Chapter 14
Rebecca
“Ican’t believe he did this.” I poured myself a cup of coffee, then walked over and sat down at the counter next to my mother. “I mean, seriously? You have to wonder what the hell he was thinking.”
“When did he send it?”
“I don’t know.” I glanced down at the postmark on the envelope. “It looks like it was mailed out the day after his birthday.”
“So, right after Cat’s visit.”
“Apparently.”
“Read it to me again.”
I unfolded the letter Trevor had written Cat and groaned silently at the sight of his handwriting, then cleared my throat.
“Dear Cat,
I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed our visit the other day.
I know it was difficult for you to come here, but it meant the world to me.
It’s been too long since I’ve been able to spend time with you.
You’ve grown so much over these past few years.
You are so beautiful and smart, just like your mother.
Keep working hard in school, and I hope we can have another visit very soon.
Love always, Dad.”
“Hmmm.”
“Hmmm is right,” I grumbled. “Trevor had to know I wouldn’t give it to her.”
My mother was not one to give her opinion about things, especially in regards to my personal life—not even when it came to Trevor.
She wanted me to make decisions for myself without feeling like she’d influenced me in any way, and I adored her for it.
But there were times, like these, when I wanted her to scream and shout her opinions and tell me what a piece of crap Trevor was, but instead, she merely asked, “Why would he write it if he didn’t think you’d read it to her? ”
Knowing she already knew the answer, I replied, “Because he wrote it for me.”
“Of course he did.” Mom lifted her coffee cup and brought it up to her mouth, then shook her head. “He simply can’t stand the thought of you moving on with your life.”
“You think that’s why he’s been so adamant about seeing Cat?”
“I most certainly do.” She took a sip of coffee, then added, “You’ve finally started to put the past behind you and he knows there’s little he can do about it, so he tries to get to you the only way he can.”
“Through our daughter?”
“Exactly.” Mom cocked her eyebrow. “The question is ... What are you going to do about it?”
“I have no idea. That’s why I’m here.”
“I can’t answer that for you, sweetheart. You’re the only one who can decide what’s best for you and Cat.”
“What would be best is for Trevor to leave us alone and let us get on with our lives.”
“Yes, that’s what we’d all love to see happen, but clearly, Trevor’s not going to give up his ploy to see her.” Mom placed her cup down on the counter, then reached over and put her hand on mine. “Maybe you should go back to the prison and talk some sense into him.”
“I already tried that, and a week later, his mother kidnapped Cat.” I dropped my head into my hands and groaned. “There’s no telling what he’ll pull next.”
“You’ll just have to stay one step ahead of him.”
“I have no idea how to do that.”
“You’ll figure it out. You always do.”
“I don’t know.” I got up and started to carry my cup over to the sink but stopped when I noticed Cat standing in the doorway. “Cat! What are you doing in here? I thought you were outside with Pawpaw.”
“I was thirsty.” The expression on her face left no doubt that she’d overheard my conversation with Mom, but she tried her best to hide the fact as she headed for the fridge. “Pawpaw wants a water bottle, too.”
Mom got up and opened the fridge to help her and asked, “What are you two up to out there?”
“Burning branches.”
“Your pawpaw and those old branches.” Mom shook her head as she handed Cat two cold bottles. “You be careful out there.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Cat glanced over at me with a worried look, then scampered out the back door. As soon as it closed behind her, I turned to Mom and said, “So much for keeping Trevor’s letter a secret from Cat.”
“You think she heard us?”
“Pretty sure.”
“Well, you should probably talk to her about it when you get home.”
“I will.”
Mom sat down beside me and gave me one of her knowing smiles. “For now, why don't we put the whole Trevor thing aside and tell me a little about your new friend?”
“My new friend?”
“I believe his name is Thatch.”
“And how do you know about him?”
A mischievous spark flashed through her eyes. “A little birdie might’ve mentioned him.”
“Ahhh, Cat.”
“Mm-hmm. She seems to have taken a liking to him.”
“Yes, she has.” I should’ve known my precious daughter would tell my folks about Thatch, especially since the two of them hit it off so well.
I just had no idea what she’d actually told Mom, so I decided to tread lightly.
“He’s not like anyone I’ve ever known. He’s very handsome, smart, kind, and charming. ”
“And he rides a motorcycle, has tattoos, wears a leather jacket, and drinks warm milk. I believe he’s in a motorcycle club of some sort. Isn’t that right?”
“Oh, wow. She’s been talking a lot about him, huh?”
