Catia (Starkis Family #6) (19 page)

She lunged at me, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Really? Oh, that’s so awesome! They’re going to be so happy!”

I laughed at her enthusiasm. “Sounds like you’re pretty happy about the prospect too. Don’t suppose you’d like to help with the training?”

“I could be talked into it,” she said and bit her lip. “If you think you’ll need help. But I’m afraid I don’t have much experience with pets. You’re the expert.”

“You’ve never had a pet?” I asked, trying to hide my shock. “That’s crazy. Why not?”

“Well, we traveled a lot when I was kid, and my mother thought having a pet was impractical. Not to mention the fact that animals belong outside, according to her.” She rolled her eyes. “I’ve always been so busy, first with school, then with work. It didn’t seem fair to have a cat or dog waiting on me at home.”

I brushed my thumb across her cheek. I knew it was selfish, but I couldn’t help but feel a commitment to our pet would mean she was willing to stay put. “Maybe now that you’re ready to put down roots, you’ll consider sharing the responsibility. Don’t know if I can do it all alone.”

“I imagine you can do anything you set your mind to,” she said, her voice soft as she leaned in for a kiss.

“Daddy, I wanna water.”

I pinched my lips together when Catia looked horrified at being “caught” kissing Elsie’s daddy in front of her.

“Sure thing, honey.” I jumped up to grab the glass of water. Since the kitchen and family room were combined, I could watch the interaction between my daughter and Cat.

“Hi,” Cat said, smiling at her. “Is that your favorite stuffed animal?” She pointed at the threadbare teddy in Elsie’s arms. When she nodded, Cat smiled. “I used to have one just like that when I was your age. I called him Mr. Peepers.”

Elsie laughed, and the sound was music to my ears. Apparently they
had
made progress in my absence. “Why’d you call him dat?”

“Because my brother drew glasses on him with a magic marker,” she said, making a disgusted face. “I cried my eyes out when it wouldn’t come out in the wash. But my mom convinced me to make the best of it and call him Mr. Peepers. She said it only made him more special, since she’d never seen a stuffed animal with glasses before.”

Elsie held out her stuffed animal, looking at it thoughtfully. I wouldn’t be surprised if she broke out the Sharpies in the morning to modify her own teddy bear.

“Was Darius always doin’ mean stuff like that?” Elsie asked, stepping farther into the room so she could get closer to Catia.

“Sometimes,” Catia said, shaking her head. “But me and Kara always got him back.”

Elsie giggled. “What’d you do?”

“Uh, before you put any ideas in her head for ways she can torment her sister,” I said, ruffling Elsie’s curls, “I better tuck her in.”

Elsie took a tentative sip of her water as she watched Catia stand and refold the throw she’d used. “Are you leaving?”

“Yup,” Catia said, running her palms over her jeans. “It’s time for me to get home. I had fun with you and your sister tonight, Elsie.” Catia knelt in front of her. “Thanks for giving me a chance.”

Elsie tipped her head from one side to the other before she handed the glass back to me. “You’re welcome.”

I smiled. If things continued to go as well as they seemed to be, it wouldn’t be long before my daughters counted my girlfriend among the short list of people they trusted.

“Just let me tuck Elsie in, and I’ll walk you out,” I said to Catia.

“Sure.”

“You can come too if you want,” Elsie said to Catia, her expression expectant.

“Thanks.”

Catia grinned as she followed us up the stairs. She stood in the doorway as I tucked Elsie in and kissed her good night. My daughter surprised me again when she waved at Catia and blew her a kiss.

Catia returned it with a kiss of her own, followed by a whispered, “Sweet dreams.”

Once we were downstairs, I said, “Wow. It looks like you really won them over tonight.”

Catia said tentatively, “We had a nice time, but I want to take it slow. I know how girls are at that age. They can like you one day, hate you the next. So I’m trying not to get my hopes up.”

I wrapped my arms around her as she tipped her head back for a kiss. “Have I told you how much I appreciate the effort you’re making? I know they haven’t made it easy to like them.”

She gasped, seeming appalled that I would even suggest my kids could be nasty. “They’re a part of you, and I love you. How could I not like them?”

