Catt Chasing by Shana Burton Read Free Book Online

Jeremiah waved to get Eldon’s attention and called, “Minister, over here.”
    Eldon crisscrossed his way through the maze of tables to get to theirs. He shook Jeremiah’s hand and caressed Catt’s. “How are you doing today, Sister Cason?”
    Catt plastered on a smile. “I’m great. I didn’t know you’d be joining us.”
    â€œIt’s not a problem, is it?” asked Eldon before sitting down.
    Catt shook her head. “Of course not, just wasn’t expecting you, that’s all.”
    â€œMy being here is a pleasant surprise, I hope.”
    Catt didn’t reply but smiled politely.
    Eldon picked up a menu. “So, what are you two having?”
    Catt skimmed the menu. “Just a Cobb salad for me. I’m trying to watch my figure these days.”
    Eldon gave her the once-over. “I don’t know why. I think you’re perfect the way you are.”
    She doubted that. “Thank you, Eldon, but it’s more about being healthy than it is about trying to squeeze into a size two.”
    â€œThe minister exercises quite often,” said Jeremiah. “Maybe the two of you ought to work out together.”
    â€œI would love that,” Eldon chimed in. “Working out is always more productive when you have a partner. Everything is.”
    Catt caught the hint. “I’ll keep that in mind, Eldon.”
    â€œSweetheart, you ought to see some of the exciting things the minister is coming up with for our youth,” suggested Jeremiah after their orders had been taken and their plates brought out.
    â€œI love kids. It’s truly a labor of love,” said Eldon.
    â€œYou definitely have a calling for it,” acknowledged Catt. “I’ve seen the way you are with the children and the teens. You’re going to make a great dad.”
    â€œI’m sure he will. A great husband too,” declared Jeremiah, cracking open his snow crabs.
    Catt cut her eyes at her father. Could he be more obvious?
    Eldon hung his head bashfully. “Your father is very generous with the kind words.”
    â€œMy father is a lot of things,” mumbled Catt before sipping her tea.
    â€œAll right, what can I say?” confessed Jeremiah, exasperated. “I think you two would make a fine couple.”
    Catt shook her head. This was not the first, and probably not the last, time that Jeremiah had taken it upon himself to find her a suitable mate. “If you don’t mind, Daddy, I prefer to leave the matchmaking to my Heavenly Father, not my earthly one.”
    Her father objected. “Sometimes the Lord works through others, you know that, Catt.”
    â€œAnd sometimes we get in the Lord’s way when we try to force things to happen, don’t we, Daddy?” countered Catt. The irritation was now detectable in her voice. “God said, ‘I know my plans for you.’ He never said anything about needing us to help out with our own agendas.”
    Jeremiah put down his fork and wiped his hands. “Uh-huh,” he grunted and rose from his chair. “If you two will excuse me, I need to make a phone call.”
    Catt sighed as she watched her father walk away. “I’m sorry you got caught in the middle of all this, Eldon. My father is on a mission to get me down the aisle by any means—and minister —necessary!”
    Eldon laughed. “His heart is in the right place.”
    â€œYeah, but his nose isn’t!”
    Eldon leaned forward. “Truth be told, Catt, I didn’t need him to sell me on the idea of you being a good catch. I concluded that on my own a long time ago.”
    She smiled. “I think you’re a good man, Eldon. I hope that we can grow to become great friends.”
    He sat back in his chair. “So all you’re looking for is friendship, huh?”
    Catt shrugged. “I don’t really think about much else. Work ties up a lot of my time. Plus, I have