by Lori Leger
“Good to know. I’ll start thinking of a way to collect.” She responded with her classic Cat-trying-not-to-smile-but-not-quite-pulling-it-off smile. She’d heard. Good, let her stew on that for a while.
After a couple more sessions of catch with Wally, the sun finally hit the perfect spot on the horizon. The camera shutter clicked steadily for the next ten minutes, as she got dozens of shots from different angles, even lowering the tripod practically to as near ground level as it allowed. She finally removed the camera and took off on foot.
He headed off after her, trying to catch up. “Be careful, Cat. It can get mushy around there.”
“I got this, don’t worry.” She knelt on a tuft of grass to get a close-up of a turtle sunning itself on a dead tree trunk at the edge of the bank.
After several snaps and clicks of the shutter, he touched her shoulder. “Cat, focus on that heron. She’s looking for a meal. If she flies over the water, fire away.”
“Okay,” she whispered, making some quick camera setting adjustments. As the bird took flight, Cat’s camera angle followed its graceful swoop down into the water, as it dipped and rose victoriously above the murky water, carrying a small fish in its beak.
Zach waited out the rapid sequence of burst mode shots before speaking. “She got a fish!” He waited again, while Cat checked her shots. It wasn’t until Cat squealed gleefully that he spoke again. “Did you get the shot?”
“Look!” She shoved the camera in front of his face to show him the exact moment, in crystal-clear detail, when the heron’s beak emerged from the water with the fish.
He grinned, knowing she’d gotten her perfect shot. “That’s a perch.”
“That’s a winner!” She beamed up at him. “When I’m accepting the award for best submission of wildlife photography, I’ll be sure and thank you.”
“Nah, you don’t have to thank me. I’m sure I’ll have found some way to collect before then.” He pulled her close and wrapped her in a hug.
Cat drew her arms tightly around his waist and laid her face on his chest. “You’d better hurry, because the competition is in two weeks. I know how difficult it is for you to make a decision.”
“Not this time.” He pulled back and cupped her chin to lift it gently. Her lids fluttered opened and huge liquid brown eyes framed by silky black lashes stared up at him. “I already know what I want.” He lowered his mouth to hers, barely brushed her lips, pulled back to watch her face—flushed and waiting for more.
What better time to make his move? Out in the middle of nowhere, the keys in his pocket, with nothing but time to convince the girl of his dreams she belonged here with him. He leaned in for another kiss—this one intended to send the message straight to her core—let her know exactly how he felt about her.
The instant his lips touched hers, her phone began its incessant, irritating chirp.
Cat pulled back immediately, apologizing as she pulled it from the pocket of her jeans to check the screen. She frowned and lifted the phone to her ear. “Mom? What’s wrong?”
Chapter 3
Cat, followed by Zach, ran into the waiting room just as Ellen stood to greet the doctor on call. “We’re here, Mom.”
Ellen reached out for her daughter’s hand, never taking her eyes from the doctor. “How’s Kellie and the baby?”
“They’re fine. The baby’s heartbeat is strong and there are no signs of anything indicating premature labor. Mrs. Abshire has a small bump on her forehead, which is totally harmless, but I still recommend we keep her overnight for observation. Mr. Abshire has a bruise on his face from the airbag deploying. It’s more of a rash, like a rug-burn, actually, and he broke his little finger on his right hand.”
Cat stepped up to the man who’d not only rented her the house she lived in, but also delivered her into this world thirty years ago. “Dr. Barton, does anybody know what happened? Did somebody hit their car?”
The man slipped a clipboard under his arm and brushed a hand through thick dark hair, peppered liberally with silver. “No. From my understanding, he fell asleep at the wheel and ran off the road. There were no other vehicles involved.”
Stunned silence hung over the group as one gaze found another.
Ellen swiped at her forehead with the palm of her hand. “Brad fell asleep while he was driving?”
“I know, right?” Cat turned to her mother. “That doesn’t sound like something he’d do, and I thought they weren’t coming home until late tomorrow evening. I wonder why they’re back so early.”
