The small pale-yellow home had a porch on the front and a couple of rocking chairs. It was well kept with petunias lining the sidewalk to the door. It was very quaint, yet Cat felt at home here the second she stepped out of the truck.
A female about their age, Cat guessed, came out of the door before Luke even had her around the truck.
“Luke, I know my father ordered more hay than that,” she said as she skipped down the steps.
Cat got a better look at her. She was stunning. Tall, blonde, and incredibly tan. She was the closest thing Cat had ever seen to a real live Barbie doll. She suddenly was very self-conscious of the fact that she was covered in hives, sweaty, stinky, and generally a mess.
“Oh my,” the gorgeous stranger exclaimed, as she saw Cat.
“Rachel, this is Cat. Cat, Rachel,” Luke made quick introductions. “Cat is Mimi’s granddaughter. She seems to be allergic to hay.”
“I’ll say!” Rachel exclaimed. Then, she hurried forward to usher Cat inside. “You poor thing! We’ll take care of you. My mom’s a nurse.” She pulled Cat gently by the elbow through the door.
“You will be just fine,” she said as she pushed Cat into the Lazy-Boy. “MOM!”
“Thanks. I’m so sorry to intrude like this,” Cat stuttered. She felt so bewildered by how quickly she’d been received. I guess this is what people mean when they say “Southern hospitality”.
“Yeah,” added Luke behind her.
“MOM!! Oh, Luke, you hush! You’re not the least bit sorry to intrude,” she scolded him in a sisterly manner. “Luke has been making himself at home here since we were in kindergarten,” she said to Cat with a smile. When ‘mom’ didn’t materialize, Rachel pulled Cat up and marched her towards the small hallway.
The living room was small and it opened to the dining area. Rachel led them through to the hallway where there were bedrooms on either side. The house wasn’t messy per se, but it definitely looked lived in. Toys had their place in toy boxes and bins on the sides of the living room, and children’s photos lined the walls as Rachel led them towards the back.
She saw Cat eyeing the photos as they passed.
“I have one sister and two brothers,” she said, “It’s a little cluttered in here. Sorry.”
“No, no,” Cat assured.
“This is the first trailer Cat’s ever been in,” Luke said pointedly.
She felt herself blush intensely, even under the red blotches that already covered her face. She wanted to kick him in the shin.
“Oh, really?” Rachel raised an eyebrow. “I guess you don’t find trailers in Manhattan.”
“Well, I —,” Cat struggled for what to say. She hadn’t realized it was a trailer. She just thought it was a cute little house.
“This is a double wide, though, so you’re in the Cadillac of trailers, Cat,” she said with a wink.
Cat breathed a sigh of relief.
“I want to hear everything about New York, Cat. Especially the shopping,” Rachel sighed dreamily. She banged on the back-bedroom door, “MOM! We need your expertise!”
Cat smiled, “I will be happy to tell you all about it.” She wondered how Rachel already knew so much about her. It seemed that word traveled fast in small towns.
A groggy voice came from behind the door, “Come on in. Was that Luke’s voice I heard?”
They stepped into the dim room. The woman was wrapping herself up in a housecoat and had turned the bedside light on. She was tall like her daughter, but her blonde hair was streaked with bits of gray.
“Oh, my!” she exclaimed at the sight of Cat, “What are you allergic to, my dear?”
“Mom, this is Mimi’s granddaughter, Cat,” Rachel made the introductions. “She and Luke were loading hay.”
“I see that,” Mrs. McKinney nodded, sitting Cat down on the bed. “You’ll have to excuse my appearance, Cat; I just woke up.”
“Mom works the night shift at the hospital,” Rachel added.
“I’m so sorry to have woken you,” Cat apologized.
“Not at all. Not at all,” she put on her glasses and began looking at Cat’s arms. “Luke, will you go grab my bag out of the front seat of my car?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, exiting the room.
“Let’s see,” she said, “Open your mouth for me. Yep, throat’s swollen, too. I’m going to give you a shot to reverse your reaction. It’s an antihistamine, a drug similar to cortisone. Do you have any other known allergies?”
