“I’m sorry for asking,” Gabriel suddenly said. “I know this is hard on you.” He put a hand on her forearm and squeezed it. “Don’t give up.”
Tears shot to her eyes and she pushed them back, trying to be brave. “Have you heard anything at all from him?”
Gabriel shook his head. “There’s no news.”
A new song started.
“Go and dance; enjoy yourselves. I have to check on something in the kitchen anyway.”
Katie caught Maya’s pitying smile before turning and walking toward the kitchen. She didn’t get far.
“Hey Aunt Katie,” Cooper greeted her. “Do you have any more food? Damian and Benjamin are hogging that tray.”
Katie hugged him and kissed him on the cheek, then ruffled his hair. “I thought you stopped at Pasquale’s on your way and had pizza.”
“That was hours ago!”
Lydia appeared behind her brother and patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t bother Aunt Katie. She’s got enough on her plate. You know where the kitchen is. Fix yourself something if you’re hungry.”
“Fine!” Cooper spun around and marched toward the kitchen.
“Honestly, that boy is like an eating machine!” Lydia gave one of her long suffering sighs. “I don’t know what to do with him.”
Katie laughed. “You sound like his mother.”
“Sometimes I feel like it. I swear I’m never gonna have kids. I’ll be like you. Footloose and fancy free. No commitments. No strings.”
“No, Lydia,” Katie said softly, brushing the girl’s red hair out of her face. “Commitments are good. I just wasn’t lucky enough to find somebody I wanted to commit to. Hollywood wasn’t exactly conducive to forming lasting relationships.”
“Was it really that shallow there?” Lydia asked with interest.
“People used each other to get ahead. There was always an ulterior motive to any relationship. Trust was hard to come by.”
“Is that why you left?”
“Partially. I guess I was tired of that life.” She sighed and looked past her niece. “Oh look, there’s Grayson and Isabelle.”
Lydia turned her head as the entire Woodford family entered the room. “Grayson looks kind of grown up now, doesn’t he?”
Katie nodded. Grayson had changed since his sister’s abduction. Suddenly he seemed more like a man than the hybrid teenager he’d been before. “He’s going to be as dashing as his father.”
Lydia turned back and chuckled. “I like Patrick better. He’s a much nicer guy.” Then she quickly added, “Not that I’d ever date any of them. Hell, I’ve practically grown up with them. I feel like their older sister.”
Katie laughed. “Lydia, you’re sounding much older than your age.”
“Mom often says that. I don’t mind.” She paused. “Let me go say hi to Isabelle.”
“Go,” Katie encouraged her and watched her greet her best friend.
Katie caught Samson and Delilah looking at her and approached them.
Delilah hugged her. “Thanks for throwing this party. I just couldn’t face arranging anything in our house. Too much going on.”
“I really don’t mind. I love having people over.” Katie smiled at Samson. “I’m glad you came.”
Samson took her hand and squeezed it. “We haven’t had a chance to thank you yet. The last week has gone by so fast.” He exchanged a look with Delilah. “We’re very grateful for all you have done for our family. I want to apologize for how I reacted when Isabelle disappeared.”
“Don’t—”
“No, please,” Samson interrupted. “I was distraught and needed to let out my anger on somebody. You were just a convenient scapegoat. I’m sorry for that. None of this was your fault.” He paused. “Norris never laid a hand on Isabelle. I think he knew once Isabelle told him who I was that if he hurt her, I would chase him to hell and back. That’s why he tied her up at a safe distance from where he blew up Forrester. He just wanted you. He was sick. But we got Isabelle back, because you, Katie, were brave. You took so many risks for us. For that I’ll always be thankful to you.”
“I wish people would stop saying that I’m brave. I don’t feel brave.” Luther had called her that, too.
“But you are,” Delilah said softly. “You helped get my baby back. Thank you.”
A tear escaped Katie’s eye and ran down her cheek. “I’m glad it’s all over,” she choked out. “Will you excuse me? I need to check on something.”