Chapter 12
When Jarrod finally lifted his head and set Katelyn away from him, her heart was racing like a runaway train and she felt lightheaded. She'd wondered if her legs would support her. Embarrassed at how deeply the kiss had affected her, she glanced up at him - and had to fight not to burst out laughing. He looked like someone had smacked him over the head. His eyes as he looked down at her were wide and dazed...and they stood there is silence, both too dazed to comment.
Finally, Jarrod led Katelyn to a small iron bench in the garden and they sat down. He held her hand, playing with the wedding ring on her finger.
"I'm sorry for pulling that stunt," he said, regretfully.
Stunt?
"I don't understand." Did he regret paying for the ring? Or did he regret kissing her?
"I'll pay you back for the ring," she said, watching him, hoping he was concerned about the ring.
"You don't have to. That's not what I'm talking about."
His eyes shifted away from her, and it was clear how uncomfortable he was. Her heart plunged. If he was feeling this badly about kissing her -
"I'm talking about my offer to buy the pearl necklace. It was inappropriate."
Relief so powerful that it made her giddy washed over her. She smiled at him. Actually, the offer had touched her. "Please don't feel badly. It was sweet of you, but I just couldn't accept an expensive gift like that."
"My point exactly. And if you thought I was insinuating anything...well, please know I wasn't. And accept my sincere apology for any offense to you."
"You have nothing to apologize for. I wasn't offended."
He stood to his feet, pulling her up with him. He smiled at her and bowed, every inch the perfect knightly gentleman. "In gratitude for the lady's graciousness, will you permit me to escort you and your mother out to dinner?"
She laughed, touched by his sincerity and gallantry. Who could resist a man - and a smile - like the one before her? She made a curtsy. "Why, my lord, I accept with sincerest gratitude on behalf of myself and my mother."
Seemingly pleased with her response, he led her indoors. "I need to go back to the office for a few hours. I'll make reservations for seven o'clock. Is that all right with you?"
She nodded.
"Where are we going?" Katelyn asked.
"It's a surprise."
"How should we dress?"
Jarrod smiled. "Dress up a bit. I'll see you around six." He winked at her and then was out the door.
Katelyn went upstairs to check on her mom. She met her in the hallway and her mother sported a knowing smile on her face. Katelyn told herself not to blush at her mother's look and then informed her about their dinner plans.
"Jarrod said we should dress up. I'm going to go take a bath. I won't be long."
Carol smiled. "Take your time dear," she said as she made her way back to her room to select something to wear.
As Katelyn sat in the hot bath water, her tension started to ease away and she wished her problems would do the same. Where was the emotional ride she had put herself on going to end? She didn't know, but she feared it would be no place good. How could it? Yes, there were moments when she could almost let herself believe she and Jarrod were growing close, but then she'd remembered they were simply playing their respective parts - playing a game, as Jarrod said.
They'd managed to pull it off so far, but how much longer could they keep it up? At least she felt fairly confident it couldn't get much worse.
She slipped on her robe and began brushing her hair. There was a rapping sound at the bedroom door. Her breath caught, then she released it. Her mother, it had to be.
The knob turned, and she smiled, ready to greet her mother. "Oh!"
A strange man, with dark hair and hazel eyes stood before her, looking as startled to see her as she was to face him. A scream escaped her lips and she threw her whole weight against the door. It slammed shut and she fumbled to lock it. Her mind raced as fast as her heart. Terror swept through her as she wondered what the intruder wanted and who he was.
She put her ear to the door and listened for any sign of him. There was so sound from the sitting room. That's when it hit her...her mother was out there. With the intruder!
She grabbed the knob, then froze. What if he was waiting out there for her? She closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against the door.
What am I going to do?
Feeling trapped and sick to her stomach, she sat on the bed to wait. But for what? The stranger to return? For Jarrod? He would still be gone a while. She wasn't about to just sit there like a ninny. Not when her mother might be in danger! She had to do something. She scanned her surroundings, her heart still beating wildly.
She grabbed her hair brush for protection, just in case he had ill intentions, and reached for the doorknob, then realized going out there in her robe was not a wise choice. She donned on the clothes she was wearing earlier, took up the hair brush again, and whispered a prayer of protection for her and her mother. She paused, listening with her ear to the door, but no sound was coming from the sitting room.
Taking special care to make no noise of her own, she filled her lungs with a breath of courage as she unlocked the door and eased it open, scoping out the room. No one was there. She went to the other door that led out into the hallway and listened. Was he out there? Or had he left, already having found what he had come for? She whispered another prayer for protection and grasped the doorknob with all the courage she could muster, then paused. What was that sound? Voices? Yes, voices. Happy voices!
Easing the door open, she cautiously stepped out and down the stairs. She found her mother chatting cheerfully with another woman about her mother's age. With them was the younger man who had come into the bedroom.
Carol was the first to notice her. "Katelyn. Come over and meet your mother-in-law." She barely noticed that her mother motioned her over to the dining room table where they were huddled.
Mother-in-law?
The other woman turned to her, a friendly smile on her face.
"Victoria, this is my daughter, Katelyn, your new daughter-in-law. Kate, this is Victoria Barkley, Jarrod's mother."
The woman rose, all elegance and grace; she had an inviting warmth that reached out to touch Katelyn, despite her astonishment. Katelyn had the strong sense this woman accepted her fully, her words confirmed that fact: "Katelyn, welcome to the family." She gave Kate a quick but seemingly sincere hug. "I'm glad to meet you."
Speechless, Katelyn gaped openmouthed at the trio.
"I would like to say that Jarrod has spoken so much about you that I feel I know you, but my son has been silent where you are concerned."
What could she say? "He didn't mention me because he didn't know we were married?" Oh, that would go over great. But to give any other excuse would be lying. Again. This time to Jarrod's family.
She felt as though she were falling, spiraling into a dark, dark hole.
"I don't know what to say." That at least, was the gospel truth.
Jarrod's mother regarded her quietly, then smiled. "Don't worry, my dear. I'm sure Jarrod had his reasons and he will explain them to us in his time."
That will be worth hearing...
The elegant woman turned to the young man standing beside her.
"This is one of Jarrod's brothers, Nick. He also has a younger sister, Audra and two other brothers, Heath and Gene. But you'll have to meet them later."
Nick smiled at her. "I'm sorry." He held up his hands in mock surrender, letting his gaze settle on her weapon. "I didn't know you were in the bedroom, honest. I thought it was Jarrod."
Katelyn looked down at her hairbrush in her hand, still poised to protect herself and her mother. Dropping it to her side, heat rose in her cheeks. If there were a tiny hole, she would gladly climb in.
"It seems my dear brother Jarrod has been keeping secrets from us. But what a pretty secret you are." Nick took her free hand and graced it with a light kiss.
By now, Katelyn was so numb she scarcely reacted. She just stood there, mute staring at them all. At Jarrod's family!
So much for thinking things couldn't get any worse!