A Promise of Forever

by M. E. Brady

  Katelyn knew she shouldn’t, being in the mood, she accepted the glass of champagne that was offered. It no time at all, one glass turned into two and then three and then four. Brody was very polite and kept her company for most of the evening until the great surprise. Katelyn had forgotten but as soon as she saw the surprised look on his face, she knew, without following his line of vision, that Nellie had entered the room.

  Brody didn’t say a word as he sat silently watching the apparition of the woman that he had once loved. He believed that Eleanor had probably gotten on with her life and married some rich Parisian and yet here she was in the flesh. He didn’t utter a word as she moved her hips seductively from side to side as she strolled in his direction. He didn’t know what she was up to but her show was definitely for his benefit. He remembered that dress she was wearing and couldn’t wait until she turned around. Whatever her reason for being here, that dress was meant for his eyes alone. He had thought that she had given up on completing it because he hadn’t seen it in any of her designs and he had seen them all.

  Brody didn’t mean to keep tabs on her professional life but he was curious to see if what she gave up was worth what she accomplished. He needed to know that she had walked away from their marriage with no regrets. From what he had seen, she had made a great success of her life, although she dropped out of sight for the past year. He’d hired a private investigator to look into it but to no avail. Wherever she was, she didn’t want to be found. She reached the table but not before Katelyn, who’d had too much to drink, stood up and greeted Eleanor, calling her Nellie.

  “Nellie, I didn’t think you were coming,” she said feeling a little intoxicated.

  “You two know each other?” he questioned and then added, “Who is Nellie?” seeming somewhat confused.

  “Eleanor is Nellie, the woman who opened the new boutique that you took me to. I have to tell you she’s very talented. But you would know that, wouldn’t you?” she asked pointing a finger into Brody’s chest.

  “Katelyn, I think you have had a little too much to drink. Do you want me to take you home?” he asked.

  “I’m only a little tipsy and you two have unfinished business to discuss. I’m going to leave you to it. I’ll get some fresh air.” She stood for a second and turned her attention to Nellie. “It was nice to see you again and good luck, I think you both deserve to be happy. It’s been a long time coming,” she added.

  Katelyn knew, as she walked away, that all the time they had spent separated somehow disappeared. She knew, from the way Brody admired that dress and twisted her around in his arms, that he was looking for the infamous tattoo located on his wife. He must have seen a hint of it because, as he led her out on to the dance floor, he smiled, realizing that his wife had finally come home to him. It’s all well and good. Too bad happily ever after isn’t in my future.

  She had almost reached the bar when a young man she didn’t recognize stopped her. “Excuse me, aren’t you Kevin Donavan’s sister?” the cool young voice asked before introducing himself. As he stood in her line of vision, Katelyn saw that he was a tad older than he first appeared. He was young and confident, or at least he seemed to be when he spoke. She acknowledged his claim, accepted his hand and introduced herself.

  “My name is Michael. I’m a colleague of Kevin’s,” he said letting go of her hand. He gave her a sideways glance, and looked over his shoulder and then offered her another drink. He also told her that perhaps he should help her back to her table seeing that she was slightly inebriated. The champagne was doing a great job numbing her pain but her head was becoming very fuzzy.

  “I’m pleased to meet you, Michael, but I don’t need saving. Thanks for the drink,” she said, slurring her speech as she walked back to the table on her own accord. She sat with her back to the door and watched happily as both couples, Kevin and Sylvia and Brody and Nellie, danced. Each couple seemed engrossed in their partner. It was a pleasant sight for Katelyn. She took another sip from her champagne and noticed that Michael was headed in her direction once again.

  “You’re very persistent, aren’t you?” she asked as he joined her, sitting in the seat that had been saved for Gianfranco. They exchanged small talk before Michael admitted to being a little curious. “Well, why don't you spit it? We both know you want to ask me something.” she rebutted.

