A Promise of Forever

by M. E. Brady

  Someday he would meet the woman he was destined to be with and then he would appreciate her refusal. She was convinced that Brody hadn’t gotten married because he was so intent to settle on a fate that hadn’t been his. She believed that he had his own secrets. To ease the conversation between them, Katelyn started teasing him about Mary Alice, the stewardess who had a soft spot in her heart for him.

  “I almost forgot about Mary Alice. I think she was quite taken by you and she is very beautiful. I took her number and promised to deliver it to you. Perhaps fate is knocking and the only thing you have to do is answer the door. Or are you going to wait until it mows you down?” she teased.

  They returned to the ranch, but, this time, in a safer manner. They took his pickup truck and she was happy that they did. She knew horseback was Brody’s favorite past time but living in the Big Apple had left her a little rusty and her backside was killing her. The truck came to a halt in Kevin’s driveway and, as he put it in park, she caught sight of a shadowy figure on the front porch. At first, she thought it might be one of the ranch hands but a little voice told her it was Kevin.

  Kevin was sitting with his legs crossed at the ankle when she appeared. His hands folded in his lap and his eyes were full of questions. “You want to tell me, what’s going on?” he asked, as he dangled Jenny’s necklace in his hand.

  “I’m not sure what you’re getting at. Could you be a little clearer with your question?” she announced unsteadily.

  Kevin was annoyed with her as the coloring on his face faded. “I don’t want to beat around the bush, Kate. I’m a little confused and I need you to be honest with me. Where did you get this?” he asked, once again holding the necklace up in the air as if it were the answer to all his questions.

  In his hand he held the teakwood ring dangling on a chain that she had worn everyday for years beneath her clothes. Gianfranco had given her that ring when she was eighteen years old, right after he had made love to her for the very first time. She remembered that night with clarity. She often wrote about it in her journal so she could cherish the feeling forever. She wanted to capture the moment and never forget it. She wasn’t ready to share it with Kevin. She thought about her journal...

  August 2004

  I didn’t believe in love at first sight before now. Yet, these past weeks spent with Gianfranco have taught me so much. I’m in love with Gianfranco Broccolini with all my heart and soul. I wish for the world what I have with him. Who would have thought that I would want to share the rest of my life with one of Kevin’s best friends? But then, who better? I can’t share this wonderful news with Kevin; it’s too soon. He would absolutely freak if he knew that Gianfranco had made love to me. It would make the situation very uncomfortable for all of us. I’ll tell him but only if Gianfranco proposes to me and the time is right. I think then, that Kevin would forgive us for keeping this secret from him and for postponing my trip to California, for now.

  That was an innocent time for Katelyn. She knew now that nothing was as it seemed. She reached over and took the ring from Kevin, shaking her head and trying to make light of it. “It’s only a ring, Kevin. I gave it to Jenny years ago and I’m not even sure where I got it,” she answered fastidiously.

  Kevin knew she was lying to him; for now, he’d let it go. He touched the ring she held in her hand again and studied Katelyn’s expression. He didn’t think for a minute that she understood the significance of the ring or that he understood its meaning. From the look on her face, he had no doubt in his mind that she never realized the meaning behind Gianfranco giving her that ring. He knew it was Gianfranco’s ring, he had seen Jake’s hanging around his neck often enough.

  Katelyn watched Kevin as he played his father role, the one he played so well. She wished she could tell him the truth but he’d never understand. He wouldn’t understand the marriage of convenience that she was about to embark on either. From his perspective, it had to look as if she had lost control of her life. First, there was Adam, then Brody, and now Gianfranco. She wondered what he must think of her. “He must think I’m crazy.”

  “I want you to know that I hate keeping secrets from you. I know it seems crazy right now but I promise, Kevin, this will all make sense soon enough.” She sat down next to him, reached out and took his hand in hers.

  “I have one question and then I’ll leave you alone,” he said glimpsing into her eyes. He knew he had to stop seeing the young girl she used to be. She was a grown woman and he had to stop treating her like his little sister. He had always felt the need to protect her because she had no one else to do that for her, until now. “Did Gianfranco give you that ring?”

