Phantom (Cat and Mouse, #0)

by H.D. Carlton

“Thank you for showing me a love for waterfalls,” I whisper. “I never knew I loved them.” I feel his gaze burning into the side of my face, where a lone tear leaks down my temple. His index finger swipes the tear away, but he doesn’t coddle me or demand I tell him why I’m crying. Instead, he whispers, “There are so many more I can take you to.” My bottom lip trembles, and my heart squeezes painfully. Without telling him, he understands my emotions. He knows it isn’t often that I learn something new about myself—at least, not before he arrived. “I want to swim in one,” I tell him, keeping my voice quiet. “Can we do that, too?” “If you promise we can climb it, too,” he answers, his tone warm and gentle. I grin, liking the sound of that. “Will you take me to the Atlantic Ocean? I must know if sunrises or sunsets over the water are better.” “Then you shall know.” “Can we take classes together? We can learn to paint, or sketch, or maybe even throw pottery.” “You’ll master all of them in no time.” Another tear wiggles free, and it feels like my heart is soaring. “Will you take me to the desert? Where it’s hot and sandy, and there isn’t a single tree in sight? I’ve only ever known the mountains and ocean.” “Only if we bring lots of water.”