DRAGONJULS Storybook
Disclaimer and Acknowledgements: See Part One
Part 13
Chapter Twenty-seven
Catherine was somewhat frustrated at the events over the last month, especially after her admission to Jace that she loved her. She had intended to have the talk with Jace, then things would have been in the open and they would be either building a life together or she would be here on her own. Well, she was certainly still here on her own although it had nothing to do with Jace.
Circumstances had decreed otherwise, Grace hadn't returned after her three-week visit, her father had suffered a heart attack and died two days prior to her coming home.
Now she was waiting for Grace to ring and say exactly when she would be home! But was home 'Destiny'? That had been a question that Catherine had asked herself time and again, without a definite answer. Plans that she had made, which included Grace had to be put on a back burner, would she come back, or stay in Auckland with her mother? God, too many questions and no adequate answers, this had been aggravatingly frustrating for Catherine.
Jace had been supportive from afar, unfortunately it was evidently clear events Catherine had set in motion with Hudson had affected Jace. Hudson was being particularly obnoxious with Jace sending her to South America on some really weird projects, which often meant they talked less and less and only e-mailed sporadically due to bad connections in the places she visited. This would end soon, that was for sure, the need to be close to Jace, especially since they had both admitted their love was overwhelming. At times she wanted to get the next plane out of New Zealand and go and see Jace. But she hadn't she had responsibilities. Kids! Who'd have them?
Catherine smiled at the thought and reminded herself that without them in the last month, certainly she would have gone out of her mind. 'Yes, I would have them, especially these two wonderful children of 'mine'. Maybe it was time to talk to them about adoption it didn't have to be soon, it could be in a couple of years or never. I feel good about the prospect and I have never been one to pass up a chance that I perceive to be correct.'
Walking over to the study window she saw a redheaded child riding around on a bicycle in the yard. She looked happy with the rag doll, which she had brought with her, sitting precariously on the handlebars. Catherine smiled wistfully as she recalled the trip into town a couple of days before Lisa's birthday.
"You don't like taking us to town do you Catherine?" Lisa stated and looked at her with inquisitive blue eyes.
Catherine pulled the Landrover into an empty parking spot in the centre of the town and looked over at the child in the back seat. Jake had opted to sit in front and he was looking at both of them with interest.
"Yes well, the last time I came into town with you two, we had trouble if I recall correctly." She looked at the boy who fidgeted at the remark and them smiled at the two of them. "I don't know about you two, but I'm always up for a challenge."
Lisa sent out a whoop of joy and Jake laughed.
They piled out of the vehicle, Catherine wasn't too sure where to take them to shop; she looked around when she felt a small hand tug at her larger one. Looking down at the blonde child she raised her eyebrow in question.
"We might have to cross a road," was the serious rejoinder.
Jake scuffed his toes on the pavement edge and looked down.
"Okay, sounds reasonable to me." Catherine clasped the hand in a firm but gentle hold.
Jake walked along behind them and they all glanced in the stores although they never ventured into any one of them. Half an hour later they all looked at each other.......
"Guess this isn't getting us any where is it?" Catherine looked at the two children.
"No," they replied in unison.
From time to time people looked at them and voices could be heard discussing what they thought was an interesting trio. Catherine smirked at some of the comments and thought. 'One day it's going to be an interesting quartet, let's see what they make of that!'
Catherine didn't really know what to do, what would her two friends do in the circumstances? 'Ask the kids probably.' "So, Lisa as it's going to be your birthday, what do you want to see?"
Lisa looked at her with glowing blue eyes, 'one day that kid was going to bowl people over, that was for sure. Hell, she was doing it now!'
"Can we see the bikes?" Her voice rose in anticipation.
Catherine looked at her puzzled at first and then saw the shop that her young charge was looking at. "Oh, bikes. Yes, no problem whatever you want." Catherine looked at Jake who smiled tentatively at her.
"Cool," said the young voice as she suddenly felt herself dragged towards the shop with Jake walking slowly after them.
Settling into the shop, she motioned Lisa to look around for as long as she wanted. Then she watched Jake from the corner of her eye; he was looking over at Lisa with a sad expression. 'Something was bugging the boy again. Hell, was this kid ever going to be anything other than complex?'
Approaching him, she laid a hand on his shoulder and he looked up at her and smiled briefly. "What's with you?" Over the weeks he had lived on the ranch they had reached the conclusion that straightforward confrontation on a subject seemed to work the best for them both.
He looked sheepishly at her and shrugged his shoulders.
She quirked her eyebrow and he knew that only a verbal response would appease the woman in front of him.
