Chapter Four

-"What can we do in this one-stoplight town? There is a big festival going on this time of year with a lot of games and shows, maybe you can win me a prize. Sound great. Let go tonight; his phone went off again. It's Danny. I am going to hop in the shower. there is a big lake out back if you want to get some fresh air; there are fish in there, too. Okay, I get dressed also, and he walks with her and watches her go into her room and just smiles. He puts on his jeans and shirt and goes out back. The scenery was beautiful but a bit chilly, but he had on a long-sleeved shirt. Hey Danny, well it's about time you call me. What's going on, Steven? Nothing going on; I told you I was going out of town on a personal matter. You took a leave of absence, and you never do that and being so secretive. It is some Army-classified stuff. It is the Navy Danny, and no, it is not. He wasn't going to tell him the whole truth. Then what could possibly get you out of town so soon? I need to help out a friend, that's all. What kind of friend? Danny please just trust me on this. He could tell the urgent in his voice. I will be home next week but might have to come back. We talked then, and I am sorry I had to leave so abruptly. Okay, that made him feel better. He was coming back next week. For the love of God, contact Lynn, she is blowing my phone up 24/7, and Lou. I am sorry, and I take care of it. I got go, but tell the Team I'll see them soon, and thanks, buddy. He sent Lyn a text, I can't talk, but I am out of town but will be back in a week, and we can catch up then. No need to contact Lou and Danny anymore. Thanks baby. She replied back immediately. I was just worried that all and miss you. I can't wait to see you next week with a heart emoji. He didn't reply and deleted it. He stays outside for a little while and goes back in.

-"Catherine is dressed in nice fitting jeans and a blue blouse and boots. You look beautiful Cath. You ready to head out on the way back we can stop and get some groceries. I miss your steaks; yeah, that's all you miss. She swaps his butt, and stops, fishing for the compliments, but it feels good to touch his ass again. One of many attributes that she loves about him. Steve won her a big dog on the shooting duck game; he hit bullseyes every time. The crowd was cheering him on, and the operator said he hadn't seen anyone hit Bullseyes that many times in a row. Really, it is my first time shooting a gun. It must be beginner luck, and Catherine laughs. You are such a liar, I won that big dog for you, so I think a thank you is in order. She looks at him. Thank you. They had corn dogs and all sorts of snacks they tried but didn't finish any of them. They go on the roller coaster, and Catherine is holding on to him for dear life, and he loves it. They took pictures in one of those instant photo booths, making goofy faces and her sitting on his lap. He had to keep it under control because he wanted her there. They walk around and then head home. Stop at the store, and get steaks, wine, beer, and a lot of other groceries. Steve asked her if she had bait, and she said she didn't recall, so he went to buy some; he wanted to go fishing, also. The evening was nice. I'll start on dinner, okay; I can help you, Steve. Nope, I want to wait on you hand and foot. I am going to change; I put the groceries up and leave out the stuff for dinner. Steak, salad, and baked potatoes. I have a small top grill for the inside that you can use, too. Okay, be right back. He put on some cargo shorts and his navy seal t-shirt. Catherine was thinking, damn, he is looking hot, and how could she keep it up for over a week until he got back? That was good, I haven't had a steak this good since I left. Oh yeah, even though you burnt them the first time you did it. That was your fault that you couldn't wait to jump my bones, Mrs. Fast Thing. She hit his arm. Awe. They had that looked. Steve, I been thinking, yeah. Lynn will probably act crazy whether you are in person or not, so I was thinking maybe you could video chat or Facetime; that is almost like in person. I thought about that, but I knew you wanted me to do it in person, and I didn't want you to think I was a complete jerk, so I agreed. I will gladly do it over video chat, and she can't shoot me this way, and he laughs. Am I being petty in asking you to do it this way? You can do it in person if you like. If it means I can get in your panties faster, I do it now; the alcohol was making him tipsy. Steve, uh sorry, I am okay with doing it this way.