“No,” Cat responded nervously, “but I didn’t know I was allergic to hay until today, either.”
She could hear her wheezing was getting worse. She knew something had to be done. If only that something wasn’t a shot. Today had not been a good day. She was having to face all of her greatest fears in the same day. What were the chances of that? First squirrels, now shots … if she had to deal with worms at some point today, she would really lose it.
“You’ll be fine,” Mrs. McKinney patted her hand, sensing her distress.
Luke hurried back in the room with a large medical bag.
“You have the shot in there?” Cat’s voice was shaky. She thought they would drive to a doctor’s office to get one. She didn’t realize she was going to get it right then.
“I do a lot of house calls. I’m the only nurse practitioner on this side of the county,” Mrs. McKinney said, sorting through things in her bag, and finally pulling out a case and two glass vials.
Cat should have turned her head, but she watched as she pulled a large syringe out of the case.
“I’m going to have to give you the shot directly into a vein to prevent anaphylactic shock,” she said, calmly filling the syringe first from one vial, then the other.
Cat felt the edges of her vision beginning to blur, she felt very hot and dizzy. She slumped forward, dropping her head between her knees.
“Cat!” Luke was by her side in an instant.
“Cat? Cat, can you hear me?” Mrs. McKinney called, lifting Cat’s face to meet her own.
Cat was so embarrassed. She could see Rachel standing calmly by the bedroom door. Mrs. McKinney was still beside her and Luke was kneeling in front of her. She wasn’t comfortable being the center of attention, not at a time like this. She started shaking and lowered her head back down between her knees.
“Does it have to be a shot?” she whimpered.
“I’m afraid so sweetie. And it needs to be right now, so you don’t get any worse.”
“Here. I’ll hold your hand Cat,” Luke said, taking hers in his.
What Cat couldn’t see was the curious grin that spread across Rachel’s face when he did this. She only noticed the way he looked at her.
“Don’t look at the shot. Just keep your eyes on me,” he brushed some loose waves of hair from her face.
As if I could look anywhere else, Cat thought. She had her eyes locked on nothing else but him.
“Okay, just hurry,” she whispered.
Gazing into his green eyes, she felt a peace wash over her. She was sure she would get lost in them, until she heard Mrs. McKinney say, “All done!”
“That’s it?” Cat broke her trance.
“I’d like for you to stay here about an hour or so, so I can keep an eye on you. Make sure you don’t have any reactions to the shot, but yes ma’am, you’re through,” she patted Cat on the shoulder.
“I’ll go get the rest of the hay,” Luke released her hand, and just like that, their connection was broken. “I’ll be back for you in a bit.”
He smiled at her quickly and was out the door.
“Rachel, why don’t you fix Cat some lunch? I’m going to get a little more sleep before work,” Mrs. McKinney said, as she put her things away and disposed of the syringe.
“Thank you so much,” Cat said standing up. She was still a little wobbly on her fe
et.
“Not at all,” Mrs. McKinney smiled genuinely. “You feel free to come over as much as you like. I’m sure Rachel is dying to talk about New York fashion with you.”
“Mom,” Rachel said reproachfully, as she led Cat out of the room towards the kitchen.
“She’s right, though!” she added with a laugh. “I would give my right eye for a pair of Christian Louboutins!”
“They are fabulous,” Cat agreed.
She watched curiously, as Rachel gathered a ripe tomato, Duke’s mayonnaise, and white bread and set about to make them sandwiches. So, this girl from the mountains of North Carolina knew about Christian Louboutin shoes? Life was full of surprises. She felt an instant kinship with Rachel, and not just because they shared the same affinity for fashion. It was because she was so welcoming, so genuine, and Cat rarely felt that in the people she had known back in New York City. Everyone there was typically so closed off to those around them. What a strange world where people would pull a stranger in, and make them feel welcome (while shooting them up with meds). Cat smiled as she eyed her tomato sandwich somewhat suspiciously. Tomatoes were pretty high on her list of most-loathed vegetables. She chose courage and took an enormous bite; in part because her gracious hostess was watching, but also because Cat was just plain starving. Juice from the tomato dripped down her chin; it was delightful. Rachel grinned and Cat couldn’t help but laugh at herself. She would be okay here after all.