  “I’m just wondering what a beautiful lady like yourself is doing all alone at one of these things?” he asked, as he drank from the glass he had brought to the table with him.

  “It’s very simple, really. My fiancé is out of town on business and I’m here. No mystery, I’m afraid.” She smiled at him and she reached over and innocently took his hand in hers. “Michael, would you consider it forward of me if I asked you to dance?”

  “I would never take such liberties but I would be honored to dance with you,” he said as he touched her elbow and led her to the dance floor. She didn’t know what it was about Michael that felt wrong but she decided to ignore the little warning signs and dance with him anyway. When they reached the dance floor, she noticed that Michael didn’t seem to know Kevin at all as he had intimated. She casually introduced them and was shuffled away by her escort.

  “Thanks for not giving me away. I don’t know your brother, my name is Michael though. Michael Bishop, I’m a reporter at the Herald and I’m here on a lead. It seems Eleanor Mulaney, the famous designer who disappeared a year ago, may be hiding in this town somewhere. Do you know anything about her?” he asked as he held her in his embrace.

  “If I did, I wouldn’t tell you,” she whispered seductively. As he whirled her around on the dance floor Katelyn was careful not to let him see her as she searched the dance floor for any sign of Brody and Eleanor. It was pretty clear though that they had probably left to find a more private place to talk.

  “Tell me something else,” he said as he glanced down at her. “Your story is just as intriguing as Eleanor Mulaney’s. You’re engaged to be married to Gianfranco Broccolini, one of the richest men around and he’s left you alone at this function. I might add, looking strikingly sexy, what gives? Everything I hear about the almighty Broccolini leaves me to wonder why he left you alone to fend for yourself while he’s off doing who knows what.”

  Katelyn was a journalist herself and she wasn’t about to fall for this trap no matter how much she’d had to drink. She used this same method herself on occasion. He asked her about the connection between Gianfranco and Kevin and didn’t seem surprised to learn that they were college friends. He had done his homework, she was sure of that. He wanted a story and the only way he thought he’d get one was to trick her into revealing the life she shared with Gianfranco when she felt more vulnerable, like now.

  After Michael promised to stop digging for a story, they continued to dance. He found himself relaxing and having a good time, enjoying her company. As they slowly turned to the music, a path opened toward the two of them. She couldn’t figure out why until he was directly upon them.

  “I see you’ve kept yourself otherwise occupied in my absence,” the voice said from behind her. She could feel his breath; he was so close. Gianfranco was not a man to be taken lightly and right now she wasn’t sure what the next couple of minutes held for her dance partner. The couples within their immediate vicinity had a lot of sympathy for the young man who would be on the receiving end of his wrath.

  “I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure. My name is Michael Bishop,” the young reporter said, holding out his hand to Gianfranco. “I’ve had the great pleasure of keeping your fiancé entertained awaiting your arrival. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll leave her to you. By the way, Mr. Broccolini, I would think twice about leaving such a gorgeous creature alone,” he added before taking leave.

  “I think a breath of fresh air would be appropriate. All these people are waiting for me to make a scene and as that would embarrass both of us, I suggest we go outside.” He didn’t give Katelyn much of a chance to defy him as he led her ou
tside into the night air. He wasn’t looking at her as they stood in the cold frigid weather of Montana. It was almost as if it would hurt him to look away.

  “Let me go back inside. I’m freezing out here and I’m not having any fun. I wanted to dance with you but you had to go and spoil the fun for me,” she declared once again slurring her words.

  “I guess that was one small minor detail we forgot in our haste,” he said, taking off his jacket and placing it around her after observing that her nipples were taut from the cold; the material of her dress so thin, it offered little protection from the cold. “That guy was a reporter and I don’t know what you’ve said to him. Let’s hope I can stop him from printing whatever he has in mind to. What were you thinking?” he asked.

