Page 18 of Coveting Catherine

“I don't want to hear another word about Leo. Do I make myself clear?” Ash lashed out.

Catherine picked up a crying Melody and took her into her room. She soothed and stroked her hair until her terrified daughter finally fell asleep.

When she came out of the room, Ash stood at the door. His eyes appeared haunted as he paced the floor. “I didn't mean to scare her.”

Catherine didn't reply. She walked into the kitchen to clean up the nuggets. She chanted in her head, don't engage, it will make it worse, don't engage.

Her cell phone rang, and Catherine picked the phone up. Kassie's name appeared on the screen.

“Who is it?” Ash questioned.

“Kassie.” Catherine pulled out bread to make a sandwich for Melody when she woke up.

“Isn't Kassie your best friend?” He handed her the jelly from the fridge as if they worked as a team.

“She's no longer my friend.” Catherine refused to lie. Kassie put her in this predicament. She failed to warn her.

Ash took her hand and placed the butter knife down on the counter. “Catherine, I never meant…” Ash swiped his hand through his hair and walked out of the kitchen. Catherine watched him go. What did Ash mean? It didn’t matter what Ash said. He lied to her too many times to count. She realized he manipulated her, by using her grief, into believing Leo caused her brother’s death. Leo carried the weight of responsibility for his men. Of course, he carried the guilt of losing her brother, but Olaf knew the risks of becoming a SEAL.

She put the bread away and tried to figure out her next move. She refused to subject Melody to Ash any longer than possible. Taking a page from Kassie's book, what if she ran with Melody? What about her mom? No. Her mom loved her life in Serenity and the friends she made. Asking her to leave seemed selfish. Catherine bit her thumbnail as she concentrated on the problem. Every plan she thought of ended with the same conclusion. Catherine didn't want to leave Leo. She swiped at her eyes and took a deep breath. Fate never allowed her a chance with him. They were doomed from the start.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Catherine dried her hands on a towel and walked to the living room to answer the doorbell. Thinking Ash must've forgotten his key, she swung the door open to find Kassie standing on the porch.

“May I come in?” Kassie asked.

Catherine stood to the side to allow her former best friend in. Kassie surveyed the room and squealed at seeing Melody sitting on the kitchen stool. Melody's face lit up in happiness at seeing Kassie, and she immediately climbed down. Kassie knelt and scooped the child in her arms.

“I missed you, June Bug. Uncle Chase and Emma say hello.” Kassie peppered Melody with kisses and tickles. Melody laughed out loud, and Catherine caught herself smiling at the antics before her. Remembering the anger she felt toward Kassie, Catherine cleared her throat.

Kassie glanced up before producing a small package. “I brought you a little present. When you come to visit Emma, she’ll show you hers. Why don't you unwrap it in your room and play while I talk to your mama?”

Melody, now entranced with the package, happily bounced off to her room while Kassie stood and watched.

“Catherine, I came to apologize for not telling you about Ash. I –”

“I don't want to hear it, Kassie. My husband lived on the same mountain, and you said nothing. No warning or anything. Don't you think poor Samantha deserved to know about Whiskey? Who gave you the right to play God and hide our husbands from us? If the situation involved Chase, you’d be furious.” Catherine seethed. She really wanted to yell and scream the anger and frustration at her ex-bestie. Melody played in her room, and this conversation didn't need any little ears involved. “I called Leo to save you, and you left me here to suffer while you honeymooned in Ireland. I don't think I ever knew you. You consort with mafia people and somehow make it seem okay. Samantha can't stand living in her own home because of the nightmares of James Stanton and his men. Then she received the shock of her life when she found Whiskey sitting in your cabin. Did you even care about us?”

Kassie drew a breath. “I made the promise before I knew what it entailed. Not in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d find your dead husbands. I honored Whiskey's request because of his condition. I know how he felt. He didn't want Samantha and LJ to see him in such a poor state. I assumed as soon as he gained some weight and got his triggers controlled a bit, Whiskey would decide to see Samantha. Ash refused to see you. I asked him?—”

“Stop.” Catherine shook her head. “I don't want to hear anymore. Ash trumped your best friend. Kassie, you have no idea what you did.”

“I tried to help, Catherine. The men suffered physically and mentally. Not to mention, I didn't know exactly what occurred between the two of you, only bits and pieces. I kept him on the mountain to protect you and Melody. I bought time?—”

“You like this Florence Nightingale slash fairy godmother persona,” Catherine lashed out.

“What are you saying?” Kassie carefully asked.

“Little Miss Money Bags bought her husband the hospital of his dreams and pretended to care about everyone around her. She played the part of the wounded and scared bird, making everyone feel sorry for her, me included. She flaunted her money around while acting like Mother Teresa. When instead she moved us all like chess pieces in her little game. You didn't care who you hurt. Your sister and you had more in common than I thought. You manipulated people, Kassie. You laughed and played the part of a lost princess turned queen at your bridal party, and everyone smiled through tears because the wounded princess got her happily ever after. In truth, you lied to your friends. You wished us the same happiness as you, knowing Samantha still grieved for her husband, and you knew enough about my marriage to guess it carried major red flags. You happily sauntered off to Ireland while our lives crumbled before our eyes,” Catherine spewed.

Kassie stepped back and shook her head. Her eyes filled with tears, and she blinked them back, refusing to let them fall. “That's not true. I love you and Samantha. You're my best friend, Catherine?—”

“We're no longer friends. I don't trust you. Emma and Melody can play together when she visits Mom. Eventually, they'll grow apart since they don't attend the same schools. Don't encourage play dates or any sleepovers. I want you to leave and stay out of our lives,” Catherine softly demanded.

Kassie nodded and turned toward the door. “I understand you feel I betrayed you. I succeeded in keeping him on the mountain. You didn't tell me everything. I knew enough to protect my best friend. The team watched over Ash and Whiskey. I hoped when we returned, the men changed their minds as their health improved. I don't understand why you didn't talk to Leo. If I didn't know what I involved myself in, maybe my best friend kept secrets of her own. My life spun out of control, and I finally found my bearings. I admit I focused my attention on Chase, Emma, and James. I didn't ask my friend questions about her past. I'm guilty of it all. What about you, Catherine? Don't you feel any responsibility for this? Carol said you packed and left the same day. Your mom doesn't even know where you live. Again, I'm sorry for my part. I can't say how Samantha feels. She refused to allow me to visit her or LJ. I made a promise, and you know how seriously I take my word. Maybe someday, we'll get past this. Until then, take care of yourself.”

Kassie walked out the door and closed it quietly behind her. Catherine sat on the couch and pulled a pillow to her chest. Kassie made valid points. Yet, Catherine refused to let go of the anger and betrayal of her best friend. Catherine wanted what Kassie experienced with Chase. A love worth fighting for…was it too much to ask?

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