Chapter Twenty-Three
Catherine
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T HE DOCTOR’S VISIT was good. Dad complained about all the restrictions and not getting a release to go back to work, but I knew it was all bluff. I rolled down my window and inhaled when we got close to the ocean.
“Doesn’t it smell good?” I asked him.
“Feels like it might be a little chilly.”
“Dad, you are not going to pout all weekend because the doctor said you can’t go back to work yet,” I chided. “They told you it might be a few months. You’re already making good progress. Just enjoy the downtime. It’s about time you had a vacation. You never take a break.”
“I would have preferred the vacation didn’t involve me lying in bed all the time.”
“Now you can lay on the beach,” I teased.
The GPS told me to take a right. The houses we were passing were massive. Mansions. Wealth was on display everywhere. The GPS led me to a driveway lined with manicured shrubs. When the house, no, mansion, came into view, my dad and I simply stared at the place.
I couldn’t help but let out a startled laugh at the sheer grandeur of the place. The sprawling estate loomed before us with manicured lawns and towering palm trees lending an air of opulence to the surroundings. I glanced over at my dad, who snorted in amusement, muttering something about Timothy having more money than sense.
“I guess we shouldn’t be too surprised, right?” Dad said. “I bet you he’s got houses like this all over the world.”
“He did mention he had a few houses,” I said. “However, I thought he meant houses, not mansions.”
“Who needs this much space?” he asked.
“Rich people,” I said.
Paisley came bounding out of the house, her face lighting up with excitement as she greeted us with a squeal of delight. She ran over, throwing her arms around me in a tight hug before turning to Dad with a mischievous grin. John rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide the small smile that tugged at the corners of his lips as he ruffled her hair affectionately. I loved that the two of them had quickly developed a relationship. My dad had always wanted grandchildren. Paisley seemed pretty excited to have gotten a pseudo-grandfather as well.
Timothy appeared on the front steps, looking every bit the wealthy man enjoying a trip to the Hamptons. He was wearing khaki pants and a dark blue polo. He strolled out to meet us. He planted a kiss on my cheek and then shook my dad’s hand.
“Paisley, help me with the bags,” Timothy said.
“Dad, let me grab the cane,” I said and reached behind the seat.
“I’m not using a damn cane,” he muttered.
“The doctor said you needed to use it until you’re fully recovered. You’re still a little shaky on your feet.”
“I’m fine,” he said. “I’m not that old. I’m not using a cane. I’ve been walking for sixty-four years. I haven’t forgotten.”
I shot Timothy an apologetic look before following Dad and Paisley inside.
“How was the doctor visit?” Timothy asked quietly.
“Fine. We’ll talk later.”
He nodded and said nothing more.
“I’ll show you to your room, Grandpa.” Paisley was pulling his suitcase behind her.
I thought about going with them to make sure Dad got settled, but Timothy gently grabbed my arm. “They’re okay,” he said. “She picked some wildflowers for him and we bought a couple of DVDs for him on the way up. She’s decided he’s her project for the weekend.”
“That’s very sweet,” I said.
“Would you like a tour?” he asked.
“I was hoping you would offer a map,” I teased.
He chuckled and led me into the grand foyer, a sweeping staircase curling up from the marble floor, its hand-carved banister winding like a gnarled vine. The chandelier hung high above us, its crystals reflecting the afternoon sunlight in a prism of colors.
We walked through the mansion with him pointing out the kitchen and the living room. “This is probably the best room in the house, besides our bedroom,” he said.
“Our bedroom?”
“Is your dad going to be okay if we sleep in the same room?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “He’s not quite that old-fashioned.”
He opened the French doors to what he called the summer lounge. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased panoramic views of the ocean. I could see a pathway that led right down to the beach.
“This is breathtaking,” I said. “I can’t believe you don’t spend more time here. I’m not sure I would ever leave.”
He laughed. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” he agreed, walking over to one of the windows and gazing out at the view. “But after a while, places like these start to feel...empty. Hollow, even.”
I walked over to him and joined him at the window. I couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer luxury surrounding us.
“I’ll show you to our room upstairs,” he said.
We made our way up the beautiful staircase. The master suite was huge. The private balcony provided what was easily the prettiest view I had ever seen.
“Wow,” I murmured, walking out onto the balcony and leaning against the railing, drinking in the view before me.
Timothy came up behind me, sliding his arms around my waist. “You like it?”
“It’s incredible,” I said, feeling his warm breath on my neck as I clung to the stunning view of the water.
“Wait till you see the sunset from here,” he whispered in my ear. “It’s like the sky and water merge into one, and everything turns into a canvas of gold and purple.”
I could feel his smile against my skin. I leaned back into him, feeling his strong arms pull me closer. “I can’t wait.”
