She was on the verge of going for a long run, a truly desperate measure considering she rarely exercised and never ran anywhere, when someone knocked on her door.
Tucker, she thought in relief. Having him to yell at would make her feel much better. Then he could tell her he was sorry and they could figure out what they were going to do with Cat.
She crossed to her door, pulled it open and stared at the Devil herself.
“Am I interrupting?” Cat asked, strolling inside. “Those boys downstairs are delicious. I met them both.”
“Cody and Ryan?”
“Yes.” Cat walked through the living room. “Oh, this place is wonderful. I want to live here.”
Words to cause Nevada’s insides to turn to ice. She shook that off and dealt with the more pressing problem.
“Cody and Ryan are in college.”
“I know.”
“They both started young because they’re really smart, so even though they’re in graduate programs, I’m not sure they’re more than twenty.”
Cat touched a small glass bowl on a shelf, then ran her hands over several books. “You’re sweet to worry. They’re adults. Let it go.”
Nevada felt vaguely responsible for them. She didn’t want Cat mucking around with their lives, but wasn’t sure what she could do to prevent anything from happening. It wasn’t as if either of the guys would listen. Cat was irresistible.
Even dressed casually in jeans, low boots and a dark purple sweater, she radiated an energy that was difficult to describe and impossible to ignore. There was something about the way she moved, as if she were so new to this world that every part of it was an exciting discovery.
Cat put down the book she’d been holding.
“What are you doing now?” she asked. “Whatever it is, you can do it later. Come on. I want to see your town.” She held out her hand, as if expecting Nevada to take it.
“Um, sure. I can show you around.” Nevada collected keys and her cell phone, then stuck a few dollars in her pocket.
They went out onto the street.
“What would you like to see first?”
“Whatever matters most to you. What places are special?”
Not your typical stroll, Nevada thought, heading for the park.
The day was sunny but cool. Children played by the lake, feeding the ducks. Parents watched from the benches. To the south, several young boys played soccer. To the north, by the trees, couples cuddled on blankets.
“The first known residents of the area were the women of the Máa-zib tribe,” Nevada said.
Cat nodded. “I’ve read about them. A very powerful and artistic group of women. They were known for their intricate work with gold.”
“I didn’t know that,” Nevada said.
“I’ve seen several pieces in different museums.” She linked arms with Nevada. “The Gold Museum, otherwise known as El Museo del Oro in Bogotá, Colombia, has a large exhibit. I could spend hours there. You should come with me to see it.”
“I’m busy with work now, but thanks for asking.”
Cat smiled. “Always so shy. I remember that, too. From what I can tell, life has been kind to you. So why do you resist new experiences?”
Nevada pulled free and stepped back. “That’s not true. I like new things.”
Cat raised her perfect eyebrows. “Do you? Give me an example?”
“I have a new job.”
“In the town where you’ve always lived, working for someone you’ve known for years. You are like a little bird, afraid to leave the nest.”
“You don’t know me well enough to make that kind of judgment.”
“Am I wrong?”
Nevada raised her chin. “Yes. You are.”
She spoke defiantly, but with a worrisome suspicion that Cat might be right. She’d never been especially adventurous. Not that everyone had to be. Maybe she should change that.
“I like my life,” she added. “I like having my family around me and keeping the same friends. You’re always on the go. Are you running to something or from something? What are you afraid you’ll find if you settle in one place?”
Cat leaned back her head and laughed, then linked arms with Nevada again.
“This is what I’ve missed. You stand up to me. No one does that.”
“Because you’re so transcendent?” Nevada asked, only a little sarcastically.
“That and fear.”
“At least you’re honest.”
“I can be when it suits me. What about you? Are you honest?”
“Mostly.”
“Are you with Tucker?”
Of all the questions for Cat to ask, she thought, doing her best to keep her worry from showing. If she said yes, she would not only be overstating what was going on but she might be challenging Cat. Nevada didn’t think that was a competition she could win. If she said no, Cat might decide to go after Tucker again. Either way, Nevada lost.
But if he was so easily persuaded to return to a disastrous relationship, then he wasn’t anyone she wanted to be with.
Cat stopped and faced her. “It wasn’t supposed to be a difficult question.”