by Katie Ashley
When I walked into the kitchen, I did a double take at the sight of a tall, willowy, twenty-something blonde lounging on one of the bar stools. She glanced up from the magazine she was reading.
At the sight of me, her blue eyes lit up. “Good morning.”
“Um, good morning.”
She gave me a sheepish grin. “Sorry. If I’d known Catcher had company, I wouldn’t have stopped by.”
Since the odds of Catcher having a platonic relationship with Coed Barbie were pretty slim, I tried everything within me not to lose my shit. A tempest of anger and hurt swirled within me, and if I didn’t get out of the kitchen, I was either going to punch Barbie in her perfect face or puke.
I started backing up. “No. That’s okay. I mean, you obviously have a key, so you two must be serious.”
She held her hand up. “Wait, don’t go. I like meeting Catcher’s girls.”
Girls? Catcher had girls? It was bad enough seeing Coed Barbie in Catcher’s kitchen, but now she was saying there were more women in his life? Oh, hell no! “Um, I appreciate you being friendly and all, but I’m really a fan of monogamy.”
Barbie frowned. “Excuse me?”
“Just can it, okay? As soon as I can get dressed, I’m out of here, and he’s all yours. Or I guess I should say he’s yours and all the other Barbie bimbos he’s stringing along.” I whirled around and stomped out of the kitchen and down the hall.
I threw open the bedroom door, sending it flying back into the wall. Before Barbie, I would have been horrified I had damaged the paint, but now I didn’t give two shits if I had mowed down the entire wall.
Catcher was reclining back against the pillows with his hands behind his head. “Morning, Liv-Bug,” he said with a sexy smile.
I just stood there, staring incredulously at him, as my heart began to crumble in my chest.
He flung the sheet back, showing me his straining cock. “We were both sad when we woke up to find you gone.”
Well, I’m sure Barbie would be happy to tend to your needs. Without a second thought, I barged over to the bed. I couldn’t contain my overwrought emotions, so I reached over and grabbed one of the pillows. I then promptly whacked the hell out of Catcher with it.
Catcher pushed the pillow out of the way. “Olivia, what the fuck was that for?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact there’s a blonde bombshell out in the kitchen.”
Catcher’s smile faded a little. “You met Molly.”
“Although we didn’t exchange names, yes, I did meet her.” I motioned to his crotch. “And as far as he goes, you can get the Bimbo Barbie to take care of you because I’m leaving.”
“Oh fuck, Liv,” Catcher grunted.
I went over to chair where I’d put my clothes after our fireplace sexing. Catcher took me by surprise by hopping out of bed and grabbing me in a bear hug.
“Let me go,” I demanded as I fought against him.
“Not until you let me explain.”
“What is there possibly to explain? It was all just made perfectly clear to me. I’m just one of many in your harem.”
Catcher chuckled. “That’s not what it is at all.” When I started thrashing against him again, he pressed his face into my neck. His warm breath tickling the tender skin of my earlobe momentarily paralyzed me. “Molly is my baby sister.”
At the word “sister”, I went limp in his arms. “She’s your sister,” I repeated lamely. Sweet baby Jesus, I’d just completely made an ass out of myself over nothing.
“Yes. My very spoiled sister who likes to raid my fridge and mooch off my cable when my parents have cut her off.”
“Oh God,” I moaned as extreme waves of mortification rolled over me.
“It’s okay, Olivia.”
“No, it’s not. I not only made a fool out of myself in front of you, but I was a total bitch to your sister.”
“That’s okay. She usually deserves it.” When my response came as another moan, Catcher squeezed me tight. “Come on. Let’s get dressed, and I’ll properly introduce you to Molly.”
After swallowing down my continued embarrassment, I nodded at Catcher. “Okay.”
He surprised me by bestowing a tender kiss on my lips. When he pulled back, he smiled at me. “I gotta admit that what you just did, acting all crazy jealous, I liked it. A lot.”