"I can't buy Lisa a present." He solemnly said.
Catherine looked at him puzzled. "Why not?"
He shuffled around and then starred at her with his frank hazel gaze. "I haven't any money of my own." A simple statement, suddenly Catherine realised she had missed something else in the child rearing game.
Passing a hand over her hair in frustration she looked at the boy and gave him an apologetic glance. "I'm sorry Jake that's something we need to sort out when we get home. What do you need now?"
He looked at her and motioned for her to bend her head so he could whisper into her ear what he wanted to purchase for Lisa.
Smiling she looked at him and realised that the kid was indeed growing into a really likeable person. Reaching into her purse she took out several notes and passed them to him discreetly. "That enough?" she said huskily.
He looked at the wad of money and then back at her and gulped at the amount. "I'll bring you some change." He said as he went out of the bike shop towards the shop two doors down.
"You keep out of trouble, that's all I need." She smiled as he left with a big grin on his face.
They had bought the prettiest pink bike in the place, including every imaginable accessory, place was a basket to hold 'Sherry' the rag doll, or that was what Lisa had said at the time. By the time she had purchased everything and had them packed for transport to the car, Jake walked in with a large parcel tucked under his arm he was smiling broadly.
"Hey Jake what you got there?" Lisa asked him excitedly.
He looked at the little girl and smiled. "It's a surprise."
She looked at him and she smiled beguilingly at him. "For me Jake?" A soft voice asked.
He looked into the blue eyes and was lost. "Yes."
She smiled even more brightly, if that could have been possible and this time as they left the shop she held not only Catherine's hand but Jake's too!
Catherine decided they would eat at a burger bar, 'well at least it was fast food and she didn't have to cook it!'
So here she was, watching the child with her new toy and the rag doll didn't reside in the basket that was left for the puppy dog that Jake had bought for her. It was a brown beagle, look a like it had been quite a scene when she had opened that present. Tears had streamed down the child's face and the boy had looked embarrassed, although in a shy sort of way very pleased with himself. So he should be too! Catherine had been proud of him; he had actually thought about the present, and if she hadn't been too obtuse she would have realised that the children needed some money of their own, even if it was only a token sum every week or month.
Glancing towards the ranch drive, she saw a cloud of dust appear and thought at first it was either Colin or one of the other men on the ranch. Her first concern was for the child riding the small bike around the drive. If it was a stranger to the ranch, they might not be aware of the small obstacle that rode merrily around.
Moving quickly she opened the patio door of the study and called to Lisa to move towards the house, the child did so and stopped her bike close to Grace's herb garden, propping it up against the porch steps.
Watching the vehicle approach, she at first couldn't gauge the vehicle then suddenly it came into view. 'No, it can't be!' she looked again at the clear image of the vehicle now. 'Good grief that woman hadn't even called to say she was coming.' Catherine quickly went down the steps of the porch and waited for the vehicle to stop.
Hands on hips she looked menacing until you looked up into her eyes and noted the sparkle of warmth within.
The woman got out of the vehicle and slowly approached what looked like a very imposing figure to anyone who didn't have personal knowledge of the woman's stances.
"Good to see you Catherine." choked a voice with sincerity.
Catherine didn't waste a second she rushed down the final step and pulled the woman into her for a hug. "Bloody glad you came home Grace." And held her closer as the other woman cried into her shoulder.
Pulling away she looked up into the concerned ice blue gaze and smiled wanly. "I figured arriving home would be better than a phone call," she managed to say with a break in her voice.
"Yes, I would agree with that, and we all are very glad to have you back, we have missed you Grace." Catherine said sincerely, knowing that at the moment, just holding the woman brought her a peace she had missed in the weeks Grace had been away.
Grace looked at her with tear-filled eyes and she smiled again. "Thanks Catherine, I missed this place and everyone."
"Good, come on let's get Doris to make us some tea." With that a little redheaded whirlwind descended on them.
"Grace? Grace you came back to us, we missed you!" A small girl wrapped herself around the younger woman. Catherine grinned at Grace and moved away so that Lisa could hug her properly.
"I missed you too little Miss Alice. What have you been up to while I've been gone?" she asked in a happy voice.
"I had a birthday Grace and Catherine bought me a bike, do you want to see?" Lisa asked as she pulled Grace towards the bike and it's residents.
Catherine laughed and motioned Grace to follow Lisa. "It's okay Grace. I'll sort out the bags and when you're ready, tea will be brewing." Grace smiled back at her boss and thought she looked different, something had changed and she wanted to know exactly what that was.
