Cat quickly turned her head toward him. “My mom and dad, of course.”
“Of course, your mom and dad, but I was thinking about your family that’s still alive. Someone who you’re close to,” he tried to clarify.
“Oh, well, I haven’t really spoken to any of them in a while, so you and Kayla are it. And I guess I’d put your parents in that category, I mean, they helped me through all the legal stuff when my folks died. I don’t know what I would’ve done without them, you know?”
Thomas nodded. “Yeah. I think they’ve always considered you part of the family.” A plan formed in Thomas’s head. He’d talk with his family on Monday.
As the barn came into view, Cat said, “There isn’t anyone here to take care of the horses.”
“You still have the key to my house?”
“Yes, it’s on my keyring.”
“Okay, then you go get your stuff, and I’ll meet you at my house after I take care of the horses.”
“I can help you.”
“Honey, this will give you a head start. I’ve got this,” Thomas insisted.
As they rode up to the corral, Evan walked out of the barn. “Y’all have a good time?” he asked.
“Yes,” Cat said as she dismounted.
Thomas winked at her. “Yeah, we did.” He walked around the horses and met Cat a few feet behind them. “You go. I’ll meet you shortly.” He kissed her forehead and patted her ass.
When he walked over to get the picnic basket and take the reins, Evan stood there grinning from ear to ear. “Things still good?”
“Still? Are you shitting me?” Thomas asked incredulously. “Let’s just say we’re getting back to good now that she’s not helping Buck anymore.”
“Yeah, Ben called this morning and said he thinks Buck has enough to move forward but he wasn’t sure if he can keep Cat as a confidential informant. She may be named and have to appear if this goes to court.”
“What the fuck, Evan? Her identity was never supposed to be revealed.”
Evan took the reins of one of the horses and cared for him while Thomas took care of the other. “He’ll do what he can. We’ll see what he can get through the subpoenas. Hopefully, this is ending.”
Thomas looked at his friend. “Evan, I’m getting ready to ask her to marry me. She won’t if she thinks danger is still lurking about.” He brought the brush from the horse’s hindquarter and rested his arms on its back. “Tell Buck she wants out, and he needs to honor that.”
Evan nodded. “So, when are you going to pop the question?”
“Not for a few days. Her dad isn’t here, so I’m talking to my parents and Kayla—hopefully during lunch on Monday. I’ve got to buy a ring, and I want to figure out a way to symbolically ask her dad.”
“That’s tough, man. Asking for Ginger’s hand at the same time as admitting I got her pregnant was hard, but at least I got to talk to her dad. You and Ginger are in the same boat since she never got to meet my parents.”
“I knew Cat’s parents, and I think they liked me, but I don’t know if they’d approve of me dating or marrying their daughter.”
“Dude, you’re a doctor. Every parent would be happy for their daughter to marry a doctor.” Evan chuckled.
“I don’t want them happy because of my profession. I want them happy because I’m the best man for their daughter.” Thomas furrowed his brows.
“I get that.” Evan led the horse into the stall and gave him some hay. “Does she think you’re the best man for her?”
“I think so since she saved herself for me,” Thomas said deep in thought.
“What?” Evan asked.
“What?” Thomas countered.
“What did you just say?”
“I think Cat thinks I’m the best guy for her.”
“No, after that.”
“Shit, I said that out loud, didn’t I?”
“Uh, yeah. Are you serious?”
“Yeah, but keep your mouth shut, got it?”
Evan crossed his heart like he did when they were kids. “You’ve got my word.”
They put the rest of the riding gear up and headed out of the barn. Thomas shook Evan’s hand then got into his car. Before he drove off, he sent Kayla a text:
Lunch at Mom and Dad’s at noon on Monday. Be there.
Kayla: Everything ok?
Thomas: Yes.
Kayla: See you then.
23
As Cat approached her driveway, she noticed a dark sedan pulled to the side of the road just past her house. She slowed to pull into her garage and watched as the car drove off. That was weird.
