Catherine Lanigan - Katia's Promise

At the front of the room a young woman asked, “Will you be donating the cars, as well?”

Austin laughed heartily. “I’m afraid I’ll be keeping those...at least until my death, which I hope isn’t for quite some time. But they will be on loan to the city and housed in the museum. I want younger generations, especially, to understand how thrilling it must have been for the inventors of another age to literally change the way human beings live. Only the airplane and the computer have had as great an impact on our everyday lives as the automobile. I’m proud that my grandfather was a pioneer in the automotive industry over a hundred years ago. This is my way of making certain that his contribution is remembered.”

Mrs. Beabots folded her arms over her chest and mumbled something under her breath, though Katia couldn’t make out what she said.

Katia was keenly aware that the crowd was hanging on Austin’s every word. The reporters took copious notes, and people were filming and taking photos of Austin on their phones. Katia wouldn’t be the only one trying to sell Austin insurance. The difference between Katia and other agencies—she hoped—was that she was desperate to save her company, so she would take some risks that others might not. She had already placed inquiries to a dozen companies that she represented to put a package together for Austin that she hoped would make him salivate.

Austin wrapped up his speech and invited everyone to take part in the buffet that had been set out in the dining room. “There’s plenty of local Crenshaw Vineyards wine, as well. And we are graced by Liz Crenshaw herself to introduce you to the splendors of their award-winning product.”

Austin thrust his arm in Liz’s direction to point her out to the guests.

Liz stepped away from the wall and moved forward, stirring the crowd just enough to give Katia a full view of Austin.

Her eyes locked on his, and though he saw her, he didn’t seem to recognize her. Or he did, and he was a superb actor.

Austin’s hands dropped to his sides. Though he kept a smile clamped on his face, he remained rigid.

The crowd dispersed slowly, like the shifting sand after a wave has rushed onto shore.

Mrs. Beabots was the last to leave the room, and then it was just Katia standing across from Austin in the front parlor of the house she grew up in.

“Hello, Austin.”

“Katia.”

She thought her heart would hammer a hole right through her chest, but she didn’t dare let him know how much he affected her. She couldn’t decide whether to smile at him, rush to him and hold his hand or ask his forgiveness on the spot. She felt as if she’d turned to stone. She couldn’t think or move.

She was filled with blistering guilt.

“Austin, I’m so—”

His hands shot up to silence her. “Katia, leave. Now.”

“But, Austin, I want to talk to you...”

He shook his head. “Leave. It’s what you do best.”

He spun on his heel and stormed into the hall. Katia followed him out of the front parlor and stepped into the main hallway in time to see him talking to a woman carrying a tray of marinated shrimp. Katia assumed she was his cook or housekeeper.

“Daisy, there is a woman in the living room,” Austin was saying. “If she’s still there after you put that tray in the dining room, call the cops and have her removed.”

“Sure thing,” Daisy replied.

Katia watched as Austin raced up the majestic staircase and disappeared.

CHAPTER FIVE

KATIA WAS STUNNED by Austin’s anger. If she’d ever doubted that he’d loved her once, she didn’t anymore. This degree of hatred could only be balanced by the same degree of love. A long time ago, Austin had believed in her and had finally realized that she loved him.

“But we were only kids...”

Katia’s eyes brimmed with tears as she gazed up the empty staircase, knowing Austin had gone to his room. He’d abandoned his guests because of her. He’d told his housekeeper to have her thrown out.

Katia knew she’d be in trouble if she stayed, but Jack’s directive wasn’t far from her mind. She needed to meet the people in that dining room, needed their expertise and guidance to help her establish Carter and Associates in town. She couldn’t let this opportunity pass her by.

Yet her heart went out to Austin. What could she say to him? An apology, after all this time, seemed meaningless. Austin wasn’t angry because she’d moved. He was angry because she hadn’t come back. And worse, she hadn’t come back for him.

Was that what he was saying now? That he thought she’d come back to rekindle their romance? Nothing could have been further from her thoughts. She wasn’t in love with Austin. She’d put those feelings away a long time ago. She was here to keep her job and build her future. With Jack.

One day, after she made all that happen, she would move back to Chicago and resume her life. Yes , she thought, I’ll go back, and everything will be just as it was.

Just then, the housekeeper came out of the dining room with an empty bowl. She peered up at Katia. “You’re staying, aren’t you?”

Katia made the decision on the spot. “Yes,” she said. “Are you going to call the police like he asked?”

Daisy shook her head and planted a hand on her hip. “If I had a nickel for every time he told me to do something stupid and I didn’t do it—”

“I get it,” Katia said, her eyes wandering up the stairs again. “Is he often like this?”

“Angry? No. Shutting himself away? Always.”

“Really? But why?”

Daisy’s eyes narrowed. “You’re new in town, aren’t ya?”

“Sort of. Well, yes.”

“So you don’t know about him?” Daisy pointed to the second floor.

Katia was tempted to share the whole story, but then thought better of it. “What should I know?”

“He likes being alone. A lot. He’s a recluse, I’d guess you’d say. And I would know. I’ve been here for nearly twenty years. I nursed Mrs. McCreary through her grief. Then cancer. I went to Austin’s college graduation. Hanna and I were the only ones there. I’m just about the only family he’s got left, really.”

Katia smiled and thrust her hand out to Daisy. “Then, I’m grateful to you for taking care of him. I’m—”

“Katia,” Daisy replied, staring at Katia’s hand.

“You recognized me?”

“Not till just a minute ago.”

“So he told you about me?” Katia asked, lowering her hand and wondering if she even wanted to hear the truth.

“His mother did. Broke his heart, she told me. You two musta been somethin’ back then for him to act like this after all these years. Still,” Daisy mused, looking up the stairs, “this is typical Austin behavior. You might as well go in and have somethin’ to eat. He won’t be back down.”

“What? He has guests!”

Daisy shrugged. “Oh, them? They don’t care. They probably didn’t expect him to hang around after his talk anyway. He doesn’t socialize.”

Katia was disbelieving at first, but then she glanced into the dining room and saw everyone chatting and eating as if nothing had happened. Daisy certainly knew more about the Austin of today than she did. “So Austin is incommunicado for the rest of the afternoon?”

“He’ll be on his phone or laptop until they leave,” Daisy told her. “Then he’ll go to the plant till late in the evening, as usual.”

“Well, thank you, Daisy. I think I will have something to eat. It’s a long drive back to Chicago.”

“Oh, so that’s where you’ve been?” Daisy probed.

Katia understood in an instant that Daisy was probably as loyal to Austin as she was to Jack. Daisy would relay any information she revealed. Katia chose her words carefully. “For the moment, yes. My insurance firm is relocating here to Indian Lake. That’s why I do need to introduce myself to some of the guests. I’m looking to rent office space, hire office personnel, find both myself and my boss places to live. Things like that.”