The Contract (42 page)

“Amy called and said you were off this morning. She thought you had one of your headaches coming on, so I came to take you home. I intercepted her on her way back from the lounge.”

With a groan, I bent forward, burying my head into Katy’s stomach. The icy temperature of the compress felt good as she draped it across my neck and ran her fingers through my hair.

“We’ll give the pills a bit to kick in, then I’ll take you home.”

“Okay.”

“You should have called earlier,” she scolded gently. “You know how these low-pressure storms affect you.”

“I had work to do,” I protested, tightening my arms around her waist, wanting her closer.

“And how much did you accomplish?”

“Not a lot.”

“Good plan, then,” she teased.

“Go fuck yourself, VanRyan,” I muttered, using her favorite phrase.

She shook with suppressed laughter, never stopping her tender caresses.

“Thank you for coming to get me.”

I felt the press of her lips to the back of my head. “You’re welcome.”

“Our boy unwell, Katy?” Graham’s voice was low in the hush of the office.

“Bad headache.”

“I wondered. He wasn’t himself in the meeting this morning.”

“Everyone knows me so well,” I snipped, not lifting my head. “Can’t a guy have a headache without everyone noticing around here?”

They both ignored me, as if I hadn’t spoken.

“You’re taking him home?”

“As soon as he feels up to it.”

I waved my hand. “
He’s
right here.”

Katy patted my head. “He’s always grumpy when he isn’t well.”

“I’ve noticed.”

Laura’s voice suddenly became part of the discussion. “Oh no, a headache? Poor Richard!”

I groaned. This was getting out of hand.

“I’m fine,” I mumbled.

“He’s grumpy,” Graham stated. “Rather argumentative.”

“He always is when the headaches hit him,” Laura mused. “Good thing you’re here, Katy.”

“Do you need any help?” Jenna asked, the click of her heels announcing her arrival. “Maybe we could carry him to the car or something?”

I was done. Nobody was carrying me anywhere. They all needed to back off.

I lifted my head slowly, peeling open my eyes, fully intent on telling them all to leave. I met Katy’s concerned gaze. She smiled, cupping my cheek, arching her eyebrow. I shifted my gaze to the people behind her, and nothing but worried and caring expressions met my stare. Graham leaned against the wall, looking amused, knowing how I hated being fussed over. All the anger drained away when I realized the people surrounding me were there for one reason only: they cared.

“I don’t need to be carried anywhere,” I grumped, dropping my head back to Katy’s warmth. “Katy and I can manage fine.”

“Make sure you wait long enough, so you don’t blow chunks in her car,” Jenna advised.

Her frankness made me chuckle.

“Good point.”

“Call if you need anything, Katy.”

“I will. Thank you, Graham.”

“I’ll assume you aren’t coming for yoga tonight,” Jenna mused.

“I’ll let you know.”

There was shuffling of feet and the quiet closing of my door.

“Are they gone?”

Katy lifted my chin, stroking my hair back from my forehead. “Yes.” Bending low, she pressed a kiss to my skin. “They worry, my darling, that’s all.”

I smiled at her endearment. “I know. I’m still getting used to it.”

“You’re getting better. You didn’t even curse at them.”

I snickered. “That’s because you were here.”

This time it was her turn to snicker.

“You can go to yoga. I’ll probably sleep.”

“I’ll decide later. Do you think you’re up to the ride home?”

I cracked an eye open and nodded. “The pills are working.”

“Okay, let’s get you home.”

I stood up, not surprised to see her already holding my briefcase. She was always a step ahead of me.

We made our way to the elevator, the hall deserted. I kept my arm around her, not only for the support she provided, but because I liked her close. In the car, I leaned my head back, shutting my eyes again, letting the cool seep back into my skin from the compress she tucked around my neck.

I slipped my hand over hers. “Thank you.”

Her lips brushed mine. “Always.”

I drew in a deep, bracing lungful of air. I loved living this close to the water. Katy had gone to yoga, and after I woke up, I came outside, grateful the storm had passed, taking with it the worst of my headache. I glanced around the backyard, thinking of the changes that had occurred in the months since we moved in.

A pool had been the first order of business, and it now sat to the one side, glistening and serene in the early evening light. Beside it was the pool house—Katy’s favorite part of the backyard. It was the cottage she shared with Penny on their brief holidays; bright blue, with white shutters, her memories still intact. I had arranged with Bill to purchase it and have it transported here for her. Inside, it was remodeled and useful, but still held the same rustic appeal. Her reaction to seeing it had been emotional and deep.

“Come with me, Katy.” I pulled at her hand, dragging her through the house. “I have something to show you.”

She grinned. “Is the pool done already?”

“Almost.”