Once inside her home, she quickly gathered some things to take to Thomas’s. She made two stacks: overnight things and leave things. A couple pairs of shorts and matching shirts along with a few pairs of panties and a bra. That should be enough to leave. She’d buy other stuff later.
She’d finished packing and sat on the edge of her bed. Was she ready for this? Living with a man, even on a part-time basis, was a big deal. Her parents wouldn’t approve, but she was alone now. For the first time in a long time, Cat thought deeply about her parents, and a wave of sadness washed over her. Please don’t be disappointed in me. I love him, and he loves me.
As the thought ran through her head, a sob once again ripped through her body. It took a few minutes for her to regain control of herself. She took a deep breath and went to the bathroom to wash her face. She didn’t want to arrive at Thomas’s looking like a raccoon with red rings around her eyes instead of black.
Finally, she pulled all the blinds and double checked the doors before she threw her things into the back seat of her little Mazda SUV. The closer she got to Thomas’s the more nervous she became. This wasn’t the first time she’d spent the night at his house, so why was her stomach in knots? Because you’re leaving stuff there. You’ve agreed to move in with him. Maybe it was excitement more than anything. “I thought this would be a good first step,” she remembered Thomas’s words. There’s only a first step if there’s going to be a second. What’s the second step?
Cat was still warring with herself when she pulled into Thomas’s driveway. Even though she knew the code to the garage, she didn’t open it because she wanted him to know she was there when he came down the street.
She saw a dark sedan slowly drive by, and she couldn’t swear to it, but thought it looked awfully close to the one she saw at her house. A cold chill ran through her, so she jumped out of her car and punched in the code to Thomas’s garage. Once safely inside the garage, she unlocked his door and ran to the front of his house. Carefully, she peeked around the side of a blind. The sedan must have turned around because it slowed then stopped right in front of Thomas’s house. Cat moved away from the blind and pressed Thomas’s speed dial number.
“Hey, hun. Where are you?”
“I’m at your house. Where are you?”
“Just turned on my street. I’ll see you in a few seconds.”
“I’m already inside because there’s a car sitting in front of your house.” She couldn't hide the panic in her voice.
“What? I’m coming around the last curve. Dammit!” He hit the steering wheel with his hand.
Cat looked around the side of the blind again. “I see you. They’re leaving.”
“I see them too. That’s the same car that stopped me in the parking garage.”
“Well, they were sitting just past my driveway when I got back from the ranch.”
“Who are they?”
“I don’t know.” She disconnected the call when Thomas turned in, and he barreled through the back door. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, but I’m afraid this has to do with me.”
“Cat, when they asked me about you, we knew it had to do with you. What are you thinking?”
“Mr. Jones told me for my safety, and the safety of the ones I care about, to stay away from certain accounts.” She looked into Thomas’s eyes. “That was Friday before I met with Buck.
That was another reason I told him I couldn’t do it anymore.” She shook her head.
“Then stay out of the accounts, Cat, and this will all go away.”
Cat nodded. “I hope so.”
Thomas looked around the room. “Have you already unpacked?”
“No, my bags are still in my car.”
“Let’s get them so you can get settled.”
Cat followed Thomas back into the garage to get her things. “Are you sure you’re ready for all of my stuff in your space?” she asked with a big smile.
Thomas wrapped his arms around her waist and looked into her eyes. “I’m so glad you’re here. This is long overdue. I’ve had a drawer and closet space at your house for a while.” He kissed her forehead. “The only thing left to work out is when we’ll be here and when we’ll be at your house.”
“Oh, I figured I stay at my house on nights you work.”
“On nights I work, you’ll be at your house, so I’ll come there when I leave the hospital. We can at least have breakfast together before you go to work. I’ll sleep there during the day, and then we’ll come here on my days off. How’s that?”
Cat smiled and shook her head. “You’re such a planner.” She giggled.
