Chapter Six
Timothy
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A S I DROVE AROUND TOWN running errands, the thought of surprising Catherine with lunch crossed my mind. That was something I was looking forward to doing more often once I stepped away from the company. We could have impromptu picnics, time to hang out in the garden and just do whatever we wanted.
I wanted to show her that I appreciated her. She was a very patient, kind, caring woman. All the drama I’d put her through with Regina and Paisley wasn’t fair. It was a miracle she was still with me at all. I had some work to do to show her I was invested in this relationship. I knew roughly where the house was after she told me all about it last night.
It wasn’t hard to find with all the trucks and the large dumpster parked in the street. I parked my car a little way down and strolled up to the house. I made my way inside, eager to see her smiling face. I wished I had brought flowers. That would have been really romantic. For now, the ham and cheese was going to have to make do.
I could hear men’s voices and followed the sound. I rounded the corner and froze in my tracks, my heart sinking at the sight before me. Standing in front of me was Henry, my ex-best friend from childhood. He was my now my sworn enemy. The same man who had become a billionaire because of an idea I had, an idea he had stolen right out from under me. We hadn’t spoken in years. Seeing him now filled me with a sense of unease. Something felt off.
“What are you doing here?” Henry demanded, his tone cold and hostile as he looked me up and down.
I ignored his question, my eyes scanning the room for Catherine. “Where’s Catherine?”
Henry got a smug look on his face as he slowly shook his head. “I should have known,” he said.
“Known what?” I snapped.
“I was wondering who did all the work on the Gloriana Manor,” he said with a laugh. “I heard all about the old houses up here going for cheap. Apparently, someone slaps some paint on these relics and they sell for three times what they were paid for. I hired the person I was told was responsible for the work. “
“So you followed me once again,” I said with disgust. “You need to get a life. You’ve never had a unique idea in your life. You’re always nipping at my heels.”
He sneered, a malicious glint in his eyes. “Apparently the only way to get that woman to work is to get her in bed first.”
My blood boiled at his words, my fists clenching at my sides as anger coursed through me. How dare he speak about Catherine like that? “You’re an asshole.”
“Hit a nerve, didn’t I?” He smirked. “I guess I know why you hired her. After meeting her, I get it.”
“I swear, if you touch her...” I couldn’t finish the sentence. The very thought of him anywhere near Catherine made my skin crawl.
Henry’s smile only widened at my reaction. “What? You’re going to punch me again?” He took a step back, arms spread wide in mock surrender. “No need for violence, Timothy.”
I balled my hands into fists, refusing to take the bait. He was trying to get a rise out of me, desperate for a fight. But I knew better than to give him the satisfaction... at least, not here, not now.
“Is that why you’re here?” I asked. “Do you really have nothing better to do with your life? Do you plan on running around the country following me?”
“You’d like that,” he scoffed.
“No, actually I would not,” I retorted. “I was perfectly fine not having you in my life.”
“Well maybe I missed you, Timmy.” He sneered. “Maybe I wanted to reconnect with my old friend.”
“Friend?” I spat out the word like it was a vile poison. “A friend wouldn’t have stolen my idea and used it to build an empire.”
He laughed a cruel laugh, sending a cold shiver down my spine. “And you never would have had the guts to do it yourself. Some people do and others watch.”
I felt the anger rise in me again. “Why don’t you go crawl back under the rock you crawled out from under? I’ll buy the house. I’ll write you a check right now.”
He laughed. “Hell no. I think I’m going to enjoy watching that fine little carpenter rebuilding my house.”
“I don’t think she’ll be interested in working for you,” I retorted, my jaw clenched. “When I tell her who you are, she’s not going to want anything to do with you.”
“Oh, I think she will. Once she hears about the bonus I’m offering.”
“I don’t care what you’re offering,” I growled. “She’s not for sale.”
We were inches apart now, our eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. There was a dangerous edge to Henry’s smile that set off alarm bells in my mind.
“Everything has a price, Tim,” Henry said, finally breaking the silence between us. He loosened his tie and smirked arrogantly. “Shall we test that theory?”
I opened my mouth to retort, but before I could utter a word, Catherine entered the room.
She looked between us. “Timothy?” she said with surprise.
I shot another dirty look at Henry before turning and walking to her. “Catherine, you can’t work on this project,” I blurted out.
Her eyes narrowed at my words, her expression hardening with anger. “Excuse me?” she snapped, her voice laced with indignation.
“You don’t know who this guy is,” I said. “You need to quit. Walk away right now.”
She clenched her jaw. “Excuse us,” she said and turned her attention back to me. “Outside. Now.”
