Steady (42 page)

“I know, Lola, and I’m working toward that point. I will get there. This is the furthest I’ve ever been. Just give me time, okay?”

“Okay, but don’t take too long, I don’t want to have to hurt you,” she said, picking up a glass and handing it over to Katrina.

“Girl, I’m good,” Lola said after taking a sip of the margarita she’d made for herself.

Katrina took a sip and coughed. “How much alcohol did you put in these?” she asked.

“That’s for me to know and you to find out,” she said, smacking her lips. “Okay, now I’m ready to get to work. I just needed some go-go juice.”

They spent the next couple of hours packing, and the potency of Lola’s drinks ensured that both were in a very good mood by the end of the evening.

“Hey,” Will called out from the back door, Oscar following behind him. The pair found Lola and Katrina in extremely lively moods, laughing as Katrina was taping up a box. Both turned at the sound of his voice. He looked at the glass sitting next to Katrina and the one in Lola’s hand, the blender, the half empty bottle of tequila, and the margarita mix on the counter. He turned to Oscar and grinned.

“Well, if it isn’t Will and my lovely husband,” Lola said in greeting.

“You ladies are working hard, I can tell,” Oscar said.

“Yes, we are,” Lola responded. “Can I get you a drink?”

“No, I’m good,” Oscar said, walking over to stand next to his wife. “How about we get you home?”

“What? I’m helping Katrina here,” she said.

“I can see that,” said Oscar, helping Lola stand. She wavered just a little and they all laughed.

“Say goodbye to Will and Katrina,” Oscar said.

“Goodbye, Will. I’ll see you tomorrow, girl,” Lola said to Katrina.

“Thanks for helping me,” Katrina said, following Oscar and Lola out the back door. Lola was really leaning into Oscar as he part walked, part carried her home. She stood there watching them until they were out of sight. She closed the door and locked it and walked over to stand in front of Will, who was leaning against the counter, watching her.

“It looks like you and Lola were able to get quite a bit done,” Will said, picking up her margarita glass and taking a sip, wincing at its strength. “It’s impressive the amount of work you and Lola were able to get done, considering the strength of your drinks.” He smiled, sitting the glass back on the counter. Katrina walked over to stand closer to him, pushing her body into his and pulling his shirt over his head. She didn’t say a word, just looked at him.

“What?” he asked.

“I love you, you know that, don’t you?” she asked, suddenly serious.

“Yes, I know that.”

“You’re the one who’s steady, you know that, too, don’t you?” she said, watching him, her hands moving to his face, tracing the sharpness of his cheekbones. “You are always there for me, cutting your trip short, staying with me as I work to push you away. You’re steadier than I’ll ever be.”

“You think so?”

“Know so,” she said, taking his hand and walking slowly backwards, towing him along through the living room and into her bedroom, careful of the boxes in her path. She kept walking until her legs hit the bed and she sat down, her hands now moving to the snap of his jeans. She heard his breathing change as she unzipped them. She slowly pushed his jeans down his legs, encouraging him to step from them, taking her hand to rub over him. She heard the hiss of air leave his mouth.

She sat back and smiled, loving the way he looked standing before her in those snug thigh-length briefs. Suddenly she changed her mind and stood up again.

“You lie down,” she said, turning him around and pushing him down on the bed.

God, he loved it when she took control, he thought as he fell back to wait. He didn’t have to wait long. She lifted her T-shirt and pulled it over her head. She was naked underneath. Continuing with her strip show, she lowered her pants slowly down her legs. When all her clothing was gone, she stood straight before him and jumped. He caught her and laughed, turning her onto her back.

“I love you,” he said and kissed her. He pushed her further up on the bed, his leg pushing hers apart as he settled at the juncture of the thighs and rubbed her there. She moaned; she loved it when he did that. He knew her body like his life depended on it.

He moved his mouth to hers, kissing her slowly and softly while his hands found her breasts. He touched them softly, in awe of the way they felt in his hands, and pushed into her slowly. Her hands moved to cup his head, wanting to see his eyes. He looked into hers and whispered, “I love you,” and started moving, loving her in the way that only he could. He pushed and she met him, surrendering her fears and love over to him, to his care and protection, telling him that she would love him always.