Later!
***********
Catherine watched as Grace consumed her evening meal chatting amiably with the children. Lisa had never left her side since she'd arrived back and even Jake looked happy at the prospect of having Grace back in the fold.
Colin had briefly looked in and given Grace condolences over her father and then left abruptly as she teared up at his concern.
Doris had made the evening meal and then left, she had enjoyed her work at 'Destiny' and indicated that if ever they needed any help again just to let her know. Catherine had thanked her personally with a healthy bonus that had been very unexpected, but gratefully received.
Grace looked over at Catherine and smiled warmly at her. "Everyone seems to be happy and healthy here you haven't caused havoc while I've been gone it would appear?" She teased the older woman.
"Oh, come on Grace, now why on earth would you think that?" She smiled back at her friend.
"Just a thought, you appear happier now than when I left, any reason for that?" Grace pushed her luck.
Catherine quirked an eyebrow and then gave a brief grin. "Yes, a very good reason, I'll tell you about it later or maybe tomorrow, you look tired."
Grace accepted the truth in the statement. "Yeah, I'm tired it's been a long month all told."
Catherine pierced her with a compassionate look clearly sending the sympathy message without words. They both looked at each other at length and them turned away as Lisa began a story about 'Sherry' and 'Blacky'. Now that had been amusing trying to explain to Grace and making her understand that the brown beagle soft toy was called 'Blacky', at the time it had amazed both Catherine and Jake. Neither had the heart to ask Lisa about the name, just accepting it, even if it did make them chuckle everytime she mentioned the dog. "I know I think an early night for us all wouldn't go amiss now would it kids?" her tone brooking no objection.
"Will you still read to us the next story though Catherine?" Lisa chirped in.
"Yes, you've only got the last couple to finish now." Jake added for good measure.
Catherine smiled at them and held up her hand. "You know when we are finished here, we will be on the third book, and there is a limit to how many books have been written."
"Yeah we know but you will finish it won't you?" the plaintiff voice of the girl asked.
Suddenly, Catherine got up from her chair and walked over to the small figure seated opposite her; looking down at her with a warm ice blue glance she stroked the blonde hair. "For you and Jake anything Princess," and turned and walked out of the room.
Grace had watched the display of affection with fascination, Hell things had changed here and in a big way, maybe she wasn't so tired after all!
***********
Although both women had agreed they were tired, it felt good to just relax together after the children went to bed with a coffee and companionable silence around them.
Catherine was the first to break the silence. "I'm sorry about your father Grace."
"Thanks," she said simply.
"You want to talk about it?" Catherine asked gently.
Grace looked at the older woman and once again marvelled at the gentleness she sensed in her, which certainly wasn't around when she left. "I think I've done all the talking about it that I need to do, now I need to heal. My sister was a big help; Ali is staying around Auckland for a few more months to help Mum adjust. I think it will work out."
Catherine nodded her head and acknowledged the truth in the statement. "I never got around to talking about any of my families deaths with anyone, guess that's why I got myself into a mess in the end."
Grace looked at her directly and smiled sadly. "I wish I'd been there for you then Catherine, but its no use wishing for things that are firmly planted in the past, you have to look towards the future instead."
"Thanks Grace, you have been a good friend, I've genuinely missed you around here, it's been very lonely without you and the kids have missed you too!"
"Ah, the kids only want my cooking or should I say cookies and you! I hazard a guess it was my tea-making skills that you missed?" She smiled at the thought.
"Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say that, but your skills in making cappuccino certainly rate high on my list of reasons to keep you around," Catherine gave a warm throaty laugh.
"Great knew I had a good reason to get myself back here,' she smiled and continued. "You've changed Catherine?"
Catherine looked at Grace speculatively and grinned that lop sided grin that produced mischief in her eyes. "Yes, I know. Hopefully, it's for the better."
"The better! Hell, if you changed any more I might think we opened a sanctuary for do-gooders here on 'Destiny' during my absence."
"Never that Grace! But it feels good to do something for someone else instead of for purely selfish reasons." Catherine got up from her seat and walked over to the window and looked out over the dark drive. "I think it could snow soon it's getting quite icy here in a morning."
"So, who or what is responsible for the change?" Grace persisted.
Catherine turned back and regained her seat next to Grace. "Jace."
"As simple as that huh?" Grace noticed the tenderness when Catherine said her name.
"Yes, it was really as simple as that! You once told me to listen to the knocking on the door Grace. I did and I opened it, you were as usual in these things right!" Catherine sheepishly smiled at Grace.
