Finding Elizabeth (29 page)

“Really?” Katherine said, wondering if she sounded a little unhinged, which she hated. But heart pounding, she asked the all-important question. “Would you give up your life in Australia to live with me in Canada?”

“In a flash!” His tone brooked no argument. “And in that igloo if I had to.”

The look in his eyes was so powerful, she knew he meant it. A rush of blood flushed Katherine’s face. She stared straight into his challenge and understood that, for him, there were no obstacles.

Katherine moved to her window and gazed at the city lights of Calgary. Could she happily offer him the same? The thought was as scary as hell. Australia was unknown territory, and far from home. Home, where everything was familiar, comfortable and safe. Was that what she wanted her life to be—
safe?
Was giving up her career
safe?

Katherine caught sight of Jack’s reflection in the glass as he cautiously approached her from behind. His strong fingers encircled her shoulders, and he pulled her back against his chest. She relaxed into him. His warm breath on her cheek sent a pleasurable tingle down her neck.

“Katherine,” Jack said softly, “you’ve had a lot to deal with the past few days. Most of it’s sorted now. There’s nothing but happiness ahead for us. Days and nights of happiness … if you’ll have me? You have to have me, otherwise my life won’t work. Nothing will work. I’ll be a vacant blob,” he quipped, then turned serious. “I love you. All of me loves you.”

A wonderful, beautiful man has just opened his heart and soul to you—speak, say something!
“I—I can’t make any promises, okay?” Jack nodded. “All I know at the moment is I want to be with you. God, I miss you when you’re not around. But that’s all I’ve got right now. I’m falling in love with you,” Katherine whispered, “but I’m scared. Can you accept that?”

“Sure I can.” He smiled. “It’s okay—but what’re you really scared of?”

“I’ve led an insular life—practice, exercise, rehearsals, ballet, music and travel. Dating was way down the list. The few boyfriends I had quickly tired of me being away so often, and left. None of them made me lose my mind like you can, all the time. There’s no letting up—one of these days I’m going to walk straight into traffic.”

“
I
can do that?” Jack smiled and pointed to his chest. “Me?”

Katherine nodded. “Don’t let it go to your head.” She turned around, gave him a look and a raised eyebrow.

“Come here,” Jack wrapped her in his arms and, comforted by his embrace, she relaxed a little. “You’re one hell of a woman.” He stroked her hair. “You okay?”

“I’ll be fine as soon as I recover.”

Jack laughed. “Will coffee help?”

“Please, hot and strong!”

He kissed her and went into the kitchen. “Okay, got the kettle.” He looked around. “Got the coffee. Mugs?”

“Behind you in the overhead cupboard.” Katherine sat on one of her bar stools. “When were you thinking of calling Andrew?”

“As soon as possible. Why?”

“Let’s not make him wait any longer. Let’s do it now, and it will be off my mind as well.”

Jack went around the island bench and kissed her long and tenderly. He pulled away, his breath ragged. Eyes locked with his smouldering gaze, Katherine softly laughed and purred, “Later …”

“You’re on, just as soon as we’ve made the call.”

Jack picked up his mobile from the island bench, sat on a stool next to her and began dialling. “What’s really going to blow him away is that he
has
a daughter.”

“There’s something else: I need you to understand how difficult it is for me to think of Andrew Riley as my father. He’s a complete stranger to me, but I know we should meet soon,” Katherine said. “I don’t know when or where. I have nothing else to give him at this stage.”

With the phone to his ear, Jack nodded. “I understand. Look, don’t worry about Andrew; he’s like the perfect egg, hard shell, but soft in the middle. G’day, Andrew, it’s Jack.”

With the flood of adrenalin in her chest, Katherine’s breath caught. Jack touched her cheek before getting up.

“Yeah … yeah, it’s all good. I have news. Are you sitting down?” Jack paused. “Ready? We’ve found Ellie.” He began to pace the way some men do to keep focused and to keep his emotions in control. “You did know her name was Elizabeth? Now that I mention … right … yeah it would’ve helped. There’s something else. You have a beautiful daughter, and her name is Katherine.” The noise coming through the phone was so loud Jack had to pull it away from his ear. He laughed. “Okay, Dad? Yeah, it’s fantastic.”

Nerves and butterflies made Katherine’s breath quicken. She reminded herself that Henry would always live in her heart, and she determined to keep his memory strong. This debacle was no one’s fault. She asked herself what mattered most right now—her mum.

