by Elsa Kurt
“Thanks, buddy. It’s coming along. My wife,” Mitch wagged his thumb in Katharine’s direction, “is finally starting to see my genius.”
“You made it,” called Katharine as she crossed the yard. “Unfortunately, you’re right on time to hear Mitch brag. She shoved him with a laugh and added, “Fortunately, it’s also time to eat, too.”
“Well, almost time to eat,” said Tori from beside the grill, “Justin here thinks he’s the Barbeque King of Connecticut after living here for only four months.”
Everyone laughed, including Justin. He pointed at Mitch, “Your fault bro. You turned us into a bunch of Stepford husband’s over here in CT.”
There was some truth to the statement. One year had brought a great deal of change to all their lives. Mitch and his crew finished the Genoma rebuild three weeks after the gala. Two months after that, he and Katharine got married at Angelico’s under twinkling Christmas lights, in front of their families and friends. During the post-vow festivities, Janie announced that she and Jim were expecting, and Tori announced that she and Justin were officially together and that she would be leasing the storefront next to Po’s Rice and Spice.
“But that’s such a long commute,” Katharine had fretted.
“Actually, it’ll be a few steps away. We’ll be renting an apartment on the second floor. Justin will keep his place in the city so he can commute when necessary.” Then, as casually as if she were commenting on the weather, she’d added, “Oh, and since I have to keep an eye on my sole client—author of Number One Best-Seller in Young Adult, Miss Katharine Evans—we’re house hunting in the area.”
Janie and Katharine had stared at her with jaws dropped, then in a flurry of hugs and girlish squeals, they congratulated her. Three months later, over coffee at ECO, Katharine announced that she and Mitch were expecting.
Tori couldn’t help but tease, “Is that your way of postponing book signing events again?”
Katharine pretended to think for a moment, then said, “I dunno. Would it work?”
Tori’s raised eyebrow told her it would not. Turning to Janie, she said, “Alright now, on to you. Do me a favor and tell baby McNamara in there to come out in time for Katharine and Mitch’s Fourth of July party, okay?”
Lo and behold, they were all there for the party. Janie had her baby with weeks to spare, Tori and Justin had signed the papers for the house at the end of the street, and Katharine was beginning to show. Katharine smiled—her eyes shining—at her new life. One year and her whole universe had changed. It had been inconceivable at one time, and yet here they were. Knowing her as he did, Mitch—her solid, very real, sweet husband—took her hand and whispered in her ear. “Yes, sweetheart, it’s real.” Then he kissed her temple and rested his hand on her belly. “This is our life now, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.”
Katharine wrapped her arms around his waist and nestled her head against his chest, sighing contentedly.
“Neither would I, Mitch. Neither would I.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elsa Kurt is a multi-genre, indie & traditionally published author of six novels, including book one of her YA, modern-day fairy tale, Into the Everwood. Elsa began writing in 2012, releasing her first children’s book in 2013. Since then she has made writing her full-time career. In 2018, she has several novellas published through Crave Publishing in their Craving: Country Anthology and Crave: Loyalty Anthologies. She has also penned several children’s books under the name Melanie Cherniack. In addition to writing, Elsa began her igoodhuman brand—positive, inspiring & uplifting message apparel. She is a lifelong New England resident and married mother of two grown daughters. Elsa can be found across social media:
https://facebook.com/authorelsakurt/
https://instagram.com/authorelsakurt/
https://twitter.com/authorelsakurt
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15177316.Elsa_Kurt
https://allauthor.com/profile/elsakurt/
https://amazon.com/author/elsakurt
and her website, http://www.elsakurt.com