  His touch was gentle and yet reserved. He was holding back and Katelyn knew how hard this was for him. The physical side of their relationship was never lacking, in fact it was the only thing that kept the emotional detachment bearable for them both. He looked sexy dressed up in his tuxedo and she was finding it hard to concentrate on anything he was saying. She was soaking in his masculinity, enjoying the false sense of power the alcohol was giving her. Who said women didn’t enjoy and want sex as much as man did?

  “If I hadn’t arrived when I did, Katelyn, how long would it have taken Michael, whatever his name is, to get you into his bed?” he asked heatedly.

  “You bastard!” she cried out with loathing. “You’d stop at nothing to make sure you didn’t look the fool in public, wouldn’t you? It doesn’t matter if anything is going on or not; you’re angry that he moved in on your property. That’s it, isn’t it?” she asked as the tears welled in her eyes.

  He laughed arrogantly and shook his head. “Is that what you think? You can’t honestly believe that young man’s thoughts weren’t about what he wanted to do to you? I came between the two of you because I felt like I was being made the fool? You are practically my wife, Katelyn. I don’t take too kindly to witnessing my wife in the arms of another man, especially since she seemed to be enjoying it. I’m a little tired of reminding you that your mine and mine alone,” he added possessively.

  “No! I belong to no one,” she said as her voice was drowned out by the onslaught of his lips. She tried, with all she could muster, not to react to him but she couldn’t. The effects of the champagne were magnifying her sexual attraction to him. His hands slipped below the jacket he had placed over her shoulders for warmth and he pulled her tightly into his arms. It didn’t matter that there were people coming and going, he didn’t care. He wanted to prove to her, once and for all, that she was his and she would give herself freely to him. His kisses were fierce and demanding in their assault. With each utter of protest, he released new passion in her.

  Gianfranco realized that they had company, and as he relaxed his fierce hold on her, he held her protectively in his arms. “Excuse me, but if you two don’t come up for air soon, we’ll have to hose you both down,” Kevin said as he joined them on the patio. “You should be ashamed of yourself, making my baby sister cry this evening. She didn’t think you were going to show up tonight.” Kevin stated before asking how his business went in New York. After Gianfranco gave a brief synopsis, Kevin said he’d catch up with him another time because he was freezing to death and wanted to go back inside; he suggested they do the same.

  Gianfranco waited for an explanation from her but when none came he asked the question himself. “Why were you crying?” She didn’t answer and her silence spoke volumes, or so he thought. “Don’t even bother to think of something clever to say. I don’t think I could stand to hear another lie from you. I noticed Brody and his new friend in a quiet corner when I came in. It must have upset you to see them together. I’m sorry for that. I know what it feels like to love someone so much and not have that love returned.”

  A cold shiver of rage and disgust came over her as she listened to him admit his love for someone else to her. It hurt like hell to love someone that much and not have it reciprocated but it was him she loved, not Brody. When will the raw pain go away, she wondered? Could she marry him knowing he wanted and loved someone else? She didn’t think she could do it but she knew he’d never let her go. He would never break the promise he made to Jenny, that they would be a family.

  He felt obligated to say something. He had to make this situation tolerable and he hoped she would cooperate. “Let’s call a truce; I think we should go inside and dance, that way it’ll appear as though whatever rift there was between us when I arrived is over. If for no other reason, we’ll do it for Jenny. I want the world to believe we’re happy for her sake.” His voice sounded more like a plea than a command.

  Katelyn’s heart felt as if it were being torn to shreds. He supported her as they reentered the ballroom and even smiled adoringly at her. She felt weak as they danced but she held on to him to continue the show. If there was a way, she prayed they’d find it to make this marriage work without them despising each other in the process. If only he could forget the woman who haunted him. She wondered about this woman who didn’t love him.

  He lifted her chin in his hand and kissed her. He kissed her right there on the dance floor for everyone to see. It didn’t start out to be a passionate embrace, not at first. “We shouldn’t be doing this, not here. I’m sure if we sat down and discussed this problem we could come up with an agreement of some kind,” she whispered for his ear only.

