"When did they leave?"
"About eight-thirty. Twenty minutes ago. There aren't any more pilots that will go out tonight though."
"I can get there myself. Thanks for telling me." He turned and ran out toward the DuQuaine hanger.
"Max! Max! Are you here? Max!"
"I'm here. Who is it?" Max came around the corner. "Austin! What the hell! How are you?"
"Fine Max fine. No. Not fine. I need you to take me to Orlando now. Is the two seater ready to go?"
"Austin, there's bad weather advisories for Florida. It's not a good idea. We might not make it."
Austin squared himself off in front of Max. His deep brown eyes commanded Max's gray ones.
"We are going and that's that. I wouldn't want you to lose your job with DuQuaine Industries. This is important to me, Max. I need your help!"
Max gave in. "Okay, Austin. We can be ready to go in an hour."
"Make it a half hour Max, and there will be a big bonus in it for you."
"I'll do my best, Austin."
Austin began to pace back and forth. He had to get to Kari with the truth. He needed to ask her forgiveness. He continued to pace for the next thirty-five minutes, glancing every so often at Max. The older man finally waved him over.
"Let's go, son. Be prepared for a rough ride when we get near Florida. I hear the winds are already up to fifty miles an hour. We may have to land in Georgia and drive the rest of the way.”
"That's fine, Max. Let's go. And Max, I didn't mean that about your job."
Max pulled himself up into the pilot's side while Austin slid in next to him.
"I know that, son. Here we go."
The small plane started its taxi down the runway. They were cleared for takeoff. Austin settled back, his mind on Kari, praying that she was all right. They lifted off and were on their way.
****
Kari stumbled out of the plane and ran for the bushes. She was leaning over and retching violently. Between the bumpy ride and her stomach, she could stand no more. Jason, her young pilot came over to help her.
"Miss McKinnon, are you going to be okay? I know the ride wasn't easy for you. I'll help you to your car."
He lifted her gently and steered her over to the jeep. The wind had picked up considerably. They had to fight the wind just to get to there. He helped her into the car.
"I have to get back before it gets any worse. Are you sure you are all right?" He shouted to her through the swirling, raging winds. Kari took several bills out of her purse and handed them to him.
"I'll send the rest if that's all right, Jason. Be sure to thank Jolene for me. You've both been a great help. I'll be fine now. You get going!" She shouted back, trying to brush back the hair, wrapped around her face.
Kari reached down, keeping one hand on the steering wheel to steady herself against the wind that seemed to be getting stronger by the minute, and started the engine.
"Good bye, Miss McKinnon, and good luck." Jason shouted and waved, heading quickly back to his plane.
Kari tore out of the parking lot. She was glad they had taken the jeep. It held well against the wind, which was definitely getting more torrid now. Twenty minutes later she pulled into her yard. As she got out of the car the wind nearly carried her away. Starting toward the house, she heard the horses screaming. Staggering into the house after prying the door open against the wind, Kari went straight to the phone, dialing her father in Minnesota.
"Hello? Hello? Daddy, is that you? I can barely hear you." Kari was sobbing now. "No daddy. I'm not all right. Austin...Austin...he...he doesn't really love me." She listened, sniffling. "I know daddy, I know he doesn't because...because-" a sob escaped her. "His ex-fiancée is five months pregnant. He said he loved me Daddy, he said he loved me! Daddy, please come as soon as you can. I need you to be with me, Oh Daddy!"
Kari was weeping uncontrollably into the phone. She stood there racked with sobs as she listened to Jack's soothing voice telling her not to worry, and that he'd be there as soon as he could. Get to shelter, Jack had said. She hung up the phone.
The wind was screaming around the house. She heard the horses again. Without thinking about herself, she rushed out to the stables. Firestorm and Shadow were crazy with fear. When she entered, they looked at her with wild eyes. Putting her fear behind her, Kari walked slowly over to them, crooning in a soothing voice. The animals seemed to calm down at the sound of her low, tranquil tone. Slowly she reached up and stroked Shadow, then Firestorm. Her touch calmed them considerably.
