Stealing Time (24 page)

Drew pounded his fist into his other hand. “I
was stupid and would have been totally lost without you.” He swept
Kate into his arms and placed her gently on the bed. Was he going
to break his rule again? Kate could only hope as Drew kissed her
like never before. The room spun as she clung to him, and then it
was over.

“Drew!” she groaned in exasperation.

“Only in 1927. Only then.”

“This is getting a little old, don’t you
think? Your 1927 speech?”

“Then marry me now and be Kate Kelly. We
could go to Arizona this summer and get married at the Circle J.
Anna would’ve loved that, us getting married at the exact same
place as 1927. We could combine your birthday and the wedding. What
do you think?”

Kate waited for Drew to finish his “marry me
in the 21st century” speech and calmly said, “I can’t. It’s too
soon after Anna’s death. If we do get married one day, and I mean
one day in the distant future, I don’t think I could do it there.
Too many memories. I’d cry through the whole ceremony and
reception.”

“So you’re thinking about it. I have enough
money to buy us a home or anything you’d like.”

That part was true. Drew had enough money
that they probably would never have to work or want for anything.
Not the existence Kate wanted for either of them. She didn’t want
to be dependent on him or anyone else. Independence was important
to her. If she married Drew they needed to be equal partners. “You
know I will marry you, Drew Kelly, but first I need to establish
myself...you know...become my own person. I don’t want to be
dependent on someone. First it was my parents, and now you want it
to be you.”

“Is that so bad?”

“I guess not. Ask me again in a year or so,
and we’ll see what my answer will be.”

“I’ll ask you every month until you say yes.”
Drew smiled at her, and Kate’s heart melted. How could she keep
resisting him?

“Finish your paper! We have more important
things to do.” Kate walked to the door, slowly opening it and then
turned to face him. “Oh, and Drew, the answer every month would be
yes.”

* * * *

Kate couldn’t wait for the plane to land and
get started on their journey. Drew arranged for a car to take them
to a hotel in Lower Manhattan, close to the offices of Woods and
Associates. They planned on arriving first thing Monday morning.
Kate tried to imagine who or what would be waiting for her.
Grandmother Lilly passed away long ago but other Wood family
members could be working there.

The plane touched the ground, jumbling Kate
around in her seat and making her focus on the task at hand.
Grab the carry-on. Head for the terminal. One step at a
time.

Drew had been in a good mood ever since Kate
told him she would marry him, although she needed to clarify the
meaning of that answer more than once. When she told him she would
say “yes” every month, he interpreted it as she agreed to marry
this summer as suggested. Kate explained she felt like he was
saying “I love you,” and she was saying it back. Hopefully, he
understood the difference, but Kate enjoyed seeing him so
happy.

The driver stood in the waiting area with a
‘Mr. Andrew Kelly’ sign. Kate found it quite humorous. “Who do you
think you are? A celebrity?”

“Very funny. Just a man with means to make it
happen.”

Inwardly, Kate was glad to get whisked away
to the hotel and settled in. They would dine in SoHo later and then
window shop to pass the time. Kate hoped Drew wouldn’t want to stop
in any jewelry stores. Knowing him, he’d want to go to the Diamond
District to buy her ring. Drew liked to surprise her, so she didn’t
think he’d try to buy it while she was with him.

Why am I thinking about diamonds and
engagement rings? I don’t want to get married yet...although I
wouldn’t mind being engaged for a few years. What am I saying? I
need to stick to my plan. Finish my year of school and find a
writers college if I want to continue. Right now, I need to find
out why Lilly’s practically dragging me to Woods.

“Kate, we’re here.” Drew held the door for
her as she climbed out of the limousine and onto the sidewalk in
front of the hotel.

“Will we be able to walk to the offices from
here?”

“Yep, just two blocks away.”

“Good, then let’s enjoy today. Dinner and
shopping in New York City is something no girl could turn
down.”

* * * *

Bright and early the next day, Kate and Drew
got up and dressed, headed for a quick breakfast and then to Woods
and Associates. The building was old and regal, but inside was
quite the opposite. Ultra modern. Sculptures stood on pedestals
around the waiting area, and expensive art hung on the clean, white
walls. Kate’s heart was in her throat as she walked to the shiny,
sleek, receptionist’s desk. “Excuse me. This may sound dumb, but
I’m supposed to tell you Kathryn Roberts is here to see Lillian
Woods.”