She turned to Jack, the messenger, and smiled.

“Yes, yes, Katherine’s right here.” He stopped moving and looked at her. “Just a moment.” Jack held the phone to his chest, his gaze earnest. “You don’t have to do this now. When you’re ready is fine with me, and Andrew. He understands.”

Katherine shook her head. “It’s okay.” She held out her hand. “I want to talk to him.”

Jack handed over the phone and backed away.

She placed a hand on her chest. Her heart was pounding so hard it was a wonder no one heard. She took a deep breath. “H–hello. Yes, it’s me, Katherine.”

“Katherine. I can hardly believe my ears. I never imagined that I … that you … You sound just like how I remember Ellie.” Andrew’s voice broke with emotion. He seemed determined to carry on and quickly pulled himself together. “I’m the happiest man on the planet. I’ve missed too many years through no one’s fault. I hope I don’t sound like a babbling old fool?”

“Not at all. I know exactly what you’re saying.”

“Would you mind if Jack took a few photos with his mobile?”

“No, I don’t mind at all,” Katherine said. A handful of tissues appeared and she dabbed her face. “A moment please, Andrew.” She handed Jack the phone. “He’d like some photos.” Jack looked at her as if waiting for confirmation. “Go ahead, it’s okay.”

Katherine tried to smile naturally, but strained would have to do. Andrew loved them and thought she looked just like her mum.

Head to head with Jack, Katherine listened to Andrew.

“Have to hurry,” Jack advised. “We’re losing the connection.”

“Bye for now,” Katherine called out.

“Bye. Hope … talk soon.”

“God.” Katherine slumped until her forehead touched her knees. “I’ll have to explain to Mum that I spoke to Andrew,” she said, voice muffled. Slowly, she straightened. “This is getting all too weird; I have go back to the cabin.”

“I’ll drop you off and head back to the chalet. I think I’ll get Lea and Dave to collect Cynthia and they can all come to my place; Cynthia doesn’t have a clue what’s going on. If that’s all right with you?” His eyes smouldered with a hint of devilish cheek that was an innate part of him.

“I think that’s a good idea; everyone together, no more secrets. We can talk while you drive. Why are you looking guilty?”

“I’m the messenger who started all this. I knew it would have a flow-on effect, but seeing it happen in front of you isn’t quite the same as imagining it.”

“No, and the sooner I sort this out with Mum the better.”

A waning moon hung low in the starlit sky, casting its pale light over snow, trees and homes, turning everything into shades of blue-grey. As they neared the rise on Mountain View Road, Katherine caught sight of the cabin. The lights were on and a wisp of smoke trailed out of the chimney. Her mum was home.

A flutter of adrenalin caught Katherine by surprise. She told herself that everyone makes mistakes—though this one was pretty damn big. Still, she’d make sure her mother wasn’t feeling remorse for the choices she’d made out of love.

Jack parked and hurried around to open the door for her.

“Thank you,” she said and took his hand.

“Don’t worry about time,” Jack said. “We’ll keep each other amused, tell bad jokes and bad ghost stories.”

Despite her nerves, Katherine softly laughed.

“I love you.” He kissed her, ducked behind the wheel of his car and drove off.

Katherine took a deep breath and slowly breathed out. She opened the cabin door and found her mother curled up on the couch, a crocheted rug wrapped around her, and Andrew’s letters strewn on the coffee table.

“Mum?”

Margaret threw the rug aside and surged to her feet. “Katy,” she whispered, her mouth trembling.

Quickly, Katherine wrapped her arms around her mother and held her tight. “I’m sorry I ran off. But it did give me time to think. I don’t like that you kept this from me all these years. At the same time, I understand why you needed to. It’s all quite bizarre, isn’t it?”

“Can I ever put this right?” Margaret’s eyes welled.

“You don’t have to! It will take me a while to come to terms with this. I love you, Mum.”

Her mother began to shake. Loss and injustice mixed with anger. “They were so sure—” she said.

“Who was?”

“I received a letter from Australian Army Intelligence or whatever they’re called. They said Andrew Riley, reported missing, now dead.”

Katherine gave her mother a look and a yes-but shrug. “They didn’t find the bodies. They just disappeared. It happens.”

Margaret shook her head in utter disbelief. “He’s alive.” Hands covering her face, she doubled over and sobbed.

Katherine rested her cheek against her mother’s shoulder. When the crying turned to sniffles, her mother straightened, and Katherine asked, “Will you be okay, Mum?”

