DRAGONJULS Storybook
Disclaimer and Acknowledgements: See Part One
Part 11
Chapter Twenty-two:
Jace wasn't going to get away with it today! She had found things to do that kept her out of the office when Hudson was there, and in the office when she wasn't, seemed to work. But today, no today she was caught! Hudson had requested her presence and she wasn't going to take any excuse, not this time.
Jace entered Hudson's office, when she called her on the intercom; it had been a very brusque request. 'Hope she's not in a bad mood.' Jace thought as she went through the door.
Clarissa Hudson was sitting in her large office chair it was black leather and essentially suited the woman, she did exude a dark power, almost evil in it's intent at times, or so it appeared to Jace.
"Ah, Jace. Glad you could finally set some time aside to see me!" Hudson said the voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Your time, your money." Jace said with a small smile.
Hudson watched her closely and waived her to the seat in front of her desk. "Yes, glad you realised that!"
Jace dropped down into the seat, knowing this wasn't going to be a picnic.
"So, have you finally remembered some interesting details on Warriorson for the documentary yet?" It wasn't a request it was a demand.
"No." Jace looked directly into the hard expression of her boss.
"Why not?" came a sickly sweet reply.
"It wasn't anything to do with the company when I was a guest on the ranch, it would be a betrayal of her privacy if I revealed how she lives and the people she has around her." Jace answered confidently.
"Come, come Jace, don't be naive! Catherine Warriorson will know that we will want you to tell us something about her! Hell, she will expect it." Hudson said in an amused tone.
"Well, I disagree. She doesn't expect that of me!"
"I'm afraid that if you don't tell me something, particularly the facts, then as you know in this town, things kind of slip out of proportion to the event." Hudson looked at her nails as she spoke.
Jace looked at the woman, 'Was that a threat?' "I'm sorry, forgive my stupidity here but exactly what do you mean by that?"
"As I said before, naïve maybe, but certainly not stupid. You are a very intelligent woman, I'm more than happy to have you on my team's side," Hudson continued her examination of her fingernails.
"I wasn't aware there was an issue with sides here?" Jace looked confused.
"Didn't you? Mmm, well it would appear that a line has been drawn Jace; you need to decide which side you want to be on," Hudson eyed her discreetly, curious to see her reaction.
"Why do I need to be on a particular side? It's not exactly a major issue here, you only need about thirty seconds of dialogue, is it so important?" Jace was dumbfounded. It didn't make sense this obsession of Hudson's about Catherine. 'I'm going to have to ask Catherine if she knows Hudson, maybe in her past.'
"To me it's important Jace, lets just say I'm fascinated with the legend." Hudson said almost in a whisper.
"Legend?" Jace asked her puzzled.
"Ah, too young, I forget sometimes. Let's just say Ms Warriorson has a background that is legendary; I wondered if she had changed in anyway." Hudson smiled at the younger woman and noticed her puzzled frown. "Times change Jace, she's probably nothing like the woman she was, but tell me does she still have that expressive eyebrow action that literally is one of the most powerful weapons in her arsenal?"
Jace paled, Hudson did know her. "I wouldn't know the difference would I; I've never met her before?"
"No, but I have! Indeed, on several occasions. Does she still put the fear of god into people?' noticing Jace wince at the term, she smiled. "Guess she still does, wonder if she still pulls that hard nosed bitch front she used to do when we knew each other?" Once again Jace's facial expressions gave her away. "Can't say I blame you for not wanting to say much about the cold-hearted bitch, you never know if she might retaliate. Does she have anything on you that she could score a point off you Jace?" This time Hudson looked at her directly and noted the sudden swallowing and the pale visage getting paler.
'Oh to be young and in love.' Hudson chuckled silently.
"She....she wouldn't do anything to make me upset, I know her! She wouldn't, she knows I..........I value her friendship." Jace whispered at the room, it was suddenly becoming oppressive. 'God, how well had Hudson known Catherine, and when and where?'
