Breakaway - A Contemporary Romance Drama Story (4 page)

"I see you're going somewhere, Mrs. Lewis," he said, his dark eyes sweeping over Kate.

"I am," Kate said.

"May I ask where you are going?" William said politely.

"To see my father," Kate answered.

"Did Mr. Lewis give you permission to go?"

Anger sprang to live inside of Kate. How dare he ask her such a question? She squared her shoulders and looked into his eyes. "I'm through answering your questions, William. You work for my husband, not me. So why don't we do our best to stay out of each other's way. Now I'm going to go and visit my father. You run along now and call my husband to let him know where I'm going and that I was rude to you." She jerked open the door and marched down the steps. As she moved toward the limo the driver's door opened and Phillip got out. He was in his mid sixties with gray hair and warm brown eyes. He had been with Kate's father for more than fifteen years and was more like a member of the family than an employee.

"Hello my dear," Phillip said.

Kate smiled up at him. "Hello, Phillip. You look well."

"And you look lovely." Phillip bent down and kissed her cheek. "Come, we must go. Your father does not like to be kept waiting. Give me the little princess and I'll hold onto her while you get in the car."

Kate gave him the car seat and got into the limo. She put her purse and the diaper bag on the floorboard by her feet.

"Here we go," Phillip said, passing Kate the car seat. "Make sure you strap that precious bundle of joy in tight."

"I will." Kate set the car seat on the seat beside her and reached for the seatbelt. Strapping Gaby in, she said to Phillip," We can go now."

"All right," Phillip said.

The door closed and Kate was alone with Gaby. She touched the baby's cheek with the back of her hand and smiled down at her. "We're going to go see Grandpa. You'll love him. He's a big softy. You flash him a smile and show him those big blue eyes of yours and he'll be putty in your little hands." Gaby flailed her tiny fist in the air. Kate caught it and kissed it. "I love you, baby girl."

The limo pulled up alongside the Miller's residence twenty minutes later. Kate removed the seatbelt that was keeping Gaby's car seat from moving and detached the seat from its base. She gathered up her purse and diaper bag.

Phillip opened the door. "Do you need help?"

"No, but thank you for asking," Kate said, getting out of the car.

"You're welcome," Phillip said.

Kate paused beside the limo for a moment and stared at the giant fountain that stood in the center of the circle driveway. It was a statue of an angel surrounded by cherubs. Water poured from the pots the angel's held in their hands. An image of her and Nathan, when they were kids, playing in the fountain popped into her head and she smiled softly.

"Are you going to stand there all day or are you going to get your behind in the house?"

Her smile growing wider Kate turned and found her father standing on the top step. At sixty, Ted Miller was tall with broad shoulders, a head full of white hair, a mustache and eyes the color of dark chocolate. "I'm coming, Dad."

Mr. Miller met up with Kate on the bottom step and kissed her temple. "Welcome home, Katie."

"It's good to be back," Kate said.

"Let me take your things," Mr. Miller said, reaching for Kate's purse and the diaper bag. "Come inside and we'll visit."

Kate followed her father into the house. The minute she entered the foyer she felt herself relax. Her childhood home, unlike Edward's home, had a warm, welcoming feeling to it. She glanced overhead at the sparkling chandelier and then at the large crystal vase of white roses on the round table in the middle of the room. "Nothing's changed, Dad. It all looks the same."

"You know how I loathe change," Mr. Miller said. "Lets go to the living room. I want to hold my granddaughter."

The living room was decorated in different shades of blues and whites. Blue had been Kate's mother's favorite color. After her death Mr. Miller had refused to redecorate. Paintings of various landscapes covered the white walls while family photos in silver frames sat on the fireplace mantel. Deep velvet blue curtains draped the windows.

The scent of roses wafted in through the open French doors that led outside to the rose gardens. Mr. Miller sat down in a dark blue wing chair near the open doors and held out his arms. "Make an old man happy."

Kate removed Gaby from the infant seat and gently placed her in Mr. Miller's arms. The baby whimpered a few times and then grew quiet.

"She looks like you," Mr. Miller said.

"So I've been told," Kate said, taking a seat on the sofa.

"She's beautiful," he said. "And I plan on spoiling her."

"Oh I have no doubt about that," Kate said. She sat back and watched her father with Gaby.

"How is Edward?" Mr. Miller asked.

At the mention of her husband's name Kate stiffened up. "He's fine," she said coolly.

Mr. Miller glanced at Kate. "Is something wrong, Katie? You know you can tell your old man anything."

No, I can't,
Kate thought. "Nothing's wrong, Dad."

"Are you sure?"

Unable to meet his gaze Kate nodded.

