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Chapter Twenty

Cat

The ease with which I’ve settled into David’s house and life has my defenses crumbling. It’s too easy. It feels too good. And the worst part, it feels like I’ve finally come home.

This feeling of belonging has been something I’ve craved since my parents split. To find it under these circumstances, with this family, leaves me terrified.

There are moments when I catch David watching me, and my heart races, but then the moment passes, and I see the pain and confusion in his eyes. I can never be Fiona. I would never dream of taking her place. She’s Scarlett’s mother and always will be.

But is it possible for him to let me in, too?

Tightening my grip on the steering wheel, I blow out a deep breath. I need to let go of these love ideas.

This marriage is serving a very specific purpose, and that’s where I need to keep my focus.

This marriage isn’t about love.

I sent Aunt Dottie’s attorney my wedding documentation and was grateful he didn’t ask any questions about the timing or the person.

There was no stipulation that I needed to marry for love; it just said I needed to be married. My marriage to David meets the requirements of the will, but that doesn’t stop me from feeling like a total fraud.

Pretending is the hardest part, especially when I’m pretty sure that I’m not.

I glance in the rearview mirror and catch Emmy with her nose out the cracked window. Ears flapping in the wind, tail wagging. My cheeks tug up.

“I have a dilemma, baby girl,” I say to the dog in the backseat. “Maybe you can help me?”

Emmy sticks her head between the seats and nudges my shoulder. I lift my hand under her head and pull her closer to me. She rests her cheek on my shoulder, and my insides melt a little.

“How do I stop from falling in love with your family?”

Her head snaps up, and before she does what looks like a shrug, she heads back to the window.

I feel my eyes widen before my face scrunches up. “Nah,” I mutter. “Emmy did not just act like she didn’t have an answer for me. She’s a dog, Cat.”

Glancing in the rearview mirror, I chuckle. “Yeah, it’s official, I’m losing it. And not just my mind.”

Clink. Thud. Hiss.

We are officially on the clock and have about 2 hours, maybe less, before the fans start gathering at the stadium.

Excitement courses through me as Hope and I move around the concourse, setting up tables for the fifty-plus vendors who are joining us today.

Clink. Thud. Hiss.

The sound of the Smokies warming up has me distracted. Okay, maybe not the entire team, just the man playing shortstop. Every nerve in my body is humming, knowing all I have to do is glance toward the field to find David in my line of sight.

“Cat,” Jade Davis from Mile High Mutts Rescue calls, her hands full of crates. “Why didn’t you tell me you were getting married?”

Heat crawls up my body and rises to my face. “It’s nice to see you too,” I tease, grabbing a few of the crates from her and leading her to the rescue’s table. “Sorry. It happened kind of fast.”

“Fast?” Her brows shoot up, her lips twitching. “That wasn’t fast, that was a whirlwind! You’re totally smitten with him, aren’t you?”

“Actually, we knew each other as kids. He was my next-door neighbor before I moved to live with my aunt.” I place the crates up against the wall behind the table.

When I stand up, my gaze lands on David. He’s facing home plate, arm pulled back just before he steps forward, propelling the ball to Logan, who’s waiting with his glove held out.

“Someone has it bad,” Jade chuckles as she starts organizing the crates.

I look back toward the entrance, ignoring her last comment. We are definitely not going to talk about feelings. Nope. Not doing it. “Where are the dogs?”

“Oh, that’s going to be a fun surprise!” She rubs her hands together, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “They should be here just before we head on the field.”

“Surprise?” My brows tug together, and my stomach turns. “Please, no surprises.”

“This is a good surprise. No. A great surprise.” When my head tilts, she squeezes my arm and smiles. “Promise. Everyone is going to rave about it.”

I eye her skeptically, but the only emotion I see there is excitement. I blow out a breath and nod.

“Cat!” Hope calls from the other side of the concourse. The panic lacing her tone has my mouth going dry.

“I have to go see what’s going on over there. If you need any help, just ask the person standing by the entrance. They’ll be happy to do it.”

“Thanks, but I think I have everything under—”

I turn and pin her with my gaze. Jade is notorious for working way too hard and doing everything herself.

“Okay, okay.” She pulls her hands up in mock surrender. “I’ll ask for help.”

“Thank you. I don’t want to have to worry about you, too.”

“Cat?” Jade calls, and I turn back to her. “Tonight is going to be amazing!”

“From your mouth to God’s ears.” I smile hesitantly and double-time it over to Hope.

When I reach her, she’s worrying her bottom lip and running a hand through her hair. “What’s the matter?”

“Paws and Kisses won’t be able to make it!” She squeaks out, her face white as a sheet.

“Paws and Kisses?” My mind is drawing a complete blank.

“The dog treat company. Paws and Kisses Bakery?”

“Oh.” A breath escapes me. But then what she’s saying hits me, and my stomach swirls. We won’t have any dog treats here to help fundraise for Mile High Mutts Rescue. “OH!”