I rolled my eyes. “You would, Mr. Egomaniac.”
Catcher snickered as he dropped his arms from around me. “I was just trying to get you to stop beating yourself up.”
“I suppose you get a B for effort.”
“At least it’s not an F,” he mused, as he threw a shirt over his head.
Although I was glad to have the opportunity to make things right with Molly, I was going to feel like an ass doing it in my sexy dress from last night. Once we were clothed, Catcher and I headed out of the bedroom. Instead of being on the bar stool, Molly stood at the top of the hallway, peering at us. As I took her in, I realized that I had been pretty blind not to notice how much she and Catcher resembled each other. They had a lot of the same facial features, including their shared blue eyes.
When I met Molly’s gaze, she held her hands up. “I’m so, so sorry. I thought you knew who I was.”
“No. I didn’t. But I’m the one who is sorry. I totally went off on you like a bitch from Hell.”
Molly laughed. “You had every reason to. I’m sure I would have done the same if I came out of the bedroom to see some other chick at my guy’s place.”
“What do you say we start over?”
“That would be great.”
With a smile, I extended my hand. “I’m Olivia Sullivan.”
Molly returned my smile as she shook my hand. “Molly Mains.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, too.”
When I looked at Catcher, he was grinning. “I’m glad that’s sorted out.”
“Me too,” Molly and I both replied.
“Now how about some breakfast?” Catcher asked.
“I’d love some. I actually came into the kitchen to fix you something when I ran into Molly.”
Catcher’s eyes flared as a pleased expression lit up his face. “You were going to fix me breakfast in bed?”
“I was going to try. I was pretty sure it hinged on what you had in the pantry and fridge.”
Catcher chuckled. “I’m not sure how well you would have come out. I try to keep the freezer stocked, but when I’m involved on a case, a lot of fresh stuff goes bad.”
“You’ve got some eggs and bacon,” Molly piped in.
“Are you keeping tabs on my food supply?” Catcher asked.
She grinned. “Not really. I just saw those when I was getting out the milk for my cereal.”
Catcher rolled his eyes. “Of course you’ve already eaten, you little mooch.”
She playfully smacked his arm. “Can I help it I’m a growing girl with an appetite?”
“An appetite that you never seem to appease on your own budget.”
“I’m a sophomore in college on a meal plan. I don’t have a budget.”
After crossing his arms over his chest, he suggested, “You could get a job.”
Molly wrinkled her nose. “It’s too hard going to school and doing sorority stuff plus a job.”
Catcher glanced from Molly to me. “Can you tell she’s the spoiled only girl of the family?”
I laughed. “Maybe.”
“My parents were total hard asses on Jem and me. Then Little Miss Surprise comes along when we’re ten and twelve, and they absolutely lose their minds.”
“So what literary character are you named for?” I asked Molly.
“Mine is actually a combo of Moll from Moll Flanders and Molly Bloom from Ulysses.”
“Ah, I’ve never read those.”
Molly rolled her eyes. “I’ve never read them either. I don’t share my parents’ passion for the classics. I would have much rather been named Hermione or Bella.”
Catcher snorted. “Hey Ace, those books weren’t out when you were born.”
She waved her hand at her brother. “Whatever.”
“How about that breakfast you were going to make?” Catcher prompted.
“You point me in the direction of the ingredients, and I’ll whip something up.”
After taking out some eggs, bacon, and frozen biscuits, I made breakfast while Catcher and Molly sat on the bar stools and chatted with me. I loved the teasing that the two gave each other. It reminded me a lot of Allen and me. I was also grateful Catcher had such a good relationship with his family. That was something I really looked for in a man.
Just as we were finishing eating, Catcher’s phone started ringing back in the bedroom, and he went to answer it, leaving Molly and me alone. Since she had piqued my curiosity about her brother’s love life, I stop myself from questioning her. “I hope it wasn’t too shocking see me in your brother’s robe.”