"Guess you need to get some work done Jace. But remember who the pay check comes from okay?" Hudson inclined her head to the doorway in dismissal. "Oh Jace, in this town and our industry try to remember one thing!"
Jace looked up at her and wearily got up from the chair. "That would be?"
Hudson looked at her with a cynical smile. "Why never be gullible Jace you might never know when it could come back to haunt you."
Jace paled even more and thought, 'this woman was a manipulator, Peter had been right, she wouldn't give up; but I haven't given any damn interview either, so that was something to be thankful for at least.'
Leaving the room she picked up her purse and headed for the canteen, she needed a coffee and how!
Hudson looked at the dejected Bardley leave her office and as the door closed, she allowed herself a large grin and a small laugh.
"Oh Catherine, how you still manage to charm people to your side of the camp, and now without the mantle of Xianthos to help in your enticement. It will give me great pleasure in using what Jace didn't say! As a background to the story and eventually you will have to do the evil deed yourself and admit who you really are to her, saving me the task in the long run. I'm sure Jace will be happy to know that her.....friend as she calls you, is really her number one enemy! How appropriate for you both; she gets a lesson in life, and you get a touch of your own medicine. I love it, just love it." She spoke icily into the empty room.
**********
Grace had packed as much as she wanted for the trip home, if she needed anything else she would buy it there. Her sister Alison had been ecstatic over her visit, after all it had been three years since she'd been home, and they thought she had forgotten them.
Recalling the phone conversation.
"Hell Sis, we thought that you had finally decided we weren't good enough for you anymore. What with living like you do at that big ranch and with a rich recluse?" Alison had laughed when Grace had snorted her disgust at the comment.
"Sure, how on earth could I forget you Ali, you wouldn't let me anyway, would you?" She laughed herself at her sister's infectious laughter, it reminded her of Jace in some ways, as they were both about the same age.
"Mom was pleased that you're coming home."
"Good, it will be good to see her too, what about Dad?"
"Gracie you know Dad, he never says much, but I noticed him look at your photo when I mentioned it."
"Which photo? Thought he'd got rid of them, when the police thing went out of the window."
"It's the one you had taken about six months into the training, guess he kept one or two huh?"
Grace smiled at the thought of the picture, she had been happy then.
Her Dad had been proud of her, he had been a police officer himself, but due to a heart problem had retired earlier than expected, three years ago. He had never forgiven her for the car accident and the waste of her career, what she did now was not fit work for his daughter, or that's how she had viewed his continued silence over the past five years, guess sometimes you don't need words.
"I remember it well, who has the pleasure of putting me up?" She asked, knowing that her sister no longer lived at home.
Alison laughed at the question. "Boy, you sure have a chip on your shoulder Gracie. Come on now Mum and Dad would be furious if you didn't go home, she got your room ready so you have to go."
Grace was surprised, more than surprised, the last visit hadn't gone too well and if it hadn't been for Ali's influence, she would probably have said things she would have regretted later. Mind you there would always be a second chance, Ali wasn't going to be there this time around!
"Okay, well I'll see you Sunday Ali, don't go getting into too much trouble before I get there, love you. Bye for now."
"Love you too Gracie, see you Sunday, bye."
Cradling the cell in her hand she hadn't noticed Catherine walk into the room silently. Turning she noticed the strange smile on the woman's face as she watched her from the door.
"Okay, what's so funny Catherine?"
Catherine moved from her leaning post at the door and walked closer to her friend. "I've never heard you talk to your family before, do you often?"
Grace smiled briefly and went over and put down the cell on the kitchen table. "No, no Ali, Alison my kid sister has been travelling abroad, she's an engineer, works on rigs and such stuff. Clever kid about Jace's age." Seeing the fleeting sadness in Catherine's eyes she looked away and went over to put on some tea.
"Interesting profession, obviously she likes it?" Catherine said conversationally.
