CHAPTER TWO
Three days passed, and Sarah spent most of that time pacing in her apartment. She’d always been perfectly content in it . . . until recently. Now it felt almost like a prison. She didn’t understand how anyone could break the law knowing they’d have to live out the rest of their days in a six-by-twelve-foot space. Some cells might vary a little in size, but that was the average. Her apartment was slightly bigger than that, but it felt even smaller at the moment.
The contract she’d managed to get out of the office without signing was like a beacon flashing at her from her small counter. It seemed to scream at her every time she passed by it. Sign me . . . sign me . . . sign me . . .
Ugh! She needed to just rip it up, wait until three in the morning, and leave a message on Joseph’s phone like the chicken she’d become lately. But no matter how many times she’d picked it up with the intention of doing just that, she hadn’t been able to do it. She’d simply set it back down, then tossed and turned all night. So the dang contract was not only tormenting her but giving her dark circles beneath her eyes on top of it all.
She passed the counter again for the hundredth time that day when her doorbell rang. She wasn’t expecting anyone, but it wasn’t unusual for one or both of her besties to stop by. She walked to the door, not bothering to smile as she opened it.
She froze at the sight of Katherine Anderson standing there, looking regal and beautiful . . . and utterly out of place at her tiny apartment complex. Sarah didn’t know what she was supposed to say.
“Hello, Sarah. I hope you don’t mind me dropping by. I know I should’ve called, but I was visiting the veterans center and decided to swing in last minute,” Katherine told her.
Sarah looked past Katherine at the sparkling Jaguar sitting in her parking lot. It was pristine and expensive, and the neighbors were undoubtedly wondering what in the world a car like that was doing there.
“Of course it’s okay,” Sarah said. She desperately wanted to look behind her and make sure her place wasn’t an utter wreck. She was a pretty tidy person, but when someone like Katherine Anderson stopped in, you wanted perfection. Heck, you didn’t want a person like her to ever stop in at your place. She was made to be in only the finest locations.
“Can I come in?” Katherine asked with a chuckle.
“I’m so sorry,” Sarah said as her cheeks heated up, letting her know they were flushed. She opened the door wider and took a breath as she turned around, giving her place a once-over. She could spot everything wrong, though it was honestly pretty dang clean. She wasn’t a knickknack kind of person at all, so there wasn’t clutter. Her laundry was put away, and the dishes were done. Not that she used a lot of dishes. She was a hot-dog-at-the-convenience-store kind of girl when her friends weren’t cooking for her. There were so many more important things to do than to waste her time over a hot stove. She’d never found a love in cooking.
“There’s no need to apologize. I’m the one who dropped in out of the blue,” Katherine said. She stepped inside and smiled as she looked around. “You have a darling place here.”
The way she said the words sounded like she really meant them. Sarah was awed by this amazing woman. Sarah didn’t know a lot of Katherine’s story, but she knew she’d come from some pretty humble roots. Though the woman could have had anything in the world she wanted, Sarah had never seen Katherine act superior to anyone else. She was a beautiful person inside and out.
“Would you like something to drink? I have iced tea and soda,” Sarah said. She also had coffee, but it was the afternoon and pretty warm out. But she was second-guessing just about everything she was saying right now, so maybe she should’ve offered that as well.
“I would love a glass of iced tea with a teaspoon of sugar, please,” Katherine said.
“You can have a seat on the couch while I get that,” Sarah offered.
“Thank you.” Katherine walked over and sat, and Sarah took a second to take a few breaths as she poured them each a tall glass of iced tea. She noticed her fingers were slightly shaking as she moved in her small kitchen. She walked the few feet into the living room area and handed Katherine her glass before sitting on the other end of the sofa and looking expectantly at her.
“I’ll get right to the point,” Katherine said after taking a sip. “This is delicious, by the way.”
“Thank you. I don’t cook, but I do love to play with different drinks,” Sarah said. She’d live on liquids if her body would allow it.
“I’ve had many struggles in my life. I was born in a time when there wasn’t a lot expected out of women except to be a good wife and mother. For those who want to do just that, I say it’s honorable and the hardest job they’ll ever have. But for those who want more, I say the sky’s the limit. I see such talent and drive in you, and my heart hurts for the struggle you’re going through. I want to see you sign that contract and finish the project you started. I know it’s not any of my business, and I hate to meddle in people’s lives, but I have a soft spot for you, and I truly want to see your name on those buildings that are so dear to me.”
Sarah sat there as Katherine spoke, and she felt tears well up in her eyes. For such a powerful woman to say the things she was saying to her—it was humbling and motivating at the same time.
“I’m not really needed,” Sarah said, not realizing she was going to voice that concern until the words came out.
Katherine reached over and took her hand, not allowing Sarah to turn away. She gave her the most sincere and kind smile Sarah had ever received as she squeezed Sarah’s fingers.
“You are more needed than you can possibly imagine. Don’t run away because you’re afraid. Take your dreams into your hands, and show those men how it’s done. I’m proud of the work you’ve done so far, and I know this project won’t be the same without you. I’m not telling you to stay if you truly can’t stand it. I’m just saying don’t quit because you’re afraid, and don’t stop because you think you aren’t important. If you hate it after another couple of months, then you can resign. But I don’t think that’ll happen. I think you’re going to find yourself valued more than you ever have before by the time it’s finished.”
Sarah couldn’t stop the tear from falling this time. She was a bit mortified as she wiped it away, trying to control her emotions.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
Katherine squeezed her fingers again. “Please don’t apologize for feeling something real. Time goes so quickly, Sarah, much faster than any of us are ready to accept.” She looked away as if she was lost in her thoughts. Sarah wasn’t sure if she should say something or not, so she waited. Katherine turned back and smiled.
“Live your dreams, and don’t give up. I promise you you’ll regret it if you do,” she finally said.
“Did you give up your dreams?” Sarah asked.
Katherine’s smile grew. “No. I’ve been blessed over and over again in life. From the moment I met Joseph Anderson, my world has been a giant roller-coaster ride that I wouldn’t change for a minute. But time isn’t always our friend. We need to live life to the fullest and store every single memory and enjoy every moment—even the ones we might think of as bad at the time they happen. Everything does happen for a reason, whether it’s to build our character, make us stronger, or teach us that without the bad, we can’t truly know how good things are. I can guarantee you won’t regret doing this project, but you will always question yourself if you walk away.”