Part 25 (1/2)
”How about I call you midweek next week and we'll make plans.” He added, ”As friends.”
They ate in relative silence. Cathy felt the tension between them dissipate slightly during their shared meal, but that live-wire s.e.xual connection couldn't be severed. It was far too strong, and there didn't seem to be a d.a.m.n thing she could do about it.
As they sipped coffee, which they had ordered in lieu of dessert, Cathy lifted the portfolio, laid it on the table and opened it to reveal her handiwork. ”Let me show you what I've come up with for the exterior first. I've included a porch gazebo that I think you'll like.”
”If you like it, I'm sure I will.”
”Helping with the restoration of an old Victorian home is a wonderful experience for me. I may never have my dream home, but doing something like this comes in a close second.”
”Have you thought about going back to school and getting your degree?” Jack asked as he flipped through the professional-looking plans she had drawn for his house. ”These are good, honey. Really good.”
”Thank you. And funny you should ask about my going back to school. I'm definitely considering it. But not until I have the situation with Seth worked out. Who knows, when he goes to college, I may go with him.”
They both laughed, and for the first time since she had arrived at the restaurant, Cathy relaxed.
That afternoon, when Mike had invited Jack to go along with him and his kids to Dutton's Bowling Alley that night, he had declined. He figured the last thing he needed was to run into Cathy and Preacher Hovater. But before his s.h.i.+ft ended, he told Mike that he'd changed his mind. What difference did it make if he and Cathy were at the same place at the same time? They weren't even dating, at least not officially. And she'd made it perfectly clear that she wasn't ready for anything more than friends.h.i.+p from him or any other man.
”Great. Meet us around seven and we'll grab a bite there,” Mike had said. ”They've got halfway decent burgers and dogs and the best greasy onion rings in the county.”
Jack had considered trying to find a date to take with him, but realized that since returning to Dunmore there had been only one woman on his mind. His female acquaintances were limited. He knew the two female deputies, but one was married and the other had a steady boyfriend. And he knew Lorie, but considering her long-standing friends.h.i.+p with Cathy, she was off-limits. Besides, Mike wouldn't appreciate him showing up at the bowling alley with his old lover.
Five minutes into their meal, with Hannah seated at the booth alongside Mike and M.J. beside Jack, Mike's gaze fixed on something or someone behind Jack.
”Did you know Cathy would be here tonight?” Mike asked.
”Who's Cathy?” Hannah looked up at her father.
”Yeah, she mentioned it when we had a business lunch today,” Jack replied.
Looking squarely at Jack, Mike answered his daughter. ”Cathy is Mrs. Cantrell. She's an old friend of Jack's and mine.”
”Oh, like Miss Lorie,” Hannah said.
”Sort of,” Mike mumbled.
”Hey, it's a free country,” Jack said. ”Why should I have missed the chance to spend a fun evening with you, Hannah and M.J. just because my path might cross with Cathy and her date?”
Mike's eyes widened. ”She's dating the preacher who took over her husband's congregation?”
”They're just friends.”
”Hmm...Apparently.” Mike chuckled. ”Most people don't take their teenage kids along with them on a date.” Suddenly an odd expression crossed Mike's face. He lowered his voice. ”Don't look now, but here they come.”
”Huh?” Jack turned around at the exact same moment Cathy walked by with her date and their kids.
Cathy paused, a startled look in her eyes. ”Good evening.” She glanced from Jack, who rose to his feet immediately, straight to Mike. ”This is a popular place tonight.” She smiled. ”How's the food?”
”Not half bad,” Mike said as he stood.
”Evening, Deputy.” Donnie Hovater extended his hand. ”Good to see you again.”
Jack nodded, shook the preacher's hand and sat back down.
He didn't like this guy. Yeah, sure, he resented Cathy spending time with a man who had to remind her of her dead husband. But it was more than that. Jack's gut instincts picked up some weird vibes from the preacher man.
”Enjoy your evening,” Cathy said, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Jack.
”Yeah, you, too,” Mike said when Jack remained silent.
As soon as the foursome was out of earshot, Mike sat down, his face crunched in a disapproving frown. ”That went well, don't you think?” he said sarcastically. ”Why didn't you just sock the guy in the jaw instead of shaking his hand?”
”Why should Jack have hit Brother Hovater?” Hannah asked.
”Yeah, you told us to never start a fight,” M.J. added.
”Jeez,” Mike grumbled under his breath. He pulled out a ten from his wallet and handed it to his son. ”Take Hannah with you and y'all go get ice cream for dessert.”
As soon as his children headed off toward the nearby concession stand, Mike leaned forward and said, ”What's going on between you and Cathy?”
”Nothing.”
”Don't give me that. The vibes between you two were so intense, I'm surprised-”
”I want her. She wants me. But she's not ready for anything more than friends.h.i.+p.” Jack slid out of the booth and stood. ”I think I'll pa.s.s on the bowling. Thanks for inviting me.”
”Running away won't solve your problem.”
”A smart soldier knows when to retreat and work on new battle plans.”
Mike shook his head. ”Is that how you think of your relations.h.i.+p with Cathy, as a battle? You think Donnie Hovater is your enemy?”
”I think he wants Cathy,” Jack said. ”And I d.a.m.n well don't intend to let him have her.”
Jack didn't wait around to hear what else Mike had to say. He walked out of the bowling alley and went directly to his car. After sliding behind the wheel, he sat there and stared through the winds.h.i.+eld into the dark night sky.
What the h.e.l.l was the matter with him? Hadn't he decided, just this morning, that what he needed was to get laid? Cathy Nelson Cantrell was not the only woman in the world, not even the only woman in Dunmore, Alabama. If all he wanted was a one-night stand, he could go to any bar in Dunmore or nearby Decatur, Athens or Huntsville and probably have his pick.
As for Donnie Hovater, if Cathy preferred his type-Mark Cantrell's type-then who the h.e.l.l cared? He'd never fought for the rights to a woman, had never known one worth fighting for, except maybe his mother and definitely his sister. So why did he want to beat the living daylights out of the preacher, stomp him to the ground, walk over him and claim his prize?
Jack slammed both fists down against the steering wheel. Cathy would sure as h.e.l.l love being thought of as a prize, wouldn't she?
That woman has turned you inside out and tied you into knots.