14. Chapter 14
Cate
July - Twelve Years Ago
The sun hit me full in the face the second I stepped onto the front porch again, maybe an hour after we’d pulled in.
I squinted, lifting a hand to shield my eyes, already sweating. So much for mountain cool. Today was going to be a scorcher.
Baby barreled past me, a blur of golden fur and enthusiasm, sprinting between the truck and the cabin like she was personally responsible for unloading everything. When I whistled, she veered sharply and launched herself at me, nearly knocking me flat.
“Hey, hey, easy, girl,” I laughed, bracing myself as I scratched behind her ears.
She flopped down beside me, tongue lolling, chest heaving, perfectly content just to exist in the sun.
I smiled down at her. I hadn’t grown up with dogs. I hadn't ever thought of myself as an animal person. But somehow, Baby had made herself impossible not to love. She was loud, loyal, and unapologetically affectionate.
I glanced around the clearing, suddenly aware that John wasn’t anywhere in sight.
“Come on,” I said, nudging Baby with my foot. “Let’s go find your dad.”
She was up instantly.
I jogged down to the truck and hauled the last couple of bags out of the bed, mentally counting how many times I’d made this trip already. As I turned back toward the cabin, a flash of red caught my eye.
A bright red Mustang convertible pulled in beside the truck.
With its top up.
I rolled my eyes automatically. If I owned a car like that on a day like this, the top would never be up.
But I already knew why it was.
Seth climbed out of the driver’s seat, grinning like he always did, and I dropped the bags without a second thought.
“You made it!” I threw my arms around his neck, hugging him hard enough that anyone watching might’ve assumed we had a history we definitely did not.
I kissed his cheek, then wiped away the faint smear of lip gloss, just as Lindsay emerged from the passenger side.
“Hi, Lindsay,” I said, stepping back and tucking my hands into my pockets, suddenly hyperaware of everything about myself.
Her blonde hair was pulled into a flawless ponytail. Her orange mini dress clung to her like it had been sewn on. Heels. Sunglasses. Everything about her looked effortless.
She lowered the glasses just enough to look me over, slow and assessing.
“Where are we staying?” she asked.
I gestured up the hill. “Up in the cabin. The last room’s yours.”
I tried to smile, but it didn’t quite land.
She turned without another word and started up the path, purse swinging delicately at her side.
Seth grabbed their bags from the back seat, shooting me an apologetic look. “Thanks, Cate. Is John already settled in?”
“I think so,” I said. “Haven’t seen him in a minute.”
He nodded and took off after Lindsay.
Baby nudged my leg, her cold nose pressing insistently against my knee.
“At least you still like me,” I muttered, scratching her head as I bent to grab the bags again. “Come on. One more trip.”
John met me at the door.
I didn’t know how long he’d been there, but the relief that hit me at the sight of him surprised me. He stepped aside to let Baby charge inside, then reached for the bags before I could protest.
“Something wrong?” he asked gently.
I slid past him and dropped onto the sofa with a sigh, folding my arms. He followed, setting the bags down and sitting beside me, his arm resting easily behind my shoulders.
I leaned into him without thinking.
“Why does Lindsay hate me?” I asked.
He kissed my forehead. “Because you’re beautiful.”
I pulled back, glaring. “I’m serious, John.”
A smile tugged at his lips. “I am too.”
I shook my head, leaning back against his chest. “She’s perfect. Perfect hair. Perfect teeth. Perfect body. Incredible boobs.”
I felt a tear escape and swiped at it quickly.
He laughed softly, hugging me closer. “I like your boobs.”
I couldn’t help it, I laughed. “You’re just saying that.”
“Absolutely,” he said. “Doesn’t mean it’s not true.”
I looked up at him, meeting his eyes, and felt that strange settling again. Like everything might be okay as long as he was close.
“She’s jealous,” he said quietly. “Trust me.”
I nodded, wiping at my face. “Thanks.”
He squeezed me once more, then rested his forehead against mine.
“I love you, Cate.”
Three little words and the world stopped spinning.
I froze, caught between leaning into him and pulling away, my heart slamming so hard I could feel it in my throat. No one had ever said that to me without expecting something in return.
I didn’t know what to do with it.
Before panic could completely take over, he brushed my hair back gently.
“You don’t have to say it back,” he added. “Not until you’re ready.”
Then he kissed my cheek and stood. “I’ve got a few things to finish before we head to the lake.”
I watched him walk away, looking for any sign of disappointment. There was none.
That somehow made it worse.
Outside, Amy and Jim were heading toward the dock, hands intertwined.
“Amy!” I called.
She turned. “We’re just going for a walk.”
“I need to talk to you,” I said quickly, already moving toward her. “Can I steal her for a minute?”
Jim smiled and nodded. “I’ll catch up.”
I linked my arm through Amy’s and led her down the path, my heart still racing.