Taken By You Page 9

  I’ve known that it would be inevitable to discuss this prior to spending Thanksgiving with my family. As I didn’t want to add any more burdens to your plate, your dad’s funeral on top of everything else, I planned to tell you when you returned from your Minnesota. Please don’t consider my non-disclosure, dishonesty. My intention was never to hurt you.

  I know that you are going through a lot right now and I want to be there for you. Please call me as soon as you are ready to talk. I miss you so much. I want to make things right again in our relationship. I love you.

  Neil

  Tears filled Kate’s eyes as she finished reading Neil’s message. She wanted to believe him, but she still thought it might be a good idea for them to take a step back and slow down a little. Their relationship had been a whirlwind. The situation with Roger had facilitated them moving in together because Neil wanted to protect her. Everything had happened so fast and she didn’t trust herself to make wise decisions about anything at the moment. Her dad was dead, she had a maniac looking for her, and she was a ringer for her boyfriend’s deceased wife. It was all a little too much. She was glad for the distance that they had right now. He didn’t have access to her except through the computer or phone.

  How was she going to respond to his email? Why didn’t life come with a user’s manual for times like this? She could really use it right now. Hitting the reply button, she wasn’t sure what to write, so instead, she stared at the computer for several minutes.

  From: Kate Simmons

  To: Neil Statton

  Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2012

  Subject: No Excuse

  Neil,

  Just read your email. I have to say that I don’t know what to think about the situation. Obviously, I realize that you would have been forced to tell me before I met your parents. They clearly would have noticed that you were dating a woman who looked just like their daughter-in-law. Something like this is too big to keep secret. Even if you had asked them not to say anything it would have eventually come out. I wish that you had trusted me enough to tell me sooner. The way that I found out was shocking to say the very least. But that’s what I get for taking something without asking. I shouldn’t have done that. Then you would have had the chance to tell me.

  Right now I just need time to figure things out. I will call you on Sunday before I leave.

  Kate

  Kate deliberated over whether to say I love you at the end of the email, but sent it hoping that Neil would give her the time she needed to wrap her head around this latest development. One thing she knew for certain; life was never dull. She turned off her computer and went back upstairs to join her family. Time with them would take her mind off the troubles that awaited her in California.

  ***

  Neil read her email. He had hoped that she would tell him that it didn’t matter and she was still his. But she didn’t say anything to that effect. He didn’t like the sound of her needing time to figure things out. But what could he do? He left his office and headed straight for his dad’s. It was time to bring in the big gun and get some advice from his father. He may not have been father of the year, but he was an admirable husband and Neil respected him for that.

  His father was reading a brief when Neil knocked on the open door, but he warmly motioned for Neil to enter.

  “Dad, I really need your advice. I’ve screwed things up royally.”

  “Sure, son, anything you need. What can I do for you?”

  Neil explained the situation with Kate and the fact that she could be Elizabeth’s twin. His dad listened intently, not interrupting. When Neil was done, his dad rubbed his chin for a moment and then spoke.

  “Are you sure that you love Kate and not just the idea that she looks so much like Elizabeth?” he asked.

  “Yes, dad, they are two completely different women. The only thing that they have in common is that they are both strong willed. Otherwise, they are not similar at all except for how they look.”

  “Well, I must say that you have been happy again since you met her and for that I am grateful. I hated seeing you go from woman to woman, living an empty life. Your mother and I want to see you in a loving relationship with a family of your own.”

  “Me, too, dad. What should I do?”

  “You need to fight for her son. Tell her how she is different from Elizabeth. Help her to realize that you want her, not a ghost.”

  “Okay, she’s in Minnesota for her dad’s funeral. She wants space right now to think and figure things out.”

  “What’s there to figure out? You love her and she loves you. Get on with it already. One thing we know for sure, life is short. Stop pussy-footing around and go after the woman that you love.”

  “You mean I should go to Minnesota?”

  “That’s exactly what I am saying. Go to her and show her what she means to you.”

  “But I have court tomorrow.”

  “Not anymore. Have Laura give me your schedule and files. I will fill in for you in court. It shouldn’t be a problem. Go, tell her now and have her book a flight, hotel, and car for you. Fly out tonight.”

  “Are you sure that’s a good idea? She told me that she wanted time and asked me not to contact her.”

  “I’ve been married long enough to know that when a woman asks for space, it means the exact opposite. Trust me. You need to show her how much you love her by being there for her in the hard times. This is a perfect opportunity. That’s the best way to win her back.”

  Neil got up. “Okay, dad. I’ll do it.” He turned and left his dad’s office. He heard his dad calling “good luck” as he walked through the door. He immediately went to Laura’s desk. She smiled at him, her eyes anticipating his request.

  “Laura, I need you to email my schedule for tomorrow to my dad and give him the files that he will need for court. I also need a roundtrip ticket to Minnesota, flying out tonight returning on Sunday. Please book me at the best hotel you can find near the airport. I will need a car too.”

  “Very well, Mr. Statton. Anything else?”

