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Driving through the back gate that was only available by key card to the residents of the Ridge, they pulled up to the front and got out of the car. Sam tossed the keys to a waiting Dax.
“I swear that boy has a radar for when we are arriving.”
“That or we are painfully predictable.” Sam laughed.
They were very regimented people, so that was most likely the answer. That or the fact that their keycard alerted the front desk that they were coming.
They made their way hand in hand to the cafe to grab their morning coffees when someone barreled right into Sam. That someone just happened to be the adorable little redhead.
“Oh my stars. I am so sorry. So so sorry!” Her wide green eyes had a hint of horror behind them. Catherine barely held back from pulling the girl into her arms to comfort her.
“No harm done,” Sam assured her as he reached down and picked up the wrapped breakfast sandwich. “Here you go,” he said with a smile.
The girl didn’t make eye contact. Catherine desperately wanted to see her eyes again.
“Umm.. thank you,” the girl said, taking the sandwich.
“Slow down a little bit, little one,” Sam instructed her.
“Right. You’re right. I will.”
She didn’t. If anything, as she took off away from them, it seemed she was moving even faster. Sam chuckled and shook his head.
“Naughty little girl.”
“Adorably naughty,” Cat added as she watched the girl until she was completely out of eyesight. “There is something about that one, Sam. I’m drawn to her in a way I have never been drawn to anyone but you.”
“Cat, we don’t know anything about her.”
“Tell my heart that!” She sighed, not caring he was right. Sam took a deep breath and she could tell his patience with her was waning which did not happen often. Only in times like this when she set her mind to something and then obsessed about it until there was some kind of reconciliation.
“I’ll do more than tell your heart. I told you I will talk to Derek. You need to be patient and do not meddle.”
“I don’t meddle.” She huffed.
“Mmhmm. See that you don’t, because if you take matters into your own hands before the time is right, then I will take matters into my own later on. Got me?”
She felt her cheeks heat at the threat.
“I’ve got you.” She glared at him, refusing to use any honorific. They were on the Ranch, they were equals. He wasn’t supposed to be making her feel all submissive by threatening her like that.
“Good.” They walked into the cafe and Julie had their coffees on the counter waiting for them.
Sam handed one to Cat and they made their way back to their offices. Cat was quiet, contemplative, and a little frustrated. She hated being reprimanded in the first place, but this was even worse.
Sam must have sensed her mood because before they parted ways he turned her to face him.
“Cat, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten on you like that. I’m just worried about you, babe.”
“You don’t need to worry. I’m fine.” It wasn’t a lie. She was a logical woman and she knew in her head and her heart that her little redhead might not even be an option for them. Hell, she almost expected her not to be, but one could hope.
“But thank you for apologizing,” she added. It would help her mood immensely to know he acknowledged his wrongdoing.
He pulled her into a tight hug. “You’re welcome. I’ll make the appointment with Master Derek and let you know when he is available and we can go from there.”
She nodded against his chest and took a deep cleansing breath. His scent calmed her racing heart and mind, giving her a sense of peace before they parted ways for the rest of the morning.
* * *