"Yeah, she does. Took my Dad ages to come to terms with it especially after..... Well anyway she gets around now." Grace kept her back to Catherine.
"After?" Catherine was never one to miss a change in subject.
"You know you could just ignore that and ask me when I'm going to leave." Grace smiled wanly at her friend and boss.
"I could! But nooo..... where's the fun in that!" she returned a brief smile and sat at the table; tea looked a good possibility and she knew once Grace was gone she wouldn't be in the kitchen much until she got back.
"After I dipped out of the police, my Dad was loath to believe that his other daughter would finish her chosen profession."
"Your sister is her own person what happened to you was an accident, surely he didn't assume she would be as f.........." She didn't finish the sentence.
"Foolish is the word you wanted to say I believe." Grace supplied for her.
"Yeah, foolish. Because sure as hell my friend, you certainly were in that car that night." Catherine never released the stare from the other woman's eyes, essentially taking any of the sting out of the words.
"I know, and would you believe good old Dad has never forgiven me! Hell, I was his eldest child and following in his footsteps. Now, he thinks I'm a waste of space, doing a mediocre job for some recluse, who has more money than sense." Grace laughed as she said the words pouring them tea.
"Maybe your Dad is right, you could do better than this Grace." Catherine had pondered that very same thing about Grace recently.
"No! I couldn't Catherine. This is my home for as long as you want me in it! I'm happy here with you and now with the children, it's going to be interesting times." She locked brown onto blue in a sincere look.
Catherine placed a hand on the other woman's. "You know I think you're right Grace, it certainly is going to be interesting times."
"Yes, so don't go doing too many interesting things while I'm gone will you?" She chuckled as they sat there in friendly companionship.
"Okay, just don't stay away too long will you?"
"No, no I have something to come back too now haven't I?" she said softly.
"You never needed to go away to find a reason to stay here Grace." Catherine replied solemnly.
"I know, but some things need to be cleared up, and I can't do it here. Do you know you're too much of an influence?" She smiled at the colour, which appeared on Catherine's cheeks.
"Christ that's just what Jace said." And tried to laugh off the embarrassment that the two most important women in her life seemed to have the same opinion of her.
"I always knew Jace was an astute woman. Pity some others haven't got the same perception." She moved away quickly as Catherine jabbed her in the arm.
"Get out of here Grace, you're going to make someone an interesting wife one day!" She got up and walked towards the outer door.
"I'll be back before you go, in about an hour okay?" Catherine smiled and left her friend to her final leaving preparations.
"Interesting wife indeed! Maybe she should think about that herself."
Grace chuckled as she cleared away the tea mugs and went to her room to get her things together.
**********
Chapter Twenty-three
Paul Strong had started all the necessary procedures to ensure Catherine's plans for a World President of Xianthos coming into operation without too controversy with the various personnel and departments.
He had received the internal memo from Catherine to all VP's about her plans; it had clearly stated his new role, which placed him in charge of Xianthos. Catherine wouldn't interfere, unless it meant that Xianthos was under criminal suspicion or that the market lost faith in the President.
He had practically run the company for the last five years anyway on the more sensitive issues, so she had great faith and would tell the market so in a rare interview in the coming months. She had also stated that he would be the person to move if he thought fit any VP's to new positions, especially the New York role, which would be perceived as his second in command.
Paul had considered the options he had, but primarily he needed to act on Catherine's last discussion with the other VP's; it was very appropriate how she had rearranged positions and responsibilities, just another of her many skills.
He was going to move Gareth to Africa, he'd been far to out spoken of late and what better way to see if he could actually put his money where his mouth was, or rather Xianthos's money back into the Corporate pocket.
Constance had done well there; she had turned round what had been a big loss of seventy million a year to a meagre five million. How she had done that was amazing, sometimes he thought that she should have the new role, but he did have the more sophisticated experience with the major clients. If she continued in New York the same way she did on the African continent, she would easily oust him in about five years. He smiled at the thought.