Margaret placed her hand on Katherine’s arm. “It’s a crazy world, but like you, I need time to adjust. Part of me is rejoicing: a man I thought was dead isn’t—it’s wonderful. It’s the biggest shock of my life, but what a
truly
wonderful gift.” A smile eased into her face, but in seconds it was gone. “I suppose Andrew has been told?” She looked down at the photos and handed one to Katherine. “This is how he remembers me. This one was taken in Sydney, and this at Bondi Beach.”

“And you look just as beautiful now. I’m sure Andrew is a stooped, wrinkly old man.” Katherine gazed at the photo. “You’re wearing a cute bikini.” She kissed her cheek, turned the photo over and read the back. In Andrew’s handwriting it said:
Ellie, my Bondi Beach babe
. “Andrew knows Jack’s found you.” She paused, wondering how far she should go.
In for a penny …?

“You’ve got a funny look on your face again,” her mother said. “Don’t tell me there’s a whole clan of Rileys, brothers and sisters you’ve never met?”

“No. But personally, I would’ve liked that. He has Jack, his stepson.”

“I’m surprised Andrew didn’t have more children; he adored kids. Is he still married?”

“No, but I’ll get to that in a minute. I briefly spoke to Andrew. He seems a lovely man; I can understand why you were so in love …” The pang of betrayal of her dad Henry, caught Katherine’s breath. She did her best to keep herself in check.

“We were—and look what we made.” Margaret cupped Katherine’s face. “And you know what? If we hadn’t, Henry wouldn’t have had the joy of you.”

Tears choked Katherine’s voice. “Thanks, Mum, that’s beautiful.” She tried to smile.

Talking over coffee by the fire, Katherine gave her mother all the news, including how Jack and his mother Grace had met Andrew. She also explained about the addition to the family, her dog Bubbles.

“
The
Bubbles—Peggy’s dog? Good Lord! I’ve seen her, she’s the size of a bear. Where is she now?”

“With Jack.”

Her mother had that faraway look. “What a nightmare Grace and Jack went through. Andrew would’ve been such a blessing for her.” Margaret turned Andrew’s ring and faced the diamond towards the fire; it sparkled and danced with reflected light.

Katherine looked at her mother’s hands. “What are you going to do with that beautiful ring? It represents so much.”

“I hadn’t thought.” Margaret handed it back to Katherine.

“I don’t want it. It’s yours, not mine,” Katherine said. “The man I marry will buy me a ring.” Katherine slipped the ring back onto the chain and handed it to her mother. “Here, put this somewhere safe.”

“I’ll put it back in the biscuit tin.”

“I think it’s been in there long enough.” Katherine fastened it around her mother’s neck.

“You’re probably right. I should take a leaf out of my own book and embrace what’s happening now,” Margaret said, placing her hand over the heavy ring.

“When you’re ready, we should make our way to Jack’s place. Dave, Leandra and Cynthia are there, and so is Pierre. They’ll be chewing their fingernails waiting.”

“Well, we can’t have that. I’m all right to go. Tired, but I couldn’t get to sleep if I tried.”

“I’ll call a taxi.”

Ten minutes later, Katherine held out her hand for her mother as they walked arm in arm up to the top of the drive for the waiting taxi.

“How long have you known Jack and his friend Dave?”

“I met Jack the day I arrived at the cabin.” Katherine didn’t have to look; she knew her mother studied her every move. She added, “Has it only been a week? It seems longer.”

“You like him, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do. A lot. He’s told me he loves me.”

“And you?” her mother asked, surprised.

“I can’t imagine living without him.” Katherine cleared her throat. “Something has to be worked out, but I don’t know what. Jack has a life in Australia of all places. How much further can a person go?”

“The Antarctic?” Margaret asked, tongue in cheek.

“Very funny, Mum. I can’t see myself anywhere else but Canada,” Katherine said, flatly.

“You’re just trying to protect yourself against something you desperately don’t want to happen. Remember Chance?”

“Of course, how could I forget? But that was fourteen years ago.”

“Falling deeply in love and not having it returned can leave scars, honey.”

Katherine glanced at her mother. She paused, mulling it over. “I …” she began. “You really think? I saw him a few days ago; he wanted to take me to the Christmas dance. I couldn’t believe it. He could not remember what he did or how cruel he was. And it amazed me how angry and hurt I still felt.”