I inhaled deeply as I held her close, resting my chin on the top of head. I’d spent countless hours praying for a chance like this, wanting to see her forge a relationship with my kids and admit she was in love with me. But when she left and took a part of me with her, I’d never expected to get that chance back.

“What’re you thinking?” she asked, hooking her thumbs into the belt loops of my jeans.

“Just thinking about how happy you’ve made me.”

“Right back atcha, boss man.” She sighed. “Speaking of which, I better get to bed. Wouldn’t want to get fired for sleeping in. My boss is a real tyrant.”

I smacked her behind when she turned toward the door, making her yelp before she smacked my chest. “Thanks again for watching the girls tonight, babe. You really came through for me.”

“My pleasure. I’m just glad Doreen’s okay. We were supposed to have a lesson tomorrow night, but tell her not to worry about that. She needs her rest.”

I chuckled. “We won’t be able to keep my mother down with restraints. If she said she’ll be there, she’ll be there, even if my father has to drive her to your house and pick her up.” After a languorous good-night kiss, I asked, “How about lunch tomorrow?”

She groaned before dropping her head on my chest. “I’d love to, but the Patterson job is really kicking my butt. I expect to be on site all day tomorrow.”

“What’s the problem?”

Catia patted my cheek. “Nothing I can’t handle. Rain check on lunch?”

“Count on it.” I turned on the porch light and stepped outside. “I’ll watch you until you get inside. Flash the light when you lock the door, okay?”

She rolled her eyes. “You worry too much.”

“Just indulge me.”

“Don’t I always?”

***

I swore softly when I hung up the phone, only to look up and find Catia peeking her head in the half-open door. Seeing her beautiful face made my bad day a hell of a lot better. “Hey, hon, what’s up? I thought you weren’t gonna be around today.”

“I just came back to get something.” She held up a brown paper bag. “I grabbed a sandwich for myself at the deli downstairs and thought you might like one too? Pastrami on rye.”

“My angel,” I said, grinning. “Get in here.”

“I’m not keeping you from anything, am I?”

“Nothing that can’t wait.” I watched her extract her sandwich before handing me the bag. “I just made a fresh pot of coffee. Help yourself.”

She looked longingly at the brew before she shook her head. “I just had one a little while ago, thanks.”

“I’ve never known you to turn down coffee.” I bit into my sandwich. “First last night, now today. What’s up? You’re not trying to kick the habit, are you?”

“Never.” She bit into her roast beef sandwich before nodding at my phone. “What was that call about? You sounded pretty upset.”

“Yeah, I have to go out of town this weekend to deal with a supplier issue. The company president is on vacation next week, and I need to see him before he goes.”

“Is your mom well enough to care for the girls?” she asked, frowning.

“My dad is still picking them up from school, but I couldn’t ask her to take them all weekend. It’s too much with her being down and out. I’ll just have to take them with me. Stay somewhere with a daycare service so they can watch them for a few hours while I’m in meetings.”

“What about their dance lessons?”

I was touched that she seemed to commit every little detail to memory. “They can afford to miss it, I guess. What choice do I have, right?”

“Well, if you think they’d agree, I could take them to the Hamptons with me.”

My jaw dropped, and I set my sandwich back in its wrapper. “You can’t be serious.”

She laughed. “What? You said they get along great with my family, and I know they can’t wait to meet Lovenia.”

“True, but that’s way too much to ask, Cat.”

“You didn’t ask; I offered,” she said, shrugging. “Besides, it would give us a chance to get to know each other better. To keep building our friendship.”

I loved her even more for offering a solution to my problem while making it sound as if I was doing her a favor. “If you’re sure you want to do this, I can talk to them about it tonight.”

“I’m sure.”

I beckoned her with my finger. “Get over here so I can thank you properly.”

She laughed as she stood and rounded my desk. “You don’t have to thank me. It’s my pleasure.”

I pulled her into my lap, wrapping my arms around her as I buried my face in her sweet-smelling neck. “Are you sure about that?” I asked as my hand drifted up her denim-clad thigh. “Because I can think of at least half a dozen ways I’d love to thank you.”

She moaned, tossing her head back when I kissed her neck. “Then by all means, show your gratitude.”

