A WEEK WENT BY, THOUGH IT FELT LIKE A MONTH. TIME EXPANDS under new circumstances. We could write a book about our four-day vacation abroad, but erase whole years from our memories, unable to store any worthy details.
That was pretty much the sensation which came over Kathy on recalling the uncertainty at home and back at Mrs. Sloan's house, when nothing seemed real or possible. And now, several days later, she felt she couldn't live anywhere but on this island. The anguish, the fear - the block - were behind her now.
She was still staying at the hotel room, but she spent most of her working hours at the Bed & Breakfast. It was such a cosy, exquisitely decorated place. Pat and Kathy got along really well. Pat taught Kathy all she needed to know about managing the house, and Kathy let Pat full autonomy. Soon, much sooner than any of them would have expected, they were sharing the chores as if they'd reached a perfect mutual understanding years before.
The newcomer told the islander about Geneva's offer to invest.
"And what did you say to her?"
"Nothing, really. I wanted to spend some time here first, decide if I was going to stay, before answering."
"It could complicate things for you," said Pat in the sincere and spontaneous way she always spoke.
"Too many cooks…"
"Yeah, right. Unless, of course, you needed the money."
By now, Kathy knew Pat's straight-to-the-point comment was just that: straight to the point. It wasn't nasty, ironic or malicious in any way whatsoever. She simply put into words what she really wanted to say in an uncommon natural manner.
"No, we don't need the money. Mrs. Sloan left us two unencumbered properties, which are, in addition, two profitable businesses."
Pat kept meaningfully silent.
"It would only complicate things for us," Kathy quoted. "But it seems rude not to accept."
"I don't think you should make a deal out of politeness. And she probably doesn't expect you to answer so soon anyway. Take your time. You're in the stressful process of getting used to a new partner now, so you're perfectly entitled to wait before involving a second one."
Kathy smiled, satisfied with Pat's advice.
"Jesse's making things quite easy for me, though," she acknowledged. "I didn't think I'd end up depending on him so much when we first met."
"He really likes you. It's a pity you two are not together. You'd make a lovely couple. Good morning, Mrs. Horwood!"