He heard her ragged breathing and pushed more until she came and he followed. He placed his face into the curve of her neck and savored the scent and sweetness that was Katrina. She turned her face to his and he lifted his head to gaze down into her eyes, kissing her again, laying his head back as he pulled her close to him, secure in the knowledge that they would be all right in the end.

***

Will woke up the following morning more content than he’d been in a long time. He lay there and watched her sleep until her eyes opened. He smiled, and she leaned in, touching her lips to his.

“To the gardens,” she said, looking over at her clock, removing hair from out of her eyes and taking in the time. It was 6 a.m.

“I’m glad you’re a morning person, too. It thought to get to the gardens this morning early before the volunteers arrived. Can you believe we have only two weeks left before the judging?” she asked, moving to get out of bed, crawling over him, yelping again as he brushed her nipple with his mouth, an odd habit of his. She laughed but continued her crawl over him and out of the bed.

His eyes followed the bounce of her small butt as she walked away from him and toward his bathroom. He heard the sound of the shower starting up. He sat up, stretching his arms above his head, yawning. Life was good, he thought, as he stood up and went in search of his clothing.

He walked into the bathroom to see her standing under the shower spray.

“Come over when you’re done. I’m going home to take a shower,” he said, moving his head into the shower and under the spray as he kissed her goodbye. She smiled at that.

“Statistics show that married people have a much greater life expectancy than single, divorced, or separated people,” she said, watching his eyes open wide.

He turned the water off and faced her.

“I love it when you talk facts to me. Are you asking me to marry you, Katrina?” he said, giving her a slow smile before moving in and kissing her. The force of it pushed her back against the shower wall.

“Yes,” she said, trying to catch her breath.

He moved to stand between her legs, facing her, lifting her right leg with his left hand, positioning her so that she straddled his thigh. Her other leg wrapped around his back. His right hand found her spot, his spot. His fingers parted her, and he worked her into a frenzy as only he could.

“Yes, I’ll marry you.”

He pulled back from her, bracing her before she fell, and stepped out of the shower. She smiled back at him, ridiculously happy.

She saw him fifteen minutes later walking out of his bathroom door, apparently fresh from the shower, a towel in his hand as she tracked him with her eyes through his bedroom window, her body tingling in remembrance of him. She’d been here before and loved seeing him here now again. She walked into his home, proceeding to his bedroom, and he looked up as she entered.

“That was fast. Give me five and I’ll be ready.”

He dressed quickly and walked out to his garage, where she was starting to load a few tools into his jeep.

“I’m ready,” he said.

They finished loading his jeep and drove over to the gardens. Katrina removed her copy of the garden design and walked away, moving to begin her review, making sure that the garden matched Will’s design.

He watched her walk away from him, watched her work. She’d told him the volunteers would be here by nine and that she wanted to have something for them to do. Mostly all that remained needed would be placement of the statues and ornamental art they’d purchased last week. Looking back at his time pre-Katrina and all that had transpired in between then and now, he was happy that he’d started this adventure with her. It was the best risk he’d ever taken.

***

June

Today was the big day. Judging would take place. Will and Katrina and a boatload of volunteers had worked feverishly the week leading up to the judging day. She, Will, Lola, and Oscar had put in a monster session of packing up her home and moving her out. Home was now with Will. They would be marrying in a few weeks, a small ceremony in the gardens, reception to be held at the godfathers’. They’d be giving her away, a godfather on each arm as she walked down the aisle. She wouldn’t have it any other way. They were here, too, talking to their buddies and regular customers.

She hoped her parents were pleased with her progress in the game of life.

The gardening committee—John, Mrs. Washington, Sandy and even Stan—were smiling. They stood a few feet away from Katrina talking to Will, all pleased with how things had turned out. She was proud of him and for him. Who would have thought all those months ago that she would be here, happy, taking chances? The judging committee, if they remained on schedule, would be here by noon. They were the third in the queue to be judged. The winner would be announced that evening. The gardens were to be opened to the public both Saturday and Sunday.

Will’s mother and one of his sisters had arrived to support him. She had met them last night when Will picked them up from the airport. She and his sisters were very nice, quiet but welcoming. Jennifer and Dennis were around here somewhere with their kids. Katrina’s crew had shown up, too—Amber, Claudia, Darius and his wife; he’d given his girlfriend of old a second chance. Seemed like love was spreading its magic on everyone. What a boatload to be thankful for this beautiful June day. She looked over at Will and smiled, her cup full. Life was good.