“Cat—”
She laid her hand on his chest. “No, it’s perfect. It’s one of the things I love about you. You take care of all the details.”
The rest of the weekend went by without a hitch. Thomas and Cat didn’t leave his house, and they had no clue what was happening outside those walls. But now it was Monday morning, and reality was setting in as Cat’s alarm blared.
She swatted at the offending device to shut the sound off, but she could find it. When the weight of Thomas’s arm left her, the sound stopped. Lips pressed against her neck and she smiled.
“You’ve got farther to drive, so get your sexy ass up.” Thomas’s morning voice was deep and gravelly.
“Ugh. This bed is way too comfortable, especially with you in it,” she grumbled.
Thomas chuckled. “I feel the same way about you.” He patted her butt to get her moving. “Jump in the shower. I’ll make breakfast.”
Breakfast was waiting on her when she walked into the kitchen. As they ate, they discussed their day, and while Thomas was vague about his plans, excitement danced in his eyes. Did their moving in together do this to him?
“I know you’re better at mornings than me, but you seem even happier today. What’s going on?”
“Are you kidding me? I’ve been buried inside you all weekend, you’ve agreed to move in together even though we’re rotating houses, and most important—I love you.” He quickly kissed her. “By the way, I think we really should decide which house we want to stay in. This rotating thing will get old quickly,” he said with a smile.
“Um, okay, but I don’t think I’m ready to give up my house, Thomas. I haven’t finished the renovations yet, and I love it there.”
“I know, honey. I just said think because this house has room for us to grow.” He smiled.
“Well, um, your house is bigger, but um…” Cat chewed on her bottom lip. Her house was warm and inviting while Thomas’s was cold. It was a house, not a home. It was bigger, but was that always better?
“We don’t have to decide today. Rotating will give us a chance to see where we enjoy more and which house is better suited for us.”
Cat nodded. She needed to be open-minded about this arrangement and give his house a chance. Maybe it just needed a woman’s touch. She smiled to let him know she was going to try.
As she pulled out the driveway heading for the bank, she noticed the same sedan from Saturday night parked across the street from Thomas’s house. She immediately called him when she realized they were following her.
“Miss me already?”
“The car was sitting across from the house this morning, and now they’re following me!”
“What? Are they still behind you?”
“Yes! Thomas, what do I do?”
“I’ve got to hang up and call Evan. Do not get out of your car. I’ll call you right back.”
Cat drove slowly but didn’t go straight to the bank. She made a couple extra turns. When her phone rang, she jumped. “I can’t lose them.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m coming up Elm Street on the back side of the bank.” She was in a full panic.
“Go to the bank. Evan is waiting there for you. He’ll make sure you get inside safely.”
Relief washed over her. “Okay. I’m turning in now and see him. Thank you.”
“Call me when you get in your office. I love you.”
When she pulled into the bank and parked beside Evan’s unmarked car, the sedan sped up and passed the bank’s entrance. Cat noticed, and apparently so did Evan as his head followed the car while he spoke into his portable radio. He walked around and opened Cat’s door.
“I thought they’d back off since I’m not doing anything with their accounts. Buck left after we went to the bar Friday, so why are they still bothering me?”
“I don’t know, Cat. Let’s hope after today you won’t see or hear from them again,” Evan said. “Come on, I’ll walk with you.”
They walked side by side. “So, they were outside when you left Thomas’s house this morning?”
Cat looked at Evan and saw the smirk on his face. “Yes, we’re trying to get back to where we were before all of this. Well, more accurately, we’re trying to move forward from it.”
“Hang in there, Cat. I’m sure it’ll all be over soon, and y’all can put this nightmare behind you.” Evan was calming with his reassuring demeanor.
As they approached the door, Cat turned to look him in the eyes. “Thank you, Evan. I hope you’re right. And thanks for today. I’m sorry it was necessary.”
Evan nodded. “Cat, for what it’s worth, I still think you were the best option to get what we needed, but I’m sorry I put you in the middle of this shit storm.”
