Breakaway - A Contemporary Romance Drama Story (3 page)

Nathan turned off the burner on the stove. "Do you need some Ibuprofen?"

"No. I took something a little while ago, but you know what would make me feel better quicker?" she said with a gleam in her hazel eyes. "A kiss."

"Really?" Nathan pulled her against him and kissed her on the lips. Releasing her a minute later, he said huskily, "Feel better?"

"Much better," Connie whispered. "Thank you."

"Anytime."

"Is there anything I can do?" Connie asked.

"No," Nathan told her. "Everything is done. Sit down."

"I got lucky when I met you, Holden," Connie said, taking a seat at the table. "You're a good looking successful doctor, an amazing kisser and you can cook. Speaking of cooking, what did you make for dinner?"

"Roast, carrots and mashed potatoes with gravy," Nathan said.

"Sounds heavenly."

Nathan grabbed a knife from a drawer and went to work slicing the roast. He placed a few slices on a plate and then added a small mound of mashed potatoes and carrots. Picking up the plate, a fork and the gravy boat, he set them down in front of Connie. "Your dinner, Ms. Patterson."

"Thank you, Dr. Holden."

"You're welcome." Nathan fixed a plate for himself and joined Connie at the table. "Anything interesting happen at the hospital?"

Connie sighed. "Today was one of those days where I wish I wasn't a nurse. A man was brought into the ER with a gunshot wound to the chest. We did all we could, but it wasn't enough. He died on the table."

"I'm sorry, babe," Nathan said, reaching for her hand. "Are you all right?"

"Sure," Connie said. "Lets talk about something more pleasant. How did your visit go with Kate?"

Nathan smiled. "It went well. It was so good to see her. That baby of hers is a little angel."

Connie picked up her fork and stabbed a carrot with the tines. "Have you ever had any romantic feelings for Kate?"

A forkful of potatoes halfway to his mouth, Nathan paused and looked at Connie. "What kind of question is that?"

"A serious one," Connie said. "Have you ever-"

No," Nathan said, frowning. "Kate is my best friend. She's always been like a sister to me. What made you ask me if I ever had feelings for her?"

"Because every time you talk about her your eyes light up and you smile," Connie said.

"Oh," was all Nathan could say. He lowered his head and started to eat.

"You never told me how you two met?" Connie said.

Nathan swallowed. Without taking his eyes off his plate, he said, "When I was ten Katie and her family moved into the neighborhood. Mom invited them over to dinner one evening. I wasn't too thrilled when I found out she wanted me to befriend Katie. I didn't want to have anything to do with Katie. She was a girl and therefore she was gross. So I did my best to ignore her whenever I saw her at school or on the bus. It worked for awhile."

"What changed that?" Connie asked.

Nathan raised his head and gazed at her. "She saved my life."

Connie's eyes grew wide. "How?"

"Mom agreed to watch Katie after school one day. As always she had a snack waiting for me when I got home. Anyway, to make a long story short, I started choking on a piece of apple. Mom began to panic, but not Katie. She calmly stepped up behind me and performed the Heimlich maneuver on me. Everyone wanted to know how a nine-year-old girl knew how to do that. Katie said she saw it on TV. After that day we were inseparable."

"I want to meet her," Connie said.

"She wants to meet you too," Nathan said. "How about Wednesday evening?"

"My house and I'll cook dinner," Connie said.

"I'll call her later and see if she can make it," Nathan said.

Dinners in the Lewis household were spent in silence. Kate sat at one end of the long dining room table and Edward sat at the other end. They didn't look at each other. Kate felt like she was having dinner with a stranger. She longed to get up and leave the room, but couldn't. One of Edward's endless rules was that she had to sit there and wait until he was finished eating. Holding back a sigh, she set her spoon down and removed the white linen napkin from her lap.

"Is there something wrong with the food?"

Her heart skipped a beat when he spoke. Kate looked down the table at Edward. "N-no. I'm afraid I'm not very hungry."

"Why not?" Edward raised an eyebrow. "Did you have a big lunch with your boyfriend?"

"Nathan is not, nor has he ever been my boyfriend," Kate said softly. "You're my husband. I've always been faithful to you." She lowered her gaze. "May I go?"

"What are you doing tomorrow?" Edward asked, ignoring her question.

"I thought I would go and see my father," Kate said.

"And how do you plan on getting there?" Edward said. "You have no car, no money to call for a cab."

"I was h-hoping you-"

"You were hoping what?" Edward said. "That I would give you money?" He smirked. "Think again."

His words brought tears to Kate's eyes. Loathing for him to see her cry, she jumped to her feet and hurried toward the door.

