Hope

Chapter Twenty Two

Kathryn's POV

I watch Nick as he walks ungracefully to his bedroom. For the first time, I feel as if I really know Nicholas and not just the Nick who has a short temper and does everything nonchalantly. If only he knew that the wall he built can be easily demolished by the person you least expected to.

“Magnolia won't be too happy about that,” Marguerite's voice startles me out of my reverie. For once it's not unfriendly but it isn't exactly kind too.

I look at her beside me. “About what?”

“She doesn't like it when he, or anyone, drinks. She thinks it's an act of cowardice,” she says.

“Is there anything she does like?”

“I'm sure,” she says and I scoff. “Look, you might think that she's as cold as ice but she cares about you and everyone here. She took us in when no one else wanted it us. You don't know what that feels like but we do, and it is not a walk to the park.”

“Do you ever think she did that so she won't let the family name down after what my parents did?” I shoot at her.

She takes a moment to answer. “We are grateful for what she has done, regardless of her reason. If it wasn't for her, we'd be dead, or wishing to be dead. You don't understand-”

“Would you stop saying that!” I yell, cutting my her off. “Just because I didn't go through what you did doesn't mean I don't know what hardships are.”

“Do you? You're loved, Kathryn! You have people who'd do anything for you, even though you've never done anything for them! Look at Nicholas! He's-” she abruptly stops and takes a deep breath. “Just be grateful for what and who you have, Kathryn. There are people who'd give anything to have it.”

“Do you happen to be one of them?” I probably shouldn't have said that, she already hates me, but I couldn't help myself. She was getting on my last nerve.

She clenches her jaw and says between clenched teeth, “Get over yourself.” And she walks away.

I quickly start searching for Jeff before I regret what I said to her. I find him in the large kitchen, leaning on the glass counter and speaking to Melissa.

“Hi,” I say. I grab a chair and sit down.

“Hey.” He grins.

“You're finally done with Magnolia?” I ask.

He nods. “For now. I think I'm getting my abilities back. It was a huge mistake to give them up and I put you in danger,” he says. Agony washes across his face and once again I regret treating him the way I did after my parents died.

“What happened to me was not your fault, Jeff.”

He sighs. “But if-”

“End of story,” I say sternly, cutting him off.

He smiles weakly. “You're still stubborn, I see.”

I smile too. Melissa clears her throat. “So does anyone have any suggestions on what to cook?” she says. “Nick usually offers suggestions- he'd never cook- but I haven't seen him all day.”

Jeff stiffens at the mention of Nick but doesn't say anything. I still have to talk to him about that.

“He's sleeping,” I say.

“What? Without eating?” I nod. “That's new. Oh well, I'd figure it out myself.”

I turn back to Jeff. “Have you talked to Nick?”