That Wintry Feeling (Debbie Macomber Classics) (14 page)

“Yes, I was.” More than anyone would ever know.

Heaving a long sigh, Linda stepped back and inspected everyone. “Perfect.” She smiled. “Just perfect.”

Together the small party moved up to the altar and were joined by Pastor Wilkens. Cathy’s only thought was how she was ever going to find the proper gift to thank Linda for everything she’d done to make this wedding run smoothly.

The next thing Cathy remembered was the pastor telling Grady he could kiss the bride. Instinctively, she lowered her eyelids as Grady’s mouth moved over hers. The contact was brief and could hardly be considered a kiss. Not that it mattered.

As she warned she would, MaryAnne slipped out of the church to return to the hotel as soon as the ceremony was finished. A room had been reserved in a restaurant for a wedding meal. A cake decorated with dainty pink rosebuds was waiting on a table surrounded by gifts.

With Grady’s hand pressing into the small of her back, he led her through the remainder of the formalities. The meal tasted like cotton, but she managed to choke down a few bites. Somehow she was able to cut the cake and feed Grady a bite. Camera flashes seemed to come at her from every direction as Dan and Linda thought it important to record every detail of the day. Cathy couldn’t understand it, but she submitted weakly to the ordeal, accepting it as just another irritation.

Finally, they could escape. Ray tossed the suitcases into the back of the plane and helped Cathy climb aboard. A faint smile touched her lips as she noted Ray had painted
JUST MARRIED
on the side of the plane below
ALASKA CARGO
. If she had been in a decent mood she would have laughed at the sight of Ray standing on the runway on a bitter cold November afternoon dressed in his warmest gear and hurling rice at them.

Cathy hardly paid attention as they taxied onto the runway, waiting for instructions from the air traffic controller. With a burst of power, they took off. It wasn’t until they were unable to see the Fairbanks city lights that Cathy spoke.

“Where are we going?” Only now that they were in the air did it interest her.

“For our honeymoon.”

Her sharply inhaled breath became a soundless gasp. “I … I thought you said we didn’t have time for a honeymoon. The school is expecting me back Monday morning.”

“You’ll be there,” he said shortly.

Grady seemed disinclined to talk as they flew through an ebony night. The drone of the engine lured Cathy into a restless slumber.

She woke when Grady began his approach to another airfield. Rubbing a hand over her eyes, she looked to this man who was now her husband. His expression was tight, unyielding.

“Where are we?” she asked, in a quiet voice.

He didn’t look at her. “Does it matter?”

“No.” Sadly, she shook her head. Absently, she toyed with the wedding band so recently placed on her finger. Grady shot her an irritated look, and she stopped, knotting her fingers.

They landed and taxied into a hangar, and Grady helped her step out of the plane.

Without a word, he lifted their suitcases, and with long, purpose-filled strides, he walked away.

Stunned, Cathy watched him go. He hadn’t spoken a word to her. At the gate, he paused and turned. “Are you coming or not?” he snapped.

For an instant, Cathy was tempted to stomp her foot and scream “Not!” Instead she inhaled a slow breath, swung her purse strap over her shoulder, and followed him out of the hangar.

The air was warmer, the cold less brittle. The stars were out in a brilliant display of God’s handiwork, like rare jewels laid upon rippling folds of black satin. Funny, she hadn’t noticed how beautiful the night was when they were in the air.

Grady was several feet ahead of her, and she was forced to half run, half walk to keep up with him. Still, she didn’t know where they were. Grady paused in front of a sedan and placed the suitcases on the cement while he produced a key from the car’s undercarriage.

He unlocked the driver’s side, climbed inside, leaned across, and unlocked her door. Cathy opened the passenger side herself.

The silence grew and grew until she was sure she’d scream if he didn’t say something soon. Again, her fingers unconsciously toyed with the wedding band.

“Will you stop?” he demanded in a gruff, angry voice.

“Stop what?”

“Playing with that ring.” His foot forcefully hit the car brakes. If it hadn’t been for the restraining seat belt, Cathy would have been jerked forward. His cold gaze flickered over her briefly before he focused his attention on the road again. “Get this and get it straight,” he ground
out through clenched teeth. “That ring is on your finger to stay.”