Chapter Eight
Cat put down the latest issue of Vogue. She had been reading it at Rachel’s insistence that she critique Marc Jacobs’s Fall Collection. When Rachel had heard that Cat had attended New York Fashion Week, the questions were non-stop, but Cat didn’t mind. Not too much, at least. Unfortunately, Cat couldn’t recall each collection she saw to the specific detail Rachel required. She had been given the latest issue of Vogue to refresh her memory on what she had seen.
“Well, I really liked his use of color in this collection. Last Fall had far too much gray and black for my taste,” Cat said sitting up in the rocking chair and leaning over the porch so she could see Rachel better.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Rachel looked up, smiling. She dusted the dirt of her knees and climbed up the steps to sit in the chair beside Cat.
“Those flowers look lovely,” Cat examined the new additions to the flowerbed lining the sidewalk.
“Thanks,” Rachel beamed, “I don’t have the money for fabric to design my own clothes … but I do design the flower beds.”
“Very nice,” Cat nodded. She was feeling one hundred percent better now that all her hives had disappeared and she could breathe normally again.
“Can I get you some more lemonade?” Rachel asked, taking Cat’s empty glass from the small table between them.
“Hmmm, yes please,” Cat nodded.
She rocked back and forth, enjoying the mountain breeze as it cooled her face. Luke had been gone two hours so far. Rachel didn’t think he’d be back for at least two more. Cat imagined him driving the trailer around the field and loading all the hay himself. It was exhausting just to think about. She wished there was something she could do.
Rachel came back out with a full glass and handed it to Cat.
“Well Cat, now that I’ve asked you to analyze every Fall collection coming out, I only have one more question.”
“Go ahead,” Cat said, taking a large swallow of lemonade.
“What do you think of Luke?”
The question made Cat sputter and choke on her lemonade. It had caught her so off guard. Rachel died laughing at her reaction.
“Well, I guess that answers that,” she said with a sly grin.
“No, no. You just caught me by surprise,” Cat said, trying to recover. “He’s fine, I guess. I hardly know him. Why?”
“He’s crazy about you,” Rachel leaned forward in her chair, waiting to gauge Cat’s response.
“I doubt that,” Cat’s heart had begun hammering in her chest. She willed it to beat steadily. “I think I drive him crazy.”
“Cat, I’ve known Luke my entire life. I’ve seen him with girls. Even with Clarissa, his girlfriend, he’s never acted the way he acted with you today.”
“How’s that?” Cat tried to ask nonchalantly.
“Like he didn’t care for anything in the world except taking care of you. It was, well, let’s just say, he was different with you. Good different,” Rachel said matter-of-factly.
“Wait. Did you say he has a girlfriend?” Cat asked, just piecing together what Rachel had said. She didn’t want to sound disappointed. She tried to alter her voice to sound interested, instead of upset.
“Oh, I should have said he had a girlfriend. Word on Facebook is that he broke up with her last night,” Rachel judged Cat’s response. Apparently pleased at what she saw, she smiled widely, “I think you should totally ask him out.”
“Oh, I don’t think I could do that. I’ve never really dated anyone. I wouldn’t know what to say,” Cat began. “Not that he would say yes anyway.”
“Please, Cat. Don’t be ridiculous!” Rachel straightened up in her seat. “The boys at Watauga will be going gaga over you. He’ll be so jealous he won’t want anyone else to get you.”
“I doubt that,” Cat couldn’t hide the excitement in her voice. She had attended an all-girl school since her freshman year of high school. She wasn’t used to being around boys — with the exception of Landon. But it wasn’t the thought of other guys that made Cat excited, it was the thought of Luke.
“I hear she’s furious,” Rachel said abruptly, taking the conversation in a new direction.
