Chapter Sixteen
Cat
Putting my SUV in park and silencing the engine, I blow out a shaky breath. My heart is pounding like a jackhammer and I’m waiting for it to burst through my ribcage. I pull down the sun visor and inspect my face.
My eyes don’t reflect the panic that’s humming through my body. In fact, I look completely normal for someone who’s life is going to change in an instant.
The nagging doubt that’s been tugging at the back of my mind comes to the surface, sending my thoughts spinning.
Can I do this? Is it fair to David and Scarlett? How could Aunt Dottie put me in this position?
And the one that nearly has me fleeing: Am I going to get my heart broken…again?
There’s no point in lying to myself.
The moment I laid eyes on the disheveled man at Mile High Mutts Rescue, I felt a spark igniting a dormant part of my heart, awakening a desire to get to know him better—a longing to take a chance on love.
The fact that that man was David is poetic justice.
I wipe my hands down my pants, touch up any stray hairs, and say to my reflection: “Remember Cat, this is mutually beneficial.”
I let David’s words wash over me and push out a breath.
Taking one final look, I flip the sun visor up. Reaching over to the passenger seat, I grab my purse and the apple crisp I brought.
“Cat!” A girl’s voice excitedly yells out, followed by a deep woof that brings a smile to my face and settles some of the butterflies flitting around.
I step out of my vehicle to find David holding Emmy’s leash on the front lawn and Scarlett running to greet me. She throws her arms around my waist, catching me by surprise, and squeezes. Affection blossoms throughout my chest, and I wrap my arm around her, pulling her close.
“Emmy is so excited to see you,” she mumbles against my stomach, the vibration moving through me like a favorite song I didn’t know I needed, calming me, before whispering. “I am too.”
A thunderous ‘woof,’ followed by a deep ‘No!’ has me pulling my gaze up to find the dog we’re discussing sprinting toward us. I balance the apple crisp and brace myself for the spirited greeting I know is coming.
Emmy leaps in the air before sitting before me, her deep-throated huff striking another cord in my heart. “Hey girl,” I reach down and pick up her leash. Her mouth open, bright eyes shining. “I see you’re still giving your dad trouble.”
Scarlett’s laughter cascades over me and I glance up to see David watching intently. His eyes are filled with a warmth that makes my breath catch. Swallowing hard, I walk with Scarlett and Emmy toward the man who is effortlessly slipping past my walls and quietly filling my thoughts.
“Guess you need my ‘dog wrangling’ skills more than I realized,” I tease, chuckling, and hand him Emmy’s leash. Scarlett tugs my hand, her eyes glinting with a shared secret, my heart swelling.
His eyes crinkle at the corners, and he shrugs. “She’s stronger than she looks.”
Emmy lets out a resounding bark as if affirming that she may be small, but she is indeed mighty.
“I meant to stop by Mile High Mutts to grab her some treats, but I didn’t have time.”
“That’s okay,” Scarlett chirps. “Uncle Dunky—”
“Scarlett,” David warns, but it’s too late…the nickname is out.
“Makes them. Emmy has been his new taste tester,” Scarlett continues as if her dad hasn’t said a thing. “He says she’s not very good, though, because she eats everything.”
I hear the front door close and I look at the porch to find Duncan scrubbing his face, and Ava Norris with her arms around his waist shoulders shaking.
“Dunky, huh?” I ask, as Ava laughs out loud and Duncan scowls, his cheeks flushed. My lips curl up. Same old Duncan—prickly on the outside, soft on the inside.
“Oops,” Scarlett covers her mouth, but her eyes shine without a hint of remorse. “I’m not supposed to say that in public.”
Pressing my lips together, I turn my gaze toward David. His expression is stern, but the twinkle in his eyes belies how he really feels about his daughter’s antics.
It’s taking everything within me not to laugh at her. How does he do it?
Ava, on the other hand, isn’t hiding her amusement. She whispers something to Duncan, and he grunts before kissing her and heading back into the house.
“Scarlett, why don’t you head in and help Uncle Duncan get everything set up?” Scarlett opens her mouth, but Ava doesn’t let her say anything. “It’s the least you can do after embarrassing him in front of our guest.”
Scarlett’s face falls, and Ava gently runs a hand down her hair before dropping a kiss on the top of her head. “Take your mini-me with you and feed her dinner.”
Emmy’s ears perk up at the ‘D’ word, and Scarlett’s face lights up. She grabs the leash from David and whispers something in Emmy’s ear, making her tail wag slowly.
I watch the two of them take the stairs at the same time and chuckle at the similarities between them. I glance over at David to find his gaze on me, chills dance down my spine.
“Cat!” Ava’s voice rips my gaze from David and pulls it toward her.
My pulse leaps, and excitement fills me.
I barely notice the apple crisp being taken from my hand or David’s light snicker, as Ava gets closer.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, but what I really want to know is how long you’ve really known David.
” Her eyes sparkle with curiosity. “I can’t wait to get a chance to talk one-on-one. ”
“I loved you in all your movies, but Kiss Me Maybe? was my favorite!” I say, breathlessly, then my cheeks burn. “I’m sorry. I’m just such a huge fan.”
David’s hand hovers over my lower back. The heat radiating from him fills me. “She’s used to it,” he whispers near my ear, making my heart skip a beat.
“Meeting fans never gets old.” She smiles brightly and gently taps David’s arm. He pretends to flinch like she punched him. Then she pulls me in for a hug and softly says, “But I think in this instance I’m more excited to meet you.”
Shock ripples through me, and I laugh nervously, glancing at David. I silently ask if they know anything, and he shakes his head.