The doctor placed a comforting hand on Ellen’s shoulder. “Well, you can go on in and ask her yourself in a few minutes. It won’t take long for the nurses to get her settled in her room. If everything is still fine by tomorrow morning, she’ll be out of here by eight a.m.”
Cat opened her mouth to thank him but the sight of her mother throwing her arms around the man’s neck shocked her into silence.
“Oh, thank you Gavin! Thank you for coming to tell me so quickly.”
Cat glanced at Zach then back to the scene before her. It was shocking enough when Dr. Barton returned the hug, but she nearly passed out when he placed a kiss upon her mom’s forehead.
“It was my pleasure, Ellen. I love giving such wonderful news, especially about a patient whose mother I care about so deeply.” With one hand at the small of her back, he led her toward the doorway where they continued speaking in hushed tones.
“Close your mouth, Cat.”
Cathryn turned to Zach, and shut her gaping mouth with a loud snap. “What the hell was that all about?”
“Well, I’d say they were seeing each other, or considering it, anyway.”
Cat sucked in her breath when Dr. Barton leaned down to give her mother a quick kiss on the mouth. “Holy crap, my mother’s getting busy with my landlord.” She turned to face Zach. “Did you know about this?”
“She mentioned something about dinner and dancing with him today when I brought the kitten over.” He gave her a slight nudge with his elbow. “I guess if he drops the rent suddenly, you’ll know why, huh?”
“Ew!” She cringed inwardly even as a frisson rippled through her.
“Your mom’s still got it going on, Cat.”
She turned a horrified glance in his direction. “I know that. I even mentioned she should date again. I just don’t want her—”
“Having sex? Doing the dirty? Banging the drum? Riding the old stallion?”
She punched him in the arm. “Shut…up! What if she were your mother?” She nodded at the face he made. “See?”
“What? I was just thinking if she were my mother, I’d be in therapy the rest of my life for this rather unhealthy attraction to my sister.”
Cat rolled her eyes. “Be serious.”
“Incestuous relationships are a very serious subject.”
“Would you stop?” she hissed through clenched teeth.
“Yes ma’am.” He tipped his cap to her, apparently realizing he’d gone too far.
Her mother approached, waving them forward. “Come on, let’s go see Kellie.”
Cat followed Ellen and Dr. Barton down the hallway of the small-town, single story hospital. They entered the room, while Zach stayed out in the hall.
She headed for the farther side of the bed while her mom went straight to Kellie. “Hey Sis, how you feeling?”
Kellie’s face lit up as she saw them. “I’m okay, really I am. Don’t cry, Mama! Everything’s fine, I promise.”
Cat reached for her sister’s hand. “What the hell happened? Did Bradley fall asleep at the wheel?”
Kellie’s face twisted in a grimace. “Yeah, but it’s my fault, indirectly.”
Ellen pulled away from her daughter, sniffing and wiping at her eyes. “You’re going to have to explain that one to me. Where is my son-in-law?”
“I finally sent him out of here to get his hand tended to. He broke his left little finger, but the entire side of his hand is swollen.” She covered her face wit
h both hands and sighed heavily. “I was such a bitch to him for the entire trip.”
Cat pursed her lips in order to stifle a smile. “I’m sure he had it coming to him, at some point or another.”
“Not that bad, Cat. I was awful to him. You know how Bradley can get, when he decides he knows everything there is to know about everything.”
“I was beginning to think you didn’t,” Cat smirked.
Kellie’s head lolled in Cat’s direction. “Oh please, I’ve lived with the man for three years. It never really got to me until lately, though. After two days on the road with him, and four more days cooped up in that hotel room, I just couldn’t stand one more second of him.”
Ellen reached out to smooth back her youngest daughter’s hair. “So, what’d you do that was so awful?”
“I blew up. Told him what I just told you. I threw all of our stuff in the suitcases and told him we were going home. When he tried to talk about it, I shut him down, said it was either that or I’d find my own damned way home. So we got in the car and started back.”
