Marrying Kate Read Free

of sanity returned. Exhausted mentally and physically, Jared sat slouched on the couch feeling bereft of all support and love. Finally, with the slow movements of an old man, he stood and picked up his bags.
    After a quick shower, Jared turned off the lights and tumbled into bed. He wanted to sleep. He desperately longed for the oblivion sleep would give him , but it wouldn’t come. And it wasn’t just the grief that kept him awake, it was what Kate had told him of his own death. There was something very wrong there and he needed to find out what it was. Possible explanations popped into his mind but none of them made any sense.
    Trying to calm his thoughts, Jared turned his mind towards Kate. He’d been surprised to see her at the door earlier. Jen had always said she was a career woman through and through. Jen, on the other hand, had lived for her family, and he had been part of it for these past nine years. In Steve and Jen he’d seen a real love that he hadn’t run across before. They had been perfect for each other , and Jen had become the ruler by which he’d measured all other women. None had even come close.
    In the rare times he’d allowed himself to dream of a family, it had been of finding a woman like Jen. One who would love him, faults and all. Who would find fulfillment in raising a family and creating a home. He knew such women were few and far between but after having Jen in his life, he knew they were out there. And with four kids depending on him, he’d need one more than ever now.
    Jared finally focused his mind and concentrated on blanking everything out in order to fall asleep. It was a talent that had come in handy in his work, to be able to sleep wherever, whenever. Tonight it was a struggle though, since his emotions ran so high, but eventually his control won out and he drifted off to sleep.
    When he woke the next morning the sun was shining brightly through the windows of his bedroom. Jared stretched, thinking as he did how glad he was to be home. This was the last trip. He knew that Jen and Steve would be glad to hear that.
    Jen and Steve. He froze in mid-stretch as last night’s conversation with Kate came flooding back. Jared slumped back against his pillow. How was he going to face the future without them? He had to find a way though. The kids were going to need him strong.
    Thoughts of the kids propelled him out of bed and into the bathroom. Fifteen minutes later he walked through the front door of the house and headed for the kitchen. He could hear their chatter as he drew closer.
    "I don’t want pancakes this morning, Auntie Kate. Just cereal," a childish voice announced.
    "But all you ever eat is cereal, Bry. I made these pancakes special this morning. See, this one’s in the shape of a bear."
    "Okay, I’ll have one." Bry spoke the words grudgingly, and Jared couldn’t keep from grinning. They’d obviously tasted their aunt’s pancakes a time or two before.
    "Great!" He heard the clatter of plates but still didn’t approach the open doorway. "Listen, guys, I have something I need to talk to you about."
    The chatter died down slightly, except for the baby babbling in the background.
    "Remember how we talked a few months ago when I told you that something had happened to your Uncle Jared?"
    "Yep, you said he died, like Mom and Dad." Jared recognized Bry’s voice again.
    "That’s right. Someone called and told me that he had died but they made a mistake."
    "You mean he’s not dead?" A softer voice asked. Amelia.
    "No, he’s not. He came home last night and he’s fine."
    "Can we see him?" excited voices asked.
    "Sure you can," Jared said as he stepped into the kitchen. There were squeals and shouts as the kids abandoned their breakfast and threw themselves at him. At least the three older ones did. Dani was secure in her high chair and watched them all with wide eyes.
    Jared squatted down so he was at eye level with them. A wave of grief caught him totally by surprise as he