Chapter Eleven – Cath

“How was your evening, Mom?” Liam asked when she walked into the store the next morning.

“It was good, thanks. Very good.” She skirted around him and headed upstairs. “Coffee?”

“Yes, please,” Liam called after her.

She came down ten minutes later in fresh clothes and with two cups of coffee. This was the quiet time, when it was just the two of them. Leona took her children to school before arriving nearer ten o’clock. Liam had employed her with the understanding she could work her hours around her commitments to her children. At the time, Leona probably didn’t realize it was because Liam had grown up with first-hand knowledge of how difficult it was being a single parent who had to work.

“Town looked busy yesterday,” Catherine said, sipping her coffee. “Were you busy?”

“Yes, one of the best days since I took over. My eagle egg escapade had unexpected rewards. I’ve even had people asking for guided tours over the mountains.” He leaned on the counter as he drank his coffee. “I could find work for you in here during the summer if you want something to keep yourself busy. Unless you plan to spend the whole summer with your new man.”

Catherine put her hand on Liam’s back and rubbed him affectionately. “Thanks, Liam, but I’m meeting Sandra in an hour. We’re going over to this project that Will Frasier runs. We want to know if there is a way we can help.” She smiled. “Unless you really want me here under your feet?”

“I want you to be happy, Mom. That’s all.” Liam glanced at her sideways. “And you certainly look happy.”

“I am.” She brushed her hand over her eyes. “Julius is the best thing that’s ever happened to me aside from you and Mike. I just hope I make him happy.”

“Why wouldn’t you?” Liam asked, his loyalty causing his temper to rise.

“I have so much baggage.” She took a deep breath, needing to share her fears. “Your father leaving, and Mike. I wonder if I’m cursed.”

Liam put his coffee mug down on the countertop. “They both made their own decisions. Now you get to make yours. You deserve to be happy,” Liam assured her, putting his arm around her.

“But marriage?” She grimaced.

“Tell me about it! If I hear another word about caterers.” Liam chuckled. “I just want Beverly to be happy. She just wants me to be as excited as she is. And I’m trying!”

“Speaking of weddings, how are your vows coming along? I was supposed to help you last night. Sorry I ran out on you.” She nursed her coffee cup as Liam pulled out a piece of paper.

“I decided to keep it brief.”

“Brief?” She took the piece of paper from him and skimmed over it. “Liam, that’s beautiful.”

“You don’t think it’s too much?” Liam asked. “I want Beverly to know how much she means to me.”

“She’ll know.” Catherine wiped a stray tear from her eye. “You are so lucky to have found each other.”

“So are you and Julius. I mean, Julius is the luckiest, of course, since I know how amazing you are.” He hugged her tight. “I don’t know if I ever said thank you for what you did raising us. Looking back, I can see the sacrifices you made.”

“You and your brother paid me back a thousand times over. I wouldn’t change a thing.” Catherine patted his shoulder. “I should go and wipe my face, I look like a blubbering mess.”

“Have fun with your visit to the project,” Liam said, turning his attention back to his laptop where he was placing an order for hiking boots.

“I will.” Catherine was halfway up the stairs when she turned and said, “Perhaps I can ask him if there will be room for Mike there when he gets out of jail.”

“Good idea. But you know Mike, when he does get out, I’m expecting him to take off. He won’t stay in town.” Liam’s sympathetic face looked up at her.

“You are right, about choices. What he does when he gets out is his choice. He’s a grown man.” She went upstairs, thinking of Mike. It was time to let that bird fly the coop. When he left prison, she wasn’t going to force him into anything, but she would be there, same as always, to support him.

After cooling down her hot, tear-stained face with cold water, Catherine dabbed her skin dry with a towel, and then applied light makeup. A smear of lipstick finished off her casual look, and a messy bun left the face looking back at her from the mirror ready to take on the day. Whatever that might be. A frisson of excitement threaded through her veins.

When Liam invited her to Bear Creek, she’d been apprehensive. Would she fit in? Would she find friends? Well, she’d done more than that!

Running downstairs, thrilled with her newfound energy, she said goodbye to Liam and went out into the morning for the second time. An image of Julius, clean-shaven, dressed in his impeccable suit, waving goodbye to her, planted itself in her brain. They had made love before she left this morning; her skin still glowed where he’d touched her, kissed her, and licked her.

Cath blushed at the thought. No man had ever done that to her. She giggled like a schoolgirl as she got in her car. Starting the engine, she familiarized herself with the route to Sandra’s house, it wasn’t too far, and set off to pick up her friend. Five minutes later, despite the heavy traffic, she parked in Sandra’s driveway and got out.

“Hi there,” Sandra called from the doorway. “I’m ready. Unless you want to come in for coffee?”

“Thanks, but I just had a cup with Liam. I’m ready to go.” Cath smiled widely. “I’m a little excited, to be honest.”

“Me too,” Sandra replied. “Silly, really. But it’s been a long time since I started something new. Especially on my own.” Sandra’s smile faltered. “One of the things I’ve struggled with is doing things on my own.”

“You’ll get used to it,” Cath assured her. “It takes time. And it’s not always fun. But you’ll do it.”

