Subj: Kate ch 29
Date: 5/26/00 10:45:26 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Karen
"How do I know it is my child?" Barnabas demanded angrily, suddenly sober. "I don’t know what you have been doing in the future. It could be anyone’s child!" He stood up as he said this and walked over to the window. His arms were folded across his chest as he turned to face Kate, glaring.
Kate sat up, stunned. She had imagined all kinds of responses, but never this one. She seethed in anger. How dare Barnabas accuse her of passing off another man’s child as his. It was ludicrous!
Kate leaned against the footboard of the bed, wrapping herself around the poster. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Opening her eyes, Kate looked at Barnabas sadly, saying, "If that is what you think; I can do nothing to change your mind. Just know this, when I walk out of this house, I will not come back. Our child will never know his father; we will never share the joy of the child growing inside me." Kate stopped to wipe the tears from her eyes. "I am sorry for you, Barnabas. You can not accept the fact I came back because I love you; I want to be with you as long as I live. It is your loss."
Kate got off the bed and headed for the door, tears streaming down her cheeks. Barnabas watched her cross the threshold and down the hall. The emotions of this afternoon were swirling around in his brain. It was almost too much for Barnabas. He felt confused and in conflict with himself.
A voice inside his head said, "Let her go! She has hurt you too much."
His heart told him, "Go after her, you fool! This woman loves you and you love her. What more do you need? Go, go!"
Barnabas could hear Kate’s footsteps on the stairs. Any minute now she would walk out the door and he would never see her again. Never know her kiss, her velvet touch on his body. Never know the joy of waking up next to this beautiful woman, arousing her with his touch. Barnabas ached for her.
"Kate, wait!" he called as he ran out of his bedroom and down the hallway. He reached the top of the stairs in time to see Kate’s hand on the door knob, ready to open it. "Kate, don’t go." he said hoarsely. "Don’t walk out, please."
Kate turned the knob and opened the door. Looking back, she said, "I am leaving, Barnabas. It is too late for us now. I am sorry."
Barnabas watched Kate walk out the door, closing the door behind her. How could she have left again? She said she would stay if I came after her, he thought. He started to head after her and thought better of it. If I call Collinwood, maybe someone there can stop her, make her stay with the family, Barnabas thought. Going to the new installed telephone, he dialed the number. Carolyn answered the phone.
"Carolyn, this is Barnabas. Yes, I am fine. Listen, Carolyn, Kate was here.... Yes, that’s right, she is back. Please get her to stay at Collinwood for awhile. I don’t have time to explain, Carolyn. Please just do this for me, all right?" Barnabas pleaded with his cousin. He listened for a moment, then said, "Thank you, Carolyn. I appreciate all your help. Goodbye."
Hanging up the phone, Barnabas sighed. I need to prove to Kate that I love her, he said to himself. First things, first; change out of these clothes and take a much-needed shower. Then with Willie’s help, get this house back to rights.
*************
Kate sat in the van, wondering if she did the right thing. The near-rape, the disbelief the child was his, his anger at seeing her had shook Kate more than she wanted to admit. As difficult as it was to believe, Barnabas had allowed anger to rule him. What she had been looking for was another emotion; love. It wasn’t meant to be, Kate thought.
Turning on the engine of the van, Kate decided to go back to her own time. Just as she put her finger on the button to take her back, she saw Carolyn waving frantically. Kate turned off the engine and got out of her car. Carolyn ran up to her, nearly out of breath.
"Oh, Kate, I am so glad I caught you!" Carolyn said. "Will you come to Collinwood? I know the family would love to see you."
"How did you know I was here, Carolyn?" Kate demanded. She had hoped to get away from Collinwood before anyone saw her.
"Well, um," Carolyn stammered. "I saw your van pull up to the Old House as I was walking on the grounds." she lied. Carolyn thought perhaps Barnabas didn’t want Kate to know he had called.
Kate looked at Carolyn quizzically. It seemed plausible, but still..., Kate thought. Carolyn wasn’t one to wander the grounds. Stranger things had happened, Kate supposed.
Shrugging her shoulders, Kate said, "I would love to see your mother and David. Hop in the van and I will drive you home."
Kate and Carolyn got into the van and drove to the Great House. Kate parked the van as David came out of the house, running to her side of the car.
"Kate, Kate, you came back!" David shouted excitedly. "I knew you would come back. Didn’t I, Carolyn?" He turned to his cousin, who nodded while grinning widely. "Come on, Kate, let’s go in the house so we can talk. I have tons of things to tell you!" he said, pulling on Kate’s arm.
Kate smiled, and kissing David’s cheek, entered Collinwood again.
"Aunt Elizabeth, look who’s back!" David shouted as he came in the drawing room.
"David, please, don’t shout in the house. Now what are you talking about? Who is back?" Elizabeth asked. Kate entered the room and Elizabeth broke out in smiles. "Kate," she said, hugging her, "how wonderful to see you! We have missed you terribly. When did you arrive?" Elizabeth sat down and invited Kate to do the same.
"I got back about two hours ago, Elizabeth. I am so happy to see you. It seems like so long." Kate said, taking the older woman’s hand, close to tears.
Elizabeth looked at Kate in understanding and said, "David, will you get Kate’s bags from her car and take them to her room?"
David left and she spoke to Carolyn. "Carolyn, please tell Mrs. Johnson Kate will be occupying her old room and set another place for dinner."