Molly laughed. “No. It wasn’t. Trust me, I’ve seen way worse in the dorms.”
“Where do you go to college?”
“North Georgia.”
“Oh, that’s a good school. Beautiful campus.”
“And being a military college, there’s lots of hot guys around,” she said, with a wicked grin.
I laughed. “That too.”
Tilting her blonde mane at me, she asked, “Are you and Catcher serious?”
“Um, well, we’ve only known each other a few days.”
Her brows shot up in surprise. “Really? I would’ve thought you guys had been dating longer.”
“Why do you say that?”
“By the way he looks at you.” She waggled her eyebrows. “He’s got it bad for you.”
Warmth flooded my cheeks. “Oh,” I murmured. Hope rose within me with at her remark. Although it was still so soon, I wanted Catcher to have it bad for me. He was such a keeper considering the way he had forgiven me for my psycho misunderstanding.
“Listen, when I said I liked to meet Catcher’s girls, I didn’t mean it like he was some giant manwhore.”
Once again, all I could say was, “Oh.”
“I mean, don’t get me wrong. He can be a pig when it comes to women, but for the most part, he’s a decent guy who wants to settle down with someone. He just hasn’t met her yet.”
Just when I was about to eloquently respond with “oh” again, Catcher came out of the bedroom. “That was the field office. I’ve got a lead on the Granny Witch Thornhill.”
Molly’s gaze flickered between the two of us. “You’re an agent, too?”
I shook my head. “No. I’m a mortician along with being the coroner for Taylorsville.”
Her eyes widened. “That has to be the coolest job ever.”
I couldn’t hide my surprise. “You really think so?”
“Yes. I’ve watched every single CSI out there. And Bones. I’m a Forensic Science major.”
“Get out of here. That was one of my majors at The University of Georgia.”
“Would you be willing to let me shadow you for one of my upcoming courses?” she asked with a hopeful expression.
“Of course you can. My town is pretty boring, but I’d be happy to go over the basics with you.”
Molly gave me a beaming smile. “Awesome.”
Catcher cleared his throat. “Um, if you two are finished bonding, Olivia and I need to get on the road.”
“We do?” I asked.
Catcher grinned. “You’ve been along for everything else. You might as well come along for this one.”
I smiled. “Okay. Where are we going?”
“About an hour from here to Ellijay.”
After glancing down at my dress, I frowned. “I’m going to need to go get my change of clothes first.”
“You go hop in the shower, and I’ll get your bag out of the car.”
“What about your shower?”
Catcher flashed me a wicked grin. “I’ll join you when I get back.”
“Um, ew. On that note, I’m out of here,” Molly said.
“Good riddance,” Catcher said. But then he pulled Molly to him and hugged her tight. “Take care of yourself.”
“I will.” After she pulled away, she kissed his cheek. “You be careful, too. Especially since you’re investigating dark shit like witches.”
Catcher laughed. “She’s not a real witch, so there won’t be any alleged ‘dark shit.’”
“I hope not.” She pulled out of Catcher’s embrace to come and hug me.
Although I was a little taken aback, it felt good that at least one member of Catcher’s family liked me. “It was nice meeting you, Olivia.”
“Same to you. And I look forward to having you come out to shadow me next semester.”
Molly smiled. “Me too.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Catcher said. He then pointed at me. “Shower.”
After giving him a salute, I said, “Yes, sir.”
After one shower quickie, Catcher and I got on the road a little after ten. We stopped for a quick lunch along the way. It was a gorgeous late February afternoon in Georgia where the weather gave a hint that springtime was just around the corner. I sat shotgun next to Catcher in his convertible. In spite of drawing my hair back into a twist, tiny strands whipped around my face from the top being down.
Although we were on official GBI business, Catcher chose to drive his convertible since it was such a pretty day. When I’d questioned if he would get in trouble, he’d merely shrugged and said, “I’ve got one of the best records in over half the Georgia field offices. Let them try to give me shit.”