“Because I don’t have a choice.” Sandra sighed, but then sat up straight and fixed a big smile on her face. “Shake off the old, pull on the new.”

“I like that.” Cath backed the car up and drove back toward the main street. Turning right, she threaded her way through a steady stream of cars before finally reaching the back road that weaved through the lower slopes of the mountain.

“Any news on your Mr. Harrison?” Sandra watched Cath’s face and then giggled. “Things moved along, I see.”

“They did. Faster than I anticipated.” Cath slowed the car as they passed a tractor on the narrow road. “I feel like a schoolgirl in love.”

“And what’s wrong with that?” Sandra asked. “You deserve love as much as anyone. If not more.”

“I’m still confused about my first marriage.” Cath looked across to Sandra. “You don’t mind me talking to you about it? I don’t have anyone else. They’re all too close to it.”

“You can tell me anything, Cath. And I promise it will go no further.”

“My first husband gave me all the spiel about shifters mating for life.” Cath nodded as she recalled Hector telling her how he would never leave her, how she was the only one for him. “He lied. He just up and left, with just a brief note as way of explanation.”

“I’m so sorry,” Sandra said gently.

“I thought I loved him. I think I loved the idea of mating for life. And he could turn into a freakin’ eagle!” Cath laughed. “I was so young. So stupid.”

“No,” Sandra said forcefully. “You weren’t stupid. He lied. Bastard.”

Cath looked at Sandra, slightly shocked at her words. Then she laughed. “He was, wasn’t he? Bloody bastard.”

“Fucking asshole!” Sandra covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes wide.

“Wash your mouth out!” Cath collapsed into a fit of giggles, then said, “Darn douche!”

Sandra wiped the tears from her eyes. “I needed that.”

“Me too.” Cath used her turn signal to enter the Bear Creek Project’s parking lot. She parked the car, and the two women got out. “I’m impressed.”

“It’s expanded a lot over the last few months.” Sandra turned and pointed away from the offices. “They acquired some land from Carter Eden and grow fruit and vegetables. Dustin loves it here.”

“Let’s go and meet the man.” Cath locked her car and the two women made their way toward the main office. There were a few people working at various tasks, all of them friendly. Some of them knew Sandra as Dustin’s mom, and said hello.

Cath led the way into the office, where a young woman was sitting at the desk, typing on a keyboard. She looked sensible and efficient. But when she saw them, she smiled warmly. “Hello. Cath and Sandra, isn’t it? You’ve come to see Will.”

“We have,” Sandra replied, stepping forward, having found her confidence. “Caroline? Dustin has told me about you. And the stories you and Knox share about the army.”

“All good I hope?” Caroline replied, and then lowered her voice, “I’m known as the battle-axe, since Will can be such a pushover. He needs a strong woman or two to keep him in check. Which is why I’m so happy you two are interested in volunteering. We mostly have men here. And the young women need role models too.”

“Sounds exciting,” Cath said.

“It is. It’s the only reason I put up with Will.” She smiled and winked as the office door opened and a man in his late thirties came out.

“You know I heard all that?” Will asked, grinning and shaking hands with Cath and Sandra.

“Yep.” Caroline went to the coffee machine and poured four coffees. “Help yourself to milk and sugar.”

“Thank you, Caroline.” Will took his coffee, and leaned on Caroline’s desk. “Since you have such a strong opinion on encouraging more women into the project, Caroline, why don’t we discuss you take the lead on this.”

“Good idea, I’d love to,” Caroline agreed. “I believe we are male-heavy in terms of volunteers. We started off teaching trades such as roofing and carpentry. But as we expanded, we didn’t draw in experienced woman. And I don’t just mean experienced in terms of new skills. Some of the young women here could do with an older role model, or just someone they can trust enough to talk to.”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” Will told Caroline with pride.

“I’ve learned from a master.” Caroline yielded to Will. These two had an amazing working relationship; Cath was impressed.

“Sandra and I have a lot of experience. We’ve both raised shifter children. I’ve raised two boys alone. Sandra has coped with bereavement.” Cath put her hands up. “I’m going to own up and say I have no special skills. I’m not trained to do anything other than to raise a family. But I’m willing to try anything.”

“Which is what we need.” Will bounced up off the desk. “It’s not about knowing it all. It’s about taking on a challenge and giving it your best shot.”

Caroline smiled with pride at Will. “That’s how this place started. None of us knew what to expect. Will might be a successful businessman, but this wasn’t business. It’s not about trading in a commodity, it’s about changing lives. And we’ve done that.”

“But we can do more.” Will drained his coffee cup. “Come on, we can go and look around.”

“I can see why Dustin likes it here so much,” Sandra said. “I’d like to be part of it too.”

“Any hours you can spare. Just come on up. We’ll match you up with young people who might relate to you. Both male and female. Sometimes the kids here have never had a mom. They don’t know how to relate to a woman. They might feel more comfortable talking to you. It’s all about relationships.”

“I get it,” Cath said. And she did. It went deeper than the project and what it was trying to achieve. She understood that life was about relationships, and she had the chance to have the most amazing relationship with an incredible man. She should not let her past relationship with Hector taint that in any way.

She’d done nothing wrong. She shook off her guilt. Cath wasn’t the one who left. Hector was. She had every right to find happiness with Julius.