'Hell, he had enough money from the bonuses alone to retire now, but it was always a challenge and the last five years had been exactly that!'
Then there was Eduardo. He was definitely the candidate for Europe without a doubt! Anyway he would love the new scenery, especially the European females.
Tito wouldn't necessarily have to move he could put the new person in the South American position, certainly closer to the two senior executives if things went wrong! Yes, that would work. Might cause problems with Gareth, but he would be the only one! He didn't want to lose Tito, he was a very fine man and it was his decision after all.
Now, the new candidate for the VP position was certainly something he had to consider well; the selection would have to take into account every senior manager in the corporation, which seemed to have produced several highly qualified applicants for him to consider.
The phone rang in his office.
"Strong."
"Sorry to bother you Paul, but I have Catherine on line one and Gareth on line two, which one do you want to take first?" Celeste Johnson asked, she'd been Paul's aide for over ten years and he had never known anyone like her for efficiency, in his life.
Paul smiled.
"I'll take line two first, Catherine will wait." he smiled as he thought of his boss, she knew that the corporation came first and the day to day operations was his call.
Celeste smiled at her boss's tone; she knew that he was smiling. Catherine rarely called during normal office hours it was unheard of.
"Ms Devonshire, Mr Strong has just taken a call from the European VP, would you like me to get him to call you back?" Celeste had met the woman a few times in her career at Xianthos, she was formidable but entirely fair in her dealings, or so it had always appeared to her.
Catherine looked at the time, if she put down the phone it might be another hour before Paul rang back and she would be bathing Lisa.
"I'll wait, thanks Celeste."
Celeste was surprised at her waiting. "What's the weather like in your part of the world Ms Devonshire?" It was better than the piped music, and no way was Celeste going to subject the owner of Xianthos to that!
Catherine was a little surprised that Paul's aide would try to converse with her, how times are changing, but at least it would be better than listening to the piped music. "Very cold, we had frost this morning, could be some snow on the way."
"Well it's just started to heat up here, in the seventies, so quite comfortable at the moment. My kids love the hot weather, wonder were they get it from sometimes." she said cheerfully.
Catherine smiled and thought of her two charges and wondered what they thought about the season changes. "Yes, kids appear to like hot weather, must be the thought of open spaces, holidays, swimming and generally getting up to mischief I would think," Catherine said in a relatively talkative way.
Celeste was surprised she hadn't expected much of a response to her chatter. She knew Ms Devonshire's background and that her immediate family was all dead including her only son.
"You have any children on the ranch?" It was open speculation.
Catherine wondered if the aide was being nosy or just making general conversation. She decided on the latter.
"I've got a couple of kids staying with me at the moment, only ever seen them with the cold weather, it will be interesting to see what they get up to in the summer months."
Celeste was amazed, should she say more or not? What the hell you only live once! "My son Richard, loves going boating with his father in the vacation time, but Gayle my youngest, she likes nothing better than sitting in the sun doing nothing in particular."
Catherine laughed at her description. "How old are your children Celeste?" she couldn't remember exactly how old Celeste might be, maybe mid-thirties, more or less, she didn't know, it had never been important.
"Richard is eighteen in a couple of weeks, goes to college next fall. Gayle is sixteen and making my heart stop from time to time with the number of interested young men who seem to want to get to know her. Guess you just never get over being worried about them, do you?"
Celeste said, forgetting whom she was talking to for the moment.
Catherine mulled that one over. "No, I guess you don't Celeste, but so long as they stay safe what more can any parent ask," she spoke solemnly thinking about Lucas.
A light going out on the console indicated that Paul had finished his conversation with the European VP. "Well, it was wonderful to talk to you Ms Devonshire. I will put you through to Mr Strong now, bye."
Catherine smiled, "Bye for now Celeste, oh and next time I'm on the line call me Catherine and let me know how your getting on with your children," with that she waited to be put through and a male voice answered.