  There must have been something he saw in her eyes long before she said the words because he didn’t seem surprised to hear her answer. It was barely a whisper but she answered his question. “Yes,” she said.

  He reached over to her, hugged her tightly and then said good night. It was as simple as that, as though the answer to that one question answered so many others.

  “You should get some sleep. It’s been a long day and you need to rest.” Kevin said. “I’m glad you guys are here. I’ve missed you.”

  “Ditto big brother. Ditto,” she said as he tagged along behind her. She had often used the word ‘ditto’, so she wouldn’t have to say she loved him when she was younger in front of her friends. Every once in a while she would loving remind him of their earlier days by saying it again.

  After showering and checking in on Jenny, Katelyn grabbed her journal and began to write. She had kept a journal ever since she was a young girl; it helped her to work through the events of her life. She had a lot to write about today and she was looking forward to putting it all on paper so that she could read it back tomorrow and try to make sense of it all. She wrote for an hour before putting the pen down and turning out the light. Tomorrow, she hoped that a new day would bring new beginnings.

  Kevin didn’t mention Gianfranco’s name again over the next few days and that suited her just fine. The longer she put off thinking about him, the less explaining she’d have to do and the better off she’d be. She enjoyed the break from all the stress and she was finally beginning to feel like a whole person again and Jenny loved having her around full time. She loved all the attention she was receiving. For now, it seemed as though everyone was happy and content.

  Chapter Eight

  After four days in beautiful Montana, Katelyn woke early feeling more refreshed than ever. She got out of bed and gazed at the reflection staring back at her from the mirror. The dark rings, that had only days ago surrounded her eyes, were all but gone. She lifted her hand to her face and pushed away the strands of hair that had fallen in her eyes. She’d made the right choice coming to Montana and only hoped that everything else would fall into place too.

  She stood at the top of the stairs and her chest tightened at the sight of Kevin and Sylvia in the foyer below. He held her in his arms and, gazing down, as her throat tightened up, she witnessed the loving intimacy they shared. Katelyn had always hoped that one day she and Gianfranco would share that kind of love but it wasn’t meant to be. He was offering her a loveless marriage; a marriage that would be based on lies and infidelity. The only thing she could rely on would be the money and security she would have from their union.

  Kevin realized Katelyn was standing at the top of the landing and smiled up at her. He and Sylvia looked as though they were sharing some wonderful secret and had no intention of including anyone else. “I’m trying to have my way with my wife before I leave for the office but she’s not having it,” he said, tossing his jacket over his arm, as Katelyn walked down the stairs to join them.

  “I’ll be in court most of the day but I’ll try to be home as early as I can. Maybe tonight, you and I could talk,” he said directing his conversation to Katelyn. He opened the front door and walked down to the Land Rover parked in the driveway. Katelyn followed behind. He tossed his jacket and briefcase in the backseat of the truck, hopped in
the front.

  He rolled down his window as Katelyn approached. “I hope you don’t mind, Brody came by this morning and I told him it would be alright to take Jenny to see the new foal and take her riding, was that okay? You were sleeping, Jenny really wanted to go.” He said before starting engine. Kevin assured her that Jenny would be fine at Brody’s ranch and that Patrick, Rosalina and their son were there too.

  “That’s fine; I’m sure Jenny was thrilled that Julio would be there. Patrick’s son must be what, about eight now, right? I remember that he and Jenny are close in age.” Katelyn had met Patrick and Rosalina on many occasions at Brody’s ranch. The couple and their son lived on the large, sprawling ranch. Rosalina was the housekeeper and cook and Patrick oversaw the ranch for Brody.

  “Brody said that Jenny’s arrival was all Julio talked about. She’s in good hands and you need to take some time to relax. Enjoy your day, spoil yourself. We’ll talk when I get home.” Kevin knew his sister well and she was doing everything to avoid talking about Gianfranco and, although he wanted to have the conversation, he wanted her to try to relax a little and enjoy her time with them. The conversation could wait.