Carolyn looked at her mother, seeing her look that said to leave them alone, nodded and left the room, closing the door behind her.
"Kate darling, what is the trouble?" Elizabeth asked gently, putting her hand on Kate’s arm.
"Oh, Elizabeth," Kate said tearfully, "where do I start?"
Elizabeth patted Kate’s arm. "I am assuming that you saw Barnabas. From the look on your face, I can tell you did. Willie has been keeping us informed as to what has happened to him. We have all tried to reason with Barnabas; even Julia cannot reach him." she said.
"Elizabeth, what happened? How did he get like this?" Kate exclaimed. She wiped her tears. "He’s so angry. I should expect anger after leaving him, but the drinking! That I can not abide." Kate said.
Elizabeth nodded. "Drinking does run in our family. I never thought Barnabas would follow in the family footsteps to this degree. What happened when you spoke to him?" Elizabeth asked.
Kate shuddered to think of what had happened between Barnabas and her. She rose from the sofa and stood by the fireplace. Hanging her head, Kate said quietly, "I don’t want to talk about it, Elizabeth. Suffice it to say that it wasn’t a pleasant encounter."
"That’s all right, darling," Elizabeth said. "I understand. Now why don’t you stay here with us for a few weeks? I know the whole family will be delighted to have you stay here. Perhaps the sea air will do some good." Elizabeth went over to Kate and put her arm through Kate’s arm. "Go upstairs now and rest. You have had a long journey and an emotional experience. I will call you for dinner."
Kate allowed herself to be led to the stairs by Elizabeth. At the foot of the stairs, Kate hugged Elizabeth and whispered, "Thank you, Elizabeth, for everything."
Elizabeth hugged Kate and kissed her on the cheek. "Things always have a way of working themselves out, Kate." she said encouragingly. Kate nodded and walked up the stairs to her room.
Elizabeth grabbed her coat and headed out the door. She was determined to have it out with Barnabas. Whatever happened between he and Kate wasn’t her concern. What mattered to Elizabeth is Barnabas stopped all this nonsense once and for all.
Elizabeth arrived at the Old House in time to see Willie Loomis carrying bags of garbage from the house. Willie seemed surprised to see her.
Putting down the bags he said, "Hello, Mrs. Stoddard. What brings you over here?"
Elizabeth exchanged a greeting and got to the point. "I wish to see Barnabas at once, Willie. I know he is here; will you tell him I wish to see him, please?"
Elizabeth stepped into the living room and glanced around the room. It was much cleaner than the last time she had been at the Old House. The furniture had been dusted, carpets vacuumed, drapes pulled open.
"Well, Willie, the room looks very nice. Something certainly happened to make this change." she said to Willie, who was standing behind her.
"Yes, Elizabeth," said Barnabas, coming into the room just as she had finished her statement. "Something has happened."
Elizabeth turned. Barnabas was there, looking as he had always done; a bit gaunt, but still Barnabas. He had showered, his hair still wet. His immaculate three-piece suit was pressed and clean. Elizabeth held out her hand and he grasped it.
"Barnabas, it is so nice to see you looking like your old self again. I have been so worried about you." Elizabeth said kindly.
Barnabas looked gratefully at his cousin and said, "Thank you, Elizabeth. I was slipping into a deep pit of despair and feel strong enough to pull myself out; now that Kate has returned."
Elizabeth frowned. "Barnabas, Kate is why I am here. She loves you so much. I don’t know what happened between the two of you. I do know that she is terribly hurt and confused." she said. "I do not like to interfere in other people’s affairs, but this time I can not help it. Kate is like a daughter to me. If you have done anything to cause her distress or pain, you will have to answer to me!"
Elizabeth’s determined expression took Barnabas aback.
His face fell.
"Elizabeth, please, I do not want you angry with me." he said. "Kate’s appearance allowed me to see myself for the first time in a long time. You never have to worry I will hurt Kate ever again. I love her too much." Barnabas said, his old charm shining through.
Smooth talker, she thought. "Well, I hope you are right, Barnabas. For now, it looks as if you are headed in the right direction." Elizabeth put her hand on Barnabas’ arm. "Does Willie need any help with the house? I could send Mrs. Johnson to help him." she offered.
"No, Elizabeth, thank you, but Willie will be able to do the work with my help." Barnabas replied. He could imagine Willie’s relief at not having Mrs. Johnson ordering him around. Besides, Mrs. Johnson was a bit too curious for her own good.
Barnabas walked Elizabeth to the door and bid her farewell. Before she left, she said, "I have persuaded Kate to stay for a few weeks. Perhaps in that time, you two can straighten out your problems. Don’t let her go, Barnabas." Elizabeth warned. "Kate means a great deal to this family and I will not have her in pain because of your actions. Good afternoon, Barnabas. Come to dinner when you feel up to it."
Elizabeth left and Barnbas closed the door behind her. Willie was standing on the stairs, smiling.
"Guess she told you off good, huh, Barnabas?" he said, chuckling.
"Yes, I suppose she did." Barnabas said quietly. "Now, Willie, if you have better things to do than eavesdrop on other people’s conversations, I suggest you do them." he said, mock fury in his voice.
Willie laughed as he walked down the stairs. "It sure is good to see you back, Barnabas." he said as he walked back to the kitchen. "It sure is good to have you back."