"Sorry to keep you waiting Catherine, Gareth is getting up tight about your recent memo." Paul laughed softly at the remembered conversation.
"I'm sure you will handle it Paul." Catherine spoke with disinterest.
"I'm sure I will, so what can I do for you today, it's a little unusual to hear from you this time in the day?" Paul was curious.
"I had a snippet of information passed to me confidentially, that Hudson is ready to go for release of the documentary. I want access to it prior to release. No ifs or buts just send me a copy of the tape.
If you have any resistance, just get the lawyers involved!" Catherine spoke in a demanding voice.
Paul looked at the intercom thoughtfully, he had known that Catherine would get at Hudson eventually, but to suppress the documentary would only bring her even bigger publicity. "You going to veto the documentary altogether?"
"Ah.......Paul, now why would you think I would be that malicious?" she laughed it came out as a low throaty expression that made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
"Not malicious, just payback on your terms." He ventured.
"The answer to your question is no, they can show everything except Destiny. It really is as simple as that!"
"Okay, I should have it to you by courier within the next five days."
"Fine. Oh, and Paul tell Hudson if she doesn't co-operate I'll personally come over and sort the issue out!"
"You know she might just take you up on that threat."
"If she does, then I guess I'll get to kill two birds with one stone. But believe me the other bird is far, far more important than Hudson." Catherine said in a gentle tone.
"Never thought I'd see you in LA?" Paul was surprised at the turn of the conversation.
"Who says I will be yet! I'd rather conduct any of my business anywhere else in the world, but it appears that affairs of the heart Paul, sometimes ignore your preferences." Catherine spoke in a casual tone.
Paul was once again surprised, so she did have a relationship with Jace Bardley, interesting. "That they do Catherine, that they do!"
Catherine was answering a question in the background.
"I have to go Paul, Grace left this afternoon and I have the dubious pleasure of bathing a seven year old tonight, no rest for the wicked it would seem." she laughed and waited for his response.
"You will miss Grace, she's a very fine asset to you on the ranch."
"An asset Paul? Really, you say the nicest things about people. Although you're right, I will miss her. Hell! I miss her now and she's only been gone about three hours. She's a good friend," her voice wistful.
"I better let you go, I'm going to contact the VP's tomorrow and let them know my decision on the global areas. Obviously, I will update you tomorrow also," he immediately went back to business efficiency mode.
"Great, do what you have to do. Bye," she placed the cell phone down on the desk.
Paul glanced back at the intercom. 'Wonder exactly how Jace Bardley feels about Catherine? Can't say I've ever seen her quite so laid back as she is at the moment. Love must agree with her.' he chuckled at the thought of his boss in love and the object of that love, was so different from her that it was almost ludicrous.
He pulled out his personal diary and rang UCP direct.
**********
Chapter Twenty-four:
Catherine sat alone in the lounge and glanced at the book she had recently put down after reading to the children again. 'I wonder what my life would have been like if Lucas and I hadn't lost mother when we did? Wonder if Lucas would still be alive? Father might have come home more often and they would have been a family. Strange how mother always had a sense of the future and she knew deep down she wasn't going to be around to see our future.' Catherine idly thumbed through some of the pages of the book, and a small smile appeared as she read pieces that brought back her own memories.
Twenty-three years earlier:
The rambling house in a fashionable district in London was alive with laughter and people enjoying themselves in a party atmosphere.
It was Elena Devonshire's thirty-fifth birthday and just about everyone who was anyone in the publishing world was there. Stewart Devonshire had made sure his wife would enjoy the day in every way, he loved the woman to distraction, and she was his whole world. Even his children came a pale second to her and his business a necessary evil, he wanted Elena to have everything money could buy and he worked hard to achieve just that!
It was late afternoon and several of the guest requested that Elena do one of her party tricks, her two children were fascinated, it was their first grown up party and they had loved every minute of it.
