Chapter Seven

 

 

Katie stood beside Ray as they waited for his mother to retrieve Emily from the TV room. On tiptoe, she spoke into his ear. “It sounds like she’s been watching television since she’s been here.”

“Except to sleep, I think you’re right. My mom was never a hands-on parent. She preferred to let others do the job.” He kept his voice low. “I wonder where Hailey is? I thought she might pitch in and help with Emily.”

His minty breath tickled her nose, and she sneezed.

“Bless you.” He draped his arm across her shoulder.

“Thanks.”

“Uncle Ray!” Emily skipped toward them across the travertine tile. “Katie!” She slid to a stop in her socks then wrapped her arms around Ray’s leg. “I missed you.”

He reached down and pulled her into his arms. “I missed you, too, squirt.” He gave her a squeeze then shifted her to his side.

Mrs. O’Brien handed Ray a backpack. “She’s eaten and had a bath.”

“Thanks, Mom.” Ray swung the bag onto his free shoulder.

Mrs. O’Brien nodded. “Will there be a rehearsal and dinner for your wedding? If you ask me, it’s indecent to throw such a sacred event together as if it’s no more special than a birthday party.” She frowned. “I suppose I shouldn’t expect more considering who you’re marrying.”

Katie’s jaw dropped, but she quickly closed it. She should have expected a comment like that from this woman—a snob in every sense of the word.

“I hadn’t thought about it,” Ray said. “And I’d appreciate it if you’d show a little restraint and respect toward my fiancée.”

Mrs. O’Brien grimaced. “Whoever heard of getting married in a boxing ring?” She shook her head. “But it’s impossible to find a decent venue at this late date—I tried.”

“The boxing ring was Grandpa’s pride and joy. I’d think you’d like the idea.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’ve never been one for sentimentalities.” Her soon-to-be mother-in-law waved Ray’s comment away as if it didn’t matter, placed a kiss on his cheek, and then one on Emily’s. “I guess I’ll see you at the wedding. What are you doing with Emily on your wedding night? I assume you’ll be going on a honeymoon.”

“We aren’t going anywhere right now. Ian and Brandi’s wedding is Saturday afternoon so we’ll be busy.”

A smile brightened her eyes. “They’re such a lovely couple.”

Katie slipped her hand into Ray’s. His mother was awful. She hoped it was the stress and grief of losing her daughter that caused her rotten attitude. “We should get going. Emily needs to be in bed by eight.”

“Right. Say good-bye to Grandma.”

Emily tucked her head under Ray’s chin. “Bye, bye.” She waved then plopped her thumb into her mouth.

Katie frowned. When had that started? She’d never seen Emily suck her thumb.

They walked out to Ray’s car together. He released her hand to palm his keys and unlock the car. “Here we go.” He set his niece on the backseat. “Get into your booster and buckle up.”

She quickly did as he requested. “Are you coming with us to Uncle Ray’s, Katie?” She plopped her thumb back into her mouth.

“Yes. I live in the garage apartment.”

Emily’s eyes lit up, and she pulled her thumb out of her mouth. “Goodie.”

Ray started the car and headed in the direction of his house. “Katie is going to be taking care of you while I’m at work. What do you think of that?”

“Katie is fun.” She giggled then quieted.

After a while, Katie looked over her shoulder. Emily’s head rested back, with her thumb no longer in her mouth. She looked to be sound asleep. A state she hoped to be in soon, as well. She glanced toward Ray. He slouched, and he drove the speed limit. It’d been a long day, and it appeared to have gotten to Ray as well. “She’s out.”

“Good. Hopefully, she’ll stay that way. I hate seeing her cry herself to sleep.”

“Yeah.” Katie had done that a lot after her mom left and then later when she’d been placed into foster care. She’d been one angry and hurt kid. It was no wonder she’d been sent from one home to another. No one knew how to deal with her rage. It took Brandi’s friendship to start the healing process. When Brandi had invited her to visit the youth group at her church, she was hesitant to say yes but was glad she had. The years that followed were some of the best of her life.

Ray pulled into his driveway and parked in the garage. “I’ll carry her in. Will you bring her bag?” he kept his voice low.

“Sure.” She followed the duo to Emily’s bedroom and placed the bag on top of the dresser. The stark white walls and plain blue comforter on the bed said bachelor, not little girl. She’d have to remedy that soon. Maybe she could get him to bring Emily’s bedding here. It would make her feel more at home, and maybe she’d sleep easier, too.