“Yes,” she murmured in a tight whisper. “I understand.”

By the time they arrived at the hotel, Cathy had guessed they were in Anchorage. She glanced around the expensively decorated lobby as Grady registered. Muted musical sounds drifted from the cocktail lounge.

“This way.” Grady touched her shoulder to gain her attention, then just as quickly removed his hand.

She followed him into the elevator, watching the heavy metal doors glide closed. Her attention centered on the orange light indicating the floor number. The elevator made a swishing sound as it came to a halt on the ninth floor. Grady preceded her into the long, narrow hallway, leaving her to follow.

Unlocking the door, he pushed it inward and placed the suitcases just inside the door. Unexpectedly, he swung Cathy into his arms.

She gave a startled gasp, her arms looping automatically around his neck as he carried her over the threshold. His foot closed the door. Blue eyes seemed to burn into gray, scorching her with the heat of his impatient desire.

“This is going to be a real marriage. You understand that, don’t you, Cathy?”

She had expected nothing less. Slowly, she nodded.

Her feet were lowered to the plush carpeting.

“Get undressed,” he said, as a hand jerked the knot free from his tie before he unbuttoned the pale blue shirt.

Cathy watched him with a sense of disbelief. He couldn’t be this cold, this calculating.

Her fingers trembled as she unfastened the tiny buttons of the wool jacket. Hanging it in the closet, she slipped off her pumps, flexing her toes into the carpet. With her back to Grady, she unzipped the skirt and hung it beside the jacket.

A hand at her shoulder turned her around. Her hand was at her throat, prepared to undo the collar of the pink silk blouse. Grady removed her hand, untying the sash himself. Her arms fell lifelessly to her sides.

She couldn’t look at him as he slowly unfastened each button of her blouse. Couldn’t bear to see the anger in his eyes. Not now, when she was about to become his wife in every way. The silken material slid off her shoulders and fell to the floor.

A hand at her back unhooked the lace bra, freeing her breasts. It, too, fell unheeded to the floor. Her heart was pounding so loud it was difficult to breathe. A hand cupped each breast, his thumb stroking the nipples to excited peaks. The action sent out sensual ripples that spread radiating warmth over every part of her. His mouth spread tiny kisses over her throat, and Cathy rotated her head to grant him easier access.

When he released her, she blinked in confusion as a shaft of cold air raced over her.

Again their eyes met as his hands slid over her ribs, pulling her close so that her breasts nestled against the black curly hairs of his chest.

“Why do you have to be so damned beautiful?” Grady questioned before his mouth captured hers.

The alarm buzzed, and Cathy rolled over and blindly fumbled for the clock on the nightstand. Urgent fingers groped for the button that would put an end to the irritating noise. Success. The bleeping stopped, and she sighed unevenly. Five a.m., and it was pitch-dark in their bedroom. With his back to her, Grady continued to sleep soundly.

Rousing her husband, Cathy slipped a hand over his lean, muscular ribs and gently shook him. “Grady, wake up.”

Her words were followed by a low, protesting moan.

He rolled toward her, and instantly Cathy scooted to her side of the bed. No need to throw temptation his way. Although they’d been married three months, she still was amazed at how much he desired her. Always gentle and encouraging, he was a wonderful lover. Meekly, she submitted to him. She was, after all, his wife. She gave of herself what she could, knowing it wasn’t enough to satisfy either of them.

Unexpectedly, she was happy, as happy as she could ever be without Steve. And content with her life. Grady had been right when he’d told her Angela needed a mother. The child had blossomed under Cathy’s love and attention. Sometimes it was difficult to believe this bubbly, happy little girl was the same child she had met last September.

Grady reached across the mattress and scooted her to his side. Instinctively, she stiffened as his lips kissed the nape of her neck.

“Don’t go all wintry on me,” he whispered. “I just want to hold you a few minutes.”

He did that some mornings, when he was reluctant to get out of a warm bed. Her head was cradled in the crook of his arm, and she could feel the even rise and fall of his chest beneath her palm. His breath stirred the hairs at the top of her head as his hand gently stroked the curve of her hip. The moment was serene and tranquil.

“Where are you flying today?” She whispered the question, not wanting the sound of her voice to shatter the quiet.