Henry chuckled as I followed Catherine outside. The moment we were out, she turned on me, her eyes flashing with anger. “You can’t tell me what to do, Timothy,” she hissed. “I know how to handle myself, and I’m staying on this project.”
“Catherine, you don’t understand.”
“No,” she snapped, holding up one finger. “The jealousy thing was cute for a minute, but this isn’t funny. This is my job. My career. I don’t need you to start acting like a jealous boyfriend.”
“I know him, Catherine. You don’t know who that man is.”
“I don’t care,” she snapped and walked away.
I watched as she stormed off. I knew I had overstepped, but my concern for her safety outweighed any rational thought.
“Catherine, wait.” I jogged after her, catching her just as she was getting into her truck.
“I’m pissed, Timothy. You need to leave me alone. I have no idea what got into you, but this was not okay. This is bullshit.”
“I came by to bring you some lunch,” I said. “I saw Henry and yeah, I lost it. I know him. We go way back. He’s not a man you want to be around.”
She paused then, her hand on the door handle, and looked back at me. “You knew him?”
“Yes,” I said softly. “He’s an asshole.”
“He’s my client.”
“You don’t want to work with him,” I insisted. “If I had known he was the client you were working with, I would have said something sooner.”
“And do you think I’m just going to turn down a client because you know him?”
“I didn’t know he’d bought the property. I didn’t even know he was in town. Catherine.” I reached out tentatively, touching her arm, but she stepped back.
“You didn’t answer my question,” she said icily. “Why does that matter? Why does your history with him have any relevance to me and my job?”
“Because he’s dangerous. He’s ruthless. He’ll trample all over you. He will cause problems. Trust me, the guy is bad news. Things are good between us. I don’t want to risk him unsettling it.”
She let out a long sigh. “I had his number the moment I met him. I’m staying on the project. I can’t run from every guy that hits on me. I’ve grown up in a man’s world. I’m used to dealing with men. I’ve got this.”
“Dealing with men and dealing with Henry are two very different things, Catherine,” I said. “He’s a predator. He’ll take what he wants and use anything in his path to get it.”
“I’ve dealt with my fair share of Henrys, Timothy,” she retorted, her eyes burning into mine. “I can handle him.”
“No! It’s not just about...” I paused, searching for the right words. “You don’t understand what he’s capable of.”
A moment of silence fell between us. Catherine held my gaze, her brows furrowed slightly as she studied my face. “Look, I appreciate your concern, but you can’t do this. I can’t have you getting worked up about every man I work for. I don’t like the jealous thing. You have nothing to worry about. Henry is not going to get in my head.”
I had a feeling I had lost the battle. Henry had won. “Do you want the sandwich I brought?” I asked softly.
She gave me a look. “No, thanks. I have to get down to City Hall.”
She was shooing me away. “Can I call you tonight?”
“Sure.” She shrugged. “But I’ll be working late.”
She hopped into her truck. “I’m sorry,” I said. “But please, just remember what I said. Henry is not what he seems.”
“Got it,” she said and slammed the door shut.
I watched as she drove away.
“Everything okay?”
I turned and saw the guy Luke she had introduced me to before. The electrician, if I remembered right.
“It’s fine,” I said.
“She’s fairly capable,” Luke said. “That guy gave her a hard time earlier, but she gave it right back.”
“What did he say?” I asked.
“I got the impression he wasn’t happy to see me on the site.” Luke shrugged. “Kind of like he staked a claim. Something you would expect with a couple of alpha dogs fighting over the same woman.”
I raised an eyebrow, immediately going on the defensive. “What the hell does that mean?”
He chuckled. “Relax. She already made it clear she was not interested.”
“Is Henry giving her a hard time?” I asked.
“No more than the usual rich guy stuff. He thinks he can throw his weight around, but Catherine holds her own.” Luke adjusted the tool belt around his waist and glanced at me sidelong. “She’s got a spine of steel, that one.”
I trusted Catherine, I did, but knowing Henry’s tendency for manipulation and deceit, I couldn’t help but fear for her.
“Thanks for letting me know,” I said finally, extending my hand to him.
He took it with a nod, a firm handshake that somehow eased my concerns. “I’ll be here most days. I’ll keep an eye on her.”
I gave him a hard look. “You don’t need to keep that close an eye on her.”
He chuckled. “Down, boy. I know and respect her father. I’ll look out for her because that’s what he would want me to do.”
“Fine. Thanks.”
I walked back to my car, irritated, but there wasn’t anything I could do about it. I couldn’t actually run Henry out of town. Luke clearly had a thing for Catherine. He would look out for her. And I would have to trust Catherine not to fall for the enigmatic Luke.