Free Love Me Always by Marie Higgins Page B

fallen in love with as a young boy.
    He growled and punched his fist into his leather chair. He needed to get her off his mind and keep her out.
    “Excuse me, Mr. Fielding.” The butler interrupted Nick’s thoughts as he entered the study.
    “Yes, Gentry?”
    “Your secretary is here. Shall I show him in?”
    “Of course.”
    George Crane walked into the study, carrying his briefcase. He greeted Nick with a nod. “Did I arrive at a bad time?” George asked.
    Nick took in a deep breath. “No. I just have a lot on my mind. Please, sit and we’ll begin.” He motioned toward the empty chair on the side of his desk.
    George took a seat across from him then Nick started the meeting, but too many times during the hour, his mind wandered outside, especially when a woman’s laughter rang through the air as her horse galloped near his office window. He glanced out the window, hoping to get a glimpse of her, but only her angelic voice flitted through the air. Shaking his head at the interruption, he checked his ledger again.
    He hadn’t realized how many times he stopped in the middle of a sentence as his mind drifted to Catherine, until George suggested calling a halt and rescheduling. Nick quickly snapped back to the present and insisted they finish. Finally, after what seemed a very long two hours, he concluded his business and sent George on his way.
    Nick rang for tea, mainly to have something to occupy his hands and keep his mouth entertained for a little while. Unfortunately, drinking didn’t keep his mind off a certain beautiful woman, especially when he imagined her on horseback, her long brown hair flapping behind her in the breeze as she raced.
    “Nick? Are you busy?”
    Nick swung his head around to face his uncle. “No. Not at this particular moment.” Guilt ate at him for having such thoughts about Grant’s future bride.
    “Good.” Grant took careful steps into the study and lowered himself into the chair by the fireplace.
    The older man’s precise movements drew Nick’s attention. “How do you feel today?”
    “I’m still quite tired from last night’s celebration, but that’s to be expected.”
    Nick studied his uncle’s frail face. “Are you regretting your decision to bring Catherine here then?”
    Grant’s head snapped around to meet Nick’s stare. “Of course not. Bringing her here was the best thing in the world. I’m happy. I feel complete.”
    Nick turned to refill his teacup. “I’m sorry if I made you upset, but I had to ask.” He sat in the chair across from his relative. “You just look so weary today.”
    “Well, I may be tired but not unhappy.”
    “Glad to hear it.”
    Grant took a deep breath, and released it with a ragged sigh. “Nick, I need to ask a favor.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Will you take Catherine into town to do some shopping? I wish I could accompany her, but I haven’t any energy left in me.”
    Nick’s heart sank, yet at the same time, his pulse quickened with the mere thought of being alone with her – alone as he could be with Mrs. Berkley anyway. “Uncle Grant, I’m quite busy today. Sorry.”
    “That’s understandable, so if not today, then how is your schedule tomorrow?”
    His uncle would prod until he got his way, so Nick gave in. “As you wish. I shall take her tomorrow.”
    Grant’s face beamed. “Splendid. You have always been such an obedient boy. Your father had mentioned frequently how thankful he was that the good Lord blessed him with a son like you.”
    Nick tossed back his teacup, gulping the remaining liquid. Yes, he’d always been the obedient son. It was his station in life. His duty.
    “And where is my darling Catherine?”
    “Gregg and Ian took her and Mrs. Berkley riding, and by the sounds of the commotion that interrupted my business meeting all morning, they are doing more than having a quaint little jaunt around the grounds. In fact, by the sounds of it, I would suspect they were racing instead.”
    “What? All