“It’s about time. You said you’d keep in touch, and I believed you. But have you called?”
“You could have called me,” she countered.
“I know, but I didn’t want to be a reminder if you were trying to put all this behind you.”
Cathy knew thethiswas actually Stone. “I appreciate the concern.”
“So how are you?”
“I’m doing well.” Cathy brought her up-to-date, then said, “Thanks for having my things delivered. You didn’t have to do that. I could have made arrangements.”
“I wanted to help, and it was all I could think of to do.”
They talked for a few more minutes, then Cathy gathered up her courage. “I need to speak to Stone, Ula. Could you get him for me?”
The housekeeper was silent for a long time. Cathy began to wonder if he’d given instructions that she wasn’t to be put through.
“I can’t do that,” Ula said. “Mr. Ward isn’t here.”
Cathy stared at the receiver, as if she’d suddenly heard a foreign language. “What do you mean?”
“Mr. Ward is gone. Cathy, I’m sorry. I don’t know what to tell you. Five days ago, he came downstairs with two suitcases. He said he was going away and that I was to look after the house until he returned. I thought—” Her voice shook. “I thought he’d decided to go to you.”
Cathy didn’t think she could take any more. Stone hadn’t bothered to get in touch with her and now he was gone.
“You don’t know where he is?” she asked futilely.
“No. I swear I would tell you if I had any idea. That man is a complete—” She paused and sighed. “That doesn’t matter now. I wish there was something I could say. I know how you felt about him. You were wonderful to him and for him. If he’d let you, you could have helped him heal. He’s going to regret losing you.”
Cathy hoped the other woman was correct, but right now that was cold comfort. Tears spilled from her eyes. She hadn’t told Stone about the baby and now he was gone.
“Can I help?” Ula asked.
Cathy shook her head, then realized the other woman couldn’t see her. “No,” she managed. “I just…” She swallowed and tried to hold back the tears. “I have something important to tell him. If you hear from him, could you please ask him to call me?”
“Of course. I’m so sorry, Cathy. I hope you’ll stay in touch with me.”
“I’ll try.” It was the most she could promise. Right now she didn’t think she could ever talk to Ula or anyone else again. “I have to go,” she said. “Take care of yourself.” Then she hung up the phone.
She wasn’t sure how long she sat there. Stone was gone. He wasn’t going to come for her; he wasn’t going to be calling. He’d disappeared from her life. She’d never mattered at all.
Finally she placed her arms on the table and lowered her head. She sobbed until there weren’t any more tears.
When she finally straightened, she saw it was eleven-thirty. Time for her to leave for her class. She stood up and started to collect her catalog and purse, then stopped. What was the point? Who was she kidding? College? Her? She couldn’t make it. She was too old. She had a baby on the way. It would take too long.
“Just forget it,” she said aloud. “Go to work, come home, wait for the baby. That’s enough. You don’t really need to have a life. Look how long you survived without one before.”
Without thinking, she crossed to the kitchen cupboard. She pulled it open, then wrinkled her nose. Whole-grain bread, low-fat crackers. Soup. Not a cookie or a candy bar in sight. She needed chocolate and she needed it right now.
Cathy grabbed her purse and headed for the front door. As she stepped out on the porch, she noticed the mail had been delivered. She took the stack and prepared to toss it on the tiny hall table behind her. Then familiar handwriting caught her eye. Stone’s writing.
Her heart jerked hard in her chest. The envelope was thick and business sized. She tore it open, wondering what he’d sent her. A note? A ticket? An explanation?
Money. She stared at the stack of hundred-dollar bills, then counted. Five thousand dollars. There was a folded piece of paper with a single sentence: “You can expect this same amount every month.”
The bastard hadn’t even bothered to sign his name.
Cathy looked at the money. So that was all he thought of her. Fine. She would put the money away for the baby. Maybe start a college fund. All the investment people said it was never too early, right?
