Chapter 14
"I'm so happy we could meet for lunch." Her sister-in-law looked so much different from the drawn and unhappy woman Catherine had met the first time.
She had changed her hair, cut it short in a style that suited her narrow face and added auburn highlights to the lustrous brown.
And her makeup flattered her gray eyes, giving them a luminous look that was highly appealing.
She was also more confident. She had found her niche and was working with her brother in setting up the credit unions that were starting to take hold.
She was also actively involved in a number of charities. Instead of merely writing checks, she had joined Catherine in donating to various shelters and children's homes. Her outfit, a soft coral dress, suited her slender figure perfectly.
"I know how busy you are." She gestured to the hovering waiter who brought her an iced tea. They were having lunch at one of Kelly Takahashi's plush restaurants with outdoor seating.
Turning to really study the younger woman's exquisite face and feeling the familiar tug of envy, she narrowed her eyes. "You look different."
"Oh?" Picking up her glass of water, Catherine took a careful sip. "Different how?"
Reaching for her own glass of water, Irene drank. "There's something--" She stopped and stared more closely. "Oh, my good Lord!" she whispered. "You're pregnant."
The thought of denying it sprang immediately to her mind, but her innate honesty and the fact that Irene had now gained the distinction of being a friend more than an in-law stopped her.
"You cannot tell anyone."
Irene's excitement was palpable. Impatiently waiting for the waiter to take their orders, she leaned forward, her eyes glowing with excitement. "How far along?"
"Two months and two weeks." Catherine laughed happily. "And there are complications."
"Complications?" Her burst of happiness was replaced with a frown.
"I cannot go into details right now, but it had to do with an accident I was involved in when I was a teenager.
Your brother is quietly freaking out." She attacked her shrimp salad and prayed that the queasiness that had been plaguing her all morning would not have her rushing to the bathroom.
So far, the pregnancy had been incident free.
"He watches me like a hawk and is very careful around me. It's driving me insane."
"That's understandable." Irene had chosen the filet mignon. "We've been working closely over the past months, and he never said anything to me." She grimaced. "I think he believes I will go flying to our parents."
Catherine glanced at the other woman. "He doesn't want them to spoil the joy of the news. Especially considering the fact that I am being closely monitored. Dr. Wynter."
"Eric." Irene nodded, a faint smile touching her lips. "I saw him a few days ago at a function. I used to have a huge crush on him."
"Really?" Catherine tilted her head and gave her sister-in-law a contemplative look. "He's single. I understand he went through a messy divorce."
Irene shot her a retiring look. "Which means that neither of us will want a repeat performance. I'm still going through mine."
"I thought it was already final."
"In another two weeks." She heaved a sigh. "Thank God. I have no idea what I ever saw in Charles."
"You were merely trying to please your parents."
Irene nodded. "And look where that got me," she said with a grimace. "Now back to your wonderful news. I'm going to be an aunt."
"Yes." Catherine's smile bloomed. "And I'm thinking positive thoughts. I'm driving my husband crazy with all the changes. We listen to classical music every night and I keep writing down baby names."
"How exciting." The wistfulness in Irene's voice couldn't be missed.
"You want children."
"It might be too late for me." She shrugged. "I often thought that if I could have a child, the horrible marriages would be worth it. Now, I'm not so sure. Bringing up a child in a loveless environment is the worst possible scenario. Dean and I are living proof of that." She smiled at Catherine.
"You've changed my brother for the better. He smiles more and is so happy, it's nauseating." She shook her head at Catherine's soft laughter. "I envy him. He has you to go home to, has an actual home. Not just a palatial structure. A home."
"We never had that growing up. When I look back on the lack of love and parental structure in our lives, I feel sad.
" Her smile came, banishing the bleak look on her face.
"But your child will know different." Reaching across the table, she squeezed her sister-in-law's hand. "You've made a hell of a difference."
*****
She was still thinking about that when she got home that afternoon. Dean had called to say that he was hung up at some meetings and would be late.