I led her onto the deck, suddenly nervous. I had never done anything so sentimental in my life. I threw out my arm. “I got you a pool house.”

She froze, staring at the hut I had bought, refurbished, and had installed on a cement foundation by the pool. The porch was rebuilt, the paint fresh to match the shutters of the house, but it was her cottage.

“Richard!” She gasped. “What . . . how?”

“It was important to you. I wanted you to have it.”

She flung her arms around my neck, her tears hot and wet on my neck.

“Tell me these are good tears,” I demanded quietly. I still hated when she cried. I never knew what to do when she did, or how to make things better.

“The best kind.” She sniffed.

“I still don’t like them. Stop, please.”

“Thank you, Richard. I can’t even tell you what this means to me.” She gazed up at me, the love blazing from her eyes. “I love you.”

I blinked at the sting behind my eyes.

“I love you.”

Just the thought of her reaction still made me smile and brought warmth to my chest. The one only she could create.

The door opened behind me, and Katy’s scent enveloped me as she came close, pressing a kiss to my head.

“Feeling better?”

“Much. Especially now you’re home.”

“Good.”

“How was yoga? Take anyone out tonight?”

She laughed. “No, people know to stay clear of me now. I always thought yoga would help with my balance, but I seem resistant to that benefit.”

I cast my eye over her as she moved in front of me. Her body was perfect: tight and toned. “I dunno, sweetheart. I sort of like the benefits.” I patted my knee. “You could come over here and I can show you how much I like them, if you want.”

She slid on, draping her arms around my neck. “You’ve been showing me how much you like the benefits a lot lately.”

I skimmed my hand down her leg, curling it around her calf. “Just showing my appreciation.”

She played with the ends of my hair, a nervous look crossing her face. I frowned. It reminded me too much of how she looked when we started.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, but I have something to tell you. I’m not sure how you’re going to react.”

“Just tell me.”

She drew a deep breath. “I’m pregnant, Richard.”

The air stilled around me. The breath caught in my throat, constricting and thick. Her words echoed in my head.

We’d had the discussions, agreed she should stop taking the pill, and I would wear condoms, then when we were ready, start a family.

“Uh . . .”
Were we ready?
“When?” I breathed out.

She cupped my face. “It’s early. Really early. I think after the award dinner when we couldn’t wait, and we celebrated in the car? We didn’t use protection, my darling. It was only one time, but that’s all it takes.”

I managed to nod, remembering that night. My campaign for the Kenner Footwear company had won the highest award for the year. Graham had been thrilled and so proud—and so had I. I had celebrated hard with my wife.

Apparently too hard.

“Richard,” she whispered. “Talk to me.”

I waited for the panic. The anger. Except, when I gazed into the eyes of my wife, there was only one emotion I felt . . .

Elation.

I spread my hand over her still-flat stomach and grinned.

“I knocked you up.”

“You did.”

“Just the one time, eh? My boys are determined.”

She arched her eyebrow.

“I’m going to be a father.”

“You’re going to be a
dad
. You’re going to be a great dad.”

I mulled over those words in my head. Not a father—a dad. I wouldn’t be an absent figure from my child’s life. I refused to allow that to happen.

“With you helping me, I will be.”

“I won’t let you fail.”

“I know.” Wrapping my hand around her neck, I drew her face to mine, kissing her reverently. “Are you all right?”

She nodded. “I’m fine. I see the doctor again in a few weeks.”

“I’m coming with you.”

“Okay.”

“Maybe no more yoga. You may be even more off balance than usual.”

She rolled her eyes, pushing on my shoulder. “Go fuck yourself, VanRyan.”

I burst out laughing, pulling her close. That was my wife.

“I love you, my Katy,” I murmured.

“I love you, too.”

She curled up, and I held her close, returning my hand to her stomach. Looking down, I realized I now held my entire family within my embrace.

Everything, every moment of my life, had brought me to this point. The past was behind me, the darkness banished because of the woman I was holding, and the gift she had bestowed upon me.

The future was bright, and because of her and this one moment in time, it was filled with promise and light.

It was, as Penny once said, one of the great moments in time.

In fact, it was the greatest moment of them all.

MELANIE MORELAND LIVES A HAPPY
and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of twenty-six-plus years. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.

Known as the quiet one with the big laugh, Melanie works at a local university and for its football team. Her job, while demanding, is rewarding as she cheers on her team to victory.

While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys travelling, here and abroad, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.

Melanie delights in a good romance story with some bumps along the way, but is a true believer in happily ever after. When her head isn’t buried in a book, it is bent over a keyboard, furiously typing away as her characters dictate their creative storylines to her, often with a large glass of wine keeping her company.

CONTACT MELANIE

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