"You telling me what I think your telling me?" Grace was surprised but happy for her friend and boss she looked so relaxed.
"That I've admitted I love Jace Bardley, oh yes!" Catherine spoke the words almost in wonder.
Suddenly Grace pushed herself out of her chair and kneeled in front of the one Catherine sat in and placed her arms around the legs of her friend in a comforting hold. "Then I'm happy for you, does Jace know?"
Catherine laughed out loud at that question. "I certainly hope so! We obviously haven't been able to see each other since the admission but I'm going to see her shortly, now you're back that is."
"You're going to LA?" Grace was surprised at that.
"Oh, I know I don't like the place,' Grace sent her a look that made her blush. 'Okay, so I hate the place, I have business to attend to and of course Jace lives there for the moment, so why not kill two birds with one stone." Catherine said matter of factly.
Grace snorted at the last comment. "Jesus Catherine, I'm sure glad you're not courting me!"
"What do you mean?" Catherine looked at her in indignation.
"Look when the object of your desire is spoken about in the same breath as a business deal, I kind of would be upset."
She looked perplexed and thought about what she'd said a worried look appeared on her face. "I guess you're right again, but Jace will always come first, believe me!"
Grace patted her hands that were clenched tight together on her knees. "Hey, I know and Jace knows. We both understand that you are a powerful business woman and at times relationships might have to take a back seat to that."
"It won't matter soon Grace, because I'm going to leave all the business dealings to others, I've already got that plan in operation. Tomorrow we need to talk about something important I need you to consider. Tonight you're way too tired to give it your best attention."
"Well, that's something to ponder when I'm trying to sleep now isn't it," Grace answered feigning a heavy sigh.
"Do you want to know what I need you to consider now?" Catherine looked at her in surprise.
"No, leave it Catherine, after breakfast we'll talk. I need to make a call in the morning first thing, so I will attend to the breakfast but leave you and Colin for an hour or so, if that's okay?"
Catherine glanced at her and noticed the sadness appear once again but for a different reason. "The good doctor?"
Grace looked at her and a tear threatened to fall, eventually it slowly trickled down her cheek. Catherine wiped it away with one of her tapered fingers. "Yes," came a strangled reply.
"I'm here for you Grace, never forget that!" She gave her a long sympathetic look. Brown eyes looked into the ice blue ones above her and she smiled briefly.
"Yeah, I know and I love you for it." Getting up she slowly made for the door feeling drained.
"Do you know something Grace?' Catherine spoke quietly as she watched her move towards the door Grace inclined her head in question. 'My mother was right she told me about you and how you would help me see what would be best in the future."
Grace turned in surprise, "I never met your mother didn't she die when you were a child?" What an odd thing for Catherine to say!
"Yes, she did, but she was a descendant of a long line of people who had the gift of prophecy. She told me about you when I was ten years old guess it's taken me a few years to see it that's all."
"Did the gift pass to you?" Grace was fascinated with this new facet of Catherine's life.
"I hardly think so, do you? Or I certainly wouldn't have made half the mistakes I've made in my lifetime so far!" She laughed depreciatingly.
Grace smiled back and shook her head. "Maybe you just needed to believe in the power of love a little more before you get the gift."
"It can be a curse and in my case, I would think it would be just that!" Catherine looked down at her hands, which now lay flat on the top of her thighs. "Goodnight Grace."
"Goodnight Catherine, pleasant dreams." She opened the door and left.
Catherine mused over the previous statement. 'Do I want the gift? No! Knowing the future would certainly be a curse having the things happens, as they do could be hard to bear at times. Actually knowing the outcome before hand and not being able to change isn't something my competitive nature would ever get to grips with. Had my mother seen her own death? Yet Mama had been so calm and serene about the gift she possessed. Surely she would not have been had she known how short her life was going to be? Questions and yet more questions and no one to answer any of them. Or was there someone? Yes! She might not want to talk to me but it is worth a call something to consider in the future, yes, certainly I will go to her and talk, it was time.'
Catherine moved out of the chair and turned down all the lights, double-checking that everything was secure she walked up to her room.
Checking on Lisa as she walked by the bedroom, which most definitely belonged to a young girl. As she walked over to the bed and pulled the covers back over the child as they had been pulled off at some stage during sleep she swiftly glanced round the room. The floor had some clothes scattered around nothing too untidy, but one day it could be a problem. Then there were the few trinkets Lisa had been left by her mother, taking pride of place on the dressing table although there was nothing of intrinsic value. Catherine had been given Lisa's mother's rings and a gold chain for safe keeping until the child was old enough to appreciate them.
