Page 49 of Hearts of Wealth

Catherine

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SINCE IT WAS A CASUAL night out, I kept my outfit simple. I knew Timothy would understand. He wasn’t expecting me to do the hair and makeup and get dolled up. I’d made sure my dad ate his dinner, had his medicine, and his phone was within arm’s reach. I was nervous about leaving him alone but he was insistent. I didn’t want him to feel like he was a burden or holding me back from enjoying my life. If he felt like that, he was going to go back to his place.

I had to concede on this or risk losing him for good. I walked back into the bedroom we had put him in. His eyes were closed, but I knew he wasn’t asleep. “I’m going to be leaving,” I said. “Do you need anything?”

“No. I’m fine. I plan on sleeping and watching a little TV. I’m not doing anything exciting.”

“Call if you need anything,” I said.

“I will.”

Timothy showed up a few minutes later. “Ready?” he asked.

“Yes, but I’m keeping my phone on.”

He laughed. “I would expect nothing less.”

“Should we tell him where we’re going? Just in case?” I added, peeking back toward Dad’s room.

Timothy shook his head, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Are you stalling?”

I sighed but smiled back at him, my heart racing with a mix of excitement and apprehension. “All right then,” I said, reluctantly grabbing my purse.

He held the door open for me as we stepped out into the night that was just a little cooler than the unusually warm day.

Timothy drove us to one of the nicer restaurants in town. It was a steakhouse, which made me feel just a little guilty. I’d given my dad bland grilled chicken, and I was going to be eating a juicy steak.

Timothy must have noticed my unease. “Catherine, tonight is about us. Your dad is fine, and he wants you to enjoy yourself. Your arteries are just fine. You can have a steak.”

I smiled at him gratefully, placing my hand over his. “You’re right, I need to stop worrying so much.”

For the next hour or two, we indulged in mouthwatering steak and baked potatoes and a bottle of wine.

“Boy, does it feel good to eat,” I said. “Thank you for this.”

“You’re welcome,” he said.

“Let’s go for a walk. It’s a nice night.”

I hesitated, but he gently squeezed my hand. “He’s fine.”

“I should call.”

“Luke is sitting with him,” he said.

“What?”

“I called Luke.” He shrugged. “He was going to take care of that electrical work.”

I smiled. “You mean you’re tricking my dad. Luke is there doing work so my dad doesn’t know he’s there keeping an eye on him.”

“Busted,” he chuckled. “Come on. Let’s walk. I haven’t been in this area much.”

“I had a really good time tonight,” I admitted, offering him a grateful smile as we walked.

Timothy returned my smile, his eyes warm as he squeezed my hand gently. “I’m glad,” he replied, his voice soft. “I wanted to take your mind off things for a little while. And I wanted to spend time with you. It’s been a while.”