“It was my choice.”
When the elevator dinged on the third floor, Cat stepped out and was immediately greeted by one of the administrative staff.
“Cat, I have Ms. Wells from Redline Trucking on the phone questioning why a deposit hasn’t been released yet. Will you take the call?”
Cat’s eyes became as big as saucers. She was shaking her head before the words came out of her mouth. “Mr. Jones handles that account. You need to speak with him.”
“I can’t find him. I’ve tried, and she’s a bit scary,” the assistant said. “Can’t you just release the deposit?”
“Mr. Jones is the only one who’s supposed to work that account.”
“Will you tell her that? Please?”
Cat rolled her eyes then nodded. “Transfer her to me.”
Cat knocked on Mr. Jones’s office door just for good measure. When he didn’t answer, she tried to turn the doorknob, but it was locked. With an exasperated breath, she walked to her office and waved her fingers to the assistant to transfer the call. She had barely rounded her desk when her phone rang.
“Catherine Livingston.”
“Ms. Livingston, this is Norma Wells with Redline Trucking. We’ve got a deposit on hold that’s causing a delay of a wire going out. Are you authorized to release deposits?”
“I am, but Mr. Jones has assured me that he is taking care of this account and requested that he clear all of your transactions himself. He isn’t in yet this morning. Can I have him call you when he arrives?”
“Ms. Livingston, let me assure you that if this isn’t done immediately, I will be speaking to someone above Mr. Jones’s pay grade. Do I make myself clear? And I guarantee you they won’t like what I have to say.”
“Yes, ma’am. I just walked in. May I place you on a brief hold while I bring up my computer and log into your account, or would you prefer I call you back?”
“I’ll hold. I want to know the instant this deposit is released.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’
ll be right back with you.”
Cat turned on her computer and logged into the Redline Trucking account. She saw the deposit and picked the line back up. “Ms. Wells, I see the issue, but it’ll take some time to resolve. The cash amount and the total on the deposit slip don’t equal. It will need to be recounted by two people. Mr. Jones should be in shortly, and we’ll do it together.”
“My wire needs to be received before two o’clock today, Ms. Livingston. How long will this take?”
“I’ll do my best to get this resolved before lunchtime, but if not, what time zone is it going to? That may buy us some time.”
Ms. Wells sounded rushed and flustered. “Whatever time zone the Cayman Islands are in. Call me as soon as this is handled. I don’t need any screw-ups.” The phone was abruptly slammed down in her ear.
As Cat pulled the receiver away from her ear, her cell vibrated across her desk. Shit, shit, shit! “Thomas,” she quickly said.
“Are you okay? You didn’t call me!”
“I’m sorry, but I was sidetracked as soon as I stepped off the elevator. Evan met me, and I’m here safely.”
Thomas’s breath was audible through the phone. “Okay.” A long silence ensued. “I’ll have lunch delivered to you so you don’t have to leave. I’ve got a few errands to run before I take a nap. Is there anything you need?”
“Just you.”
“You’ve got me. Please be safe.”
“I will.”
24
Deep breath in, slow breath out.
She’s safe.
If they weren’t giving this shit through today to correct itself and be seen together again, he would have been in that bank demanding to see her and not caring who was in her office.
Deep breath in, slow breath out.
She’s safe.
Today is the last fucking day!
He walked to his workout room and laid on the bench. He pushed up on the bar and started a set of chest-presses then moved to biceps and triceps. Next up was his rowing machine.
She’s safe.
When his mind still hadn’t calmed, he gloved up and started on the punching bag. He was going to sleep well this afternoon. It wasn’t until he was three miles into a run that his mind started to shift gears from fear and anger to anticipation. Maybe that was part of why he lost his shit. He was too close to getting what he finally wanted—Cat to be permanently and legally his. He could give her a family on this earth to be with her. She wouldn’t have to go it alone anymore. A family. They could be a family.
Uninvited Visitors_A Riverton Crossing Novel Page 12