Torn (13 page)

“
No, make up something so
far out I would never believe you.” She smirked.

“
Smart-ass! I was actually
thinking about teaching our son to fish on the lake.” He glanced at
her, fully expecting her to laugh.

“
Are you
expecting?”

“
Not yet, but I’m crossing
my fingers.” He stood, kissed Katie on the tip of the nose, and
went to the kitchen for water. He set a cup down in front of her
and asked, “Do you want children?”

“
Yes, very much. But not
immediately. I’d like to live life a little—enjoy some things that
we won’t be able to when we’re parents. Wouldn’t you like to
travel, ride roller coasters, and—”

“
Run through the house
naked?” Branson grinned. “Yes, absolutely. I just wanted to make
sure you wanted them.”

“
Yes, I want three—maybe
four. Two boys and two girls.”

“
Four kids. Hmm, we’ll
need a big house.” Branson winked. He was pushing hard for the
house on the lake.

***

Branson drove down I-84, while Katie
flipped through the radio stations. She found a station playing
Colby Caillat and started tapping her fingers on her leg. “I love
this song!”

She began to sing along,
“
But what am I gonna say . . . when you
make me feel this way? I just mmmmm. And it starts in my toes . . .
makes me crinkle my nose . . .”

Branson laughed to himself and
listened to her sing out of tune.

“
Hey, you missed your
exit. Weren’t we supposed to take I-290?” Katie asked.

“
Oh, you’re right. Darn, I
guess we’ll just have to drive up to York and see Gram.” He smiled
and searched her face that lit up as soon as she realized what he
said.

“
Thank you! Does she know
we’re coming?”

Branson nodded. “Of course, do you
think I would try to surprise that woman?”

Gram was working in the garden when
they arrived. She hugged them both and led them inside. She always
had something cooking on the stove, and the smell of butter filled
the house.

“
Lobster?” Katie
asked.

“
Your favorite—with
parsley roasted red potatoes.” Gram served lunch in the sunroom and
they feasted on the delicious, tender lobster. Katie savored each
buttery bite.

Branson finished his glass of Riesling
and wiped the buttery remains from his mouth with his
napkin.

Gram stood and began clearing plates.
“Let me help,” Katie said, carrying dishes to the sink.

“
Thanks. I’ll need a few
moments to finish up dessert. You go and sit with
Branson.”

“
I can help with dessert.”
Katie protested. “Tell me what to do.”

“
Oh no you don’t. I just
cleaned this kitchen. We’re all safer letting me do it!” Gram
laughed.

“
Hmph.” Katie crossed her
arms, feigning hurt feelings. “There was something wrong with the
mixer!” Katie recalled the last time she had helped make dessert.
She was in charge of making Chantilly cream for the strawberry
shortcake. When the stiff peaks began to form, Katie was so pleased
with herself she lifted the beaters out of the bowl, forgetting to
shut it off beforehand. The kitchen was splattered with white
sticky foam and Gram was kind enough to laugh, instead of cry, when
she saw the mess.

She joined Branson at the table and
started to take a seat. He stood and said, “Will you show me your
favorite spot to watch the sea?”

“
Sure. We’ll be right
back, Gram. Leave the dishes in the sink for me. You cooked, I’ll
clean up.”

Katie took Branson’s hand and led him
around the back of the house to the farthest corner of the yard.
They walked along the stone path toward the edge of the steepest
cliff that was safeguarded by a metal hand railing. Katie inhaled
the sweet, salty familiar smell of the ocean. “Isn’t it just
glorious?” She leaned over the railing, letting the wind sweep her
hair away from her face.

Branson took her hands and turned her
to face him. “It’s an enchanting spot. I know how much you love it
here, and that’s why I chose it.”

Katie looked puzzled. He didn’t choose
this place—it was hers. He had only seen it through the window last
winter. He seemed nervous, and she began to worry that he had
terrible news for her. “Katie, you have captivated my heart and
soul. I wanted to bring you to your favorite spot to tell you that
I love you.”

“
I love you, too, babe.
Why are you so serious? Is everything all right?”

“
Yes, just listen to me,
Katie . . .” he started and paused before clearing his throat. He
flashed a nervous smile before starting again. “I love you and I
want to spend the rest of my life with you. When I look into your
eyes, I see our future. I see two little girls, with green eyes the
color of the raging sea, hanging onto your leg and asking you to
brush their hair. I see two rambunctious boys out back fishing and
skiing. I can’t imagine a life without you. I want to wake up every
morning knowing that you are in bed beside me, and fall asleep each
night holding you in my arms.”

Katie felt tears stinging her eyes.
She listened to the words he was speaking and let his blue eyes
take her into their future. As the tears spilled down her cheeks,
she watched him lower to one knee and pull out the most exquisite
ring.

“
Katie Rose Harrington,
will you marry me?”

She looked into his amazing blue eyes
that were accented by long dark eyelashes. His dimples sank deep
into his cheeks and her heart melted. His smile tugged at something
deep inside of her that made her want to giggle and kiss him at the
same time.

“
Yes! Of course, I will
marry you!” She dropped down to her knees and threw her arms around
his neck.

Branson slipped the large square
diamond ring out of the black velvet box and onto her finger.
“Good, it fits.”

“
It’s just beautiful. I
love you so much.” She kissed him with every bit of passion inside
of her, wanting to express the depth of her love and
happiness.

When they finally pulled away, Branson
helped her to her feet. Holding her in his arms, they watched the
waves roll in and crash into the rocks. “C’mon.” He held her hand
and led her back toward the house. “Let’s tell Gram.”

“
She doesn’t know?” Katie
was surprised.

“
No. Some things are just
for you and me.”