“My niece has been talking non-stop about how amazing you are since meeting you the day they brought Emmy home,” Ava says, still holding onto my arms. Her smile is brilliant. She’s even prettier in person.
The tension in my shoulder eases. “Aww, I love that. But honestly, I didn’t do much.”
“According to Scarlett, you saved the world.” Ava chuckles. She looks over at David, and I swear a silent message passes between them. “I’ll take this inside, and the two of you can talk for a minute. Alone.”
“Thanks, A,” David says, handing her the apple crisp.
My mouth gapes as I watch her walk back into the house. The weight of David’s gaze is heavy on my face, and I turn to see his mouth twitching.
“You could’ve warned me,” I hiss, only to have him grin at me, snickering.
“And miss that entire scene?” He steps closer, his woodsy scent spanning the space between us, making my pulse race. “Not on your life!”
Heat creeps up my body, and I shake my head, pulling on my bottom lip. “You’re awful.” I giggle.
A door closes, and I look up to find us alone on the front lawn. “What do they know?” I nod toward the house.
“Just that I invited you over so Scarlett would stop hounding me.” He shoves his hands in his front jean pockets and shrugs. “I’m surprised they didn’t bring up Tea Time yet, honestly. I know they’re curious.”
I suck in a deep breath and slowly blow it out.
“Do you want me to take the lead?” Glancing up to meet David’s gaze, my stomach flutters. It’s the first time in a long time I’ve had someone willing to take care of me. I chew on my inside lip, and David lifts his hand to my upper arm. “We’ll just start with the truth and go from there. Okay?”
Pushing out a sigh, I nod and place my hand over his.
“I’m giving you fair warning though, all of them will be asking lots of questions. Especially my daughter.”
Dinner is filled with easy conversation, teasing and lots of laughter. My cheeks are sore from all the smiling. But the joy I feel is tempered by a heaviness that’s weighing down my heart watching their collective unit.
Picking up my coffee, I try to get rid of the longing twisting my gut and causing the corner of my lips to dip.
“This apple crisp is great, Cat!” Ava shoves another piece in her mouth as she places her hand on Duncan’s arm. “You need to get this recipe from her.”
“I know how to make apple crisp,” Duncan grumbles, rolling his eyes.
“Honey, you are the best baker,” Ava says after she swallows, then leans in and kisses his cheek. “But there is something in this that you’re missing. Taste it.”
She lifts her fork to his mouth. He glares at it before taking the apple crisp from it. My cheek pulls up as his eyebrows shoot past his hairline.
“See?” Ava asks.
Duncan nods and turns toward me, the ingredient question in his eyes. “Pumpkin pie spice.”
“And cinnamon?” Duncan takes Ava’s fork and grabs another piece from her plate.
“Nope, just pumpkin pie spice. My Aunt Dottie tried it one day, and we never went back.”
“I can see why!” Their easy banter warms me, but the ache of feeling like an outsider stings.
“So,” David clears his throat, pushing the remaining apple crisp around his plate. He’s been quietly watching for the last five minutes. “There’s something I—we,” he points his fork toward me. “Need to tell you.”
“You’re dating,” Ava says nonchalantly, as she scoops more apple crisp on her plate. “I take that back Duncan, you are not allowed to make this.”
Duncan’s adoration for Ava, shining in his eyes, leaves an ache so deep it steals my breath. I want someone to look at me like that.
When he turns to look at David, his gaze dances with curiosity.
“You’re dating?” Scarlett yells excitedly, causing Emmy to bark and run out from under the table. She pumps her fist in the air. “Yes!”
“Not exactly,” David coughs, a flush covering his cheeks.
I take a gulp of water and add. “It’s a bit complicated.”
“Oooh,” Ava glances between me and David, leaning her elbows on the table and resting her chin on her hands. “I think this is going to be good.”
I swallow hard, wiping my palms on my pants under the table. Glancing over at David, his gaze is down on his plate.
“You know I’ve been struggling to keep my head above water since getting Emmy,” David mutters. “Well, even before then.”
Ava reaches over and rests a hand on David’s arm, and he covers it with his hand.
“You’re doing great, Daddy!” Scarlett runs over and gives David a hug. My heart squeezes, and once again a longing rises up. “Right, Emmy?”
Emmy lets out a full-bodied ‘WOOOF’ before running over and picking up a toy. I think it’s a pig from a basket full of dog toys. She proceeds to prance around squeaking it, loud ‘oinks’ following as she moves around the house.
“Thank you, baby girl,” David pulls Scarlett close to him, and his eyes radiate a tenderness that makes my chest swell. “But we all know I’m a bit of a mess.”
“You know that me and Duncan are here whenever you need us,” Ava says reassuringly. Duncan nods next to her.
“You two have been amazing, and I never would’ve been able to function without you.” David lets out a tired sigh, one that feels like he’s carrying the weight of the world. “But you’re both as busy as I am.”
I glance across the table and see the truth reflected in Duncan and Ava’s faces. They know that what he’s saying is true.
Ava turns sparkling eyes my way, a mischievous grin on her face. “So what does this have to do with you and Cat?”
I swallow past the soccer ball that’s suddenly lodged in my throat, feeling everyone’s gaze on me, including David’s.
“Umm…” My heart beats like a bass drum, trying to break through my chest. My face flames. “So…ummm… Yeah,” I stutter.
Lifting my glass I gulp the rest of the water and then wipe my palms across my pants. I feel a gentle squeeze on my arm and when I glance up it’s to find David’s eyes boring into mine. He nods.
I glance around to find everyone watching the interaction, including Emmy quietly holding the pig in her mouth, and my lip tugs up.
Here we go.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18 (Reading here)
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37