nervous as well. He wanted Katelyn to like his room. He opened another door and the actual bedroom was revealed. Katelyn's eyes opened in wonder. It was so beautiful. She checked herself. Beautiful didn't seem to be the word to describe it. It was so masculine, but in a tasteful way. The four poster bed was made from dark wood and had matching night stands. There was an armoire and a tall chest of drawers to one side while on the other there was another door. Jarrod set Katelyn's small valise down and watched her as she roamed around the room.
"This is nice," she said, running her hand along the dresser, loving the feel of the smooth wood.
Jarrod walked over to the room's other door and opened it. "In here is a water closet. Your mother has one next to her room. There's one downstairs as well. I hope you'll be comfortable here."
Jarrod held his breath wanting Katelyn to approve. "I know I will be. I just feel guilty for pushing you out of your own home."
Jarrod walked over to Katelyn and put his hand under her chin, bringing her eyes up to meet his. He stared into her eyes and she wondered if she saw something in his.
"There's no reason to feel guilty," he said softly. He leaned in and placed a tender kiss on the side of her mouth. She closed her eyes at the brief kiss. Someone clearing their throat brought Katelyn back to reality. Jarrod dropped his hand and turned around.
"Sorry to interrupt," Carol said.
"You're not," Jarrod replied. Katelyn hid the hurt that threatened to spill forth. Jarrod must have heard her mother coming. He had said that they needed to give the illusion of a happily married couple and that was what he was doing.
"Of course you're not, Mother. Just let me put my things away and I'll join you downstairs."
Carol smiled and nodded, leaving the room.
Jarrod turned back to Katelyn, whose look was guarded. He wished that Carol hadn't interrupted them. He hadn't meant to kiss Katelyn, but he hated the look of uncertainty that she had on her face. He found that the brief kiss he had shared with her was not enough. But maybe it was for the best. After all, in a few weeks Carol would be gone and Katelyn would be just his secretary again. Why, did he wonder, did that thought make him sad?
Jarrod placed Katelyn's valise on the bed and turned to her. She still wore her guarded look and he wished there were something he could do to get her to relax. Nothing came to mind so instead he said, "I've emptied these drawers for you."
He pointed out the drawers on the right and Katelyn stiffened.
"Your mother might get suspicious if she notices you living out of a suitcase," he reminded her. Of course, appearances, she thought.
"Why don't you wait and do this later. Your mother is waiting for us downstairs."
Katelyn nodded. She didn't feel up to doing it right now anyway and was glad for Jarrod's suggestion. Carol was in the parlor downstairs, sitting in one of the comfortable chairs. Katelyn sat opposite her and Jarrod took the seat next to Katelyn. Katelyn let her mind wander and didn't pay any attention to the conversation taking place between her mother and Jarrod. She was so tired from everything that was happening. She hadn't slept well the night before and the weight of her dilemma was getting to be too much.
Jarrod noticed her quietness. He would glance over in her direction often, concern showing on his face. Finally, when he saw Katelyn dozing, he decided to call it a night.
"Well, Mother. You are welcomed to stay down here if you like, but it looks as if my wife needs to get some sleep."
"Of course, Jarrod. I'm tired, myself. I'll see you two in the morning!" And Carol went up the stairs.
Jarrod watched Katelyn for a moment, admiring her features. Katelyn began to stir and sat up with a start.
"Mother!" she said, looking around.
"She's already gone to bed," he told her, softly.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep."
Jarrod smiled. He hadn't minded but thought if he told her that she would ask why and he wasn't sure he wanted to tell her the reason. He wasn't sure of the reason himself.
"Let's go on up."
Katelyn allowed Jarrod to take her hand and guide her up the stairs. She was too tired to think much about him leading her to his bedroom. When they got there, she remembered she hadn't put her things away yet and began unpacking. Jarrod was gathering the things he would need for the morning and noticed Katelyn had become agitated.
"What's wrong?"
"I didn't pack anything to sleep in. I can't believe it! I've never forgotten that. My hairbrush, yes, I've forgotten my hairbrush. But never my nightgown."
Jarrod watched her go on and on, feeling sorry for her. She was exhausted and the stress of their situation was getting to be too much for her. She continued to frantically search through her things, hoping she had just missed seeing her gown when she noticed Jarrod standing next to her.
"You can wear this until you can get back to the house to get your nightgown." Katelyn took the shirt Jarrod held in his hands. She knew it would swallow her, but it would be more than sufficient for tonight. He handed her a robe also.
"I won't be needing this. Use it for as long as you like. I'm going to change. I'll knock before I come out."
Katelyn knew if she spoke she would burst into tears so she just nodded.
Jarrod noticed her eyes were watering, but allowed her the privacy she needed. He wanted to hold her in his arms and tell her everything would be okay, but he himself wasn't sure how this would work out.