  “That’s all I can think of for now. I’ll let you know if I need anything else. Please let me know as soon as the reservations are made. Thanks, Laura.”

  Neil went back to his office to organize his files. He did a cover page for the case that his dad was taking over for him. He wanted his dad to have the main points without having to read the entire file. Once that was done, he put on his suit coat and went back to Laura’s desk.

  “How are you doing? Do you have the reservations done?”

  “Yes, I have the flight done. I am still checking hotels and I have the car booked. Your flight leaves at six-thirty. I will text you the hotel info and will have a car waiting for you at Avis.”

  “Very well, I’ll be looking for your text. I’m going to take off to pack and get to the airport. I don’t have much time.”

  With that, he left the office in a hurry.

  Chapter 12

  Rose had given Neil’s name and address to Roger. He was waiting outside of Neil’s condo for him. He wanted to confirm that he lived there. He planned to follow him and get to know his comings and goings. After all, this was his competition for Kate’s love. He needed to figure out his enemy.

  Neil drove up and pulled into the parking garage. Roger presumed that Neil would leave to get food or go out sometime during the evening. Paulina and Jacob had gone to visit friends of hers, so he had a few hours to kill. Jacob had been talking about playing with Brandon, the son of Paulina’s friend Heather, since he had returned from Germany.

  Roger assumed that Neil would be the one to pick up Kate from the airport, so he needed to keep him alive for the moment. After he had his sights on Kate again, he could decide what to do with Neil. For now, he was useful.

  Once Neil was tucked away in his parking space, Roger got out of the car to look through the iron garage gate. He saw Kate’s car parked adjacent to Neil’s car. Bingo.
She had left her car here. But did she live here or with Charlie? He’d know as soon as she returned from her trip. He went back to his car to wait for an hour or so in case Neil went out.

  ***

  Neil took out his suitcase and began packing. He didn’t need too much as he was only going for a few days, but it was colder in Minnesota. He packed warm clothes and his leather jacket, heading for the airport soon after.

  His thoughts were focused on Kate and the appeal that he would make when he saw her, so he didn’t notice the car following close behind. He would do anything to prove to her that he loved her for way more than her appearance. He hoped that his dad was right and that this grand gesture would prove his love. He wanted a life with her and he would move heaven and earth to make that life happen.

  Thankfully due to the early time in the day, he made it to the airport in record time. After parking his car, Neil checked in with the skycap just as Kate had the day before. He got his boarding pass and then sprinted for security. The line wasn’t too bad, which was a relief since he only had forty-five minutes until takeoff.

  ***

  Roger didn’t bother to follow his nemesis into the airport. It was obvious to him that Neil was rushing off to be with Kate. All he could do now was give it a week or so and then begin his surveillance. He didn’t have to be in a hurry. He figured in this situation, patience would pay off. He did hate the fact that Kate was with someone else, but he couldn’t change that at the moment. He would use the time to make his plans. Decisions needed to be made about Paulina and Jacob, and there was also Rose to consider, and how he would deal with her.

  ***

  Neil made it to the gate with a few minutes to spare. They had already called first class, so he boarded immediately. The flight attendant offered him a glass of champagne, which he gladly took. The beautiful blonde woman sitting in the window seat lifted her glass to his and said, “Cheers.” He responded in like fashion and fastened his seatbelt. He had already stowed his laptop case under his seat. He had planned on using the flight to do some work.

  “Hi, I’m Jill,” she said, extending her hand to shake his.

  “I’m Neil. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Are you traveling for business or pleasure?” she asked, flashing a coy smile.

  “Pleasure. I’m going to surprise my girlfriend.”

  “How romantic,” she said, flipping her hair. “Have you two been dating long?”

  “A few months,” he said.

  “Ah, new love is always the best.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  The plane took off and Neil counted the minutes before he could turn on his laptop. He tried not to make eye contact with Jill, as he wasn’t interested in having a conversation with her. All he could think about was Kate. This proved to him how much he loved her. In the past, he would have been interested in pursuing something with a hot woman like Jill, but Kate had changed things.

  Once they were given the all-clear to use electronics, he took out his laptop and began working on a file. That helped pass the time. Before he knew it, they were being served dinner. He put his laptop away when he saw the flight attendant with trays.

  “Sir, would you like prime rib or the sea bass?” she asked.

  “I’ll take the sea bass.”

  “How about you, miss?”

  “I’ll have the sea bass, too.”

  “Mm. This is delicious,” she commented, as they ate side by side.

  Neil nodded. She must have been able to sense that he wasn’t interested because she stopped trying to converse with him after that. The rest of the flight occurred in silence as Neil continued to work on his laptop.

  Upon landing, Neil checked his email, opening Laura’s with the hotel confirmation along with the time and place of the funeral. She had looked up the obituary online and found the information. Neil hoped to make it to Kate’s cousin’s house before they left for the funeral, but he wasn’t sure how early they were leaving. The funeral started at eleven, so he planned on being at her cousin’s house just after eight.

