"When will we see Daddy?" Andrew asked.
Kim looked up from her packing and smiled. "Tomorrow, Andrew. Tomorrow, we're going to take a big plane and fly all the way to England. And you're going to see where Daddy lived when he was a little boy."
With a sad smile, she thought of Donovan Manor. She had so many bittersweet memories of the house. It was where she and Shane first admitted that they loved each other and where they first made love. She remembered walking around the estate's gardens, seeing the spring roses in bloom. That seemed like a lifetime ago.
They also had returned for their second honeymoon. She remembered walking through the gardens and seeing the September flowers that time. Getting caught in a rainstorm and seeking shelter - and then making love - in the stables. That had been such a wonderful time in their lives. That had been when Kim thought that their troubles were behind them, and she and Shane would be together forever.
Of course, Shane had been distracted during that visit as he was forced to really deal for the first time with his parents' deaths. That had been so like Shane, the way he put off mourning their deaths for so many years. He probably had reacted to the news of their boat accident by burying himself in his work. That was just his way of dealing with emotional pain.
She finished putting Andrew's clothes in the case and thought about what she needed to take for Jeannie. The clothes part was easy, but did she take diapers? No. Shane planned things down to the last detail. He would never forget diapers, especially with Stephanie also there.
Letting out a deep breath, Kim walked over to her closet and pulled out her own suitcase. She set it on the bed and realized she had locked it. Damn. Where was the key? She checked the drawers, but it was nowhere in sight. Finally, she gave up and pulled out a letter opener off the desk.
Kim had learned a few tricks from being an ISA wife. She stuck the letter opener into the lock and fiddled with it for a moment until it clicked open. Bingo. Kim opened the case and went back to packing. What do I take for myself? she wondered. Are there special fashion rules for the ex?As she began selecting things to wear, her mind wandered back to Kayla and Stephanie. It was hard for her, Kim had to admit, to see Shane bond so strongly with Kayla's daughter.
He had been trying to develop a relationship with Jeannie, but she knew it was still hard for him. Jeannie was a constant reminder of Kim's relationship with Cal Winters, and no matter how much Shane pretended it did not matter, Kim could see the pain in his eyes every time he held her.
Maybe this time at Donovan Manor would change that. In the same house, Shane would have more time to spend with Jeannie. Of course, it was going to be plenty awkward with Kayla and Stephanie there as well.
Kim really did not understand Shane's thinking. On the phone, he had said he needed her for some ISA business. But if that was the case, she might as well have stayed at a hotel in London near ISA headquarters. And if they were going to be busy working, Shane would have little time for Kayla. It hardly made sense, even if Shane had explained that he wanted to allay any of Kayla's fears about her and Shane being together on ISA business.
And then there was the cover story for this trip - a last-minute summer vacation and a chance for Andrew to see the family home. Kim had no idea why Shane was trying to keep a secret about her work for the ISA, or how she was supposed to explain why the summer vacation included both her and Kayla. Thankfully, they would be leaving so soon that she could avoid such awkward questions.
Still, nothing about this trip seemed to make sense. From the strange way Shane had acted when he left to this joint invitation to Donovan Manor, Kim had to wonder what was going on. At least, she knew he was safe, but that did not diminish the nagging feeling that there was a lot more to this excursion than Shane was telling them.
As she pulled the last of her clothing and folded it into her suitcase, Kim sighed. Next stop England - and whatever mystery Shane Donovan had in store for them.