Page 2 of Coveting Catherine

Catherine watched the happy couple. Thrilled for her friend, she was thankful Kassie fought for her happily ever after. Chase cherished her friend like no other. No, she remembered how Leo treasured her from their very first date. One day, she was the kid sister of his best friend, and then a switch flipped, and they became lovers.

Leo, ever dutiful, asked to speak with her father and asked permission to date her. He always brought her home at the time her dad dictated, and he treated her respectfully. He wrote to her and sent messages when he left for deployment; she was the first person he visited when he returned home. Leo's nickname fitted him perfectly. Like a lion, he set his sights on Catherine and patiently waited for her to fall head over heels in love. Now she felt like his prey after the lion tired of waiting. She certainly prayed he’d pounce.

Her eyes roamed across the yard, watching the reception. Leo held a beer in his hand and laughed at something Taco said. Taco purchased an airline ticket to see his family in the morning. Leo took another swig from the bottle as he searched through the crowd. His gaze landed on her.

Boldly, Catherine met his eyes. Before he left for the mission, he argued she needed to give him a chance. Then their helo crashed into the ocean, taking his feelings for her with it.

Maybe the near-death experience made him reevaluate things. Then why had he been so insistent on Catherine talking to him?

Samantha sat down beside her, yanking her back to reality.

“It was such a beautiful wedding. I swear Kassie practically glowed.” Samantha sighed as she watched Maddie and Joe slowly dance on the makeshift dance floor. “Bryanna's packing up. We thought we’d share a bottle of wine. You in?”

“Sure, that sounds great. Elizabeth asked if we’d bring over the stuff Kassie ordered for the hospital. Wanna drop it off tomorrow?” Catherine picked up her fork and took a bite of the almond cupcake. Her tastebuds did a happy dance. “Bryanna's a genius.”

“I know, I think between Ty's food and her cupcakes, my butt has grown two sizes,” Samantha sighed. “Look at them.” She nodded her head in Maddie and Joe's direction.

They watched as Joe held Maddie close and kissed her on the head. Maddie lovingly caressed the man's cheek. The love in their eyes, evident to everyone around them.

“I miss that,” Samantha said forlornly. “I miss Liam holding me as we danced in the kitchen. I don't think I'll ever meet a man like him again. My mom keeps pressuring me to date. I swear, I set my mind to it, and then glimpse Liam in LJ. My heart refuses to let me.”

“Liam?” Catherine asked.

“Oh, you know him by what the team called him, Whiskey,” Samantha explained as she played with her wine glass, lost in her thoughts. “He spoke with an Irish accent that I swear made me want to drop my panties when he walked into a room.”

Catherine giggled, and Samantha laughed.

“Don't we make a pair. Come on, let's help, Bryanna; then we can open another bottle of wine,” Samantha suggested.

“Let's go,” Catherine agreed. She felt Leo's gaze on her as she crossed the area. He made his decision, and Catherine refused to beg. Angry at herself for allowing Leo to occupy any part of her heart again, she held her head high, smiled brightly, and laughed louder. Leo no longer occupied a place in her life or in her heart.

Samantha checked the other bags to confirm the items went to the same area. “Let's head down and put them in one of the finished cabins. They won’t get lost among the other stuff.”

“Good idea; I'm sure one of these keys opens them.” Catherine pulled the keys Joe gave her from her pocket. “The view is totally worth the walk.”

Samantha grabbed the bags and closed the trunk. Catherine took a couple from her as they headed down the path leading to the subdivision.

“Which one should we leave them in?” Samantha asked as they neared the log cabins.

“Let's leave it in the middle one. It's the last one built, so we'll remember where we put the bags. Plus, the view from the balcony slays. We should've brought a bottle of wine and some snacks.” Catherine checked the keys in her hand.

When she found the correct one, she slid it in the lock and opened the door. Using her back, she held it open for Samantha to go in first.

Samantha made her way through the hallway and stopped. The bags dropped to the floor as Samantha gasped, catching Catherine's attention.

“Samantha?” Catherine closed the door, grabbed her load, and headed to find her friend.

Catherine entered the living area, where she skidded to a stop.

Two men sat at the kitchen bar playing cards. The shocked expressions on their faces mirrored the women's.

“Liam?” Samantha whispered.

Catherine stared at the man who resembled her dead husband. Fear settled at the base of her spine. The need to drop the bags and run as fast as she could to rewind what she saw in front of her beckoned.

For one woman, her most fervent prayer had been answered. The love of her life stood before her.

The other woman's worst nightmare walked in front of her. The life she made, free of her tormentor, just turned to hell.

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