I looked down and noticed some men traipsing through the backyard. “Who’s that?” I asked.
“That’s the preparations for the party tomorrow night,” he said. “They’ll be setting up tables and chairs all night.”
I could sense a hint of tension in Timothy’s voice as he spoke. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was weighing heavily on his mind. I chalked it up to the upcoming party. I knew he wasn’t thrilled with the idea.
“Why are you throwing the party if you don’t want to?” I asked.
“It’s just one of those things I have to do,” he said. “I committed to it, and now I have to follow through.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” I asked.
He chuckled. “No. I’m not doing a damn thing to help plan it. I hired someone. The company takes care of everything from the setup to the cleanup.”
“Ah, of course.” I nodded.
“Let’s go check on Paisley and your dad. We might have time to go to the beach. I’ve made reservations for dinner.”
When we sat down for dinner at a local restaurant, I couldn’t help but feel a flutter of nerves in my stomach. It was the first time I was meeting Timothy’s neighbors, and I wanted to make a good impression. These were not my people. They were used to seeing Timothy with women like Regina.
“There are some people I know,” Timothy said.
I panicked when the couple approached our table.
“Timothy!” the woman, a willowy blonde wearing a dress that probably cost more than my truck, exclaimed. She turned to her partner, an older, handsome man in a crisp suit. It was clear they belonged here.
“Margot, Charles,” Timothy greeted them politely. He gestured toward me and added, “This is my girlfriend, Catherine.”
“Nice to meet you, Catherine.” Margot extended her hand with a warm smile. I smiled back and shook her hand while Charles nodded at me with a polite smile of his own.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“We can’t wait for the party tomorrow,” Margo said. “You always throw the best parties.”
Timothy chuckled. “I’m glad you like them. I think you guys might remember my daughter, Paisley. And this is John, Catherine’s father.”
We exchanged polite small talk before they found their own table.
I couldn’t explain the thrill I felt at being introduced as Timothy’s girlfriend. It made me proud.
It seemed like everyone knew him. Every single person stopped by the table to talk to him and mention the party. That part was a little intimidating. We ate dinner and talked about our trip to the beach earlier in the day. My dad had a little color in his cheeks, but I could see he was tired.
When we got back to the mansion, the atmosphere was buzzing with activity. Workers were setting up large tents and stringing lights.
“How long are they going to work?” I asked.
“I’m sure they’ll be leaving soon, but they’ll be back here first thing in the morning,” Timothy answered.
When we walked into the house, the first thing I noticed was the noise, including a laugh I recognized. I looked at Timothy. “Is there someone here?”
“Bennet must have shown up.”
We walked into one of the huge sitting rooms and discovered it wasn’t just Bennet. “Amber!” I exclaimed.
“Hey!” she smiled and rushed toward me. “Surprise!”
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“I came with Luke.”
“Luke?” I asked.
Just then Luke and Bennet walked into the room from the patio. Another woman was there as well. I recognized her. She worked at the bank.
“Who’s that?” I whispered to Amber.
“That’s Bella,” Amber whispered back. “She and Bennet have been seeing each other for a couple of months now.”
I raised an eyebrow in surprise, watching as Bella happily chatted with Bennet. I was glad to see him taken by the vivacious brunette. I had always had a soft spot for Bennet and was happy to see him smiling.
“I didn’t know Bennet was seeing anyone,” I admitted.
“He likes to keep things private.” Timothy shrugged. “But she’s good for him. And it makes him want to stay in town.”
“And you and Luke seem to be hitting it off,” I said.
“Hey, when you get thrown off the horse, you have to get right back in the saddle.”
Amber had recently broken up with her boyfriend, and it seemed she wasn’t wasting any time. I was happy for them. Luke was a good guy.
“Dad, I’ll walk you to your room,” I said.
“I’d love to hang out with you kids, but I’m afraid my doting daughter is right,” he said. “I’m wiped out.”
“I’m going upstairs,” Paisley said.
I helped get my dad into bed and then rejoined the others. Timothy looked so relaxed. He was so different than the man I had met that first day.
“What are you thinking?” Timothy asked.
“I was thinking that next year we could spend some time here,” I said. “I think this place is good for the soul.”
His eyes lit up at the idea, and he nodded eagerly. “I would like that,” he said.
I leaned into him. “But you don’t have to throw a party every time.”
“I hope not,” he groaned.
“Good,” I chuckled, snuggling myself into the crook of his arm. “I don’t think I could survive another one so soon.”
Luke and Amber were playing a round of poker with Bella and Bennet. It was turning out to be a very nice weekend. A sudden surge of happiness washed over me as I realized how at home I felt with Timothy. It didn’t matter that I was in a mansion. Timothy was all I needed.