It was still very sparse for a child's room, the only toys being the original rag doll 'Sherry' that had been brought with her and 'Blacky' the brown beagle that Jake had bought her. She knew that the wardrobe was full of clothes; Grace had purchased most of them before she left.
Checking again that the child was sleeping peacefully she went out onto the landing and looked at the room that Jace had used, it was empty but she opened it anyway.
Entering the room she had the distinct impression that Jace was close by and her thoughts of the young woman she loved magnified accordingly. Jace had not only stolen her heart but also offered her a chance for a bright future with a happy family atmosphere, rather than the austere loneliness of the reclusive life she had opted for five years before. Looking round the room, it hadn't changed much since she had left, the bed was in the same position, the chair was pulled up close to the table and the table lamp was angled towards the bed.
Kicking off her shoes Catherine climbed on the bed and sank into its depths. Closing her eyes she imagined the smaller body of the woman she had grown to love within the circle of her arms. Catherine had loved Jace in the short time she had stayed in the house and it had just gone from strength to strength after each message or call. Recalling once again holding Jace in her arms she sighed and opened her eyes knowing the futility of dreaming about things that couldn't take place at least at the moment. But, oh she hoped that would be over soon and that it wouldn't be a dream, it would be a reality!
Gracefully getting up from the bed, she left the room and its memories and headed to the next room and its closed door.
Jake hadn't had a nightmare for a couple of weeks and so they had agreed that he could keep the door shut. The boy had been embarrassed on the several occasions that he had been consoled by Catherine and realised that he had disturbed not only her but Lisa as well. Now he was getting his dreams under control, but Catherine suspected that they would surface again if anything upset the boy too much. She was not going to let that happen any time soon, not if she could help it.
Opening the door she glanced in and noticed the magazines strewn on the floor and the shoes kicked off haphazardly into a corner. He didn't have any toys or anything other than magazines in his room clothes of course but nothing personal. His parents hadn't left anything of value for him. To say he was impoverished was somewhat melodramatic, but basically correct.
She hadn't approached the subject of money after the visit to the town now Grace had come home she would ask her to deal with that small point. She smiled, as she looked at the peaceful expression on his face, it often held a scowl or sullen look about it, and only when he was riding Ruby or speaking to her or Lisa did he give a smile of any depth. Maybe with time, they would find out the depth of the hurt this boy had suffered, then again maybe not, no harm in trying though and she knew just the person who might have the right sort of compassion for that task in the future.
Seems Jace had the compassion to tame the savage beast and some of the boy's hurt certainly mirrored some of her own. Time would tell.
She closed the door and headed for her own room, to find sleep.
***********
Chapter Twenty-eight
The long distance trips that Hudson pulled on her at short notice were frustrating Jace. For the last three weeks she hadn't been home longer than a day.
Now she was heading back! Hudson had been called away to New York, very strange, only for Jace it was a heaven sent opportunity to not only have a break, but also get back in touch with Catherine. If they had e-mailed four times in the last two weeks, that would be about all their joint interaction and that certainly wasn't enough for either of them. She missed the older woman with an intensity that threatened to overwhelm her at times. Her insecurities would often rear their ugly heads when she settled down for the night, and not being in a position to contact Catherine to calm her fears only fuelled the problem.
Well, she was an hour from home, only she really needed to go into the office and check in there, if only for a short time. Walking into her office space an hour later she asked Agnes what was going on. Hudson's secretary was anything but informative, she could only say that a very important meeting was being arranged and very powerful people were involved. That really didn't say anything at all.
Looking over the mountain of mail she decided that maybe having a few days off wasn't going to work with all this garbage on her desk.
Wonder what was happening to Peter's documentary, he'd mentioned that there had been a hold-up, but she hadn't heard anything for at least the three weeks she had been away. Maybe now was a good time to find out what was happening with her friend and then she would get home and make that longed for call.
The room that Peter Adamson occupied on the property was compact and gave the impression that the director rarely ever entered it. That wasn't strictly true but he had always preferred to be on the set and marshal most of any project he was working on himself. Jace entered the room after knocking and hearing a muffled voice say enter.
Looking up from his desk Peter Adamson beamed when he saw whom his visitor was. "Jace, good god has she finally let you come home?" He got up from his chair and gave her a hug.
"It's good to see you too Peter." She laughed into his shoulder as he hugged her harder.
"So what brings you into my office, thought you would want to go straight home and rest up, I heard she sent you to some rough terrain," he looked at her seriously.
