Chapter 17

Jarrod sat in his study, pretending to go over some paperwork he had brought home from the office. He was really thinking about Katelyn's reaction to his gift. He had thought she would love it and she acted as though she did, but he couldn't forget the sadness he had seen in her eyes. What had caused such a sadness and what could he do to make it go away?

He looked up and saw his mother standing in the doorway watching him. He smiled at her and stood, holding out his hand in invitation for her to join him. She closed the door quietly behind her and then took his hand as he led her over to the settee.

Neither said anything for a moment, then Victoria spoke.

"Katelyn seems like a lovely young woman, Jarrod."

Jarrod sighed. "She is."

"So, what's the matter?"

Jarrod looked over at his mother and smiled softly. She was always so perceptive. But just as he couldn't share the truth with Nick, he couldn't share it with his mother. It wouldn't be fair to Katelyn or her mother either.

"What makes you think there is something the matter?" he asked.

"I just sense a strain between the two of you. Is it us?"

Jarrod shook his head.

"Let's just say, we have some things we need to work on."

"As in any new marriage," Victoria said. She paused before continuing with her thoughts. "I know that you are an adult, Jarrod and can make your own decisions. But when it comes to something as important as marriage, I had hoped to at least have been given some advanced warning."

"I'm sorry, Mother. Its just Carol was so sick and she wanted to see her daughter married. We did it because of her."

Victoria's brow creased. Did this mean that Jarrod and Katelyn didn't love one another? That this was a marriage of convenience? No, it couldn't be. Jarrod and Katelyn had to love each other. The looks that passed between them almost shouted the fact. But maybe they had rushed into this marriage too quickly. She patted Jarrod's hand and squeezed it.

"I know that with time, you two will get things worked out. If there is anything I can do to help..." She let her sentence hang, knowing that Jarrod was aware that he could count on his family. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek before going up to bed.

The next evening was spent just relaxing. Jarrod and Nick played a game of chess while the women talked among themselves. At one point, Katelyn came over to sit near Jarrod and watched the game. After the game was over Jarrod couldn't resist pulling Katelyn closer to himself. The feel of his arm around her, his leg against hers, sent her heart into somersaults. Jarrod leaned back and Katelyn lay her head on his chest. He relished the contact between them.

Katelyn didn't realize how comfortable she was until she drifted off to sleep. Her mother had had a restless night last night, so she hadn't slept well, either. At least her mother had taken a nap or Katelyn would be worried more. Soothed by the steady thump, thump, thump rhythm from within her pretend husband, she allowed herself to drift away on a dream and a prayer, serenaded by his strong heartbeat.

She woke sometime later to find herself being transported across the room by strong arms. "I can walk."

Jarrod stopped by the bottom of the stairs and set her on her feet but kept an arm securely around her. Katelyn couldn't tear her gaze from his and licked her lips self-consciously. Her pulse quickened and her lungs didn't seem to need air at all. She swallowed as he leaned closer. Surely, he would stop, pull back as he'd done so many times before...

But he didn't.

He kissed her tenderly, with a gentle reverence. Her mind scanned their surroundings for an audience. But there was no one. They were alone.

Her hope soared at the thought. And when his arm tightened around her and he deepened the kiss, her heart flooded with joy.

But bleak reality quickly came to light when the sound of a throat clearing reached her ears. Jarrod tensed and broke the kiss, muttering something under his breath. He gazed down at her as if he wanted to say something, but Kate couldn't meet his eyes. She was too afraid she would weep at what she'd been hoping and what she now knew was true. They hadn't shared a beautiful moment after all.

It had been the same as all the others. A kiss calculated to get caught.

"Why don't you two make it easy on yourselves and go to Kate's?" Nick said, teasingly.

Jarrod's jaw tightened. Why did he look so upset? So, they had been caught kissing. Wasn't that the point, after all?

"Good night," she whispered.

"Good night, my love," he whispered back. "Sleep well."

His love? If only it were true, this whole thing would be so much more bearable. She tore herself from his arms and escaped up the stairs. Her eyes were awash with tears, her heart awash with the pain of dashed hopes. The light had been dim, and she hoped he hadn't been able to see the tears gleaming there when she turned from him.

She leaned against the bedroom door, clutching her chest. I love him so much. Why can't this be real?

No answer came. But she knew the answer. It was all a lie. A lie can never be the truth. And it stood between her and her mother and her and Jarrod. She slid down the wall, feeling hollow and alone.

The shimmer of unshed tears he'd seen in her eyes confused him. What had he done to hurt her? He had kissed her first of all because he wanted to and secondly to gauge how she felt about him. For one moment, hope had coursed through him. She'd leaned into him, and the small sigh that escaped her as he kissed her had made his head spin.

But then...

Then she pulled away, looking at him with such sorrow.

"This is just an observation, Pappy, but if you aren't careful, you're going to lose her," Nick said. Jarrod had forgotten about his brother. He glanced at Nick and then made his way up the stairs, fearing how true Nick's words were.