by Lynn Cahoon
He glanced up at her, a surprised smile on his face. “Well, thank you, Catherine. I’m always impressed with a student who is as attentive on their notes as you and Mr. Capone are. I’m always suspicious of students who take notes by hand. Who knows what they’re writing in those notebooks of theirs.”
“Well, you know I love a good seminar.” She put a hand on his shoulder and started to walk him to the door. “Thank you again, and I’ll be sure to let the guests know you are available for additional consults on Hemingway if they need you.”
He stopped short and looked at her. “Also short stories. I would enjoy working with your students on short stories. I’d forgotten how much I love the format.”
“Yes, definitely. Short stories as well. Maybe you could keep that part of the lecture available for next month. We can try it out with a few groups and see if it’s well received.” She handed him his jacket.
“That sounds perfect. You always have such good ideas.” He tipped his head. “Thank you again, Catherine. Lovely to see you as always.”
When he’d left, she turned and found Seth standing in the foyer, watching her. “I can’t believe how good you are at the political BS.”
“BS ’r’ Us.” She walked over and put an arm around him. “Turner’s a nice guy. Just a little obsessed for my tastes.”
“Yeah, I hear you’re dating a guy who doesn’t even have a degree.” He smiled down at her. “And you being a full professor and all.”
“I was a full professor. Now I’m just an author with a side hustle.” She glanced around. “Maybe we should leave now before anyone collars me for something.”
“Too late for that,” a male voice said behind them.
Archer and Jocelyn stood on the stairs behind them.
“Oh, don’t listen to him. You two are such a cute couple. Go ahead and escape. We’re fine. The group of us are going to Reno’s for lunch.” She held a finger up. “And before you ask, yes, Brodie’s coming. The boy can be a charmer when he wants to be.”
Archer glanced down at his wife. “Do I have something to worry about?”
She slapped his arm. “I’m old enough to be his mother.”
“Oh, surely not, maybe his older sister?” Seth corrected her.
Jocelyn giggled. “Now aren’t you a smooth talker? No wonder you convinced our Cat to run away for a lunch date.”
As we walked toward town, Seth took Cat’s hand in his. “The writers this month are funny people.”
“Funny? As in humorous or weird?” She hadn’t spent a lot of time with any of them this retreat, which was unusual. She wondered about the dynamics of having two sets of couples at the sessions. Was that what was throwing it off?
“Funny as in different. The group feels different this time,” he said.
“I feel it too. I think it’s because they’re married. They talk to each other more. There’s not an opening for others to get in there. And since the other people are a couple too, they don’t see the difference. Except poor Brodie. He’s the outsider in the group.”
“Maybe that will change and they’ll accept him.”
Cat shrugged. She had to accept that this session was just going to be different. And everyone would enjoy it, except Brodie. “I don’t know. He’s a good kid, but I’m not sure the week is going to completely work for him. He needs approval and contact. If he was a loner, he’d be fine. I guess I’m going to have to work with him more than the others.”
“You’re good at changing up your style to what others need.”
Since he’d opened the door, she decided to jump into the water. Or go through it? She was mixing her metaphors. “Seth? What’s going on?”
He turned his head toward her, not missing a beat, and continued to walk. “We’re going to lunch.”
“I know that, but why?” Cat pressed the question. Seth didn’t just spring impromptu dates on her. Never had. Not even in high school. The guy liked his day, week, and freaking life planned out in advance.
“With going through all my old stuff, I’ve been thinking a lot about the time I was in the army.” Seth wasn’t looking at her, but he didn’t let go of her hand. “It’s got me a little clingy, I guess.”
“You worried about us? We just had a great vacation together. We work together one week a month. And you like working with the writers. What can you be worried about?” Cat stopped walking and turned Seth to face her. “You know I love you, right?”
He nodded. “It’s just that, well, I thought we’d always be together. I know, I was young and idealistic back then, but I didn’t think you’d fall in love with someone else. Ever.”