Catia

My family was stunned when I told them I was bringing Chase’s girls along for the weekend, but given how well they’d gotten to know them in my absence, they already considered them part of the family. Apparently I was the one lagging behind.

The girls and I had made more progress on the drive from the city. Since I’d talked their dad into getting them a puppy, I was their new favorite person, at least for now. I had no idea how they’d feel when they found out I was going to give them a new brother or sister. That was part of the reason I hadn’t told Chase yet. I wanted to enjoy my newfound truce with the girls just a little longer before I upended their world yet again.

“Here we are,” I said when I pulled into my parents’ long and winding driveway.

“Are Misser and Missus Starkis here?” Elsie asked.

“I think they’re flying in tonight.” Once we’d parked, I took my keys out of my purse so I could unlock the door. “But you girls make yourselves at home. I’ll show you to your rooms.”

They pulled their little pink-and-purple suitcases on wheels as they followed me to the door, chatting excitedly about the new baby. I only hoped they would be as excited about meeting
my
new baby.

“Here we go,” I said, welcoming them into the foyer. “Have you girls stayed here before?”

They nodded, making me realize how close Chase and my family had become. I knew my brother, sister, and brother-in-law counted him among their closest friends, but my parents had only mentioned him in passing, so I’d had no idea he’d been their houseguest.

“Good.” I forced a smile as I wondered how my parents would react when I told them Chase and I were expecting a baby. They were traditional and believed marriage should always come first, so as much as they liked Chase, I was sure my father wouldn’t be pleased we’d put the cart before the horse, so to speak. “Then you know the lay of the land already.”

“Whas dat mean?” Emily asked.

“Just means you already know where everything is,” I said over my shoulder. I walked them up the stairs to two bedrooms at the end of the hall that were separated by an adjoining bathroom. “You’ll be staying here, if that’s okay?”

Elsie nodded, her blond curls bouncing. “We stayed here afore.”

“Great.” I walked Emily into her room and promised the girls I’d be right back. I had a surprise I couldn’t wait to share with them. “You get settled in, and I’ll be right back to help you.”

I fired off a quick text to let Chase know that we’d arrived safely and I’d call him tonight, then I took my suitcase out of my car. I’d packed light since I was paranoid about heavy lifting. I knew I was being silly, but I wasn’t taking any chances with this precious baby. Now that I’d had some time to get used to the idea, I was excited about being pregnant and the changes I could look forward to over the next few months. If only I could work up the courage to tell Chase. Maybe after spending some time with the girls this weekend, I’d feel more confident that we were finally on solid ground.

After taking my suitcase upstairs and leaving it in the room across the hall from theirs, I unpacked the books I’d brought for them.

I walked into Emily’s room, holding up the pink paper gift bag. “I have something for you two.”

The girls were sitting on Emily’s bed, and they looked up in unison, their blue eyes wide when they looked from me to the bag in my hands. “What is it?”

“See for yourself,” I said, extending the bag with a smile.

They dug in, squealing with excitement when they saw all the books about raising puppies.

“That one,” I said, when they picked up the thicker one, “gives an overview of all the different dog breeds. I thought maybe we could go through it together this weekend. Unless you know what kind of puppy you want or maybe you want to visit a shelter and rescue a puppy instead?”

Elsie shook her head. “We got Boxer from our neighbor. He was moving and couldn’t take him along.”

I didn’t know a lot about dogs, but I knew that personality type and temperament varied from breed to breed, so Chase and the girls would have to choose carefully. Since I’d helped get the ball rolling, I figured the least I could do was help them find a good fit for their family. And since I hoped it would be
our
dog, I wanted to weigh in on the decision.

“Will you read this to us?” Elsie asked, holding up one of the half dozen age-appropriate books I’d bought.

I knew they were just learning how to read and Chase had been encouraging them to try on their own, so I said, “Why don’t you girls look through those on your own for a while? I’m going to unpack and call my sister.”

“Is she bringing Venia now?” Emily asked. They struggled with Lovenia, so I’d suggested we shorten it to Venia. “We wanna see her!”

“I know you do,” I said, laughing. “I’ll ask her to bring the baby over soon, okay?”