“He’s made quite an impression on her.” Mom reached over and brushed a strand of hair from my eyes. “And from the look on your face, he’s made quite an impression on you. too.”
“He really is great, Mom.”
“Well, I hope I get to meet him soon.”
“Maybe, but it’s still kind of early. I don’t want to scare him off by forcing him to meet the parents.”
“I get the feeling that he’d understand that your family is important to you. Just like his family is important to him.”
“I’m sure you’re right. I’ll talk to him, and maybe we’ll stop by soon.”
“Maybe we could all get together for Cat’s birthday.”
“We’ll see.” I stood up, then reached over and hugged her. “I’ve gotta get going. Cat has homework, and I need to call into work and check on my new patient.”
“Okay, sweetie. I’m so glad you stopped by.”
“Me, too.”
I walked out of the kitchen and then outside to find Cat and my father, which wasn’t difficult. I just had to follow the smoke billowing from the far corner of the backyard. My father looked disappointed when I said, “All right, Ms. Firefly. It’s time for us to get going.”
“Okay, Momma.” Cat gave Dad a big hug. “Bye, Pawpaw.”
“Bye, sweetie. See you this weekend.”
When she rushed off to the car, I walked over to him and hugged him, too. “Bye, Dad. I’ll see ya later.”
“Be careful getting home.”
“I will!”
When I got in the car, Cat wouldn’t even look at me.
She simply stared silently out the window—something she only did when she was upset.
Knowing she needed a little time, I didn’t say anything as I turned on the engine and headed towards home.
We hadn’t been riding long when she asked, “Do I have to go see Daddy again?”
“No, sweetheart. You don’t have to see him again. Why would you think that?”
She didn’t answer but instead shrugged half-heartedly and continued to gaze out the window. “You’re worried because you heard your grandmother and me talking about the letter your father wrote.”
She nodded.
“I’m sorry he sent that. I’m not sure what he was thinking, but I don’t want you to worry about it. You don’t have to talk to him until you’re ready, and if you’re never ready, that’s fine. It’s up to you.”
“I don’t want to.”
“I know you don’t want to right now, but one day you might.”
“No.” Her wide eyes darted to the rearview window. “I don’t want to ever.”
“We’ll see.” I gave her a wink. “For now, how about we forget the dad talk and figure out what we should have for dinner?”
“Okay.”
“What are you in the mood for?”
“Pizza?”
“Pizza sounds good. I’ll order some as soon as we get home, and then we can get that math homework done.”
Cat nodded with a smile, and I knew she’d put the worrying over her father behind her—at least for the time being.
As soon as we walked through the front door, she took her backpack over to the kitchen table and started on her homework while I ordered our dinner.
I was about to empty the dishwasher when there was a knock at the back door.
I was surprised to find Celeste standing on my back step.
Without waiting for an invitation, she waltzed into the house and announced, “I’ve got good news!”
“Oh?”
“Joan asked me to go to the Bahamas with her.”
She and Joan had only gone out a couple of times, and I knew Celeste was crazy about her. I just wasn’t sure if Joan was as equally crazy about her—until now.
I closed the door. “You’re kidding?”
“I’m being totally serious. She’s got a work trip and asked me to tag along.”
“Oh my God!” I threw my hands up in the air. “That’s so awesome.”
“I know. I’m very excited. I’ve never been to the Bahamas before.”
“Well, tell me all about it.” I started grabbing paper plates and glasses from the cabinet. “When are you going, and what will you do when you get there?”
I carried everything over to the table and listened as Celeste told Cat and me all about her upcoming trip. When the pizza arrived, I invited her to stay and eat with us. As soon as she put a slice on her plate, Celeste leaned over to me and smiled. “So, what’s the word on your sexy biker?”
“Actually, there is no word.”
“What?”
“I haven’t heard from him since the night he brought dinner over.”
“Oh?” Concern marked her face. “Did something happen?”
“I don’t know.” I’d thought about that night a million times over in the past few days and the horrified expression on Thatch’s face as he raced out of my house.
I’d hoped he would’ve called to let me know everything was okay, but I hadn’t received so much as a text from him, and it was worrying me to no end.
“He got a phone call and had to rush off, and that’s that. ”
“Have you tried calling him?”
“Yes, but he hasn’t called me back.” I glanced over at Cat and cringed when I realized she’d stopped eating and was staring at me with panic-filled eyes. Hoping to ease her mind, I quickly added, “I’m certain Thatch is fine. He’s probably just busy with the club or something.”
Cat’s voice trembled as she asked, “Are you sure?”