Reaching down, Kari tore off two large strips from the hem of her dress. She remembered reading somewhere about tying a blindfold around a horse to lead it though bad weather. Kari was about to find out if it was true. Still speaking in soft tones she let herself in next to Shadow. Stroking and talking, she reached up and tied the cloth around his eyes. The small horse calmed down immediately.
Well, what do you know, it actually works. She turned to Firestorm, using the same tactics. She grabbed the harness that were hanging nearby on hooks. After struggling to get the bits in their mouths, she led them out of the stalls. Kari knew that she had to get them and herself down to the storm shelter in the lower pasture. She led them out of the stable. The wind had picked up considerably again and it was raining now. The rain stung her face as she guided the horses down to the shelter. Between the fierce wind and rain, the ordeal which would have normally taken her ten minutes took her almost half an hour.
She cried with relief at the sight of the shelter. Her dress was filthy with mud, her hair plastered to her skin. Tying the horses to a post outside, she managed to pry open the huge doors. Grabbing both reins, the bedraggled woman led them into the one room shelter. Using all the strength she had left, Kari managed to close the doors, slamming the bolt down.
Kari left the blinds on the horses, collapsing in a pile of hay, unable to move. She was exhausted and cold, her clothes completely saturated. She wished Austin were there. No, he'd lied to her. Lisa could have him. Lisa would have her baby first. Kari's child would be the bastard.
What a stupid idiot she'd been! What a perfect hiding place Orlando had been for him. He need never know about their child either. By the time he'd moved out, she wouldn’t have begun to show yet. Kari had told him she would love him for the rest of her life, and she still meant it. Now she would have a part of him he would never know about. She closed her eyes, his dark, chocolate ones looming before her. No! She wouldn't think of him.
She turned her thoughts to the baby growing within. Shivering uncontrollably, she tried to reach the blanket on the hook above her. Unable to get up, she lay down and passed into a deep, exhaustive sleep. The storm raged around her as she slept, fitfully.
Twenty
Max had made it as far as the Atlanta airport. All air routes to Florida had been canceled. Austin rented a Hummer and took off immediately for Orlando. With luck, he'd get there in a few hours. The troubled young husband drove like a maniac, with a thermos of black coffee to keep himself going.
Entering the city limits of Orlando a few hours later, he could already see the damage the storm had done. Trees and telephone lines were down all over. He didn't have to worry about traffic as his truck was one of the few vehicles on the road. The winds were still strong and the rain was coming down in sheets. Austin could barely see, even with the windshield wipers on.
Pulling into the yard of their home, he saw her jeep. There were no lights on, but he expected the electricity was out. One of the trees had fallen on the verandah, causing it to cave in. He leaped out of the car and dashed to the house. The door was unlocked. He pushed the door in.
"Kari! Kari! Honey! Where are you?"
Austin listened to the deafening silence. She wasn't there, he was certain. He ran out to the jeep and looked in. The keys were still in the ignition and her purse was in the front seat. He looked around wildly. Realizing suddenly, that the stables were very quiet, he raced in that direction.
The
doors were open and the horses were gone. Austin remembered then that he'd asked a neighbor to take care of the horses if the storm came inland. Glancing around one last time in desperation, he spotted a piece of green material hung up on a bush. Grabbing it, Austin realized it was a fragment of the dress Kari had been wearing.
She must have taken the horses to the shelter. Fighting the wind and rain he vaulted into the Hummer. Jamming it into gear, he gunned the engine, racing down the muddy road towards the shelter. Pulling up with a lurch ten minutes later, he could hear the horses moving around nervously. Leaping out of the monster vehicle, he went for the door. Finding it locked he went around to the window in the back, breaking the glass. Austin climbed through. Seeing Kari lying in the hay, he sprang over, kneeling down beside her.