"Please, you flatter me." Elena blushed as she eyed the numerous people sitting in various places in the large dining room.
Stewart came over to where the children sat with their nanny. "Your mama is very talented children, what will it be a song or some of those fortunes she tells from time to time?" he spoke into Catherine's ear but loud enough for Lucas to hear too.
Both children looked at their father and smiled brightly. "Oh I want a song daddy, mama sings nice songs." Lucas said in a loud voice, so that those seated close to them, laughed out loud.
Elena looked over at her family and knew that a conspiracy was a foot.
Stewart glanced down at his shy, gangly ten-year-old daughter. "What about you little princess, what do you want mama to do as her party piece?" he smiled at his daughter, she was at times difficult to get a sentence out of if she wasn't confident about something.
Ice blue eyes looked into his blue-green ones and smiled. "Fortunes daddy, she could tell fortunes." she continued to look earnestly at her father.
Elena looked over at her husband.
"My love it appears Lucas wants you to sing, but our little princess here wants you to tell fortunes. Your choice." he laughed and the other guests joined in.
Elena looked at her two expectant children, noting the excitement on her son's face and the quiet anticipation on her daughter's often-emotionless visage.
"I think I will not chose, I will sing a song for Lucas and tell some fortunes for my friends. There is a catch to the fortune telling though, my dear daughter will also get her fortune told, she requested the party piece after all." Elena noticed her daughter blush and gulp at the same time; she was so very shy that one.
Sometime later after a song and several fortunes being told, Elena was tiring and Stewart said enough was enough and the children had to go to bed. Elena rested her hand on husband's arm. "No, I have one more to do and I will do it as she gets ready for bed, heh little princess." smiling at her daughter, who had looked both relieved and a little disappointed by her fathers announcement.
"Okay, my love, but don't take all night, we still have a party to finish." He pushed her gently towards the children making their way up the stairs to bed.
After her bath, Catherine looked into the brown eyes of her mother and waited.
Taking her hand and turning over the palm she looked at her daughter and spoke softly. "Catherine there will be times in your life that appear as if the god's themselves are out to defeat you, but take strength my child that you will survive and you will be the stronger for it. You will suffer tragedy, but I see a great, wonderful sense of peace that will be hard fought for and it will bring you a lasting happiness. Don't ever give up on love my daughter, because you have a great capacity for it, but the darkness that is in our ancestry will rear up and try to defeat it! Always remember that there is a one true love out there for everyone, and you will have that Catherine, but you may have to sacrifice everything that you hold dear to your heart to achieve it. Take council from a brown haired, brown eyed foreigner in the future, she will steer you towards your goal. But never fear daughter, I will always be there to hold your hand in the darkness that comes and goes, it is my destiny."
Elena looked into the ice blue eyes that held fascination and wonder, but also pain at the statement her mother had made. "Mama will you always be there to hold my hand in the darkness, even when I'm older?" came a tentative question.
Elena smiled wistfully at her elder child, so solemn this one, so full of promise and yet so full of tragedy too! "Oh yes, never fear Catherine, no matter what, I will definitely hold your hand, you just need to think of me and I will be there, it is my destiny. Just as you will have a different destiny marked for you one day." She gently pulled the covers over her daughter as she got into bed.
"I love you mama, never ever leave us." It was the plea of a child not yet ready to consider the consequences of the journey of life before them.
"I love you too Catherine, never ever forget that!" Elena kissed her cheek and left the room.
Catherine wondered what her mother meant by all those words, it was far too much for her mind to understand. Mama would tell her again when she was older, for now it was sufficient to know that she would always have her mama near at hand.
The present:
Catherine wiped a tear from her cheek as the memory invaded her space, her lonely life; one she had purposely sought was now closing in on her.