“What are we going to do? This is a disaster.”

Immediately, something settles in me, and my mind goes into problem-solving mode. This is not good, but there has to be something I can do.

A crazy thought pops into my head. Will he do it? It’s a big ask, HUGE, and one I’m not sure I even have the right to bring up. But I don’t have anyone else to turn to at the eleventh hour.

“I think I have an idea. I have to make a phone call.” A sparkle of relief glints in Hope’s eyes. I slip my phone from my pocket only to realize I don’t have Duncan or Ava’s number. Dropping my head into my palm, I groan.

Hope’s face falls, and I shake my head. “It’ll be okay, I just have to go ask David something. I’ll be back.”

Turning away from her, I make my way to the restricted access point and let myself through the doors that say ‘Authorized Personnel Only’. Jogging down the stairs, I make my way to the field. The team will be finishing up practice shortly, and I’ll be able to ask David for the numbers.

My heart flutters and my pulse races like it always does when I know I’ll see him. Even though it’s only been a few hours, it feels like an eternity since we left the house in separate cars.

It was not that different from any other morning, except for the fact that today is the season opener, and we’re both still working. Normally, at this time, the three of us are getting dinner ready while Scarlett is catching us up on her day at school.

The corner of my lips tug up just as I make my way to the field.

“Cat,” David calls out, and a smile crawls across my face as he walks over to me. My name on his lips sends shivers down my spine. “Is everything okay?” He asks softly once he reaches me, resting a hand on my arm, its gentle weight anchoring me in a rush of warmth.

“Yes,” I say, noticing his shoulders drop. Was he worried about me? And then I remember that everything isn’t okay. “I mean no.”

His hand on my arm tightens, and his eyes flare.

“Cat!” Logan yells. His gaze bounces between me and David, a gleam in his eyes. “Aren’t you supposed to be upstairs working?”

“Hey Logan,” I smile, then huff out a laugh. “I’m trying. I just ran into a bit of a snafu, and I need some help.”

Logan pivots and starts to walk toward us. “Is everything okay? Anything I can do?”

David’s hand imperceptibly tightens on my arm, and I feel him pull me closer. When I glance at his face, I notice his lips are drawn into a straight line.

My brows pull together.

What does that look mean?

“And you came to ask your husband.” Logan’s gaze is focused on David, and his mouth quirks at the corner. He slaps David’s shoulder. “I’ll leave the two of you be then.”

Logan turns and heads back in the direction of the locker room, and I feel David’s grip loosen. When I look back at his face, the tightness around his mouth is gone.

Was he jealous?

My pulse races, and warmth pools in my belly.

“Cat?”

“I’m sorry.” I shake my head and attempt to pull my errant thoughts back to the present. “Did you say something?”

“Are you okay?” His gaze darts across my face, and my heart slams against my rib cage at the concern reflected in his eyes. “You don’t feel dizzy, do you?”

Dizzy? Definitely not dizzy.

Then it clicks. He’s worried about me.

“No, David, I’m fine.” The fear doesn’t leave his expression, and without thinking, I cradle his cheek. “Truly. I’m okay. But I do need your help.”

“Anything.” His gruff voice sends shivers down my spine, and my gaze is locked on his. The air is being sucked from my lungs and I feel my body being pulled toward him. He glances at my lips, and a small sigh escapes me.

“James!” Coach Abbott calls out as he crosses into the tunnel leading to the clubhouse. I jump and pull away from David, like I’ve been caught cheating on a test. “You’ll have time to talk to your wife later. I need you in the locker room. Now.”

Wife.

“Be right there, Coach.”

David watches Coach walk away before turning his attention back to me. “What do you need?”

“Duncan’s number?” I chew on my bottom lip and wring my hands together. “Paws and Kisses Bakery won’t be coming tonight.”

His eyes widen slightly before a wide grin slides across his face. “You better call Ava.”

A squeal erupts, and without thinking, I throw my arms around his neck. A chuckle vibrates from his chest, and his arms wrap around my waist. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

“James!” This time, Coach’s voice isn’t as patient.

“Quick. Give me your phone.” He holds out his hand, his eyes never leaving Coach. I drop my phone in his palm, my stomach swirls at how easy it’s becoming for me to rely on him. He deftly enters Ava’s contact information. Snickering, he gives me the phone back. “This is going to be great.”

I watch him run toward Coach and the locker room, unable to make my feet move. Right before he crosses the threshold, he yells. “Good luck.”

His smile is so boyishly mischievous that my heart flips. I continue to stand there staring down the hall long after they’ve left.

What am I doing again? Oh yeah, dog treats.

Tapping the call button, the ringing starts, and I wait, praying Ava picks up.

“Hello?”

“Hey Ava, it’s Cat.” I don’t give her time to respond before I rush into why I’m calling.

Her laughter rings through the phone. “I’ll see what I can do.”