Jarrod took his time changing. It was getting rather late and he was sure Carol was asleep for the night. When he felt he had given Katelyn enough time, he quietly knocked on the door. He didn't hear a response so he carefully opened the door and peeked out. The sight before him made him smile.
Katelyn was sound asleep. She hadn't changed, but had fallen asleep in her clothes on top of the bed. He covered her with the blanket from the end of the bed and brushed back a strand of hair from her face. He was beginning to wonder if a month would be long enough to satisfy his need to take care of her. Jarrod left the room quietly, his thoughts troubling him.
Katelyn woke slowly, stretching luxuriously. She opened her heavy eyelids and then slammed them shut again. The night before came flooding back. The last thing she remembered was waiting for Jarrod to come out of the bathroom. She must have fallen asleep. She sat up slowly and looked around. There was a light blanket over her. Jarrod must have covered her. She was still in her clothes from yesterday and the shirt Jarrod had given her was lying in a heap on the floor beside the bed.
Where was Jarrod? More importantly, where did he sleep? Katelyn rose from the bed and straightened the quilt and blanket. She then changed quickly and unpacked her things, putting them away in the drawers Jarrod had emptied for her.
Once she had fixed her hair, she walked from the room. The clock in the hall said it was 7:30. She had slept all night without stirring. The last few days were catching up to her. She made her way downstairs and found Jarrod sitting in the kitchen, drinking some coffee. She didn't want to disturb him but she must have made some noise because he looked up and saw her standing there. His wonderful blue eyes met hers and she found it difficult to look away.
"Good morning, kitten. Did you sleep well?" he asked. Katelyn forced her eyes not to close in delight when he called her 'kitten'. It was just for show after all, her heart painfully reminded her.
"Yes...yes I did. Did you?" she found it difficult to think straight when he was looking at her like that. Katelyn was finding it difficult to stand so she sat at the table with him.
"I did," he said watching her face.
"To answer your question-"
"What question?" Katelyn interrupted.
"The one on your face," he said softly. "I slept at my office last night."
Katelyn felt relief pour through her. Then guilt. She should have trusted him.
"I'm so sorry for all the trouble I've caused you."
Jarrod stood and said, "It's not a problem." He walked over to the counter and brought to the table a tray of muffins.
She took a muffin and began slathering it with butter. Normally she didn't use so much, but her mind was not focused.
"Water for your tea will be ready in just a minute," Jarrod commented. Katelyn looked up from her food to him. How did he know she preferred tea to coffee? And come to think of it, where had all this food come from? He had apologized last night for not having any food. She noticed his smile widened and he covered his mouth, stifling a laugh.
"Don't ever play poker, Kate. Your eyes are too expressive. It's as though your thoughts are right there, waiting to be read."
Only by you. No one else had ever understood her as well as Jarrod had.
"I stopped by the bakery this morning on the way here," he said by way of explanation, sitting down once again with her. His face still sported his handsome smile.
She shook her head and this time he did laugh out loud. She gave him an "all right, that's enough look". Can you read that-darling? Surprise filled her when he sobered quickly - apparently he could! But she could still see the amusement dancing in his eyes.
"You missed a spot," Jarrod joked as she watched Katelyn continue to put butter on her muffin.
Katelyn looked up and said, "Mr. Barkley, isn't there anything I can say to change your mind?"
"Call me Jarrod. After all, we are married." He gently raised his eyebrows.
Oh no you don't! You're not going to distract me with charm!
Not completely, anyway. With pure force of will she shook off the haze of attraction his tone had created and pulled herself together.
Kind of.
She stared at him and then frowned. She had been saying something. Something important...
"You wanted to change my mind." His smile was broader this time and just a bit smug.
Crossing her arms she said, "Would you please consider going back to Stockton? It would be simpler for everyone, especially you!"
"But not as much fun," he said.
Fun! Her mouth went dry. "Won't you please go away?"
"Are you trying to get rid of me?" He leaned back in his chair, effecting the perfect wounded little boy expression.
She replied without hesitation. "Yes!"
He clutched his chest as though a mighty blow had struck him in the heart. She didn't laugh or even smile at his antics. He sobered and sat forward.
"Kate, you aren't still worried that I'll impose myself on you, are you?"
"Well, you spent the night on my living room floor with my dog as your companion. Then you spent last night on the sofa in your office. I just have to wonder how long you'll be able to put up with all of this."
"You don't trust me?" He sounded mildly offended.
"No, it's not that."
"You don't trust yourself then? Should I be worried you will try to take advantage of me?"
"No. Yes. No." She took a slow deep breath. "I mean, I feel like I'm already taking advantage of your kindness." How had the conversation gone astray so quickly? She looked down at the uneaten muffin still in her hands.
"Kate."
At the soft word, she focused on him, taking in the sincerity in his eyes, the slight smile on his lips. He reached out to give her hand a slight squeeze.
"Everything will work out. You'll see. Just relax."