'Had her mother been right? Was there a person out there who could bring her peace and love? Sometimes she wanted to believe in Adam's theory of soulmates, never more so than in recent weeks but....... Yes, there always seems to be a 'but' in my life. I cannot let the past go; it darkens my doorstep too often to think about trying for a life with someone new. I cannot take another round of deaths of people I love, it would break my heart all over again, and only this time I'm not sure I would ever survive it! Mama if you hear me, I could do with a hand to hold about now!'
Catherine looked again at the book and placed it on the fireside table, knowing the futility of her childish thoughts.
She closed her eyes and wondered what Jace was doing right about now.
**********
Jace had arrived at her parents around dinner, it was rare she visited them during the working week, but today had been difficult to cope with and veiled threats by Hudson, just set her on edge.
Seeing her mother in the kitchen, she went in to greet her.
"Mom, what's for dinner?" Jace happily hugged the surprised woman, who was the same height as her daughter, but much more heavily proportioned.
"Jace, what made you come out here tonight? Not that it isn't good to see you." said the smiling woman as she smiled green eye to green.
"Can't a girl come and see her family from time to time huh?"
"As the girl in question is my eldest daughter, absolutely. It's good to see you Jace, you haven't been here for over two months."
"I've been out of the country, I told Dad, when I rang him last."
"No worries my dear, come on let me see if you've lost any more weight with this job in Hollywood." Her mother gently chastised her daughter with a twinkle in the eyes.
"Oh Mom, it's not that bad and anyway I caught a virus over in New Zealand,' she held up her hand as her mother tried to get a word in.
"It's okay Mum, no harm done, I'm fine. I was well looked after, you would have liked the people I stayed with at the time." Jace pictured her mother getting to know the stoic woman she'd lost her heart too, it brought a smile to her face.
"In that case I'd better feed you up then; come on your Dad and Lucy are in the study, talking as always. She's nearly as bad as you for talking constantly, only she doesn't have your persuasive skills with your Father." Tugging her eldest child along, they went towards the study.
There in the chair, at a much used desk sat a grey haired, ruggedly handsome man of about sixty; he generated confidence and happiness about him. He was conversing with a five foot eight inch young woman who had his blue eyes and blonde hair from her mother. At fifteen she was challenging her father to something with all the enthusiasm of youth.
"Well you two, we have a guest for dinner." her mother pushed Jace into the room.
"Jace." Came two voices simultaneously. Both rushed forward to hug her in welcome.
"It's great to see you Jace, have you got a holiday it's the middle of the week?" her Father asked in interest.
"Oh come on Dad, Jace never takes any holidays, that place must owe her weeks and weeks," Lucy replied for her sister.
Jace ruefully looked at the two and smiled deeply, this was her family home, and she knew that she would always be welcome here no matter what happened in her life. "No holidays but I guess I was feeling kinda lonely." Well it was true; she was lonely now without Catherine.
"Looks like a decent meal wouldn't come a miss either Jace." Her father looked at the fashionably slim woman in front of him.
"Ah come on Dad I've just had that conversation with Mom; let's catch up on some gossip until dinner arrives."
They talked for about half an hour and then during dinner.
Lucy helped her mother to clear away as father and eldest daughter went into the lounge to await them.
Jason Bardley looked at his daughter with concern. Although she had been talking, it had appeared to him to be somewhat subdued conversation on her part. "You going to keep an old man in suspense Jace?" her father asked with a grin across his expressive face.
Jace turned to her father and returned the grin. "I never could keep anything from you could I Dad?"
"Never, so come on what's worrying my little girl?"
"I guess it's work mainly, Hudson has been a little vindictive of late, she's not the easiest to work with but recently she's been more difficult. She called me naive today, maybe I am. But what she wants I just can't give her that information, no matter how trivial it might be! Does that make any sense to you Dad?" she said in a quiet sad voice.
Jason looked at his eldest daughter, he knew that losing the publishing business six years ago had broken her heart; it had been something she had always wanted to do ever since she had started to walk and gone to the office on occasions with him.
She'd said that one day 'Bards Publishing' would publish a book she had written. Then the bubble had burst and he wasn't even sure if she wrote in her journal anymore, never mind the book she'd always dreamed of.