“So, problem solved, right? That doesn’t seem so bad, Kel.”
“Oh, Cat. The trip back was even worse. Every word he spoke got on my nerves. Every sound he uttered made me want to scratch his eyes out. He wanted to stop to eat at a restaurant but I insisted on fast food eaten in the car so we’d keep driving. I don’t know why, because even his chewing got on my nerves so bad I wanted to scream.”
Cat covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, garnering a look of warning from Ellen. “Sorry Mom, but weren’t we expecting this to happen?”
Ellen wrung her hands. “I know, I know, but not at the expense of my daughter and grandchild.”
“Long story short, I wouldn’t let him stop for the night to rest, and he insisted on driving. I guess once we got close to home, he got bored with the familiarity of the landmarks—just couldn’t keep his eyes open anymore. I’d slept for most of the trip home and he hadn’t slept in two days.”
Cat groaned at that news. “Kellie, that was really stupid of you not to let him stop to rest somewhere.”
“I know!” She passed her hand over her brow. “Poor guy’s torn up about something that isn’t even his fault.” She pointed a finger at Cat. “And don’t you dare give him a hard time about this.”
“I won’t, Sis, I promise.”
Kellie lifted her right hand, extending her little finger. “Pinkie swear?”
“Oh my goodness,” Cat groaned. “She’s bringing out the big guns.” She laughed and extended her right hand, catching the crook of her own finger in Kellie’s. “Pinkie swear. Your husband is safe from my wrath, both verbal and physical.” They shook on it and Cat added in a low murmur. “Although I don’t think it’s my wrath he should be concerned with.”
Kellie’s eyes narrowed angrily. “What the hell do you mean by that?”
Cat stared at her sister, somewhat surprised not to see a pair of horns sprouting from her head. “Really Sis? Is it that difficult to control yourself?”
Kellie’s eyes filled with tears an instant before she covered her face with both hands. “What’s wrong with me? This can’t be normal, even for a pregnant woman.”
Ellen cradled her daughter in her arms. “Your hormone levels are jumping all over the place right now, sweetie. It’s perfectly normal. Once I threw all of your father’s clothes out onto the lawn because he came home late twice a week for the fourth straight week. I just knew he was having an affair. I felt so fat and unattractive. Turned out he was working some overtime to buy this for me.” She lifted the eighteen-carat gold, mother’s birthstone pendant she’d worn every single day of her life since he’d given it to her.
Cat groaned. “I’m never getting married.”
Ellen laughed. “I wouldn’t count on that.”
“I would, as long as she keeps turning down eligible bachelors,” Kellie growled, sniffing and wiping her eyes.
“I can’t marry someone if I’m not in love with them. Especially if I’m going to be anything like you are when I’m knocked up. I’d have killed him for sure.” She walked out to the corridor, leaving her mother and sister alone in the room.
Cat looked both ways, didn’t see Zach anywhere. She headed for the cafeteria, thinking he might have gone for a cup of coffee or something. She turned into the long corridor separated by a half wall containing planters of tall, live plants. Tables lined the other side of the wall, some filled with people eating, while some sat empty.
Halfway down the corridor, the familiar voices of two men conversing floated to her from just beyond the row of greenery.
She thrilled at the sound of Zachary’s rich baritone.
“It can’t be that bad. You’re exaggerating.”
“I’m telling you man, she’s like three or four different women every single day!”
Cat grinned at Brad’s description, knowing he was talking about her sister.
Zach spoke again. “I can’t see Cat acting like that.”
“I didn’t think Kellie would either. I’m just saying, if you’re thinking about settling down anytime soon, you might want to think again.” After a pause, he continued. “Especially if you’re thinking of re-lighting that old torch you’ve been carrying for my sister in law. That crap is bound to be genetic. How do you feel about a wife who refuses to give up her career to take care of her own kids?”
“I—I don’t know how I’d feel about that. I guess I’d prefer to have any children of mine raised by their mother or me rather than by a babysitter.”
