Katia's Promise. Catherine Lanigan

her heart went out to Austin. What could she say to him? An apology, after all this time, seemed meaningless. Austin wasn’t angry because she’d moved. He was angry because she hadn’t come back. And worse, she hadn’t come back for him.

      Was that what he was saying now? That he thought she’d come back to rekindle their romance? Nothing could have been further from her thoughts. She wasn’t in love with Austin. She’d put those feelings away a long time ago. She was here to keep her job and build her future. With Jack.

      One day, after she made all that happen, she would move back to Chicago and resume her life. Yes, she thought, I’ll go back, and everything will be just as it was.

      Just then, the housekeeper came out of the dining room with an empty bowl. She peered up at Katia. “You’re staying, aren’t you?”

      Katia made the decision on the spot. “Yes,” she said. “Are you going to call the police like he asked?”

      Daisy shook her head and planted a hand on her hip. “If I had a nickel for every time he told me to do something stupid and I didn’t do it—”

      “I get it,” Katia said, her eyes wandering up the stairs again. “Is he often like this?”

      “Angry? No. Shutting himself away? Always.”

      “Really? But why?”

      Daisy’s eyes narrowed. “You’re new in town, aren’t ya?”

      “Sort of. Well, yes.”

      “So you don’t know about him?” Daisy pointed to the second floor.

      Katia was tempted to share the whole story, but then thought better of it. “What should I know?”

      “He likes being alone. A lot. He’s a recluse, I’d guess you’d say. And I would know. I’ve been here for nearly twenty years. I nursed Mrs. McCreary through her grief. Then cancer. I went to Austin’s college graduation. Hanna and I were the only ones there. I’m just about the only family he’s got left, really.”

      Katia smiled and thrust her hand out to Daisy. “Then, I’m grateful to you for taking care of him. I’m—”

      “Katia,” Daisy replied, staring at Katia’s hand.

      “You recognized me?”

      “Not till just a minute ago.”

      “So he told you about me?” Katia asked, lowering her hand and wondering if she even wanted to hear the truth.

      “His mother did. Broke his heart, she told me. You two musta been somethin’ back then for him to act like this after all these years. Still,” Daisy mused, looking up the stairs, “this is typical Austin behavior. You might as well go in and have somethin’ to eat. He won’t be back down.”

      “What? He has guests!”

      Daisy shrugged. “Oh, them? They don’t care. They probably didn’t expect him to hang around after his talk anyway. He doesn’t socialize.”

      Katia was disbelieving at first, but then she glanced into the dining room and saw everyone chatting and eating as if nothing had happened. Daisy certainly knew more about the Austin of today than she did. “So Austin is incommunicado for the rest of the afternoon?”

      “He’ll be on his phone or laptop until they leave,” Daisy told her. “Then he’ll go to the plant till late in the evening, as usual.”

      “Well, thank you, Daisy. I think I will have something to eat. It’s a long drive back to Chicago.”

      “Oh, so that’s where you’ve been?” Daisy probed.

      Katia understood in an instant that Daisy was probably as loyal to Austin as she was to Jack. Daisy would relay any information she revealed. Katia chose her words carefully. “For the moment, yes. My insurance firm is relocating here to Indian Lake. That’s why I do need to introduce myself to some of the guests. I’m looking to rent office space, hire office personnel, find both myself and my boss places to live. Things like that.”

      “What about your family?” Daisy asked.

      “I’m alone,” Katia replied, intending to sound neutral. Instead, the word came out of her mouth with a great deal more feeling than she’d planned. Again, she had no idea why her emotions kept overwhelming her at such inopportune times. It was as if they had a life of their own, and the steel-edged control she’d always maintained had sprung a leak. “What I meant was I’m not married, and I don’t have to worry about children and schools and all that.”

      “I know what you meant,” Daisy said. “Housing is hard to find here in Indian Lake. Good luck with that.” Without another word, Daisy turned and trounced toward the kitchen.

      Glancing up the stairs one last time, Katia felt a strange pull to ignore her company’s mission and go straight to Austin’s bedroom and demand to speak with him, but she chickened out.

      Katia forced herself to move into the dining room. The buffet table was centered with a huge bouquet of sunflowers, bronze chrysanthemums and yellow roses. The guests were laughing and discussing the impact of the car museum on Indian Lake tourism. The tourism board members were tossing around ideas about ad campaigns, and she heard two of the city council members chatting about potential problems with traffic and parking.

      “Katia,” Liz called from the far side of the room. “Come join us.”

      Liz was standing with Mrs. Beabots and Maddie next to a dessert table that was laden with dozens of exquisitely iced and decorated cupcakes. Mrs. Beabots sipped a small glass of white wine.

      “Those are gorgeous,” Katia gushed as she inspected the desserts.

      “Thanks,” Maddie replied. “I wanted them to be a bit over-the-top for Austin.”

      Katia’s head jerked up. “Why’s that?”

      “If it weren’t for Austin being my first investor, my café here in town would never have existed and I wouldn’t have dreamed of building my business into franchises.”

      Katia was surprised. Austin might be a recluse, but he obviously had a head for business. “He did that?”

      Maddie smiled broadly. “He’s a strange duck, I’ll give him that. He’s never set foot in my café, can you believe that? I still bring him seven cupcakes every Friday morning at eight. Just like clockwork. Although I mix up the flavors for him so he can try my new recipes.” She rocked back on her heels, seeming both proud and grateful. “He’s been a very good friend to me.”

      “I should say so,” Mrs. Beabots added. “I’ve known Austin and his family since I was a young girl.”

      “Really?” Katia and Maddie chirped in unison. Katia swallowed back a guilt-edged lump in her throat. She remembered Mrs. Beabots as the kindly older lady down the street whose gardens she always admired. She also recalled Hanna talking about charity committees she served on with Mrs. Beabots. Since Mrs. Beabots had known the family for decades, she would have heard all about Katia and her former relationship with Austin. Mrs. Beabots could be a very good ally for her.

      Liz handed Katia a glass of white wine. “Try this chardonnay, Katia. It’s a new reserve for us. Aged eighteen months in French oak barrels. I value your opinion.”

      Katia sipped the wine and smiled. “It’s so buttery and smooth. I love it.”

      “I thought you would.” Liz beamed and then noticed Maddie and Mrs. Beabots staring at her. “What?”

      Mrs. Beabots patted Liz’s arm. “Katia was just about to tell us why she’s come back to Indian Lake. Weren’t you, dear?”

      Katia nearly choked on the wine. Maybe Mrs. Beabots wouldn’t be the best ally after all. She cleared her throat. “I-I’m relocating my company to Indian Lake as soon as I can find an appropriate office.”

      “That