The young woman stared at her for a moment
and then finally reacted. “Not at all. Please have a seat.”

Kate walked to the area where Drew was seated
and sat down next to him. “So far, so good. She didn’t think I was
some crazy person that needed to be hauled away.”

“Look, she’s on the phone. That could be a
good sign.” Drew pointed in the direction of the woman. Kate saw
her talking into the small headphone she wore and then stand up.
“She’s coming over. Act nonchalant. We can make a break for it if
we need to.”

The woman stopped in front of her. “Ms.
Roberts, I’m sorry to have to ask you this. Is it possible to
return this afternoon? Around one p.m.? I was told to offer you
lunch on the company in return.”

Drew stood up. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll
be taking Ms. Roberts to lunch.”

Kate joined him. “Thank you, Ms...” She
quickly looked at her name tag. “...Richmond. I’ll be back at
one.”

Kate took Drew’s hand and walked toward the
exit. “That’s strange. Why do I have to come back?”

“No idea, but it will only be a couple hours.
Where would you like to have lunch?”

“I don’t think I could eat. Is it alright if
we go back to the hotel? You could order room service. I’ll watch
you eat while I pace the floor.”

“Anything you want. Hopefully you’ll change
your mind about eating.”

As they stepped out into the cold autumn
morning, the weather didn’t help the mood. It was overcast with low
lying gray clouds that threatened rain. The couple quickened their
pace and reached the hotel doors just as the downpour started.

“Great! If this is an indication of the rest
of the day, I give up!” Kate threw her clutch bag on the bed as
they entered the room. It was close to ten a.m., and she knew the
next three hours would drag. “We have to do something to pass the
time. Drew? Any ideas?”

“Sightseeing’s out with all the rain, but we
could do a museum. Any preferences? MoMA? The Guggenheim? Or do you
like the old masters? We could head for the Metropolitan.”

“Listen to you, Mr. Expert. The MoMA?”

“Sorry, Museum of Modern Art.”

“That’s the one. Take me there.”

“I’ll call for the car.”

Wandering the floors of the museum did help
pass the time. Kate’s favorite was the fifth floor where they
roamed through rooms filled with Monets, van Goghs, Picassos and
the like, reminding her very much of the lobby at Woods and
Associates. Drew was able to grab a bite to eat in the café when
they reached the second floor. Kate had to admit the menu looked
tempting but opted for an iced tea.

“Time to go, Drew. Thanks for distracting me.
We could just hail a taxi from here.”

“Not after I contracted for a car service,
we’re not.” Drew laughed as he dialed his phone. “They’ll be here
in ten minutes at the 54th Street entrance. Anything you’d like to
do last minute?”

“No, let’s go straight there. I have no
patience left.”

Drew took Kate’s hand and led her to the
exit. The car was early, and Kate eagerly jumped into the back,
sitting straight up so she could see where they were going. She
longed to ask the driver to go through red lights and never stop
until he got to her destination but compromised by asking him to
take the most direct route he could. Finally pulling up in front of
the offices, she took a deep breath. “Here we go again.”

This time around she soaked in the
surroundings, realizing Woods and Associates took up more than one
floor of the building, maybe owned the whole place. The white walls
gave the room a large appearance. The waiting area was filled with
black leather couches and chairs with chrome and glass tables for
accent. Large, red leather tiles created a huge rectangle on the
main wall behind the waiting area and an abstract mosaic of many
colors filled another. The artwork, along with sculptures and
statues, were placed strategically throughout the whole first
floor.

Ms. Richmond was at her desk, which was
really more than a desk. It was a large flowing counter separating
her from the clientele. Two armed security guards were in the
background — one behind her desk and one at the elevators beyond
the desk.

“Hello, again,” Kate smiled at the
receptionist. “I’m here...”

“Yes, I know. I’m told you are to go straight
up to the tenth floor. Someone will meet you there.” She pushed a
button, and a section of the counter slid back to let them
through.