"Yes she did, and yes I would like to go home. I thought I would catch up with the news before I went." Jace smiled at him and sat in the chair opposite his desk.
"Well, that could be tricky, exactly what are you interested in?"
"Have you got a release date for the documentary yet? Wasn't it held up for some reason?" she inquired.
Peter looked at her and a small frown appeared over his forehead.
"No it hasn't got a release date, in fact the current edit has been vetoed altogether. Hudson won't change some of the dialogue and the person vetoing won't change their stance."
Jace looked at him in sympathy. "It was a good documentary Peter, the filming is superb as always, can't you pursued Hudson to change the dialogue a little, if that's the only objection?"
"It's called internal politics Jace, looks to me like a waste of money and time, guess it's their money to waste." He stated bitterly.
"Do you know who the person is that's vetoing the project?"
Peter looked at her strangely and took a deep breath before he answered. "Yep, I sure do!"
"Going to share?"
"It doesn't matter Jace nothing can be done." He said resignedly.
"Peter, please tell me. If you don't I will find out from someone else. Is it such a big secret?" Jace spoke in a determined fashion.
He knew she would too! Nothing would get past Jace when she wanted information badly enough. What the hell, he had no love for Catherine Warriorson anyway.
"Ms Devonshire the owner of Xianthos Holdings is the person behind the veto."
Jace suddenly paled and a strangled sound came from her throat.
"Devonshire? Ms Devonshire is behind the veto? How can that be?" She managed to whisper finally her face clearly shocked at his admission.
"Obviously she has an interest somewhere and Hudson has stepped on her toes." He was sorry to see his friend upset. He knew how she hated the mention of the woman if only she knew who the woman really was!
"Peter, if it had been Catherine I could understand that! But where does Ms Devonshire come into the equation?" clearly puzzled at the revelation.
"Maybe your friend Warriorson has powerful friends?"
"But even if she did know Devonshire, how can she influence Hudson, it's an independent studio?" Jace was getting confused by the minute.
"Jace, look I'm sorry. I never wanted to be the one to tell you certainly not after you told me about your dislike of all things Xianthos. Devonshire can do what the hell she wants with the studio, she owns sixty percent of the holdings! Hudson keeps quiet about the set-up, she thinks that way she keeps the power plays all to herself."
Jace got up from the chair and her pale face showed the anguish etched there. "So I've been working for Xianthos all these years and I never knew about it!" It was a heart-piercing statement.
"Yeah, unfortunately you have had the pleasure of being employed at least in part by the mighty Xianthos holdings. Only good thing is the pay I suspect," he said scathingly.
"I need to go home and completely understand all the implications here Peter I.......I will see you later." She walked like a zombie out of the door towards the car park.
"Jace wait up." He called as she got the door of her rental car open.
Looking round at him she waited for him to say more. "You going to be okay? You look kind of out of it, I worry about you Jace."
"Thanks for your concern about me Peter. I'm going to be fine I just need to get home, it's been a long month all in all." She climbed into the driver's seat and switched on the engine.
Peter watched her drive out of the lot and walked slowly back to his office. 'Hell, why did these women make life complicated for not only themselves but also all the others around them. At times like these he wished only men held the power to complicate lives. Then again, they made a fuck of a job of it also, most of the time. Thank god, I spend most of my time behind the camera, away from this shit.'
***********
Grace had arrived back on the ranch and was busy clearing up after feeding two hungry wolves or their two kids appeared that way to her.
"You two been eating while I've been gone or have you been saving it up until I arrived home?" the woman asked casually as she cleared plates into the dishwasher.
Both children looked at her and smirked. Finally Lisa answered her,
"If we saved it up waiting for you, we would be dead by now Grace." The innocent reply echoed in Grace's eardrums.
Grace suddenly slammed the door of the dishwasher at the words and her hand caught in the top she gave out a scream of pain.
Jake ran up to her and pulled open the door and helped her to the basin to run cold water on it. "Lisa, Grace needs help find Catherine or Colin. Now!" The boy said quickly noticing the tears of pain streaming down the older woman's cheeks.
The girl clearly upset ran out of the kitchen to the stables shouting at the top of her voice for Catherine.
Catherine heard the commotion as she was talking to Colin about the horses and the new stock that was due in a week's time. "What the hell is that all about?" She muttered as she saw the child flying in her direction.
Catching hold of the bundle of child, she steadied her by the shoulder and pushed her long frame down to the child's level. "Hey Lisa, what's the matter princess?" Catherine spoke softly to the child.