-"Danny is going to be pissed you not coming home next week. I don't care about Danno right now. I will text Lynn tomorrow and tell her I am going to video chat, so she can see in my face I am serious. Okay, you want to watch a movie. Sure, what you got, Rollins? How about? Don't even say it, Cath. It's not fair. You going to try to seduce me, and I can't do anything until tomorrow. She laughed. Okay, we'll wait for that one. How about Rambo? Yeah, that's good. They watch it with his arms around her. He already knew he was going to ask her to marry her and, this time, do it right. He couldn't live in a world where Catherine Rollins was not his wife. The move ends, and they walk hand in hand toward each bedroom. Steve, if you want to, you can sleep in my bed tonight. Yeah, just sleep, Steve, if you think you can handle yourself. Yes, I will; it will be hard. He brushed his teeth, pulled off his t-shirt and only had his boxer on, and got in on his side to the left. She went to the bedroom, took off her bra and pants, and put on his seal shirt. Hey, who told you to take that shirt with you? You gave it to me. Gave or stolen he raised his eyebrow. Okay, maybe stolen, but this shirt kept me grounded, and from feeling sad from missing you; it kept you close even though I knew I lost you. You never lost me, Cath. I have a confession also, I kept your shampoo and used to sniff it every now and then, and you left some of your bra and panties, and for a while, I went to sleep with one of them in my hand. I slept on your side of the bed, thinking about you being here. I kept your toothbrush. My toothbrush, you goof.

-"You kept that stuff with Lynn. Yeah, she found a box I had in my closet, and she was about to open it, and I caught her. That was when I stopped letting her come over and knew without a doubt she was not the girl for me. Did she sleep on my side? Never she tried one time, and I yelled at her, and she didn't understand. I think she knew it was your side. He spoons her against his chest and whispers in her ear, good night, Cath, sweet dreams. Catherine was panting so hard, and it sent chills and fire to her body. How the hell is she supposed to sleep now with him so close, and she wants nothing for him to work his magic on her? She couldn't wait till that damn call tomorrow with Lynn and said good night Commander. She heard him growl and knew he was also feeling the heat. The next day, after he cooks breakfast. You know you are spoiling me, cooking every day. I aim to please my queen, and he smirks. Well, thank you, kind sir and she smiled at him. How she had missed their funny banter every day. He texted Lynn to see if she was available for a Facetime or video chat at 11 in Hawaii. She replied immediately. Yes, baby, the video chat would be better. He said okay. She thought she could see more of him in the video chat than on Facetime. Hey, Cath, I hate to ask you, but can I use your laptop to do the video chat with Lyn? Sure, I get it. She got it and showed it where it was on her computer and how to operate it. Do you want to stay? No, I think it is best that you do this alone. I am going to go for a run so you can have some privacy. You don't have to do that; I need to work off some stress, so trust me, I do, and she winked. See you shortly. He was nervous, not because he was breaking up with Lynn but because he had the feeling she was going to bring the drama. He sat in the kitchen and made sure there was nothing of Catherine in the background. The last thing he needs right now is for her to blame Catherine. He hoped by the time she found out that, she would have moved on.

-"It was time, so he dialed her number; she answered immediately, wearing a low-cut blouse and short skirt. Hey handsome. Hey. Are you okay, Steve? Yeah, I am fine. I miss you. It's best to get this out. Lynn, I am sorry if I led you on and I should have been honest with you. She made a face like what the hell are you talking about and that's what she said. I wasn't ready to move on, and it is me, not you. I hope you find someone to make you happy truly, but it is not going to me. She yells, Steve, why are you saying this? We are good together, we have fun, and I love you. Lynn please don't make this any harder on yourself. You were right; I was on the rebound, but I wasn't enough man enough to tell you the truth. No, Steve, you weren't; we can make this work; I know we can. He was getting frustrated and bumped the table and that caused the camera angle to move and show Catherine in her Navy uniform picture on the wall. Lynn saw it; what is that? What what? That woman in the picture behind you? What, he thought, oh hell. Ii Catherine, isn't it? You are with her, and that's why you are breaking up with me? I don't believe it, that bitch lied to you and left you twice, and you go back to her. Steve, she is using you, so don't believe her. He yells that's enough, and me breaking up with you is something I should have done a long time ago. Leave Catherine out of it. We are over, move on and live your life because whatever it we had, it over, and he disconnected the call to her, crying and screaming, no, don't leave me. Part of him did feel like a jerk for leading her own, but his ego was so wounded by the constant nagging every day, and he didn't think he ever was going to be with Catherine again, so he pretended and went with her. Catherine came in a few min ago. How did it go? Not so well, she saw your picture on the wall by accident and she is really mad and blaming you. I am sorry, Cath, but I have no regrets about ending it with her, I just want to move on now. I am sure she calls Melissa, and she is going to tell Danny and I to be getting a rant call soon, but I don't give a damn. I am with the woman l love, and I don't care what anyone thinks. He hugged her, I missed you so much, Lieutenant, and he laid a passionate kiss on her that left both of them breathless. I am a little weak in the knees says Catherine.