She was moaning, curled up in a ball. He placed his hands on her face, brushing back her damp hair. Kari's skin was on fire. Austin grabbed the blanket off the hook, wrapping her up. He unbolted the door. Bending his head in the gale, holding her close against his chest to protect her from the storm, he headed for the Hummer. He lay her carefully in the back, speeding back to close the doors of the shelter. Swinging into the vehicle, Austin gunned the engine and took off. He had a very sick woman on his hands.
Within thirty-five minutes The tall, saturated man was carrying his very ill wife into the emergency room of the hospital. Kari was delirious with fever. She kept calling Austin's name, not realizing he was there. They wheeled her into to a room and began the IV's. Austin told the doctor she was pregnant. While they went to work on Kari, Austin sank into a chair. He was worn out. Closing his eyes, he slept.
****
Sunlight poured through the hospital waiting room window, slowly waking Austin up. His mouth tasted lousy and he needed a shave. Without thinking about it, he rose up, striding into Kari's room. She was sleeping peacefully. He thought with great love once again that his lovely wife reminded him of pictures of an angel when she slept.
"Mr. DuQuaine."
Austin turned around. A nurse was standing there, clipboard in hand.
"I need your signature on a few things. You were sleeping so soundly, I didn't want to wake you."
Austin took the papers from her and began to sign them. "Is my wife all right?" He glanced up anxiously.
"You got her in just in time I'd say. The fever is almost gone and she's breathing just fine. We'll need to keep her here a few days so we can monitor the baby."
"Is the baby all right?"
"The baby is fine, but they've both been through a traumatic experience. We need to make sure she doesn't have a relapse. Why don't you go home and take a nice hot shower? The storm is over. She should be awake when you return. She was calling your name all night. I expect that she'll be anxious to see you."
"Yeah, okay. I'll be back in a hour."
Austin walked out into the blazing sunlight. His eyes hurt from the glare. Like hell she would want to see him. It was his fault in the first place that she was ill. And if she lost the baby.... He got into the car and drove home to take a shower.
****
Kari opened her eyes. She looked around, slowing realizing where she was. How had she gotten here? Just then the nurse came in.
"How are we feeling this morning? You both gave us quite a scare."
"My baby. Is it going to be....."
"Just fine. We are going to keep you here a few days to make sure you are fully recovered. You've been through a very rough time, Mrs. DuQuaine."
Kari looked at her puzzled. "How do you know my name. Who brought me here?"
"You were delirious when your husband brought you in. He was here all night. He finally went home to get cleaned up after he knew you were going to be okay. He'll be back in a short while."
"Austin brought me here? That's impossible. He's in Houston. It must have been someone else."
"I don't think so, dear. Is your husband about 6'2' or so with dark blonde hair and brown eyes? Quite a handsome man I'd say."
"Yes, that's him." Kari barely whispered her answer. "Would you tell him I'm too tired to see him today? I really need the rest."
"Are you sure, dear? He was very worried about you and the baby."
Kari's face turned a sickly white. "He knows about the baby?"
"Why yes, dear. Are you feeling all right? You look pale again. I better have the doctor take a look."
"I'm all right, really, nurse. I'm just a little tired, that's all. I'll be fine with more rest. Please tell my-my husband I don't feel up to seeing him today."
"I'll give him the message."
As the RN left Kari's room, it was obvious to her that this was a troubled young woman. She would give Mrs. DuQuaine's husband the message, but the nurse doubted it would stop him from seeing his wife.
****
Jack, arriving a few moments before, rose from the couch in the waiting room as Austin entered. This had to be the man who had done his best to destroy his little girl's happiness. Austin stopped as he saw the older man eyeing him with a look that was far from cheerful. Jack took a step toward him.
"Austin DuQuaine?"
"You must be Jack, Kari's father. She's going to be all right, Jack. And so is the baby."
"My daughter is registered as Mrs. DuQuaine and she's pregnant. You have some explaining to do, young man. Right now!"
Jack looked rather menacing. Austin suddenly realized Kari's father didn't know the whole story either. He had to talk fast!
"Jack, first of all, we are married. We got married in Hawaii a week after we met. For obvious reasons, we didn't want to disclose it right away. We knew you and my parents would have serious reservations about it." He rushed on.
