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She closed her eyes and turned to face him, trying to keep her features as neutral as possible. “Sorry. Yeah. I heard some things.”
“Well, don’t keep me in suspense. Spill it.”
“You won’t like it.”
He rose to his feet, taking up too much space in the trailer. “Tell me.”
“ have been talking about how if something happens to you, Byron will be in charge and Walter can be second in command.” It was true enough. Might not be a word-for-word replay, but they did have a casual conversation about what would happen when and if Reece disappeared. It hadn’t been the menacing type, but no reason he needed to know that part.
“Where’d you hear that?”
“Overheard them when they were chopping wood.”
“Keep your ears open. I want to know everything that goes on around here.”
“All right.”
“You keep doing what I ask of you, and you’ll be fine. Understand?”
She swallowed hard. “Yes.” If she got her way, she’d be out of here soon and would be forced to do Reece’s bidding no longer.
“Go on. Get out of here.”
Cate started to sit in her favorite spot on the sofa, but Penny beat her to it. She scooped up the cat and placed her in her lap. “You can’t have my spot, Penny girl.” A soft purring answered her, and she leaned her head back on the sofa and inhaled the soft scent of peppermint and chamomile her aromatherapy diffuser emitted.
A ringing came from her cell. Malachi. Probably work-related. She reminded herself that she was in control. Another ring. She could answer it or let it go to voicemail. It was entirely her decision. Another deep breath. A fourth ring. Her desire to talk to him overcame her wish to avoid the telephone. She answered. “Hello.”
“Cate. It’s Malachi.”
She smiled. “I know. Your number is programmed.”
“I’m not sure why I’m calling.”
She almost wished it was a video call, so she could read his expressions. “You’re not?”
“My mom told me to tell you I just wanted to hear your voice. , it’s true. I did want to hear your voice.”
“You did?”
“Corny. I know. Sorry. I’m rambling.”
His stammering was endearing. And she didn’t need him to be so sweet. He was cute enough without the added adorableness. Maybe phone calls with him weren’t so bad. “You’re not rambling. And I believe I would like your mom.”
“You would. She’s the best.”
She could picture his smile and it made her wish he was closer, so they could meet somewhere. “My brothers looked you up.”
“Why would they do that?”
She laughed. “Because they’re insane. And they didn’t believe me when I told them we were just colleagues.”
“Are we? Just colleagues, I mean.”
Her heart beat faster as she considered his question. She wouldn’t mind being more than that, but how would they make it work? “I don’t know. Anything more will be difficult with us living so far apart.” But that didn’t stop her from wanting to go out with him.
“True. I keep telling myself the same thing.” He sighed. “But if we don’t make an effort to see each other again, there is a good chance we won’t. I don’t want to lose touch.”
“Me neither.”