So we zoomed along the interstate farther into the mountains to work on the Granny Witch lead which Zeke had given us. After Catcher and his fellow agents had done some investigating, he traced the woman to a New Age store called The Crow’s Caw on the outskirts of downtown Ellijay.
Catcher eased the convertible off the main road and into the store’s parking lot. The store was actually in an old house that looked like it had been built in the 1920’s. It had three cement stairs leading up to a wide front porch. We got out and made our way up the stairs. When Catcher opened the door for me, a bell tinkled over our heads, announcing our arrival.
From the moment I stepped inside, I was jolted into sensory overload with the different sights and sounds. An exotic drumbeat played overhead through the stereo system, and if I closed my eyes, I could also imagine being in the Caribbean. The smell of incense filled my nostrils as my gaze bounced around all the multicolored crystals.
A woman, who appeared to be in her sixties, poked her head out of a door made of beads. “Hello. Can I help you?”
“I’m not sure. We’re looking for someone called the Granny Witch,” Catcher said.
A cat-like smile filled the woman’s face. “I haven’t heard that term in a while.”
“I apologize if there is any negative connotation. You certainly don’t look like a granny or a witch to me,” Catcher said.
“That’s because I’m not.”
“Oh,” he murmured.
“I’m Jewell. The woman you wish to see is my mother.”
“Does she live close by?” Catcher asked.
Jewell nodded. “Yes. About five miles up the mountain. Just what business do you have with her?” Before Catcher could answer, she tilted her head at us and said, “Hmm, I would imagine an attractive couple like you who appear to be so in love wouldn’t need one of her love spells. Maybe something for fertility? She can get you pregnant just like this.” Jewell snapped her fingers.
I waved my hands furiously back and forth. “No, no. We don’t need anything like that.”
With a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, Catcher said, “I haven’t tried to knock her up yet, but I’ll keep that in mind should my swimmers be slow starters.”
When I turned openmouthed to him, he winked at me before reaching in his suit for his badge. “I’m Holden Mains with the GBI.”
Jewe
ll’s smile slid from her face as her brown eyes widened. “Is my mother in some kind of trouble?”
Catcher shook his head. “No. We believe she might have some information regarding a homicide we’re investigating. You don’t happen to know anyone by the name of Randy Dickinson do you?”
“No. I don’t. But my mother has had so many clients over the years that it’s hard to keep up.” Jewell crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s probably best if you go up there and talk to her yourself.”
“Thank you. We will,” I said.
Taking out his notepad, Catcher asked, “Do you have an address for her?”
Jewell laughed. “Where you’re going isn’t going to be on a GPS. The best way I can tell you is go five miles past Turniptown church. Then turn right by a mailbox with a peacock on it. Her house is up the hill.”
Catcher furiously scribbled on his pad. “Five miles, mailbox with a peacock.”
“That’s right.”
“Once again, thank you for the help.”
“You’re welcome.”
We started for the door when Jewell said, “Be careful. Mama likes to answer the door with a shotgun.”
While I gasped in alarm, Catcher merely chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Ten minutes and twenty expletives from Catcher about how his car was getting banged to hell by the gravel roads later, we made a turn by a faded peacock mailbox that read THORNHILL. “How the hell does anyone live up here, least of all an old lady?” I questioned as the convertible bumped and hopped along the gravel drive up a massive embankment to the Granny Witch’s house.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Catcher replied, as he had to put the convertible in low gear to make it up the hill.
We finally pulled up in front of an ancient-looking log cabin. It was the kind that you imagined Abe Lincoln living in back in the day or something like off Little House on the Prairie.
When we got out of the car, two, long-eared hound dogs came barreling out from under the porch. They started bellowing at us in unison. Since I really didn’t want my life to end by being mauled by two hound dogs, I reached back into the car for the leftovers from lunch.