Jason had always known his eldest daughter had an almost idealic lookout on life; she never judged anyone always looking for the best in everyone no matter the circumstances. But it was always going to hurt her one-day. All he wanted was an opportunity to be there when it did and help with the disappointment, maybe this was the time!
"Jace, you have an understanding of people that can be both a gift that hurts or brings great joy. Sometimes it's perceived as naïve, then again it can be a strength too, all depends on who you talk too." Her father looked at her intensely. "That's not all though is it Jace?"
Jace shook her head and returned his stare. "No, I've met someone Dad. Only thing is I know I love them but they don't seem to want to take a chance."
Jason had wondered when it would be that she would fall in love. Jace had never given much time to romance always saying it had to be that special person before she wanted to play in that arena. There had always been the odd skirmish with the boy next door and the couple of college friends; certainly in the last five years or more nothing or not anything she was willing to admit too!
"Wonderful news Jace, is it someone we know?" he asked gently.
Jace rose out of the chair and walked over to the window. "No, you wouldn't know them. In fact they live in New Zealand. We sort of became friends when I had to stay at the ranch to recuperate after catching a virus. Strange how the fates have put a distance between us, almost as if they're on her side." Jace whispered barely audible.
Jason wasn't sure if he'd heard right 'her side'? He had always brought his children up to respect other people's beliefs and choices in life but he was a little surprised that his daughter had chosen to become a member of a minority group. Which frequently went through the mangle at any available opportunity at the hands of bigoted and small-minded people. "You say she doesn't love you, why would that be Jace?" he asked concerned.
The young woman turned to him and realised she had let it slip that the love of her life was a woman! "You know something Dad?"
"What would that be daughter?" He bantered back.
"Have I told you recently how much I love you and how well you brought us up?" She said a tear welling up in her eyes.
"Well, come to think of it not recently." he smiled and held out his arms for her to come into a much needed hug.
"Oh Daddy, what am I going to do, she's so.........so out of reach. Not just the distance physically but mentally she just wont let go of the past, and although I know she likes me as a friend I'm not sure if she even wants a relationship beyond that! Hades, she was married and had a son, so maybe it's just my hormones Dad," Jace spoke thickly into her father's shoulder.
"Jace, I've known you for what,' he smiled at the rueful look he got from his daughter. 'Okay, all of Twenty-five years and this is not your hormones Sweetheart. Although you might have to consider, that your friend doesn't have the depth of love you have for her, you are going to have to come to terms with that and respect it. Can you do that Jace, can you just be her friend and not want more than she's willing to give?"
Jace looked into her Father's concerned face with tearful eyes,
"I love her dad, if all she can give me is friendship, I have to live with that and I will. Because I can't live with the thought of not having her in my life at all, just the thought of it hurts too much!"
"Then Jace, you are going to be okay. Hell! Who in their right mind wouldn't love you in the end? Just give it time, and they say patience has it's own reward, you never know Jace, yours might just be.......sorry you never did say her name?"
"Catherine, she's called Catherine Warriorson," she said softly.
"Well, your reward might just go by the name of Catherine." he smiled and held his daughter in a warm comforting hug. At the same time thinking that the name was familiar and an echo of the past in some strange way.
"Thanks Dad, I'm really pleased I came home. I always know you're there for me!" Jace said thankfully.
"We are all here for you Jace never forget that! Now come on lets dry those tears your mother and sister will be coming in soon and you know what it's like if they pick up on juicy gossip." he laughed into her blonde hair.
"Yeah, like I'd never get home this side of next week," she laughed along with her father. Somehow everything was going to be all right. It was just a matter of a little faith.
Continued in Part 12
Visit DRAGONJULS Storybook athttp://pages.about.com/dragonjuls
Any and all comments are essential for the
struggling muse. All are appreciated and will be answered:
jmdragon1@hotmail.com