Page 18 of 7+Us Makes Nine

“Where I come from, it’s a term of respect. I’m Miss Gertrude because you respect me, and you’re Mr. Logan because I respect you. Nothing more, nothing less,” she said.

“Well, Miss Gertrude, would you mind watching the children for one last night?”

“I can watch them,” I said. “That’s not an issue. I know I don’t start full-time technically until in the morning, but it’s really not a big deal.”

“No, you have plans tonight,” Jace said.

“I do?” I asked.

“Miss Gertrude, could you watch the kids so I can take Catherine to the theater? Tonight is opening night of the Broadway tour. I figur

ed she might like it.”

I looked over at Gertrude and I could see the shock on her face. She looked back at me and I shrugged my shoulders. It was all I could do. Why did Jace want to take me to the theater? Was that some sort of initiation into the family or something?

“Well, I suppose that depends on whether Catherine wants to go to the theater,” Miss Gertrude said. “Catherine?”

“Yeah?” I asked.

“Are you going to the theater tonight with Mr. Logan?”

My eyes panned over to his and I took him in. Tall. Lean. Broad shoulders that tapered into a slim but strong waist. He still had that fire behind his eyes. The fire all actors have on the silver screen. His amber eyes and thick brown hair reminded me of where his daughter got her features. He had a strong jawline. One that expressed a dominance that was accented underneath the shadows of his home. His hands were large, stuffed into the tailored pants of the suit he donned. Perfectly cropped to his body and not a line out of place.

“I guess so,” I said. “If you can watch the children, that is.”

“I’d be more than happy to,” Miss Gertrude said with a grin. “Now go get cleaned up. I’ve been to that theater once or twice. You’re going to want to wear something nice.”

Seven

Jace

‘Nice’ didn’t even begin to describe the outfit Catherine put on. Her wispy brown hair was curled to perfection and hung just past her shoulders. She had this thin band around her head that sat right behind her ears. The band was the color of her hair, but the daisies that studded all around it were a bright white with a golden yellow center. The dress she put on was sleeveless and the collar came up close to her neck, but the bright yellow fabric fell along her curves in ways that made me want to see more. The yellow fabric broke around her hips and spiraled out into all kinds of colors. Light greens and soft blues and pale pinks. Her dress reminded me of a garden.

Of all the failed gardens I’d attempted to cultivate in my backyard.

Those had been gardens Anya and I had attempted to create back when we were still married. Back when drugs weren’t an issue and we were still happy together. It was something she wanted to make for the boys. A backyard paradise of life they could walk through and experience the thrill of nature without being hounded by cameras. It was why I’d purchased such a large estate. Forty-two acres of land, and not a bit of it could be touched by the paparazzi. I’d had grand plans for the entire thing, but it all started with cultivating those gardens.

And we never could get them to grow, no matter what we did.

“Ready?” Catherine asked.

Her soft voice ripped me from my trance.

“You look lovely,” I said as I offered her my arm.

She looked down at it quizzically before looking over at Gertrude.

I was glad when the woman ushered for her to take it.

She slipped her arm within mine and I led her to my car. I’d watched her from afar for the first two weeks. I’d eavesdropped on some of the conversation she’d had with Gertrude. It wasn’t nice of me to do so, but I didn’t want to ruin the transition time they were building with the children. I did, however, want to know more about Catherine. More about those questions she wouldn't answer in my presence.

More about why she was the way she was.

I’d come to figure out a few things about her. She didn’t eat meat, for one. Learned that the hard way when I offered her a slice of four-meat pizza. And she really meant what she said about the television. She didn’t enjoy watching them one bit. In fact, she didn’t use much technology at all. I knew she had a laptop, but I hadn’t seen her touch it once. It was refreshing, and a great fit for our family since I tried to keep my children away from technology as well.

“Have you ever seen a Broadway show?” I asked.

“No. I can’t ever afford the tickets,” Catherine said.

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