Chapter 8

Jarrod helped Carol into the carriage and turned to Katelyn. He hesitated for a second and whispered, "Other than my mother, sister and Mrs. Barr, you are the only woman I've had in my townhouse."

Her heart leaped with joy. She smiled at him, and allowed him to help her into the carriage. Jarrod instructed the driver to drive by the ocean and the three occupants settled back for a pleasant ride. There wasn't much conversation, but Katelyn admitted that she wasn't up to talking right now. Jarrod did not have to explain anything to her about his private life, yet he had. Her heart felt full at the knowledge he didn't entertain women in his townhouse.

Carol sat on the seat opposite Jarrod and Katelyn, clearly enjoying the view. The weather was nice and she seemed to enjoy having the ocean breeze flowing all around her in the open carriage.

"Are you getting tired? Do you want to go back?" Jarrod asked Carol a while later.

Jarrod's concern and thoughtfulness toward her mother touched Katelyn. Whatever had caused him to act reserved toward her this morning seemed to have remedied itself. His care seemed so genuine to her that she couldn't believe it was part of maintaining appearances. Jarrod really did care that her mother was doing well. And that meant more to Kate than she cared to admit.

"I'm a little tired, but I don't want to go back just yet. Can we drive around a little longer?"

Katelyn leaned forward. "If you're tired, we should go back. You shouldn't overdo it."

"Nonsense. What's to overdo, sitting in a carriage, watching the beautiful ocean scenery. I'm feeling very relaxed."

"But-"

Carol held up her hand to stop Katelyn's protest, then turned a pale face out to look at the ocean again. A touch on Kate's hand drew her attention. Jarrod clasped her hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. He smiled at her and she eased back in her seat. His smile was her undoing every single time! All he had to do was turn it on her, and her heart quickened and her muscles refused to cooperate.

"Is there anywhere you want to go, kitten?" he asked.

Kitten. If only he meant it. "Let's make another pass by the docks and then through China Town."

Jarrod lifted her hand and brushed his lips across it with a feather light stroke. "Your wish is my command."

The feel of his lips on her skin sent shivers coursing through her. Thankfully, he released her hand and she was able to get her riotous emotions under control.

They rode on for several minutes and were nearing a small housing edition near the ocean. It was newer and many of the homes were beautiful. Katelyn loved looking at them as they passed by.

"Stop!" Carol called out. Katelyn looked at her mother, wondering if she was becoming ill.

"Mother! What's wrong?"

The carriage stopped and Carol made a move to step down. Jarrod opened the carriage door and helped her then Katelyn. They stared at one another in surprise as Carol made her way up to a gorgeous two story home with a for sale sign out front.

"Oh, it's perfect!" Carol enthused.

Katelyn looked at the house Carol was referring to. It was a beautiful Victorian style home with a porch that stretched across the entire front and wrapped around the length of one side. There was plenty of land for Lucky to run around and play. Her mother was right. It was perfect. Perfect for a couple in love, for newlyweds looking for a place to call their own.

Neither of which applied to her or Jarrod.

"Mother, we aren't ready to purchase a house."

"You will soon enough. We can at least look and get some ideas."

Carol walked around the house and Katelyn could tell she really liked it. Katelyn like it too, but her heart grew heavy at the knowledge she would never live in it. She was lost in thought and was startled when Jarrod placed his hands on her shoulders. She felt silly for being startled at his touch, but she hadn't expected him.

"I'm sorry for scaring you."

"You didn't. I was just surprised. I forgot I wasn't here alone."

Jarrod smiled at her and the two waited for Carol to finish her tour. She came back to the couple and said excitedly, "I love this house. It is so beautiful. And perfect for a prominent lawyer and his new wife."

Jarrod, who's hands were still on Katelyn's shoulders, felt her stiffen at her mother's words.

"I like it too," Jarrod agreed.

"It's nice," Katelyn said, looking around.

"Nice? Just nice? What could you possibly find at fault? What do you want in a house, Katelyn?" Jarrod asked softly and with no rebuke. Katelyn found herself with the courage to finally tell the truth.

