Page 43 of Cat Sloan is Swirling

Cat shrugged. “Maybe so. But don’t get any ideas about me.”

Elena put her arm around Cat’s shoulder. “I have all kinds of ideas about you, my friend. We’ll be looking for prospects at the volleyball game.”

“If you’re looking for me then I’m looking for you,” Cat said, gazing up at Elena with a smirk.

Elena narrowed her gaze. “Okay, I’ll pick you up.”

Elena and Cat walked into the gym at the Your Way fitness center.

“There’s my mom,” Cat said, waving at her. “I figured she’d be here.”

They walked onto the bleachers and Cat sat next to her mother. “Mom, you remember Elena,” Cat said.

“Of course I do. We’ve had several nice conversations at the bookstore. How are you, hon?” Christine Sloan asked.

“Hi Christine. I’m ready to cheer on the Sloan sisters,” Elena said enthusiastically. She knew where Cat got her blue eyes as Christine’s sparkled at her. “I’m a big fan.”

Christine chuckled. “I’ll say you are. They’re lucky you’re such a good customer. You mentioned you were a teacher. Do you not do that any longer?”

“No,” Elena said. “I’m a widow, like you.”

Christine gave her a compassionate look. “I wondered.”

“After my husband died I couldn’t find the motivation to do what I once did. Does that make sense?”

“It does to me.” Christine nodded. “I suppose you have the time to find what’s next and create a different kind of life.”

“Mom!” Cat exclaimed.

“It’s okay,” Elena said, patting Cat’s knee. “I am fortunate Dean and I made some good investments. The house we lived in was way too big for me, so I downsized and the market was in my favor. So yes, I don't necessarily have to work and that’s where Cat’s beautiful bookstore has saved me.”

“Most people think Cory is the sweetest sister,” Christine said, putting her arm around Cat. “But Catarina is my baby with the biggest heart.” She smiled affectionately at Cat.

“Don’t I know it,” Elena said, smiling at Cat. “Shhh,” she added, putting her finger to her lips. “She doesn’t like people to know.”

Christine chuckled. “You know my Cat.”

“I do,” Elena said, winking at Cat.

“Stop, you two are going to embarrass me.”

Elena leaned over and softly said, “Your cheeks are the most adorable shade of pink.”

Cat groaned. “I saw Alexis over there, I think I’ll go say hi.”

“Oh, no you don’t,” Christine said, pulling Cat back down. “They’re getting ready to start.”

Cat sat back down and smirked at Elena which elicited a soft chuckle.

“According to Cory, this team is good,” Christine said.

“Cory always wins, Mom,” Cat said.

“I don’t know. She seemed concerned.”

“We’ll do all we can from up here,” Elena said in an encouraging voice and clapped her hands.

The first game started and both teams were evenly matched.

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