"Please don't do anything strenuous. The housekeeper already has a meal prepared and everything is done. The only thing you need to do is have a lie down."
She had simply agreed with him. Over the last few weeks, she had discovered that it was the best approach to stop him from rushing home to ensure that his orders were obeyed. The man was a pain in the neck and determined to protect her at all costs.
He would not allow her to lift a pin. She was like a guest in her own home.
Her bed was made, the laundry done and Mrs. Bent was very territorial about her housework.
It did not help much that the woman was as neat as a pin and terrifyingly efficient.
Now that she was pregnant, her infrequent forays in the kitchen had been curtailed.
Usually on weekends, she would give the woman the time off and cook dinner, but that had stopped.
"No. Absolutely not," he told her firmly.
"Mrs. Bent is willing to prepare meals and leave it for us.
She has no objections to working on Saturdays.
And before you come up with objections, she's grateful for the extra money as she's taking care of her ailing sister.
" That had stopped her protests as he very well knew it would.
She went into the bedroom and was about to change into something comfortable to do her project for the next day when she caught a glimpse of the late afternoon sun sparkling on the brilliant blue of the water in the oblong-shaped pool and changed her mind.
She and her husband often enjoyed a swim before supper.
The lunch with Irene had filled her up and she usually waited for Dean to get home to have dinner with him anyway.
A swim would do her good and it was a lovely spring day.
It was time for school to break for the summer, but she had signed up for some summer classes, something she had yet to tell her husband about.
Grimacing at the thought of the argument that would ensue, she stripped and stood in front of the cheval mirror to stare at her image.
She wasn't showing yet and laughed softly at how disappointed she was.
Turning sideways, she expanded her belly and wondered wistfully what it would be like to have her baby growing inside her.
Eric had been true to his word and checked on her twice a week.
Blowing out a rueful breath, she stepped back and selected a skimpy maroon and red swimsuit that barely covered her breasts.
Wrapping the thick coils of her hair on top of her head and securing them with a scarf, she grabbed a robe and headed down.
She had reached the doorway when she remembered leaving her phone on the side table. She would never hear the end of it if Dean called and did not get her.
*****
He was just getting out of his vehicle and headed to the front door when he happened to glance in the direction of the pool.
The sound of water lapping at the lip had him turning around.
He stood in the shadows of a profusion of cabbage roses and watched as his wife sliced through the water with barely a ripple.
His anger at the fact that she hadn't waited for him to get home gave way to admiration.
He was an excellent swimmer having been given the training at the fancy boarding school he had attended, but she surprised him with her natural moves.
She could almost outswim him and was very competitive.
He was seated on one of the chaise lounges before she swam back and noticed him.
Rolling her eyes, she climbed up and over, reaching for the towel he silently held out.
"I bet I know what you're going to say," she murmured, vigorously toweling herself dry.
"I bet you don't."
"'You're not supposed to be swimming alone. What if, God forbid, you get a cramp?'" Her tapered brows arched as she stared at him. He had to bite down on the laughter, because that was precisely what he was going to say. Just to be contrary, he turned it around.
"See how much you know," he told her loftily. "I was about to say that it's pretty chilly out and you might catch a cold." Her skeptical look told him she did not believe a word.
"Liar." Balling up the damp towel, she threw it at him, and he just managed to catch it before it landed in his face.
"Prove it," he challenged, moving towards her. Catching her around the waist, he lifted her up so he could kiss her. "Hi."
"Hi." Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him back. "How was your day?"
"Uneventful. My sister came tearing into my office, eyes aglow, the excitement all but pouring from her at the news." He gave her a quizzical look. "I thought we were keeping it to ourselves for now."
"She guessed and I wasn't about to lie to her. I like her."
"Hmm." He brushed his lips on hers again, unable to resist. "She likes you too."
"I think she likes Eric." Catherine ventured.
"Who's--" His expression cleared as the name registered. "He's ten years older than she is, if not more!"
"So?" She challenged him. "He's a very attractive man who has been through a rough patch. And he's sweet."