  He found the Avis counter and picked up the keys for the rental, along with directions to the hotel, and then braced himself for the frigid Minnesota air. It was colder than he expected and it took his breath away momentarily. How people lived in cold climates like this was a mystery to him.

  Having tossed and turned all night, the morning came sooner than expected. He was anxious about seeing Kate and making her understand his love for her, and despite not being a man of prayer, he thought this would be a case that required he make an exception. Please, God, give her ears to hear what I have to say. Please don’t let this break us up.

  Google maps had provided good directions to John’s home. He parked across the street and sat there for a few moments, summoning the courage to face Kate. He felt a twinge of nervousness when he knocked on the door. He heard Kate yell that she would get it.

  She opened the door and stared at him like he was a mirage. Neither of them said anything for a long moment. Her cousin John called from upstairs. “Kate, who’s here?”

  “Neil, you’re here,” Kate whispered, her eyes blinking at him in disbelief. “My boyfriend Neil is here… unexpectedly,” she called upstairs. Relief surged throughout his body when he heard her say boyfriend. That was good news.

  “Oh, that’s wonderful,” they heard John say from the top of the stairs. He bound down the stairs to meet Neil.

  “Come on in,” he said, extending his hand to Neil. They exchanged pleasantries and John went back upstairs saying, “I’m sure you two want to catch up.”

  Kate still had the look of disbelief on her face. She didn’t say anything, waiting for him to talk first. He took her hands in his. “Baby, I know that you didn’t want to hear from me, but I couldn’t stay away. I’ve been slowly dying inside since you told me how I have disappointed you. You are more important to me than anyone or anything else in this world and I couldn’t let another day go by without looking into your beautiful eyes and telling you.”

  Neil moved his hand to cup her face. “Yes, you look like Elizabeth, but the only thing that you two have in common is your strong will. Elizabeth was a hard-hitting lawyer who wanted to win at all costs. She and I used to have knock-down, drag-out fights because neither of us would give in. I loved her, but she often drove me crazy.”

  Kate kept looking up at him intently. She remained silent, but her eyes willed him to go on.

  “You, my beauty are the calm in my storm. You bring peace to my everyday life and I so desperately need that. You and I complete each other. We don’t have to compete to have our needs met.”

  He took her hand and put it to his chest so she could feel the beating of his heart.

  “Being with you has brought my heart back to life,” he continued. “I’m no longer the cold-hearted bastard I was before you came along. You make me a better man and I love you for that. Please forgive me for not telling you about this. If you don’t, I’ll just wander aimlessly through the rest of my life. No other woman can fulfill me like you do, my beautiful Kate.”

  That did it. Kate stepped close to him, pressing her body to his. She put a finger over his lips to stop him from saying anything else.

  “Why do I love you so much?” she asked. “From the moment I opened the door, I was yours. Just looking into your gorgeous eyes told me everything that I needed to know.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. His hands wound around her waist and he could feel her pounding heartbeat against his chest. Kissing her made him feel light-headed. Or was it just being in her presence that did that?

  Their moment was interrupted by the simultaneous clearing of throats at the top of the stairs. Neil put his forehead to Kate’s and they both smiled.

  “You gotta love family,” she said in a quiet voice.

  “It’s safe to come down everyone,” she said loudly enough for all of them to hear. As each family member came down, she introduced th
em to Neil.

  ***

  Neil and Kate rode in the car with John and Cathy while her brother Eric rode with Aunt Donna. The funeral home was a twenty-minute drive from John’s house. “So, tell us how you two met,” Cathy requested, “I haven’t had much of a chance to just visit with Kate since she arrived.”

  Kate and Neil alternated telling their story as they held hands in the back seat. When they were finished, Cathy gave a knowing smile. “It sounds like love at first sight,” she said with a sigh. “So romantic. John and I had a similar experience when we met. I knew he was the one right away.”

  John turned into the parking lot of the funeral home. They were about an hour early. He needed the extra time to set up the TV and DVD player. He wanted to play the DVD he had created for everyone to see. He also had thoughtfully made copies for all of the family members who would be attending the funeral.

  This was the moment that Kate had dreaded since she got the call from Aunt Donna. The moment she would see the closed casket, knowing that it contained her father’s body. She walked through the lobby, through the double doors, right up to the cold, dark casket. She felt so helpless at the sight of it. She placed a hand on it and whispered, “I’m sorry dad. I wish that things could have been different between us. I always loved you even though we weren’t close. I know that you loved me, too, in your own way even though you didn’t show it.”

  Her mind took her back to their conversation last Christmas. He had been happy to hear from her. She had asked him to forgive her for not keeping in touch since Aunt Donna had convinced her that he didn’t remember why they weren’t on speaking terms. He had said that there was nothing to forgive. He didn’t bother to ask for her forgiveness, but she hadn’t expected him to. She knew that being humble and asking him to forgive her was all she needed. Forgiveness is the gift you give yourself, not anybody else. She had to hold onto that. She had nothing else. She had to release the hurtful memories of the past so that she could concentrate on her future. She turned to see Neil standing in the doorway. He was her future and nothing was going to take him away from her. She had to believe that.