  Gianfranco’s eyes opened to their fullest. Without a glimmer of feeling for the people around them, his eyes darkened with disappointment. It was obvious to anyone who stood close enough that she had once again released the devil in him. “I can’t go on like this Gianfranco. I’ll agree to any arrangements for visitation you want. I’ll accept any terms you have to offer. I’m willing to let you go on with your life. What more do you want from me?” she asked as she painfully offered him a way out out of this farce of a marriage they were getting ready to share.

  “My terms…you say you’ll accept my terms, Katelyn. I thought I made myself and my terms perfectly clear,” he stammered into her ear as he pulled her tighter to him so that they were the only two people privy to this conversation. “Make no mistake, if we don’t get married as planned, for whatever reason you can dream up, you will be the one with visitation rights, not me.” His voice was low and concise as he continued to hold onto her as he threatened her with his words.

  Katelyn couldn’t understand his insistence that they marry when he was in love with someone else. The smart thing to do would be to confront him about the mystery woman but she didn’t dare. She couldn’t bear to hear him say her name. She leaned her face forward, staring obediently into his eyes. From what she could recollect, she had just hurt him. Her hands went to his face to console and comfort him with his pain. “I can’t fight anymore, Katelyn. I’m tired and I just can’t do it anymore,” he said as he brushed a lone tear from her cheek.

  “Maybe we should go. I’m sure Kevin and Sylvia would understand if we left a little early,” she said as she sobered up from all the emotional turmoil. He held the hand that still rested on his face and kissed the inside of her palm.

  They made their apologies to everyone and Gianfranco summoned the car that brought him to the ball. Neither of them said a word on the way home. They both needed the time to come to grips with their individual demons and to decide how they would get past what haunted them both and still be able to live together.

  Gianfranco listened to the music that played softly on the car radio and couldn’t help but watch, as Katelyn lost herself in thought. He could ask a thousand times and never get an answer, how could two people who once cared so much for each other, get themselves into such a quagmire? It seemed like all they ever did anymore was either fight or make love.

  Chapter Twelve

  Katelyn hadn’t realized that they had reached the ranch until Gianfranco came around to her side of the car to help her out. After thanking Mrs. Footy for taking care of Jenny, they both looked
in on the sleeping child together. Jenny was the one grace that connected the two of them. Gianfranco reached over to his sleeping child and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. Katelyn was touched by the scene in front of her. After kissing Jenny herself, they left the room together. Gianfranco touched her for the first time since they left the ball outside their child’s room. He covered her hand that had already reached for the doorknob with his own, as he did, time stood still for them both.

  “I made a promise to you that I wouldn’t touch you again unless you came to me, I broke that promise tonight and I apologize for that. It’s as though I’m consumed by you. I’m sorry that you see our marriage as an end to your future happiness. I never meant to hurt you, Katelyn. I promise I’ll make it up to you somehow,” he said as he let go of her hand, as if holding her any longer would lead to something else. They walked together to the bedrooms where they slept. He remained standing outside his door studying her until she went into her own adjoining room.

  Katelyn thought about what he had said; the words reverberated in her head all through the night. Gianfranco was constantly in her dreams these days. She must have kept his words close to her heart because in her dreams she heard him repeat them over and over again, only each time he did he admitted his love for the other woman. He told her that he was sorry for all the pain he was causing her and that it was time for her to let him go. He said that Jenny was no longer filling the void left by his lover and, though he’d support their child, he wanted his freedom.

  “What do you mean?” she cried out, still dreaming.

  “I’m leaving you. I never really loved you. I want a divorce, I’m sorry. I did try for Jenny but this isn’t working anymore,” he said dismissively. He was being cruel and inhuman in his handling of her. She must have cried out loud because, within seconds, she awoke and found herself cradled in his arms. He was holding her, whispering soothing words over and over as he wiped the tears from her eyes.