Ray placed his niece into her bed and drew the sheet up to her chin. He flipped on a nightlight then pulled the door almost closed behind them. In the hall he touched a finger to his lips and motioned for her to follow.

Curious, she did.

He walked several feet to the end of the hall where it split into a T. He went left down a short hall, opened a door, and motioned for her to follow him inside.

She hesitated at the doorway. “Why are we in here?”

“I wanted to show you the bedroom you’ll have after we’re married—that is, if you still think it’s a good idea to move in.”

“I do, but I didn’t realize you agreed.”

He waved a hand motioning for her to enter. “You’re welcome to redecorate.”

“Thank you.” She stepped into the medium-sized bedroom. These walls were white as well. “A little color on the walls might be nice. Nothing too crazy.” A queen-sized bed with a white down comforter occupied the center of the main wall. Another door led to a Jack-and-Jill bathroom. She looked through the room and noted the door to the bedroom on the other end of the bathroom was closed. A white-washed chest of drawers sat opposite the bed, and a wing-backed chair occupied the corner of the room with a standing lamp beside it. “It’s cozy. So you don’t mind if I paint?”

“Not at all. I’m no decorator. The previous owners did everything in white. I spend most of my time at The Ring or the community center, so painting hasn’t been a priority.”

Her gaze shot to his face. “You go to the community center? I’ve never seen you there.”

A resigned look crossed his face. He sat on the edge of the bed and patted the space beside him. “Come sit.”

She didn’t move.

“I don’t bite, Katie. Surely, you know that by now.” Hurt shone in his eyes.

She didn’t mean to wound him, but trust was tough. Especially when she’d spent much of her life trying to avoid potentially dangerous situations. But if she couldn’t trust Ray, then there was no one she could trust. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” She settled beside him.

“Thank you. I need to tell you something that only a handful of people know. But you must promise that what I’m about to say won’t leave this room.”

“Okay.” She nodded, not sure she wanted to hear but anxious to know his secret.

“When I took over running The Ring, I set up a foundation that directly funnels all profits above and beyond operating expenses including wages into the community center. The Ring makes it possible. Without that support the center would close.”

She reminded herself to breathe. “I did not expect that.” He was her benefactor in more ways than one.

“Good. I hope you understand this is confidential. No one can know, not even Brandi.”

“I promise.” She wrapped her arms around his bicep and hugged it. “You’re a good man, Ray O’Brien, and I’m glad I’m marrying you.” She released his arm and stood. Without looking back she traipsed from the room and fled the house to the privacy of her apartment. Could Ray really be as good as he seemed? A niggling doubt tickled the back of her mind.

 

 

Late Monday morning, Katie loaded the roller with lavender paint and slid it up and down a wall in Emily’s room. “What do you think, Emily? Is it pretty?”

She replied, but the thumb in her mouth made it difficult to understand.

“I can’t understand you when your mouth is full.” She’d decided not to make an issue of the thumb sucking but refused to let her get away with it while talking.

The child’s brow furrowed. She plucked her thumb from her mouth. “I like it.” She hugged her doll with both arms. “Mommy’s favorite color is purple.”

Katie swallowed the sudden lump in her throat and plastered on a smile. “Your mommy had good taste. How do you like having the stuff from your bedroom here?”

She squeezed her doll tighter. “Good.”

Katie turned back to the wall and continued to roll on the color. If she kept moving, she might finish before Emily lost interest and got antsy. Ray had moved all of Emily’s belongings from her parents’ house to here. When she’d asked, he didn’t even hesitate and seemed chagrined to have not thought of it himself.

“Katie?”

“Yes?”

“I want my mommy.”

She turned, faced her soon-to-be niece, and set the roller in the paint tray. “I’m sorry about your mommy. I know you miss her a lot. I miss mine, also.”

“Your mommy died, too?”

She shook her head and sat, placing the roller in the tray. “No. Mine left me when I was a young girl. I guess she didn’t want to be my mom anymore.” Otherwise, she would have taken her away from her awful dad when she took off.

Emily crawled over to her then plopped into her lap. She snuggled close. Katie wrapped her arms around the little girl. “Your mommy loved you so much. She never would have left you on purpose.”

“I know.” Emily shifted and patted Katie’s cheeks. “My mommy loved you, too. Do you have a daddy?”

Her stomach knotted. “I do. But he did something very bad, and he’s in prison.”