She froze, unable to believe her ears. He really expects his wife to give up a career? Apparently, she didn’t know Zach nearly as well as she thought she did. Thank God she’d heard this now, rather than later. This could have saved her from a definite heartbreak down the road. But she couldn’t help but feel a definite let down at Zach’s disappointing attitude.
“Talk about it early in the relationship. Even then, get it in writing or record the conversation so you’ll have proof. If Cat’s anything like her sister, she will totally deny saying something if, God forbid, I happen to prove her wrong.”
Cat couldn’t listen to another word of this nonsense. She pivoted and made her way back to Kellie’s room.
Kellie took one look at her and started apologizing. “Cathryn, I’m so sorry. Do you see what a bitch I am all of a sudden? It’s inexcusable.”
Cat swallowed her disappointment at Zach, Brad, and all men, in general, before responding. “I don’t know about that ‘all of a sudden’ statement, but I guess being pregnant is a good enough excuse. If he can’t take it, screw him.”
“Uh—been there, done that.” Kellie waved a hand over her protruding belly. “Or I’d be able to see my feet over the beach ball I swallowed.”
Cat sat on the edge of the bed and stared straight into her sister’s eyes, trying to keep a straight face. “Next time, don’t swallow.”
Her sister’s brow scrunched in distaste before she burst into laughter. “That’s disgusting!”
“I know, but it got you to laugh, didn’t it? Where’s mom?”
“She’s speaking to Dr. Barton.”
“Oh, my new landlord. Do you know he and Mom are seeing each other?”
“Uh, yeah. She did mention that once. I try not to think about it much. It’s too weird. I swear it has nothing to do with Dad, either. But, Cat, Dr. Barton delivered us. I mean, he’s been down there already, you know what I mean?”
Cat put her hand out to stop her sister. “I hadn’t even thought of that before now, and I’m begging you to change the subject before I barf on you.”
Kellie laughed and nodded. “Did you get everything moved in?”
“Just about, I need to do some decorating, but it’s coming along.” Their mother’s laughter carried in from just outside the room.
“Thank you so much, Gavin.”
“You’re very welcome. Can I call you later?”
“Well sure, but why don’t you
just call me Ellen?”
More girlish laughter from their mother, as well as chuckles from the doctor had the two sisters mouthing the words “Oh my God” in perfect synchronization.
“Here are both my girls!” Ellen practically floated into the room.
Cat nodded. “Yep, here we are.”
“Right where you left me,” Kellie said.
“Dr. Barton said he’ll have you released by eight a.m. if there are no complications.”
Kellie nodded. “I’d heard that. Thanks.”
The two men chose that moment to come to the door. Brad stepped in warily, giving both Ellen and Cat hugs before going to his wife. “How’s my girl?”
“I’m fine.” Kellie addressed Zach, who stood just inside the door. “You can come in, Zachary. I don’t bite, despite what you may have heard.”
He nodded and stepped closer. “It’s been a while, Kellie. I hope you’re feeling okay.”
“I am. How’ve you been lately, and how’s your dad’s business coming along?”
“Good. Business at the feed store is better every day. It seems that even in this bad economy, people still want to raise chickens, horses, cattle and other livestock. I don’t know if you realize this, but I’m taking over the store and I’m slowly trying to modernize a few things. Dad was strictly old school.”
Ellen looked generally interested in Zach’s news. “Do you have a website set up for your business yet? You could see a huge jump in your sales once you do. Lots of people do their shopping online these days, with the cost of fuel, and the busy lives. They’d just as soon hop on the computer and have something shipped directly to their home. I could help you set that up, you know.”
Cat sent a curious glance at her sister. From the look on Kellie’s face her sister was as mystified as she was. “You can design websites all of a sudden?”
“Yes, I can. I took a leisure learning class at the University. I can do all sorts of things on the computer now.” She beamed at both her daughters.
“That’d be great, Ms. Ellen. Work me up some figures and I’d be glad to look at some ideas from you.”