"I must admit I'm curious to know why you were going to take a cab here," Mr. Miller said. "Where is your car?"

Kate looked down at the blue carpet. "I don't have one. In New York Edward and I lived within walking distance of everything. I didn't need one."

"Well now you do."

"I know," Kate said.

Mr. Miller got to his feet and moved toward the sofa. "Take our little princess." He laid Gaby in Kate's arms. "Stay here. I will be right back."

Wondering where her father was going, Kate put Gaby back into the infant seat and covered her with a blanket.

Mr. Miller came back a few minutes later. "I want you to take this." He held out a slip of paper.

Kate took it and saw it was a check. "Dad, what-"

"No questions, please." Mr. Miller settled on the sofa next to Kate and clasped her hand. "I know something is not right, Katie. I've known it for a while now and my gut tells me Edward has something to do with it. I won't ask questions. Your personal life is none of my business, but I want you to know you will always have a home here with me. Now I want you to take that check and go buy a car. When you have a little one you need a car." He smiled at her. "Don't feel bad about taking money from me. All of it and this house will be yours someday."

Overcome with emotion Kate laid her head on his shoulder. "I love you, Dad."

"I know you do," Mr. Miller said. "I love you too."

Nathan stepped into the examination room and closed the door behind him. He turned to face his younger sister, Jill, who was sitting on the table winding a strand of her long red hair around a finger. "Why are you nervous, Jilly bean?"

Jill raised an eyebrow. "How could you tell I was nervous?"

Nathan smirked. "You're playing with you hair. You only do that when you're nervous."

Jill sighed. "No offense, brother dear, but I hate coming here."

"No offense taken," Nathan said. "You didn't have to come here. I make house calls."

Jill smiled weakly. "I'll remember that."

"What's wrong, sis?"

"My left ear aches," Jill said. "It's a constant pain. I can't sleep because of it."

Nathan moved in front of Jill. He brought his hands up and gently pressed below her ears. "Does that hurt?"

"What do you think?" Jill growled. "Why are you doing that?"

"I'm checking for swelling," Nathan said.

"Well stop it," Jill snapped.

"All right." Nathan moved to the counter and grabbed the thermometer. "I'm going to check your temp and then look in your ears."

"Can't you just skip all of that and give me something for the pain?" Jill said.

Nathan gave his sister a sympathetic look. "I know you're tired and miserable, Jilly bean. Please bear with me for a few minutes."

"Okay," Jill said quietly.

Nathan stuck the digital thermometer in Jill's ear and gave her arm a pat. "How's that nephew of mine?"

"Matt's fine," Jill said. "With my ear bothering me I haven't been paying as much attention to him as I usually do. Thankfully, Steve has been making up for it."

"You have a temp of one hundred and two," Nathan said, withdrawing the thermometer. "Have you been feeling light headed? Getting any drainage from your ear?"

"Yes to both," Jill answered.

Nathan inserted an instrument into her right ear and saw everything looked normal. When he examined her left ear he found infection.

"Well, Dr. Holden," Jill said as Nathan removed the instrument from her ear. "What's the problem?"

"You have an ear infection," Nathan said. He took a prescription pad and a pen out of his pocket. "I'm going to prescribe you some ear drops and an antibiotic."

"Ah drugs," Jill said. "That sounds lovely."

Nathan filled out two prescriptions and gave them to Jill. "Follow the instructions that come with your medication. Take all of it. I don't care if you feel better in a couple of days and think you don't need to take the rest. I'm the doctor, not you. Listen to me, take it all."

"Yes, oh wise one," Jill said.

"I'm serious, Jill," Nathan said.

"I promise I'll take all of it," Jill said. "Now can I go? I need to pick Matt up. Mom and Dad are watching him."

"You can go," Nathan said. "I want to see you in a week."

"Do I have to come here?"

"I'll come to your house and check on you." Nathan helped Jill off the table.

"Thank you," Jill said, embracing Nathan.

"You're welcome," Nathan said. "Take it easy for awhile."

"I'm going to," Jill said. "I've been meaning to ask you. How did your visit with Kate go the other day?"

"It went well," Nathan said. "She's coming to dinner tomorrow night at Connie's. Don't be upset that she hasn't gotten in touch with you yet. She just got here Sunday night. Give her a few days and I'm sure she'll call you."

"I hope so," Jill said. "I missed her almost as much as you did."

"Get out of here," Nathan said, ushering her toward the door. "Go get your medication filled and start taking it."

"Oh I plan on it," Jill said.

"I hope you feel better soon," Nathan said. "Call me if you need anything."

"I will."

Nathan said goodbye to Jill and then moved on to his next patient.