"We wanted both of our families to be part of our celebration coming up, so we kept it a secret. When we went to Houston, Kari met my ex-fiancée, Lisa, who happened to be very pregnant with another man's baby. Lisa told her it was mine to get even with me for leaving her for your daughter." His son-in-law stopped to catch his breath.
"I'm no saint, Jack, but Lisa and I were not involved the last few months of our relationship. Kari didn't tell me that she was pregnant before we went to Houston. So, she thinks I’m the father of both babies." Austin could see Jack was relenting somewhat. "I take full responsibility for anything that happened. Make no mistake about this, Jack. I love your daughter and our child. I never intended to hurt her in any way. I have never loved anyone like I love her. I don't intend to let her go." Austin drew himself up in defiance, daring Jack to interfere.
Jack McKinnon watched the young man before him as he offered his explanation. He quickly assessed his daughter’s husband was ready to fight for what was his.
"Well, son, I think you have a job ahead of you, beginning with getting back in my daughter's good graces." Jack smiled then, thinking about Kari.
"And, your job won't end there, believe me. That daughter of mine will keep you on your toes for the rest of your life."
"I know that sir. That is part of what I love about her. I promise that she will have the life she's always dreamed of." Austin reached out and solemnly shook Jack's hand.
"Good luck, son. I'll be waiting out here after you see her. Remember, she's my baby!"
"I will, sir. You can count on it!"
Austin took a deep breath and headed toward Kari's room. He walked in just as she was drifting off to sleep. He tread softly over to the bed, sitting carefully on the edge. Austin had called Houston to say she'd been found and everything was fine. He shook her shoulders gently.
"Kari, honey. Wake up!" She opened her eyes, cautiously, still groggy.
"Daddy?" She opened them wide staring right into her husband's luminous brown eyes. Oh no. Oh no! The web he'd woven around her was nearly complete now. She could no longer break away, no matter how she tried. Kari knew she'd believe anything he told her. But she would give it a shot anyway. Austin's angel raised her chin in a pout, her full, amber mouth that her husband loved so well, set in a determined way.
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"I have nothing to say to you, Mr. DuQuaine. Would you please leave?"
"No honey, I'm not leaving until you hear what I have to say. Your dad is in the waiting room. I told him I would take care of you. I love you, Kari. I love you and the baby."
"I'm not going to listen to this, Austin. I've heard it all before. I want you....." Austin put his hand over her mouth and held her gently with his other hand. He was shaking with emotion.
"You are going to listen to me, damn it, Kari! Nick is the father of Lisa's baby. They're getting married next week. I had no idea she'd planned to avenge herself like that. I didn't tell you that Lisa and I hadn't been together that way in months, because I didn't see the point." Kari's eyes were misting. Austin hurried to explain further.
"She just wanted to hurt us, Kari. That's one of the reasons I didn't want to go back to Houston. I've made some major mistakes, Kari, but being unfaithful to you wasn't one of them. I've never even looked at another woman since I met you. I need you, Kari. Please don't shut me out. I couldn't go on without you."
Austin released his hand from her mouth and buried his head in her lap. She reached over to stroke his soft, dark blonde hair that she loved so much. Kari choked back the tears. She took a deep breath and exhaled softly.
"I guess that I should've given you a chance to explain, Austin. I always run when I can't face my pain. I should have had enough faith in you, no, in us, to realize she was lying. I'm sorry, Austin. I'll try harder from now on. Please forgive me, this time."
She lifted his face to hers. Austin brushed her lips softly with his. Kari sighed as his mouth lay claim to hers. She moaned softly, putting her arms around his neck. His mouth moved down her neck, his lips burning her flesh with hot, moist kisses. Fire raced through Kari's veins. Abruptly he lifted his head, their eyes meeting.
"No more forgiveness. We have enough to last us a life time. No more hurt. Only love, Kari, only love." He winked at her then.
Austin's Pleasure Page 18