  Kevin pulled away and she watched as his car disappeared down the long driveway. She wished her mother and father could see what a success he had made of his life. They would have been so proud of him and all he’d accomplished. She was so deep in thought that she hadn’t noticed Sylvia come up from behind. “You’re off in your own little world; what are you thinking about?”

  Sylvia was exactly the type of woman she would have chosen for Kevin, if she had any say. Sylvia and Kevin’s relationship allowed Katelyn brief glimpses into what a happy marriage should look like.

  “I was just thinking about Mom and Dad and how proud they would be of Kevin. Mom would be so happy for you guys. She would have loved to have been a grandmother.” Her voice cracked with emotion as she thought about her mother.

  “I know they would. I’m glad you’re here, Katelyn. Kevin wanted so much to share his excitement with you. I originally thought that our moving here might damage the relationship you two share, and, to tell you the truth, it really scared me. Kevin would never forgive himself if he felt estranged from you and Jenny.” Katelyn grinned at Sylvia and promised her that could never happen. Together they walked back into the house and she followed Sylvia who had walked into the family room. As she pulled back the heavy drapes it let the sun shine deeply into the room, Sylvia dropped a bomb.

  “I don’t suppose your brother happened to mention the charity ball on Friday night?” Sylvia asked, knowing full well her husband would choose to neglect telling Katelyn, on purpose. She put one hand on her hip, smiled and sighed slightly in disgust.

  Katelyn’s lips twisted into an unmistakable grin. “Of course, he didn’t tell me. If he had, he knew I would have put the trip off another week. My brother is very manipulative. He knew what he was doing. Now, what am I going to do? I don’t have anything to wear.”

  “It’s formal and, though the men complain about the dress code, it’s our biggest charity fundraiser. The proceeds this year are going towards the building of the new children’s hospital just outside of town. Kevin and Brody chair the ball every year; and a few of us women end up doing all the work. I have a lot to do today but Brody already said he’d be glad to run you into town to buy a dress. He rearranged his schedule when he heard you were coming to town. Kevin wanted to take some time off too but he was due in court this week and couldn’t postpone the trial date.”

  The two women went into the kitchen and Sylvia handed Katelyn a mug of coffee. Two minutes later, the door swung open but Katelyn didn’t turn to see who it was. She had assumed it was Mrs. Footy, instead Brody stood there. Sylvia passed him a cup for coffee, told him to help himself and announced that they had been just talking about him. “I just told Katelyn, that you agreed to take her into town to find a dress.”

  Katelyn watched as he filled his coffee cup. “I’m sorry about this, Brody. My brother seems to volunteer you whenever he’s unavailable. I do have a license, I can take myself,” Katelyn assured him.

  “Don’t be silly, it wasn’t his idea, it was mine. I thought it would be good for you to spend some time in town pampering yourself a bit, and then, on a more selfish level, I thought we’d take in dinner and a movie. No strings, just two friends out for a little fun, I promise.”

  Her body was somewhat relaxed but she still felt uneasy about spending so much time alone with Brody. It just didn’t feel right with everything that was going on with her and Gianfranco. She also had this feeling of forewarning that something bad was going to happen and she wasn’t sure why. She was once again becoming spooked by her feelings. Maybe Brody was right, dinner and a movie with a friend; what harm could come of that?

  “I’ll have to go and get Jenny so I can tell her that I’m leaving. Are you sure about this, Sylvia? You said you had errands of your own. Wouldn’t Jenny be in your way?” she asked, not wanting to take advantage of Sylvia with all she had on her own plate.

  “Mrs. Footy said she would take care of Jenny while I did what I had to do; I’ll spend the rest of my day with her, once my chores are done. It’s all worked out already. Jenny is a dream to be with, I love spending time with her. She’s a little angel. I only hope her disposition runs in the family,” Sylvia said as she patted her stomach. “Besides, you’re too far away for us to offer to babysit, so let us make up for it tonight,” she said reassuring Katelyn.