“I can’t change what’s happened in the past. And I can’t predict what’s going to happen in the future.” Cat squeezed Seth’s hand as he started to pull away. “But I can tell you that I do see a future for us. I loved Michael. But he was never quite honest with me. He wanted me to see the man he wanted to be, not the man he was. You’ve always been completely honest and open. And I love that.”
“The day you got married, I’d convinced myself if I walked into that church, you’d pull a runaway bride moment and we’d go off and live our life. That the whole thing would be a blip.” He smiled at her. “I guess I was watching too many soap operas at the time.”
“I’ve always loved your romantic side.” Cat reached up on her toes and kissed him. “If I’d known how that marriage would turn out, maybe I would have. But all I can do now is be with you. Every day. Even on days you’re not here, my thoughts are with you. We have a second chance. Let’s take it.”
Seth pulled her close and hugged her. “We broke up just after Germany. I was probably a little touchy when I got home because of Chance’s death. Or, I guess, his disappearance. I needed some stability in my life.”
“And I threw it out the window by trying to change the plan on you.” They started walking toward town again, still holding hands.
“I sound like a kid who didn’t get what he wanted for Christmas.” Seth chuckled, but his laughter sounded forced.
Cat shook her head. “No, you sound like someone who had his heart broken. I’m sorry I did that to you. I got paid back in spades when I divorced Michael, believe me.”
“I don’t want to compare pain. I just want you to know how much you mean to me.” He blew out a breath. “Those journals of mine, they were all about what I saw our lives together to be like. How many kids, where we’d raise them, what their names would be, I had everything planned. I just didn’t realize that those were decisions that we should make together, not me alone.”
“Well, we have a second chance.” She paused at the door to the restaurant. “And I’m starving. I hope you brought your wallet.”
“I thought you bought meals during retreat week.” He held the door open for her. “Just kidding. This one’s on me because I needed some Cat time.”
When they were seated and their orders taken by their waitress, Seth slumped in his chair. “Thanks for letting me vent. I needed to get that out. Man, reading those journals are like stepping back in time. I don’t even want to read the ones after we broke up. I’m sure I sounded like a teenager with his first breakup.”
“It might have been your first breakup.” Cat sipped her iced tea. “We started dating before we were sixteen, well, if you call hanging out on my porch dating. We were the ‘it couple’ in high school. Everyone expected us to be married and have a bunch of kids by now.”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way. No wonder I was in such a dark place.” He put his hand on his chest. “You ripped my heart out.”
“Now your drama club experience is coming out.” Cat laughed as the waitress put a basket of bread and fresh butter on the table. “Remember when we did Our Town? Man, was that depressing or what? Who gives that play to angsty teenagers to act out?”
Instead of answering, Seth stood and was enveloped in a bear hug by a man who actually looked like a bear. They did a few back slaps and bro hugs before he held the
guy out to look at his face. “Terry Planter. When did you get in town?”
“Joey and I have been here for a few days. We took the opportunity to get some hiking in before the reunion. I’m staying at the Holiday Inn next to the freeway. I’m looking forward to Wednesday.” He kept his eyes on Seth. “I can’t believe how good you look. The last time I saw you, man, you were a mess.”
Seth smiled at Cat. “I was. But I’m not anymore. Terry, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Cat Latimer.”
Terry reached out his hand, but then paused. “Wait, the Cat? Your high school sweetheart?”
Cat stood and took Terry’s hand. “One and the same. I’m glad to meet you. Seth doesn’t talk about his friends from the army much.”
“I can see why. We’re kind of a shady bunch.” He smiled at her. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Cat. I can see why my buddy here was so hung up on you.”
“Thanks.” She could feel the heat come to her cheeks.
“Anyway, I’ve disturbed your lunch.” He handed Seth a card. “Give me a call if you can get away for some drinks tonight. I’d like to catch up before the reunion. You know it’s going to be crazy loud there.”
