"Today is truly a day of celebration. My Joseph is home, where he can recover, and both of my friends have found happiness and healing with each other. We are blessed," Katherine said as she stood up and made a toast.
Austin looked at his father, beaming with happiness as he took Esther in his arms and kissed her. For a moment he looked no older than his children. The slight wrinkles on his face faded away, the graying of his hair gone. He looked like a new man, ready to conquer the world. Austin was proud of his father for having the courage to not allow the woman he loved to get away.
He turned, looking for Kinsey, but her seat was empty. He didn't know what to do. Should he keep pursuing her? Maybe, she really didn't want anything to do with him. He just didn't know what was right or wrong.
He stayed with his family and celebrated long into the night, trying to forget his troubles for at least a few hours.
Chapter Seventeen
"Ugh, I'm so sorry I haven't been able to make it over sooner, but Jasmine came down with the flu, so you know that meant Isaiah got it, too. It was pure luck I haven't gotten sick," Amy said as she quickly came into the sitting room and found a seat.
"I hate it when the kids are sick. Poor babies. There's not a whole lot you can do for them other than hold them close and keep giving them fluids," Emily said with sympathy.
"She's already getting so big. I can't believe she just turned eight. Where's the time going?" Amy asked, a slight panic filling her eyes.
"I know. Trevor is shooting up like a weed. He's my little boy. I can't imagine what it's going to be like when they hit their teen years, and then, even worse, go off to college," Emily said.
"I miss them already," Jessica added, though her youngest was sitting on her lap, contentedly sucking on her thumb.
"Okay, enough complaining about the future. I've waited days for you to continue, Mom. Thank you, everyone, for waiting on me. It would've killed me to be the only one not knowing what was happening. I still can't believe dad was such a pain. And I want to know what happened with Uncle George. How did they make up?" Amy asked.
Katherine closed her eyes, obviously drifting into her past. They waited.
"I ran that night." Katherine began. "I was quickly losing my battle with myself to tell him no. I loved Joseph. I had since the first night I was in his arms. But, you see, there were a lot of misunderstandings, and I truly did believe he'd only been with me because of a bet. I didn't want to give him my heart when I thought all he wanted was to get me in his bed. But each time I saw him, it was a little bit harder to walk away. He had his own plans in the making, though, and like a headstrong man, he was going about things completely in the wrong way … "
Joseph slowly left the elevator, then walked from the building. He couldn't even think straight. His thoughts were consumed with nothing but Katherine.
If he wasn't careful, he'd lose his grandfather's corporation. He had to find a way to balance his life. He just couldn't think of how to convince Katherine they should be together, while still keeping his head clear for the race ahead.
He'd come to prove he could still have her, prove her wrong for walking away from him, but he was the one being proven wrong. He needed her in a way that was neither healthy nor logical. He wondered if it was just the chase. Was he enjoying the game? Or was he truly incomplete without her?
He drove to his property, his lips turning up as he looked at the calming presence of the water lapping on shore. He'd chosen right. As he sat alone on the sandy shore, he turned and looked at his land, the moon shining down on one particular spot.
"That's it," he whispered as he rose to his feet and walked up the grassy slope. He reached the spot and turned in all directions. One way gave him a beautiful view of the water and the soothing sound of the lapping sea. The opposite direction showed him the top of the snow covered mountain, standing high above the ground and offering a sense of protection.
He knew Seattle was growing, and as it grew, more people would spread out further, overtaking the serene little island, but he could make his own paradise right there, build the perfect home, a place fit for a queen.
Before he left that night, he had it all planned. All he had to do was begin making phone calls. Within a couple weeks, his palace would start rising. He'd be there to ensure it was perfect.
He hung his head as he made the decision to stay away from Katherine for a while. He had to save his grandfather's company. He couldn't distract her, or let himself be distracted. Soon, though, soon they'd be together.
With that thought, he walked to his car and got in. He had a long week ahead of him and much to do.