"I'm sorry to interrupt, but it's long past visiting hours," a nurse apologized as she stepped into the room.
Katherine looked at the nurse, her mind foggy as she came back from the past. Then she looked at her husband.
So handsome. He hadn't changed one bit in her mind. His passion, beauty, and zest for life had only grown deeper, richer and stronger. The more she talked about their beginning, the more she needed him to wake.
A tear fell down her face as she looked at him. She gripped his hand and let the tears flow. "Please come back to me, Joseph. You made me love you. You refused to let me go. Now, I refuse to let you go. I refuse to give up. You come back to me soon, real soon," she demanded. She didn't even realize she spoke the words out loud.
She kept her eyes glued to her husband as she felt kisses on her cheek. She knew her family was saying goodbye for the night, giving her time to grieve.
They knew what she needed. After all, they were here because of the great love she shared with the wonderful man lying so still in front of her.
With a final tear escaping, Katherine slowly climbed in bed next to Joseph, holding him close. She was exhausted, drained, emotionally and physically.
The last thing she remembered before blessed oblivion overtook her was the feel of soft blankets being placed over her.
Chapter Fifteen
Austin sat back with a determined look on his face. He was grateful to have a distraction from his continual thoughts of Kinsey. He was going out of his mind. Was she pregnant? When would he see her again? What was she thinking?
"Are you sure you're up to this. I know you have a lot going on right now?"
"No, I'm fine," he answered. "Really," he added when Trenton gave him a suspicious look. "Quit trying to coddle me. I'm not one of your kids."
They reached the warehouse and Austin climbed from his car. He watched as employees filed through the doors, getting ready for their day to begin. He never enjoyed firing anyone, but he was happy to get rid of Jack. He was bad news all the way around.
"I'll have to take your word for it, but remember to keep calm. Dean said the crew has been walking on egg shells around him lately because his temper's been so bad. We don't need you to punch him in the face and get sued."
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Austin grumbled.
"Let's get this over with. I have an appointment in an hour with an investor," Austin said as he strode forward, his walk confident, his shoulders back. To the outside world, he looked like the corporate shark he was, though he was boiling on the inside.
They passed through the doors, watching as employees placed personal items in their lockers and put on their safety gear. A few greeted them, not alarmed to have them there. It wasn't unusual for any of the Anderson family member's to come and personally check on their varying businesses. They often jumped in while on site and gave a hand.
It was their fathers who'd taught them that hard work was expected, not to be passed off. They'd teach their children the same values. Just because they'd been fortunate enough to be born into money didn't give them the right to forgo certain steps in their learning process.
"A little sweat helps you grow into a man," both Joseph and George would say to their boys. Austin had actually heard Trenton say the same thing to his son. The thought almost made him smile – would have, too, if not for the situation.
"Trenton. I'm glad you're here. Can you come look at something?" an employee asked as he rushed over to them. Trenton looked at Austin, obviously unsure if he should leave him on his own.
"I told you, I'm fine. Go help. Come find me when you're finished," Austin snapped, the last of his patience with his brother evaporated.
"Okay, but don't do anything I wouldn't do," Trenton said as he turned and went down the hall.
Austin figured he had a lot of room to do what he wanted if that were the case. Trenton had been the wildest of them all, the word no just being another challenge for his brother.
Putting Trenton out of his mind, Austin continued to walk toward the loading dock, where he knew Jack would be. He tuned out the conversations going on around him as he focused on the task at hand.
"Hi, Austin. Glad you're here," Dean said as he appeared at his side.
"Yeah, better to get this over with. Which bay is he in?"
"Number twenty-three. I'm coming with you. He's been pissier than usual lately and I have a feeling you may need a witness. There's been mention that he might be on drugs. I don't know what happened to him. He used to be one of our best guys."
"It really bothers me when this kind of thing happens. I like a clean ship ran."
"I know. I'm sorry I allowed it to get this far," Dean said, obviously embarrassed.