  “Katelyn, go out with Brody and have a great time. This will be good practice for us. You have my permission to charge your gown to your brother’s account, since he didn’t tell you about the ball in the first place,” Sylvia said, glancing over her shoulder at Brody. With a glance, Sylvia told him to be sure that Katelyn did just that. “Now go, the two of you. Have a great time and don’t worry about Jenny; she’s in good hands. She’ll be fine.”

  Brody looked at Katelyn, waited for instructions and, without too much of a struggle, she finally agreed. They were right; she didn’t have to worry about Jenny and she did need a dress for the charity ball. Katelyn made one request, that they make a stop at Brody’s ranch before heading into town.

  Once they got there, Katelyn saw that Jenny was having a great time. She and Julio were riding the horses around the corral. It seemed she had made a friend in Julio. In fact, Jenny encouraged her to leave so that she could go riding again with Patrick and his son.

  Rosalina tried to assure them both that Jenny was in good hands and having a great time. “Brody, the kids are having a great time with Patrick. I can drop Jenny off later on after they’ve had their fun and I’ve given them some lunch. There’s no need for Miss Sylvia to have to rush out and get her.” Rosalina enjoyed watching the kids play. Julio didn’t get a lot of interaction with other kids, living so far away from other homes. With Jenny taken care of, she and Brody agreed and left to head into town.

  Katelyn and Brody drove for miles without saying anything of importance. He turned to Katelyn and looked at her with guarded appraisal. “What’s going on inside that head of yours?” he asked.

  She fidgeted with the purse on her lap for a few seconds and thought about what to say before looking directly at him. She let the words spill. “I’m a little puzzled about something that’s been bugging me.” She paused as she bit her bottom lip. “You’re a very attractive man, not to mention that you have a great career. Why are you still single? I just don’t get it. I believe that part of the problem could be that you present such a hard exterior. But those of us who know you get to see the softer, gentler Brody. Why is that?”

  Brody beat his fingers on the steering wheel to the music playing on the radio and snickered. It was all he could do to keep from laughing. She had struggled to get those words out. Had they come from anyone else, he would have asked him or her politely to mind their own business, but not Katelyn. She didn’t have an agenda, she was just curious, for curiosity’s sake. “I guess
you think I should have been scoffed up years ago?” he asked. “I’m going to tell you something I’ve never told anyone before. I was married once. It was a long time ago. I haven’t seen my ex-wife since we divorced and, frankly, I hope I never see her again. We were both young and foolish when we ran away and eloped. We each started off with big dreams and a promise of a great future but in the end none of that mattered. One of us took the vows we made to each other seriously and the other didn’t.”

  What a pair we are. We both have a track record for keeping secrets and holding on to lost love. “I’m curious about something. Tell me, why it is that you never shared that secret with anyone else, before now, I mean?” she asked.

  “I could ask you the same question. In my case, it was easier not to talk about it; then I wouldn’t have to explain it, like I’m doing now.” Brody shut down after his revelation and Katelyn didn’t push him, even though she was taken aback by his confession. She had to respect his privacy as he had hers. Brody hadn’t bothered to ask her to explain the situation with Gianfranco and she wasn’t volunteering information either. She had been very careful to be discreet and willingly withheld his name.

  “Point taken, my question dear sir, I humbly withdraw,” she added jokingly. Brody didn’t respond, though he was amused.

  ‘The town seems small and quaint but it isn’t hard to see why people love living here,’ she thought, as they continued to drive along the main street. She was looking forward to visiting the shop that Sylvia had mentioned. Sylvia professed that the small shop could give New York City boutiques a run for their money and Katelyn was curious. The proprietor, she was told, was friendly and well-versed in fashion dos and don’ts. Sylvia was quite impressed with Sheer Designs. She and the majority of her wealthy friends frequented the shop. The designs and the quality of the merchandise were supposed to be par with anything Sylvia had seen in fashion houses in New York, Paris and Milan.