Thirteen

2001 Mountain Retreat Road was
different than the last time she had been there. Everything was in
full bloom and the landscaping was lovely. The first thing they did
was run around to the backyard and look at the lake. After
unpacking the necessities, they ordered takeout and cuddled on the
couch in front of the television.

“
It feels different. Don’t
you think so?”

“
There aren’t any personal
touches—Mom and Dad packed everything up in case we decided to list
it and find something else. Or, if I buy it—we might like to add
our own stuff.”

“
I like all the furniture,
but I can’t sleep in there.” Katie pointed toward the master
bedroom. “Not in your parents’ bed. We’d have to get our own
bedroom furniture.”

“
Of course.” Branson
crinkled his nose. “I couldn’t do some of the things I plan on
doing to you in
that
bed.”

Katie giggled. “It’s settled then. You
can teach your son to fish right out there someday.”

Branson kissed her firmly and quickly
on the lips before planting more kisses all over her face. “Thank
you. We’re going to be so happy here.”

"So, when are we going furniture
shopping? I can’t wait to find out about the things you plan on
doing to me in our new bed.” Katie smiled.

“
Tomorrow sounds good to
me. For now, we have my room downstairs.” Branson smiled. “Or the
pool table.” He lifted Katie up over his shoulder and carried her
downstairs as she giggled and barely tried to wriggle
free.

***

Katie was vaguely aware
that she was in a dream state.
The air was
thick with an eerie fog that didn’t make sense being inside of the
apartment she stood in. Maybe it’s smoke? She looked around the
room, not recognizing any of the furniture, or people, in the room.
Their faces were blurry as she tried to focus. She walked around
them, but no one acknowledged her presence. She was sure she
recognized them, but wasn’t sure how or why. Someone was crying
behind her, causing her to run to where the girl was lying. Her
legs were heavy and way too slow as she finally made her way to the
battered girl. “Ally!” she screamed. “Ally! Can you hear me? Wake
up!”

Katie opened her eyes to find someone
shaking her shoulders. “Katie! Wake up.”

Her eyes tried to focus on the man in
front of her. “Branson?” Her body trembled as he rubbed her
arms.

“
It’s okay, baby, you were
having a bad dream.”

Inhaling deep, cleansing breaths, she
lowered her heart rate and minimized the shakes. “It was the
strangest dream . . .” She racked her brain to find the faces and
make sense. “I don’t know why I would dream such a thing. I could
swear I knew the people in the dream, but I can’t place how I know
them or who they are.”

“
You were screaming for
someone named Ally. Who’s that?”

Katie brushed a strand of hair from
her face and tucked it behind her ear. Her forehead was beaded with
sweat. “I don’t know? I’ve never known anyone named
Ally.”

Branson pulled her over onto his chest
and wrapped his arms around her. “You’re okay, now. See if you can
fall back asleep.” He stroked her back and shoulders until he felt
her body relax.

Branson awoke to the tantalizing aroma
of freshly brewed coffee. He stretched his arms over his head and
rubbed his eyes before opening them to Katie standing beside the
bed. “Good morning, beautiful. Why didn’t you wake me when you got
up?”

“
I couldn’t sleep, so I
awoke early and watched the news. There’s some disturbing stuff
going on in our world—I had no idea. I’ve always hated watching the
news because of all the crime and sadness. It’s freaking dangerous
out there. I feel like we’re in our own little world way out here
and nothing ugly can touch us. I mean, we
are
on Pleasant Lake.”

Branson sat up and kissed Katie before
taking the mug of coffee. “Mmm, it’s good, thank you.” He patted
the spot next to him and Katie slid in, resting her back against
the headboard. “So, you couldn’t sleep last night?”

Katie shook her head. “No, I dozed,
but those faces haunted me all night. I just had to walk around.”
Her face lit up. “I can’t wait to go furniture shopping
today!”

“
You’re pretty wound up
for someone who didn’t sleep much last night. How much coffee have
you had?”

Katie smirked. “Only two cups—this
makes three. But that’s not why I’m jazzed. This place is
incredible, you’re incredible, last night was . . .” She blushed.
“I’m just happy.”

He planted a soft kiss on her
forehead. “Are you looking forward to the engagement party Saturday
night?”

“
Mmm.” She blew the steam
off the top of her mug and took a sip. “Maggie knows how to throw a
party. Should be a lot of fun. I’m sure I’m not as excited as you,
though,” she said, sarcasm dripping from her lips.

***

The sound of glass breaking shook
Katie out of her trance. When she looked up, she realized everyone
was looking in her direction. Her legs were wet from the full glass
of Chardonnay that splashed up when she dropped her wine
glass.

Everything seemed to be happening in
slow motion. She let her gaze linger on her fiancé who began
walking toward her with a look of concern on his face. He was
wearing a white oxford shirt with the khaki pants she found
incredibly sexy on him. His face and arms were lightly bronzed from
the summer sun and his short brown hair had lightened a
shade.

By the time he made it to her, time
caught up and everyone seemed to appear normal again.

“
Are you okay? What
happened? Are you cut?” Branson asked, looking over her
legs.

“
I’m fine. The glass just
slipped out of my hands—I can’t believe I made such a
mess.”

“
You looked upset, are you
sure you’re okay?”

“
Of course. I’m just
embarrassed that I caused a scene. Maggie worked so hard to make
this night perfect.”

“
Did I hear my name?”
Maggie appeared, smiling.

“
I’m sorry,
Mag—”

“
Stop. This is so not a
big deal.” Maggie pulled out a cloth and handed it to Katie for her
legs. “Thankfully it was white wine—a
Carrie
reenactment might have been
too much entertainment for this group!” She laughed. Within
seconds, she returned with a small broom and dustpan, swept up the
shattered glass, and disappeared as fast as she had
appeared.