Free Breakaway - A Contemporary Romance Drama Story by kate hopkins Page B

is holding a fundraiser tonight," Edward said. "Father usually attends these things, but he can't make it this time, so I'm going in his place. That means you're going with me. It's formal and I expect you to be ready to go by seven."
     
    Furious with Edward for waiting until the last minute to tell her Kate had to bite her tongue to keep from lashing out at him. "I'll be ready," she said through clenched teeth.
     
    Edward raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?"
     
    "No." Kate picked up her fork and began to eat.
     
    Not another word was spoken between them. Once Edward was done with breakfast he got up and left the dining room without looking at Kate. Alone, Kate thought ahead to that night and sighed. She knew what was in store for her at the fundraiser and she wasn't looking forward to it.
     
    Twenty minutes later, Kate entered the small coffee shop. She paused just inside the doorway and scanned the customer's faces. As she stood there she realized she didn't have a clue what Connie looked like.
     
    "Kate."
     
    Kate turned and found a stunning auburn haired woman with hazel eyes. "Connie?"
     
    "Yes," Connie said. "Come sit down. I have a table."
     
    Kate followed Connie to a table near the window. She pulled out a chair and set the infant sear down gently.
     
    "This little sweetheart must be Gaby," Connie said as she took a seat. "She's beautiful."
     
    "Thank you," Kate said, sitting down across from Connie. "She's a wonderful baby. She hardly ever cries or makes a fuss." She reached out and caressed Gaby's cheek. "She's my little angel."
     
    "I hope you don't mind, but I ordered a black coffee for you," Connie said.
     
    "That's fine," Kate said. "May I ask you a question?"
     
    "Sure," Connie said.
     
    "How did you know who I was?" Kate said.
     
    "Nathan has a picture of you on his entertainment cabinet," Connie answered. "Well actually he has a few of you. When you walked in I recognized you."
     
    Just then the waitress arrived with two cups of coffee and a plate of croissants. She placed the coffee in front of Connie and Kate and the plate in the middle of the table.
     
    "Thank you," Kate said.
     
    The waitress smiled and then moved on to the next table.
     
    "I always eat pastries when I come here. They have the best," Connie said, reaching for a croissant. "Help yourself."
     
    "Thank you, but I've already had breakfast," Kate told her. On the table there was a glass jar of non-dairy creamer. She opened it and sprinkled a spoonful in her coffee.
     
    "So, Kate," Connie said, pulling apart a croissant with her fingers. "Tell me about yourself."
     
    "I don't really know where to start," Kate said, stirring her coffee.
     
    "Tell me about your family."
     
    "Well my mother died from a heart aneurysm when I was young," Kate said. "I was raised by my wonderful father and the equally wonderful people that took care of us."
     
    "Do you mean the servants?"
     
    "I never thought of them as servants," Kate said softly. "They were more like my family. They helped me through some of the most difficult times in my life." She took a drink of the coffee and felt the warmth spread through her.
     
    "And Nathan?" Connie said.
     
    Kate smiled. "Nathan was my protector. Whenever the boys on the bus would pick on me he was there telling them to back off. When a guy was interested in me he would interrogate them. There were times when he drove me crazy, but I know he was just looking out for me because he cared."
     
    "Do you have any siblings?" Connie asked.
     
    Kate shook her head. "What about you?"
     
    "I have two brothers and three sisters. I'd love to have a large family of my own," Connie said wistfully. "I'm just waiting for Nathan to get his head out of his butt and marry me."
     
    Kate fiddled with her spoon. "How did you and Nathan meet?"
     
    Connie chewed and swallowed a bite of croissant before she answered. "Two years ago I moved here from Chicago. It was my first day at the hospital. I'm a registered