Page 74 of My Salvation
“I’ve spent my whole life avoiding gold diggers. I go into the hospital for six months, and all of you fall for this stranger. Did you even complete a background check on her?” Thayer’s face twists as he answers.
Lowell’s normally placid face erupts in anger as he answers Thayer. “I completed an employment background only. We thought about conducting a more thorough investigation, but we decided it wasn’t necessary for her employment. Later, when we became involved personally, we decided to wait for her to tell us. It’s obvious her past is painful. We needed time to build our trust, and hers.”
Lowell starts pacing around the room, as if to control the emotions overflowing him. “In one day, she lost almost everything that mattered to her. Guilt weighs on her like a boulder. She’s rootless because people who discover her past automatically judge her guilty, making it difficult for her to stay in one place. Two years after the shooting, her husband killed himself. And maybe she is hiding something else. I can’t imagine what it is, but if she hasn’t told us yet, you can bet your ass it’s bad. But you know what? I don’t fucking care. She can tell me when she is damn good and ready.” He throws his hands up in the air.
“I would have thought you of all people would see the logic in digging deeper. You’ve let someone filled with secrets into our home. She comes here for a temporary assignment, and within five months she is ingrained in the lives of three very wealthy men? Come on. That’s a bit fast, don’t you think?”
“Why would I care? I know she’s not after my money. Once you get to know her, you will understand she isn’t remotely interested in it. But the bottom line? For me? I love her. I love the fact that she sees me. Not the author, not the robot. She sees the person I thought I’d left behind a long time ago. So no, I don’t care what information you think you have on her. I know her.” Lowell breathes heavily as he stares down at Thayer.
Thayer’s jaw, wide open from watching Lowell combust, closes with a snap. “You’re not even acting like the old Lowell! Neither is Lev. He’s just sitting there quietly instead of blowing up at me. The only person here acting somewhat normal is Shaw. This is what I mean. She’s turned this house, and all of you, upside down.”
Taking a drink, I decide to correct his impression. “She’s not turning it upside down. She’s making it right. For so long, Lowell shut himself away. Shut his emotions behind a fucking brick wall for years. Kate refuses to accept the façade. He’s able to show her how much he cares.” I take another long drink. “For me, Kate’s sunshine and laughter. She eases the intense emotions that rage within me. I don’t feel like I need to be a workaholic to exhaust myself, so those same emotions don’t spill out and hurt someone.” Blowing out a deep breath, I look at Shaw.
“When she came here, I pushed her away and held her at arm’s length for months. Even though I knew she was meant for me. I didn’t want another Vanessa coming in to destroy us when she left. Kate’s honesty and willingness to risk everything for us is intoxicating. Vanessa never risked anything; she only took everything we gave her. She makes me see more is possible, and so is our future.” Shaw stops, letting Thayer digest his words.
“You called her Vanessa,” Thayer murmurs quietly, his eyes downcast as he realizes Shaw has moved on completely from Nessa. “I’m sorry. I don’t trust her. She wouldn’t even look me in the eye. I know she told us it was because of her husband, but was it? There’s something else there, I can feel it. You know my gut is usually right. She’s jumpy, and I want to know why.” He looks up and leans forward to catch our attention. “Invite her over when she gets back. Let’s see if I’m right. If I’m wrong, I’ll back off.” Using the controls, he leaves the room, the wheelchair whir a quiet backdrop after the shouting.
Rubbing his hand over his scruff, Shaw blows out a deep breath. “He’s not wrong, you know. Something about the whole episode was off the other night.” Holding up his hand to stop Lowell from speaking, he says wearily, “I’m not saying I don’t trust Kate, or that I think Thayer’s right about the gold digging. Looking at the picture of her husband, I know she was freaked out about how closely Thayer resembled Collin, but there was something else under the surface. And whatever it is, we need to resolve it. For her sake. Not for Thayer’s. But I also won’t push her if she doesn’t want to talk about anything. When she gets back, let’s invite her over for Sunday dinner.” Standing, he strides out of the room.
Lowell shakes his head at the turn of events. “I would rather just be honest and straightforward instead of inviting her over for dinner and hoping it comes to light.” Taking off his black frames, he rubs his eyes, then puts them back on. “I’m going to bed.” He follows Shaw’s path out of the room.
Sitting there, looking out at the starry night, I sip my beer and think about my sunshine. I understand both sides, but my biggest fear is that if we keep pushing her, she will run away. For good.
CHAPTER 34
KATE
Shortly after getting back to town, I get a text from Shaw, inviting me over for dinner tomorrow. Biting my lip with worry, a million thoughts swirl in my brain. What if I can’t handle being around Thayer? What if they choose him without giving me a chance? This could blow up in so many ways.
Exhaling, I drop onto the couch with exhaustion. Spending a week with my mom had been a much needed distraction, and it gave me some distance from the situation, but it didn’t resolve anything. Time was ticking with Thayer’s return, and I’d gone from absolute bliss to a pool of anxiousness.
My phone buzzes again as he adds a few details and asks for a confirmation. I take a deep breath and slowly exhale. I need to see them so badly. My heart physically aches without them near.
I’ll be there tomorrow. I’ve missed you.
When I get to the house the next afternoon, I hear the whirring of the wheelchair, and my body tenses. Opening the door, Thayer looks me over before backing up to let me in the house. I step in and move to the side so he can close the door.