Her eyes widened. “When I’m bad, I have to go to my room.”

Katie grinned at Emily’s refreshing innocence. “When we do something wrong, we get punished.”

She nodded with wide eyes. “Can I go watch TV?”

Katie looked around the room and spotted coloring books on a shelf. “How about you color while I paint?”

“Okay.” The TV request as good as forgotten, Emily hopped up and got to work coloring.

Katie painted as quickly as she could without making a mess. With one wall completed, she stood back to see her work.

“Looks nice.”

Katie screamed and nearly tossed the roller in the air. “Ray! What are you doing here?”

He chuckled.

“Uncle Ray!” Emily ran toward him and launched herself into his arms. “We’re coloring.”

“I see that.” He winked at Katie.

Her face heated. Is this what it would be like to be a family? Warmth filled her from head to toe. “I thought you were working.”

“I was, but I forgot something.”

“What?”

“My lunch.” He held up the bag she’d placed in the fridge earlier when he’d walked out without it.

“You could’ve eaten out, like usual.”

“But then I would have missed this. Plus, I thought I’d give the two of you a ride to the community center.”

“Oh. Thanks. What time is it?”

“Twelve thirty. We have plenty of time.” He looked at her like she had two noses. “You umm…” He flicked his nose. “Have a little paint on your face.”

“I’ve been so careful.” She peered into the mirror above Emily’s dresser and sighed. She must have touched her face with her hand. A smear down the side of her nose stood out against her pale skin. It had better come off easily. The last thing she wanted was lavender colored splotches on her face. “Maybe I should save painting until after the wedding.”

“You’re going to be my aunt, too.” Emily patted her cheek from her perch in Ray’s arms. “Aunt Hailey told me.”

“That’s right, sweetie. I can’t wait. I’ve always wanted to be an aunt.” She grinned at the little girl who’d captured her heart the first time they’d met.

Ray cleared his throat and set Emily on the floor. “If you want to finish painting after the wedding, it’s fine with me.” He looked at the wall she’d finished and nodded. “It looks nice. In fact, I wonder if that wall is the only one that needs color. It’s the wall her bed’s on, and it looks like a feature wall as is.”

Katie stepped over to see it from his vantage point. “You’re right. What do you think, Emily? Should all the walls be lavender or should we stick with one?”

Her face grew serious. “Will you paint that wall pink?” She pointed to the wall with her dresser. “And that one yellow.” She pointed to the one with her shelves and toys. “And that one…” She frowned. Then her face lit. “Orange!”

Ray chuckled. “You want a rainbow room, huh?”

“Don’t give her any ideas,” Katie said through the side of her mouth.

Emily jumped up and down. “A rainbow! A rainbow!” She squealed. “Like Noah and the ark. We learned about Noah in Sunday school.”

Katie couldn’t help grinning. She didn’t want to buy all the colors of the rainbow and paint one, but she couldn’t say no to this precious little girl after what she’d been through. “How about a small one over your bed?” She liked Ray’s idea of leaving the rest of the walls white, but doubted that would appease Emily.

“Maybe,” Emily hedged. “I’m going to ballet class, Uncle Ray.”

“Are you now?” He sent a knowing look toward Katie.

She caught her breath. His twinkling eyes crinkled ever so slightly. Seeing him happy was nice. His gaze connected with hers and held a moment before he shifted his attention to his niece.

“How about we all have lunch together downstairs.” He hoisted Emily into his arms without waiting for a reply and left the room.

Katie poured the remaining paint from the tray back into the can, pounded the lid on, then headed downstairs. She’d put plastic wrap around the roller and place it in the fridge—it would be moist and ready to go the next time she painted.

“What’s for lunch?” Ray asked as he sliced up an apple.

She flicked on the water and scrubbed at her hands and arms. “Peanut butter and jelly for Emily. I’ll do peanut butter and apple slices.” She motioned toward the sack he’d placed on the counter. “I made you a nice lunch.”

“I know. And I plan to enjoy it.” He slid a plate of sliced apples to the middle of the counter. “Help yourselves.”

Katie handed a slice to Emily.

Ray pulled bread from the cupboard and began making Emily’s sandwich.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I know. But you’re busy enough, and I enjoy company while I’m eating. This way we can all eat together.”

“You’re the boss.” She filled three cups with water. Her phone rang. “Hello?” Her stomach knotted as she listened to the familiar voice on the other end.

This couldn’t be happening.