“Thank you.” Kate motioned for Drew to follow
her.

The security guard held the elevator door
open and pressed the button for the floor. He nodded and tipped his
cap as the doors closed. Kate gripped Drew’s hand so hard she was
surprised he didn’t cry out in pain. As the doors opened, a
handsome gentleman in his seventies was waiting to greet them. He
was impeccably dressed in a custom-made suit, designer tie and
shoes. His white hair was cropped close to his head as was his
immaculate beard and mustache.

“Welcome, Ms. Roberts.” The man extended his
hand and then looked at Drew.

“This is Drew Kelly.” Kate introduced
him.

“Nice suit.” Drew shook his hand.
“Italian?”

“You have a good eye, sir. Yes, it is.”

Kate waited for the exchange to be over. “And
you are?” She hoped she was going to meet a long lost cousin, one
of Albert’s grandsons or some other relation to her Grandmother
Woods.

“Oh, in my excitement, I forgot. Forgive me.
I’m Federico Martin...Junior, that is.”

Chapter
Eighteen

The shock of hearing that name was still
sinking into Kate’s mind as she followed behind the man calling
himself Federico Martin Junior. That would make him Freddie’s son.
It made no sense at all. This was her grandfather’s firm and should
be filled with people by the last name of Woods, not Martin.

As they walked down the hall the offices
became larger and more upscale, decorated in fine furnishings.
Federico stopped in front of one and turned to the couple. “Mr.
Kelly can wait for you here with my brothers.”

Kate looked at the two men who were almost
identical in features and coloring. She looked at Federico and then
back at them.
His brothers?
They appeared to be in their
forties, the same age as her father. She’d believe him if he had
said sons, but brothers?

Federico let out a knowing laugh. “Father had
two wives, one much younger. These are his sons from that marriage.
Calvin and Curtis will be happy to entertain you, Mr. Kelly, while
I escort Ms. Roberts to my office.”

“I’m not...” Drew appeared ready to argue,
but Kate stopped him.

“Drew, I’ll be fine.” She kissed him on the
cheek and whispered, “See what you can find out.”

She knew she was in good hands. After all,
confusing as it seemed, these men were Drew’s family. She would
love to grab Drew and pull him into a private room to say, “Do you
believe this? The place is filled with Martins!”, but they had to
maintain their cool.

“This way.” Federico pointed down the hall,
and Kate complied. As they reached the office, she was escorted to
a seat in front of a large desk as the door closed behind her.
Looking around, Kate was surprised she was alone. All she could see
was the back of a large, leather office chair behind the desk.

“Good afternoon, Kathryn.” The chair slowly
turned around, and a very old man appeared before her. He had a
shock of white hair and the greenest eyes she’d ever seen besides
Drew’s. Kate heard her heart drumming in her ears, and her stomach
flipped over. Was that Freddie? Did he recognize her?

“Good afternoon, sir.” Kate played it
safe.

“Kathryn Roberts. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“You seem very familiar. Have I met you
before?”

“I don’t think so.”

“And how did you know my dear Lilly?”

“I didn’t. That’s why I’m here. I was told to
leave that message at the front desk. That’s all I know.”

The old man sat forward in his seat.
“Remarkable resemblance.”

Kate said nothing and folded her hands in her
lap, waiting to see what would happen next.

“You bear a striking resemblance to my
sister-in-law, Kathryn Martin. Same first name even. But it’s been
a long time. I’m an old man in my nineties. What do I know?” He
leaned back, tapping his fingers together. “We only knew her for a
short time because my brother died a few months after they married.
I immediately bonded with her. She treated me as if I was special
even though I was just a small boy. I loved her.” He leaned closer,
studying her face. “You look so much like her.” Then he sighed and
sat back in his chair.

“I’m sure she loved you, too.” Kate’s heart
raced. It was Freddie. He was still alive. Good thing Drew didn’t
come with her. Freddie might have a heart attack right on the
spot.

“Thank you for that. Father never cared for
her. Well, he never really cared for most people besides Mother and
Andrew. He hunted for Kathryn until the day he died, never
forgiving her for taking Andrew away.”