Page 38 of Harvey

“It will work out.” She promised.

“Oh, my dear, I hope so. Speaking of which, I jotted a reminder down because I tend to forget these things. The fall ball at the club where my husband and the boys are members will be this Saturday. I took the liberty of calling Monique Romano and asked her to send you some outfits. It’s a masked ball and an annual event.

It is also for charity. I am responsible for organizing the event along with several wives of club members. She will be sending over everything, including accessories. Later, when you get home, I would like to see you in my suite. There are some lovely pieces of jewelry to which you are entitled.”

“Oh, you don’t have to go to all that trouble,” Kendra exclaimed. It was one thing to want to be part of the family and quite another to let them spend money on her. She had no idea what was going to happen between her and Harvey. She knew what she wanted to happen, but it was not entirely up to her.

“Nonsense.” Julia waved a hand dismissively. “You are my daughter-in-law, after all.”

With that parting sentence, Kendra carried it with her the entire day, and a feeling of well-being and happiness blossomed inside her.

Suddenly, decorating the community center was not such an arduous task after all, and she had started wearing the ring on her finger. Something that had not escaped the notice of her staff.

She took it off when tending to her plants, but she proudly wore it whenever she was on the floor or going somewhere. Of course, he did not call her, and she did not expect him to, but she was looking forward to tonight and being in his arms. Blowing out a shaky breath, she resumed her task.

*****

“I cannot decide, I am afraid,” Julia told her with a rueful laugh as she tried on the fifth outfit. “I am leaning to either the black velvet with the red piping around the bosom or the shimmering green cashmere.”

“My thoughts exactly. They feel so lovely against my skin, soft and airy as if I am not wearing anything.” Kendra took another look in the mirror, a whimsical smile on her lips. “I have always been so modest in my dressing in the past.”

“You have a lovely figure, and your complexion is suited for any color. The exciting thing is you get to keep everything.” Julia gestured to the pile of clothing on the bed.

“I couldn’t!”

“You can,” the woman told her firmly. In addition to the clothing, shoes were strewn all over the floor, and accessories ranged from hammered gold belts and matching jewelry to handbags and purses. She did not dare think what they cost.

“Harvey has an account at Romano’s as well as several other boutiques, but he doesn’t care about that sort of thing.” Julia smiled wryly. “He hates formal events and tries to avoid them at all costs. Now that you two are married, he is obligated to make appearances.”

“Will he be attending?” Kendra asked casually as she picked up a shell pink blouse with an undertone of gold that shimmered in the light.

“Of course. He will not want to, but he won’t be able to avoid it. It’s a black-tie affair, and I must order the suit.’ Julia gave her a speculative look. “Unless, of course, you want to take over that job.”

Kendra fussed with the blouse, wanting something to do with her hands. “I am not certain he would want me interfering.”

“He won’t know the difference.” Julia gave her a thoughtful look. “If I may say something, my dear, things seem different for you.”

“What do you mean?”

Setting the space beside her on the bed, Julia waited for her to sit. “When you first came here to live, you were tense, angry, and upset. This morning, you looked happy, and even now, a glow about you is unmistakable.”

Taking Kendra’s hand in hers, she squeezed gently. “I married Gregory out of duty because our parents considered it an excellent match. It did not take long for us to become friends, and then we fell in love.

It’s been happening for over thirty years, and we are still in love. It can be the same for you and Harvey. Something happened last night, if I miss my guess.”

Shaking her head, Kendra laughed shakily. “After he tended to me during my migraine episode, there was a change, a shift if you may, in the way I saw him.” She took a deep breath and gazed at the rose and gold wallpaper. “I went to see him at the trailer to thank him, and – we – he kissed me and- Oh Lord.”

Using her free hand, she fanned herself. “We were together last night. I know there is a long way for us to go, and I have no idea how he feels- “

“But you feel something,” Julia interjected gently, hope flaring inside her chest. “And I cannot tell you how happy that makes me. You are perfect for each other, but I must warn you, my dear. If he feels anything for you, and I am sure he does, he will avoid you at all costs. Harvey does not handle emotions very well.

It took years for him to open up to us, and even now, there is still some reticence where he is concerned. It is hard for him to say, ‘I love you.’ He will show that he does, of course, by the things he does. He never hugs and is uncomfortable with public displays of affection.”

She linked her fingers with Kendra’s. “But you must take the initiative and fight for what you want. And when you do, I am confident that you will experience a love above anything else you have ever known.”

*****

But Julia's hope and optimism, as well as the lovely speech she had made inside the bedroom, dissolved when it became apparent that her husband was not coming home. After waiting for hours, she turned out the lamp and settled against the pillows, closing her eyes and trying to get some sleep.

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