“Sounds good.” Seth tucked the card in the back pocket of his jeans. “I’ll try to carve out some time. We’re pretty busy with the retreat this week.”
“Well, if you can squeeze out some time, I’ll buy the beer.” He slapped Seth on the back and nodded to Cat. “Again, nice to meet you.”
Seth and Cat sat down as their food arrived. Terry weaved through the tables and out of the restaurant. “Sorry about that. I didn’t realize he was coming in early.”
“No worries. It was good to meet him.” Cat picked up a French fry. “You should go out with him tonight.”
“Should I?” He grinned as he picked up his burger.
She handed him a napkin to wipe the ketchup off his chin. “Of course, you should. One, he’s a friend. And two, he might remember more about Chance’s first death.”
Chapter 10
Uncle Pete’s Challenger sat in front of the house when they returned after lunch. Seth wasn’t happy about pumping his old friend for information about Chance, but finally, he’d agreed to ask him a few questions. If only to make sure they remembered the time the same.
He pointed out the car. “Do you think Pete’s here to see Shirley?”
Or to tell us about Chance? The second question stayed unspoken, but Cat knew it was there for both of them. “My guess is Shirley.”
When they walked into the kitchen, Shauna, Shirley, and Uncle Pete were at the table. They each had coffee and a slice of apple pie in front of them. Even after eating apple treats for over a month due to a generous gift of fresh apples from the local orchard, Cat’s mouth still watered when she smelled the cinnamon and apple pastry warmed from the oven.
“Just in time for dessert.” Shauna popped up and plated two more slices. “Cheddar cheese or vanilla ice cream?”
“Vanilla ice cream,” they both responded at the same time.
Cat laughed and pointed to a chair. “Sit and I’ll get the coffee.”
“So, Pete, what brings you to the house today?” Seth looked at Shirley and raised his eyebrows in an implied question.
Shirley, sitting next to him, slapped his arm. “No, it wasn’t to see me. Pete had a break in the case.”
“Really?” Cat set the coffee cups down and then sat on the other side of Seth. “Did you find the killer?”
“Don’t go putting the cart in front of the horse now.” Uncle Pete shook a fork at her. “All we know is that someone used Chance’s credit card at the store. He’s a miner, so I sent a couple of guys out to pick him up for questioning.”
“I can’t believe people make a living panning for gold in today’s world.” Shauna sat the pie and a fork in front of Cat and Seth. “It seems so Old West.”
“Believe me, it happens in Alaska too. People live off the land in places so remote, they are only accessible with a plane.” Shirley looked at Cat. “I’ve been working on a closed room mystery where everyone is snowed in with the killer in an inn near Fairbanks. I’m just not sure if I should go totally realistic and keep them locked in together until April or May, or if I have the snow melt just enough to get a police crew in there to solve the murder and rescue them. Think The Shining, but with more people and no ghosts.”
“Sounds interesting.” But Cat didn’t want to talk books. She wanted to hear about the guy using Chance’s card. “He had to kill him if he had the card, right?”
“Maybe. It’s going to take some explaining to convince me he didn’t have a part in the guy’s death. But while we wait for the suspect to be escorted back to town, I thought I’d come and spend some time with Shirley.” He frowned, looking at the two of them. “Where have you been? I don’t think I’ve seen you on a date during retreat week before.”
“It was impromptu,” Cat explained.
“You must have come up with that. Seth doesn’t do anything on the spur of the moment.” Uncle Pete took a bite of his pie. Looking at the two of them glance back and forth at each other, he shook his head. “Seriously? It was Seth? What’s wrong with you lately?”
“Can’t a guy want to spend time with his girl?” Seth patted Shirley’s hand. “I seem to see you here and not at the station, working a case.”
“Now, boys, stop arguing. Let’s talk about something less controversial. Shauna, I heard you went to New York. How was the New York City trip?” Shirley took a sip of her coffee.
