Chapter Seven
“I don’t remember the last time it rained all weekend like this,” Bella said, standing at the hotel room window.
It wasn’t a heavy rain, just a drizzle really, but enough of one that they’d be best taking her car from the garage and driving the few blocks down to Pat’s rather than walk.
Harry stepped up behind her.
Their reflections momentarily stunned her.
She felt half her age this morning, but looking at them, they were exactly the ages they were supposed to be.
She was forty-eight. He was forty-nine. They’d aged, both physically and emotionally and in some ways, mentally. She had a few strands of white and silver in her normally dark hair. She also had lines around her eyes and mouth to match those of her husband.
He stood a head taller than her. It was a feature she loved. She liked feeling physically small in his presence; liked feeling protected and looked after.
“Are you really sure you want to do this? We don’t have to go.”
“I’m sure. I know I likely don’t have the greatest of reputations with your friends. I would venture to guess that they did somewhat keep up with what was happening with me, even if you didn’t. Especially Will.”
“He’s never said anything.”
“Doesn’t mean he didn’t read the papers.” He had a point, but then, he always did have one. Even when the conversation seemed inane, Harry Walker always had a point. “Besides, I called Riley while you were sleeping yesterday to tell her I wouldn’t be coming back to the apartment and the couch, and I invited her along. I figured it would help to have someone else on my side. Or at least it couldn’t hurt.”
“How’d she take the news?”
“What news?”
“That we plan to reconcile?”
“I didn’t tell her.”
Bella turned to face her husband. “You didn’t tell her we were going to get back together?”
“No.”
“Why not?” She was genuinely confused. “I thought this was what you wanted.”
“More than anything.”
“Then why wouldn’t you tell her?”
“I thought we’d tell them together and tell the three of them at the same time. They’ll have questions that we’ll need to answer. I want to do this right. Despite what happened in this room the last day, I don’t want to push or rush you.”
“Thank you for that, but there is no push or rush. I’ve missed you and as soon as we can make things happen, the happier I’ll be.”
“Then we’ll gather them as soon as possible. Noah is golfing. I have no idea what Aaron is doing. I had to leave him a voicemail. And Riley… She’ll know something is up.”
“Yes.”
Harry slid his hand behind her neck and she went to him before he had the chance to pull her in. She couldn’t resist this man with the gray eyes and distinguished, though reckless appearance. He hadn’t shaved and the clothes he’d worn the day before were the same ones he wore now, though the hotel had laundered them for him for a rather steep price.
“Thank you, Bella mine, for seeing me, talking to me, hearing me out, expressing yourself, allowing me to love you.”
“You didn’t give me much of a choice. I believe you threatened to pull me over your knees in the pub if I didn’t leave with you.”
“Threatened? Is that really how you saw it?”
“How was I supposed to see it?”
He lifted her wrist with the steel band on it. “The same as this, my love. A promise.” He kissed her soundly on the mouth, followed by a lovely kiss to her pulse beneath the steel.
Bella was again speechless, but didn’t have a chance to form any words before Harry had tugged her across the room and out the door.
By the time they got outside, the rain had subsided enough that they could walk to Sunday’s. “I have to warn you,” Bella said. “Keira’s family is rather large. I don’t know if they’ll all be in attendance, but if they are, it’ll be loud with a lot of talking over each other.”
“Kind of like politics, then.”
“Or your family.”
“Touché.”
Harry had one brother who’d died in a car accident, but he had three sisters and more cousins than anyone knew what to do with. Most of the time, he didn’t want to lay claim to anyone who shared the name Walker. She knew they were part of the reason Harry sent her home to Baltimore. His family lived for and thrived on their scandals and the more press they could garner from them, the better.
Harry was the only politician to come out of the very wealthy South Carolina Walker family. The rest were society born and bred. They had millions which led them to believe they could do and say whatever they wanted, to whomever they wanted. It made for interesting gossip, but horrible for living with.
They’d left Harry alone for the most part, but on the rare occasions they wanted his attention, they stopped at nothing to get it.
“They had a blast with what happened, didn’t they?” she asked, speaking of his family.
“I heard from Mother and she clucked her tongue at me and told me I should’ve known better than to trust anyone. After all, I was a Senator. No one else said a word and as far as I know, they didn’t speak about it to the press.”
“That’s surprising.”
“It is. Then again, they like you and our kids more than they like me, so…”
“Thank the good Lord for small miracles.”
“Yes. Look, there’s Riley.” She waited by the door to Pat’s. “I can’t get over how much she looks like you did at that age. But there better not be any guy doing to her what I was doing to you. I’d have to hurt someone.”
“Calm down, Papa Bear. Your little cub is a smart girl.”
Harry laughed. “So were you and you still found yourself on the business end of my belt with a collar around your neck.”
Bella blushed at the imagery and Harry let go of her hand so he could hug Riley. Will stepped out of Sunday’s at that same moment.
“You made it.”
Harry turned, but Bella intercepted Will first. “Yes. I hope we’re still welcome.”
“The more the merrier.” He lowered his voice. “Are you all right?”
Bella smiled at her friend’s concern. “Yes. We made up.”
“None of it was true?”
So, Will did know. “Some of it was, but not the flashy parts.”
“Good.” He smiled. “I see you brought one of my favorite students along, as well.”
“You’re one of Riley’s professors?” Harry asked, joining Bella. He laid a possessive hand at her back, one Bella leaned into. She’d missed that touch and was glad to have it back.
“Yes.” Will extended his hand. “Good to see you again, Harry.”
“Likewise.”
“Did you have a nice weekend?”
“The most enjoyable in a very long time, yes. The rain allowed for some much needed quiet relaxation.”
Bella bit back a smile. Quiet? Relaxing?
“Why don’t we go inside? They just served the food and I’ve learned with my beloved wife’s family, if you’re not there when it’s served, you may not get so much as a crust of bread.”
Bella and Riley preceded the men. “Are you and Dad okay?” Riley whispered.
“Yes.”
“Are you getting back together?”
“Yes. But we’ll discuss it with you and your brothers soon and what it all means.”
“Are you happy about it?”
Bella did smile then. “Your father said you’d have questions. Yes, Ry. I’m very happy about it.”
“That’s all that matters, Mom. That’s all that ever mattered.”
Bella glanced over at Harry. Will was introducing him to the Collins’ and Harry was in his element. Charming everyone he came in contact with.
Yes. Her happiness with Harry Walker was all that mattered and all that ever would matter. Harry Walker made her happy and with him was where she belonged.
Wild. Tamed. Free. Owned. Beloved.
Forever. After.