“Who?” Cat asked, confused.
“Clarissa, Luke’s ex. When he got home last night, she was waiting for him. I hear she was going to surprise him or … something. And, he just broke up with her! No explanations or anything,” Rachel added mischievously. “So, when did you get into town?”
“Umm,” Cat hesitated. “Yesterday.”
“And when did you meet Luke?” Rachel leaned towards her.
“Yesterday,” Cat felt her heart beating faster.
“I KNEW it!” Rachel cried, jumping to her feet.
Her sudden exclamation made Cat jump in her seat and slosh lemonade onto her jeans.
“Rachel, be serious. Luke just met me yesterday. That wouldn’t be the reason he broke up with — umm,”
“Clarissa,” Rachel nodded.
“Right, Clarissa,” Cat finished.
She couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, Rachel was right. That Luke had feelings for her like that. Not that it would matter, she quickly reminded herself. He drove her crazy anyway. They would just drive each other mad if they ever dated. But there had been something. Something in the way he held her when she had cried this morning, something in the way he looked into her eyes that made everything and everyone else melt away.
“So, why did you come to live with Mimi?” Rachel asked.
Her question was innocent enough, but Cat had no idea how to go about answering it. It was too complicated to give a brief answer to, and she really didn’t feel like going into a three-hour conversation of her life during the last three months.
She must have had a very contemplative look on her face because Rachel added, “Oh, you don’t have to tell me. No worries.”
“No, I don’t mind. It’s just really complicated,” Cat said with a smile. She was sure she looked relieved at the thought of not having to explain herself.
“You’ll have plenty of time to tell me later. All senior year,” Rachel said happily, “I can’t believe I’m a, I mean, we’re seniors. It will be the best year. You’ll see, Cat.”
Cat watched as Rachel finished off her glass of lemonade. She’d only known her for a few hours, but she felt like they’d been friends forever.
“So,” Cat began, leaning towa
rds Rachel with a sly grin, “What is Luke’s ex like? What is my competition?”
They both laughed.
“She’s a cheerleader. Really petite. Cute,” Rachel winked, “but not nearly as pretty as you.”
“Ha, ha.” Cat responded.
“And she will be pissed when she hears he’s been spending time with the new girl from New York,” Rachel added bluntly.
“Great,” Cat thought, “Just the way I want to start the year. With some girl out to get me.”
“She’s vindictive, slutty, petty … and a brown-noser,” Rachel added, wrinkling her nose. “Can you tell what I think about her?”
“Not at all,” Cat laughed.
“So, that means I’m going to have to start getting the word out about how fabulous the new girl is; and with me as your new best friend, you’ll be golden,” Rachel laughed.
She picked up her phone and her fingers began to fly on the buttons.
“What are you doing?” Cat leaned in to see.
“Sending out a tweet, and a post on Facebook: Just met Cat, new girl from NYC. She is fabulous! Party at Watauga Lake tonight at 8pm. Come one, come all, and see for yourself,” Rachel pressed send before Cat could object.
“Oh, Rachel … I don’t know that my grandmother will let me go. I was getting into … well, a little trouble in New York … and going to a party is definitely something my parents would have forbidden her from letting me do,” Cat hated to be a party pooper, but she knew what Mimi’s reaction would be to this.
“Cat, no worries,” Rachel patted her arm, “My mom and Mimi are like this,” she said, crossing two fingers, “My mom will call and let her know that Luke and I are just going to introduce you to some people before school starts, so you won’t be nervous on your first day.”
It did sound like a great plan. Cat couldn’t help but get a little excited at the thought of meeting her new classmates. She wanted to make a good first impression. She wanted this year to be a new start. She was putting the past behind her. She didn’t want to deal with it anymore. She wanted a chance to be happy again, to feel again. She had decided all of this earlier today, when she was pouring sweat out in the field. Sweat. She looked down at her clothes. There was no way she could make a good first impression like this. She was filthy.
What Cat Lost (The Last Life of Cat Book 1) Page 8