Lisa gave her a tearstained look "It's Grace she got hurt in the dishwasher and she's crying Jake said we need you!" The child put her hand on the woman's larger one and started to drag her up and towards the house.
Looking at Colin who had a worried expression. "I'll deal with it Colin, if I need you I will call, okay?"
"Yes, I'll wait around to make sure." He said quietly his expression worried.
"Good, come on Lisa, let's go and make Grace better." Catherine suddenly lifted the lightweight child in her arms and strode off towards the house, her strides quickly making short work of the distance.
They entered the kitchen area and Grace was setting with a towel wrapped around her hand and a hovering boy looking a little upset.
"So, what have we got here then? Can't leave you for two minutes alone can I Grace?" Catherine tried to bring some light relief into the sober scene.
Grace looked up at her friend and boss and noticed that Lisa was held securely in Catherine's arms; she didn't look like she wanted to be put down either, smiling wanly she shook her head.
"I'm sorry Catherine, I did something stupid tried to shut the door of the dishwasher when my hand was still in it. Jake here has helped me to put a cold compress on it."
"I can see that! So, do we need the doctor?" An expressive eyebrow rose in her face.
"No! No, it's okay Catherine; we can deal with it here. Should be fine soon." Grace spoke quickly and nervously.
"Right, well in that case you better show me the damage then."
"Oh, it's okay I will just keep this on for an hour or so and it will be fine."
"Show me!" Catherine lowered her voice to almost a growl. Slowly putting Lisa down she tweaked her hair and motioned her to a seat. Catherine swiftly walked around to where Grace was seated. Jake previously hovering beside Grace moved to the chair next to Lisa and sat down concerned.
Grace looked at Catherine and knew that nothing was going to stop her viewing the injury. Gently she felt Catherine un-wrap the towel and heard her suck her breath in as she saw the damage.
"For gods sake Grace, it's swollen already, you might have done some major damage, and you need to see the doctor!"
"Catherine No! I won't see him! Don't even think about calling him out. It's swollen and looks nasty but I can move my fingers so no breakage's, it will be fine, let it be!" Grace implored her.
"Okay! Okay. I can see the problem, are you sure you can move all the fingers? Go ahead and try," came the serious retort.
The fingers moved slowly and the pain clearly etched on her face but she maintained her control and satisfied the tall imposing woman in front of her. "Told you so!"
Catherine gave her a look that silenced her, and then she looked at the children. "Right kids, go tell Colin that everything is fine here. Grace is going to be okay and he can give you your next riding lesson now. Be back for lunch at the usual time, although it looks like it's my cooking for the rest of the day." Chuckling she saw the children each look at her and then each other and grimace.
"Hey it's not that bad!" Catherine said with a hurt look on her face.
They both laughed and headed for the door. "Kids." She snorted as they left. Turning back towards Grace she noticed the slight smile on her friends face. "Okay, are you going to comment about my cooking skills too?"
"Never, would I dare?" Grace smiling replied.
"Hmmm, not so sure these days with you Ms Thornton."
Catherine walked over to the medicine cabinet, one of the few places in the kitchen she did know intimately. Selecting a bandage and sticky tape she proceeded to wrap the injury and make it more comfortable giving Grace a chance to swallow the painkillers she had found. "Guess this is as good a time as any to talk to you about the project I want you to consider, but first, how the hell did this little episode happen?"
"Lisa answered a question I posed, and she referred to being dead or the prospect of being dead, guess it threw me, I lost concentration for a moment." Grace said sheepishly.
"I'm sorry, I should have warned the kids but it sort of comes under the sensitive chat parts and I'm not much good at those.' She noticed a quirk of an eyebrow from her friend. 'I've not changed that much Grace!" She smiled grimly at the thought of bringing back bad memories to them.
"That's okay Catherine, I will tell them myself when I feel up to it.
So what project have you got for me? You left me intrigued last night."
"Great. Well, for sometime now I've toyed with setting up a trust fund in the name of my son, wasn't sure what type of fund to have though. When this opportunity came around, it peeked my interest, once I was involved I thought why not help in this area. I went to see the Reverend and asked him to be a co-trustee, he accepted readily and I want to ask you to be the other trustee Grace?" Catherine wasn't too sure if Grace would accept but she was her first choice, her only choice really.
Grace starred at her and swallowed several times before she answered.
"You want me? You're going to trust me with a fund? But why me?"
Catherine smiled at the surprised face of her friend. "You are the only one for the role Grace. First I trust you implicitly and when it comes to anything with my son's name associated with it, I know you won't disappoint me. Second I can think of no one better suited to making sure the money will work for the right causes. Are those good enough reasons?"