Shauna started laughing and the rest joined in. Shirley looked around. “What did I say?”
* * *
Cat sat in the living room that evening, waiting for the writers to get back from dinner. Seth had left to meet up with Terry. And Shauna was in her room, watching cooking shows. This was the strangest retreat she’d had and she felt disconnected with all of the writers, except for Brodie. He was out with the group for dinner as well. She picked up the journal that Uncle Pete had left for her and started reading.
A noise at the doorway brought her out of the story. Shirley stood there, laptop in hand, looking at the almost-empty room. Cat sat the book down and waved her inside. “Come on in.”
“Where is everyone?” Shirley crossed the room and set her laptop on the coffee table. “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear you were on a non-retreat week.”
“I know. Everyone is always out of the house. Tristin and Sydney went photo shooting this afternoon, and the rest were at the library either researching or, in Brodie’s case, writing. They hooked up for dinner and from what they told me, they should be back here afterward.” She curled her feet up underneath her. “I’m glad they’re working on their stuff, but honestly, the house feels a little empty. I love having a full house—well, I do once a month.”
“You’ve taught your introvert side to be a good hostess.” Shirley smiled. “That’s not a bad thing. I guess different retreats feel different. When I was here, we spent a lot of time together, talking and reading and writing. But this group, they’re usually gone, unless there’s a seminar.”
“Maybe tomorrow will be better. We’re having the ‘ask the author’ session. That usually brings people together.” Cat rolled her shoulders. “And Thursday, Seth’s taking the group hiking again as long as the weather cooperates. Do you want to come?”
“I’d love to if you don’t mind. I think with this new lead, Pete’s going to be busy with the case. I swear, the paperwork it takes to close a case is crazy. Even after the suspect is charged.” Shirley glanced at her watch. “Do you mind if I write while we wait? I’ve been working on that story I mentioned this morning and I’m really involved in the plot.”
“No worries. I’ll be here if you want to talk. I already got my words in for the day, so I’m taking advantage of the time to get some reading in. I never get to read during a retreat.” She picked up the book. “And you know where the refreshments are.”
“I sure d
o. Shauna’s baking has gotten better since the last time I was here. And it was crazy good then.” Shirley patted her stomach. “I’ve been spending some quality time with your treadmill in the mornings.”
“I should.”
The room grew quiet as Cat leaned back in her chair and read. Two chapters later, she heard the front door open and close. She stretched and set the book down. “I’ll go grab some hot chocolate and more cookies and let them know that we’re in the living room.”
Shirley nodded, not looking up from her keying. “Can you bring me back a cup of coffee?”
Reaching the dining room, Cat was surprised to see Brodie alone in the room, filling up a travel mug. “Hey, are you the first one back?”
He turned and grinned at her. “Yeah, the others are going to the bar for karaoke night. I wanted to come back and work on my story. I got some great ideas while I was researching mythology at the library today.”
“Shirley and I are in the living room. She’s writing, I’m reading, if you want to join us, you can.”
He shook his head. “Actually, do you mind if I use that study again? I love being in the solitude and quiet while I’m working. I guess some people like the noise and clutter. Sydney told us at dinner that when she was working on her MFA, she used to stop at a bar after class to do her homework.”
“I’m more like you. I like my quiet time.” Which was why her office had been set up on the third floor, away from all the distractions of the house. “Of course, you can work there. But if you get lonely, you know where we are.”
He paused as he was filling a plate with cookies. “Actually, for the first time since I’ve left home to attend Covington, I don’t feel lonely here. You have a very welcoming house. It’s like it has an old soul attached to it.”
“Houses with souls, you’re definitely a fantasy or paranormal writer.” Cat smiled and poured a cup of coffee for Shirley and a hot chocolate for herself. Then she made a plate of two of each of the different types of cookies. “You have a productive session tonight. Tomorrow we’re getting together to talk about the author life at ten. Are you coming?”