"It's just so big. We don't need a house this large." She turned at looked at Jarrod. "In fact, we don't need a house at all."

"But you said neither one of your current places was adequate to accommodate both your lives," her mother argued.

"What is it you are proposing, dear?" Jarrod said with great interest.

"I'm just trying to be honest here." She swallowed nervously, drilling him with a steely glare.

"Now is probably not the best time."

Kate's eyes widened at the pointed comment. "There's no time like the present," she told him.

"Then by all means go on." Jarrod crossed his arms over his chest in resignation.

"Maybe you two could decide later. I suddenly feel spent and all of my energy is gone."

Kate turned to look at her mother. She did look exhausted. Guilt swept Kate at the site of her mother's white face. She'd been so caught up in her subtle debate with Jarrod, that she hadn't noticed how weary her mother was and she'd missed her opportunity to tell the truth yet again.

She wondered why that last part didn't bother her as much as it should. "I'm sorry, Mother. Let's get you home."

When Jarrod arrived home mid-afternoon the next day, Carol was reading in the parlor. Kate had left him a note on the entry table saying she went to check up on Lucky while her mother slept. If he had known, he would have stopped by just to be with her.

"I'm glad you're here while Kate is out. It gives us a chance to talk." Carol put the book aside as he slipped the piece of paper in his pocket.

"Something special on your mind?" He sat on the sofa near her. He hoped she didn't want to ask him something he couldn't answer. Now he really wished he had stopped by Katelyn's cottage.

Carol remained silent for a moment, staring across the room, gathering her thoughts.

"What can I do for you, Mother?" he asked, hoping to lighten her serious mood. She seemed to like it when he called her that. He wasn't disappointed. A smile spread across her face.

She took a deep breath. "I want to apologize."

Jarrod could see she was honestly concerned about some breech she believed she had caused. "For what?"

She turned toward him before she began. "For pushing Kate. For pressing her. For wanting to see her happily married before I died. For wanting to hold my grandchildren."

"Is that all?" he teased. "You should be ashamed of yourself."

"I mean it. I can see the strain between you and Kate. You two are trying to cover it up, but I can see things are not as well and fine as you want me to believe."

Very perceptive. "Kate and I will be fine. All couples have to adjust to married life."

She gave a sorrowful sigh. "But if the wedding hadn't been so rushed, it would be different."

If there had been a wedding at all, it would be different.

"I know this must be hard on you, but I'm so glad my Kate found a man like you to marry. I know you'll take good care of her. It means a lot to me."

"It's nothing." Literally. "But I'm not sure what you mean by hard."

"I can tell her feelings for you aren't as deep as yours are for her. I'm afraid to say that she may have accepted your proposal and married you for my sake. Maybe you sensed that and took advantage of the opportunity. I don't know. I don't really want to know. It can't be easy being in a one sided relationship."

A moment of silence stretched between them. "Don't get me wrong, Jarrod. I have nothing against you. I couldn't have picked a better son-in-law. I just wish I had been patient and not pushed. Let you two come together in your own time, that's all."

She was being so candid with him, painfully so. What could he say to ease her conscience?

He wanted to tell the truth but didn't quite know how to go about it. Blurt it out or ease into it? The last thing he wanted to do was cause some sort of setback in the woman's recovery...or damage the relationship Kate had with her mother.

No, Carol was Katelyn's mother and it wasn't his place to say anything. But he wanted to. Oh, how he wanted to. Instead, he settled for giving as much as he could.

"I would never take advantage of Kate." He almost added that he loved Katelyn too much to ever do anything to hurt her, but he stopped himself just in time. He wasn't sure if what he felt was the beginning of love or not. He did know he would do almost anything to make Katelyn happy.

Drawing a deep breath, he went on. "I've waited my whole life for Katelyn. I'm not about to lose her now." The words came out without forethought, but he realized they had a ring of truth to them. A loud ring, the more he listened.