"Thank you Catherine, for your trust and I will gladly help with the fund, what do I need to do?" she spoke with emotion.
"The lawyers are waiting for me to call for the transfer to take place, then it's up to you and the Reverend to get together and plan what you want to spend it on. I have advisors for you to call on at any time if you need to do so," replied Catherine in true business like terms.
"Just how much are you talking about here?"
"Oh, I thought ten million US dollars and if that's not enough for the first year, I can be persuaded to increase it for a good cause." She laughed at the thought.
Grace nearly fell off her chair. "Jesus Catherine, ten million? What the hell kind of number is that? You're going to trust me with that amount of money?"
Catherine laughed loudly at the spluttered words floating around the kitchen. "Well, I can make it more if you want? Why wouldn't I trust you Grace?"
"No, no believe me ten is quite enough to be going on with and thank you. Thank you for your complete trust Catherine I know it's hard for you to completely trust people." Grace said with conviction.
"Well, glad that's settled then. Have you finished with the good doctor?" Changing the subject totally.
"Yes, I realised that I wasn't in love with him, might have thought I was, but I think it was just running away from the truth."
"And that truth would be?" Catherine asked although she wasn't sure she was going to welcome the answer.
Grace watched Catherine move gracefully towards the kettle and switch it on. "The truth is I love it here on the ranch and the people too! Now, we have the kids, it's more reasons to stay and I found out that this is home Catherine, here at 'Destiny'. Whatever happens in the future I know it's going to happen on this ranch and I will fulfil my own destiny here." She spoke with such insight and strength it threw Catherine for a few moments.
"You sound like my Mother when you talk like that! Seriously Grace is you sure finishing with the doctor are the right choice? He was in love with you."
"Yes I know he was and it hurt to tell him, he understands my reasons and will remain a friend. I guess this place is all I need right now and a few friendly faces too!"
"Then that's absolutely no problem, we can certainly furnish you with the friends and speaking of kids, can you arrange a personal allowance system with them? I think I'm being a little mean not giving them any personal income," Catherine smiled at her ignorance.
Grace laughed genuinely for the first time since she arrived home.
"You know, it's somewhat of a let down from being a trustee over millions to administering pocket money to two children, but I think I'll cope."
"Good." Catherine grinned and pulled on Grace's free hand and tugged her out of the chair. "Now I suggest you get some rest, let me worry about the kids for a few hours. Wonder if they will bring burgers all the way to the ranch?"
"Oh god Catherine, that would be priceless." Grace laughed again as Catherine's hand lead her towards the stairs.
"Go rest woman! I'll bring you some tea shortly now I have some calls to make."
Grace watched her move back towards the kitchen, 'If I wasn't seeing it with my own eyes I would never have thought you could change so much and in such a profound way Catherine Warriorson; falling in love has certainly been a catalyst for change in you my friend and we have a small, blonde, green eyed Californian to thank for all of it; way to go Jace!'
She smiled and headed for the luxury of a little sleep, her hand was throbbing but the painkillers would kick in soon enough.
***********
Jace arrived home and she threw her case and car keys into the apartment in a haphazard way, not really caring where they ended up.
'All these years I've been working for Xianthos and never suspected. What sort of publicity person am I, when I didn't even know that the studio was sixty percent owned by another entity, Hudson had certainly maintained that secret well. Too well! Now, I have choices to make, but not many. Did Catherine know Devonshire? And if she did how well did she know her? I hope you don't Catherine; it would break my heart if you told me she was a good friend of yours. How would you react to my hatred of her? Do I even need to tell you of my dislike of the woman we might never meet? Guess it's something for our talk when we get together, not over the phone or the e-mail, you need to understand my hatred and I can only do that if you're here with me in person.'
Slowly retreating to the bathroom she decided the best remedy would be a long soak in the bath, followed by a call to Catherine just to hear her voice, would be therapy enough for her.
Watching the bubbles grow in the bath she contemplated her options and wondered if James had any openings in his organisation she would call him soon and check out the possibilities.
'Catherine my love, I think we need to get that talk over and done with and soon. Before I just hijack a plane and come running into your arms without warning. Wonder what you'd think about that!' Smiling she stripped off her clothes and slowly lowered her aching body and mind into the luxury of a hot bubble bath.
Continued in Part 14
Visit DRAGONJULS Storybook at http://pages.about.com/dragonjuls
Any and all comments are essential for the
struggling muse. All are appreciated and will be answered:
jmdragon1@hotmail.com