“Deadhorse.”

Cathy released a ragged sigh. She didn’t often ask him what time he would be home or if
she should hold dinner for him. He resented her questions and had snapped at her more than once when she had innocently inquired.

Cathy didn’t know why she’d asked this morning. A bush pilot from another company in Fairbanks had lost a man the week before flying supplies into Nome for an oil company. The plane had engine trouble and was forced to make a crash landing. Grady had joined the search party. They found the plane and the man two days later. He had frozen to death. For several days afterward, her stomach had tightened every morning when Grady left for the airfield. Not that she didn’t respect his talent or his abilities, but the other man had been an excellent pilot, too.

His hand brushed the hair from her temple, and he kissed her lightly before throwing back the blankets and climbing out of bed.

Instantly a chill ran over her, and she sat up and reached for her housecoat lying across the foot of the mattress. Peterkins had slept there from the time he was a puppy, but not anymore. The dog spent his nights with Angela now; Grady didn’t want him in their bedroom. Cathy had struggled not to argue with him, but in the end she silently conceded it was probably for the best.

Snuggling her bare feet into thick, fuzzy slippers, she knotted the sash and started for the kitchen. The coffee was perking, and she poured Grady a cup when he joined her. His lunch was packed and his thermos filled when he gave her a kiss good-bye. Watching his headlights disappear down the deserted street from the living room window, Cathy felt like an ordinary, everyday wife. Only her heart reminded her she wasn’t.

* * *

Scraping oatmeal-raisin cookies off the cookie sheet, Cathy nervously bit into her bottom lip. Eight-thirty, and Grady wasn’t home. In the past, if he was going to be later than seven or so, he phoned, or had Ray do it for him. The thoughtfulness had surprised her. But there had been no phone call tonight.

“Time for bed,” she reminded Angela, who was watching television in the living room.

“Can I have a cookie?”

“Okay, but get your pajamas on first.”

The little girl nodded eagerly, racing into her bedroom. Peterkins followed in hot pursuit. Fifteen minutes later, Cathy prayed with the child, kissed her tenderly on the cheek, and tucked
the blankets around her securely.

She had just closed the bedroom door when the phone rang. Her heart leaped to her throat as she hurried into the kitchen.
Dear God,
she prayed,
let Grady be all right.

“Hello.” Her voice sounded slightly breathless, as if she’d been running.

“Cathy?”

It was Linda Ericson, an excited, happy Linda Ericson.

“Is that you, Cathy?” her friend questioned.

Cathy tried to keep the disappointment out of her voice. “Yes, hello, Linda.”

“Oh, Cathy, guess what? I’m going to be a mother.”

“You’re pregnant?” Cathy breathed in disbelief.

“Well, sort of.” She laughed easily, her happiness bubbling over. “Dan and I just finished talking with the adoption agency, and we’re getting a little girl about the same age as Angela. We’re so excited. I really can’t talk now—there are about thirty-five relatives I’ve got to phone. I’ll explain everything in the morning. I’ve got so much to do. Dan and I are picking her up in two weeks.”

They spoke for a few minutes longer, and Cathy offered her heartfelt enthusiasm. A smile trembled on her lips as she thought about having a baby; then, sadly, she shook her head. No, it was too soon yet, for both of them.

By nine-fifteen, Cathy was more than worried, she was near frantic, pacing the floor. Certainly Ray would know what was happening.

Lifting the telephone receiver, she paused for an instant, unsure. She’d never phoned Grady at work since they’d been married. Clenching her fist, she released a rough breath. Grady would hate it if he found out. She dialed anyway.

“Yes,” the impatient, male voice answered.

A rush of pleasure raced over her, and, weak with relief, she lowered herself into a kitchen chair. Without a word, she replaced the receiver. Grady need never know it was she who had phoned.

* * *

Less than a half-hour later he stormed in the back door. Cathy was reading in the living room,
and she started at the violent sound of the kitchen door slamming. She laid the book aside and stood.

“Grady, what’s wrong?”

His mouth was thinned into a tight line of suppressed anger. “That was you on the phone, wasn’t it?”

The thought came to deny the whole thing, but the habit of being honest was deeply ingrained. “Yes,” she answered without blinking, her shoulders squared.