"I didn't say you could leave," Edward said, rising from his chair. He stepped in front of Kate and grabbed her arm.

Kate jerked free of his grasp. "I'm sick and tired of you treating me like I'm a dog," she said, her eyes shimmering with tears. "Scratch that. You would probably treat a dog better than you treat me."

His eyes blazing Edward raised his hand and struck Kate across the cheek. "Don't ever talk to me like that again," he snarled. "You will respect me."

"What about me?" Kate croaked as she rubbed her throbbing cheek. "Don't I deserve some respect? I'm your wife."

"When you start acting like a wife then I'll start showing you some respect," Edward said coldly. He turned around and left the dining room.

Kate's legs were trembling so badly she pulled out a chair and sank down onto it. She rubbed her cheek and tried to hold back the tears.

"This is this second time he has left a room and I find you shaking and close to crying," Clara said. "Now don't lie to me and tell me every thing is fine."

Kate stared at the hardwood floor and said, "Please, Clara, don't ask questions. It would be best for you if you don't get involved."

Clara snorted. "I'm not afraid of your husband."

"You should be." Kate got to her feet. "Was there something you needed?"

"No," Clara said. "I just came in here to see if you or Mr. Lewis needed anything, but since you're done I'll take these plates to the kitchen."

"Thank you, Clara," Kate said. She left the room and made her way across the foyer to the living room. No sooner had she stepped inside and her cell phone started ringing. She took it out of her pocket and flipped it open. "Hello?"

"Are you busy Wednesday evening?" Nathan asked.

"Uh no-no I'm not busy," Kate said. "Why do you ask?"

"Because Connie wants to meet you. I thought you and Edward could come to dinner at her place."

"Edward will be out of town on business," Kate lied. She felt a twinge of regret for lying to him. Once she and Nathan had had an honest relationship, but all of that changed after she married Edward.
I'm sorry, Nathan.
"Gaby and I would be happy to join you and Connie."

"How's six-thirty?" Nathan asked.

"That's fine," Kate said. She found a pad and a pen on a small table by the couch. "Give me Connie's address."

"104 E Bridgeport," Nathan said.

"Got it," Kate said, writing it down. "I'll be there. Now I'm going to let you go. I want to call my father."

"Do me a favor and remind him he has an appointment with me on Friday," Nathan said. "It's just a routine checkup. Nothing to worry about."

"Okay," Kate said. "I'll tell him."

"Thanks. Talk to you later, Katie."

"Bye, Nathan." Kate pushed a button on her phone to end the call and then dialed her father's number. He answered on the third ring.

"Miller residence," he said. "Ted Miller speaking."

"Hi, dad," Kate said.

"It's about time you call me, young lady," Mr. Miller said. "How have you been?"

"I'm fine," Kate said. "How are you?"

"Never been better," Mr. Miller said. "When are you coming to see me?"

"Tomorrow," Kate said. "Unless you're going to be busy."

"I'm never too busy for my little girl. How is my granddaughter?"

"She's well," Kate said. "Listen, dad. I'm going to have to take a cab to your house. I was wondering if-"

"Nonsense!" Mr. Miller said. "There's no need to call a cab. I'll send my driver to pick you up at eight-thirty."

"Are you sure he won't mind?"

"Phillip will be thrilled to see you," Mr. Miller said. "He's always been fond of you. Now I won't hear another word about it."

"All right," Kate said.

They talked for a few minutes more. Before Kate said goodbye she reminded him about his doctor's appointment with Nathan.

"That boy is not happy unless he's poking or prodding someone," Mr. Miller said.

"He's just looking out for your well-being, dad," Kate said.

"Sure he is," Mr. Miller said. "I will see you in the morning."

"In the morning," Kate said.

Chapter 3

Kate was in the nursery the next morning getting Gaby ready to go when there was a knock at the door. "Come in," she called out. The door opened and Clara stepped into the room.

"There's a car here for you."

Kate checked her watch. "Phillip is early. Would you please make sure there are plenty of diapers in the diaper bag?"

"Of course." Clara retrieved the diaper bag from the floor and placed it on the window seat. She opened it and looked inside. "You have plenty."

"Good." Once Kate finished dressing Gaby in a pink dress she scooped her up and kissed her cheek and then placed her in the infant car seat. After covering her with a blanket she picked up the seat by the handle.

Clara grabbed Kate's purse and handed it to her along with the diaper bag. "I hope you and the little one have a nice visit with your father. It'll do you some good to get out for awhile."

"I think so too," Kate said. She left the nursery and walked downstairs. As she reached the foyer William appeared suddenly from out of the shadows.