Chapter 21

Jarrod stormed into his townhouse after going to Katelyn's and finding that she wasn't there. He didn't know where else to look, so he headed home. He halted at the sullen faces of his mother and brother. By the silent stares he was receiving, he guessed that Katelyn had been this way.

"Your wife is pretty upset." Nick's accusing tone shattered the silence.

Jarrod met his brother's reproachful gaze without flinching. "Where is she?"

Nick pointed up the stairs. "She's packing."

The words took Jarrod's breath away as effectively as if Nick had punched him. Hard. Drawing in a deep breath, Jarrod gave his brother a curt nod and went upstairs. He knocked on the door of the bedroom that Kate had been sharing with her mother. Carol opened the door. She shook her head, throwing up her hands.

"Jarrod, thank heaven. Maybe you can talk some sense into her."

Carol walked past him and he stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

Katelyn didn't even look at him. Her focus was on the clothes she was cramming into her valise.

"Kate, it's not what you think."

She glared at him and snapped the valise shut. If that look had had substance, he would be mortally wounded. But he wasn't dead yet.

"Give me a chance to explain."

She pushed past him to yank the door open and marched out, valise in tow. He couldn't believe she wasn't going to give him a chance to explain.

"What happened to 'innocent until proven guilty'?" he called as he followed after her down the stairs.

She set down the valise and turned on him, standing in the doorway of the parlor. "You can hardly claim innocence. Don't forget, I'm an eye witness. And believe me, I have already seen all the proof I care to." Unshed tears glistened in her eyes. They were bluer today and he wanted to kiss her tears away.

"But-"

"You were holding her in your arms!"

"Not quite true. She held me. My hands were at my sides."

This bit of information only served to further anger her. She sputtered, as though she wanted to say something, then clamped her mouth shut. Jarrod shook his head. They'd been through so much together. How could Kate believe he'd do such a thing to her? "It sounds like your mind is made up and there is nothing I can say - not even the truth - to change it."

"You wouldn't know the truth if it came up and hit you on the nose!"

His eyes widened at that jab, and he felt the burn of anger in response. "Bit of the pot calling the kettle black, don't you think, Kate?"

Tears shimmered in her eyes, and she looked away. "It doesn't matter anymore, does it? I'm leaving." Her voice was choked with tears. "This marriage is over!"

Her declaration was met with stunned stares from others in the room.

"Kate, honey, you can't be serious," her mother said. "All couples have problems. You'll work this out."

"I've never been more serious!"

"She's right."

Kate looked at Jarrod sharply, clearly startled by his agreement. He met her gaze firmly. "If Kate can't trust me, then what hope do we have?"

"But you are so right for each other," Victoria said, trying to smooth ruffled feathers. "Your marriage is so perf-"

"Our marriage? There is no marriage!" Katelyn was nearly shouting now. "There never has been. It's all been one, big fat lie after another."

The stunned silence that met Kate's words lasted for all of a minute. Then the room exploded into chaos.

"You two are living together?"

Jarrod wouldn't have believed that anything could make him laugh right then, but the stunned expression on his brother's face almost did just that. Almost.

Carol gasped as the color drained from her face, and Jarrod waited for Katelyn to cave in to one of Carol's well timed spells and try to backpedal. But she didn't.

"No, no, no! We are not living together. We aren't even dating! Jarrod -" she rolled her eyes - "Mr. Barkley is my boss. I made it up...I told Mother that we were dating to placate her. Then, when she was so ill, there was a misunderstanding. Suddenly, she was looking at me, all excited about my marriage, and I didn't have the courage to tell her it wasn't so."

Jarrod watched Katelyn with mixed emotions. He was proud of her for finally setting things right, but he was also afraid. The lie had kept them together. Now...

Now there was nothing.

"So...how did Jarrod get involved?" Nick asked incredulously.

"I never intended for that to happen, but he was in the right place at the wrong time and took pity on me and played along with the farce."

She held out her hands in entreaty. "We didn't mean to hurt anyone. It just kept growing, and then you all came, and we were suddenly caught even deeper in the deception. But it's over now. I'm so sorry for all of this, but it's over. And everyone can go back to their own lives."

So saying, Katelyn snatched up her valise. Jarrod didn't want her to walk out like this. He caught her arm. "I can explain about Amanda. If you'd just listen-"

A single lonely tear rolled down her cheek, then she pulled free of him. "I've had enough lies to last a lifetime and then some." His hand fell away, and she turned to walk out the door.

Jarrod stared at the closed door and thought he'd go mad. What should he do? He could go after her, even force her to listen, but doubted it would accomplish anything.

But if he let her go, he'd be saying good-bye to more than just Kate. He'd be saying good-bye to his heart.

He raked a hand through his hair and turned around. Three faces stared blankly at him. He threw up his hands, marched off to his room. And so help him, if anyone came in and tried to talk to him, he would not be responsible for his actions.

Carol's gaze went from the stairs Jarrod had just taken to the door her daughter had just walked through, broken-hearted. She had pushed too hard. She had caused this. Her anguish was disturbed by laughter. Turning, she stared at Nick, who was sitting on one of the parlor chairs.

"What is wrong with you?" Victoria scolded.

With an effort, Nick reined in his merriment. "Isn't it obvious?"

"Isn't what obvious?" Victoria looked as though she wanted to throw something at him. Carol thought she might join her.

"They're in love!"

"Of course, they are! We know that," Victoria said.

Carol nodded slowly. She was beginning to understand. "But they don't know it."

"Exactly," Nick said, smiling at her. Carol was surprised to find herself smiling back. Her daughter had certainly married into a charming family. No, not married - her smile broadened - not yet.