“At this rate just ask her what she wants to be named, she clearly knows what she wants in life,” he says, softly putting his hand out so she can give him a sniff. “What did you have in mind?”
“As a kid I always said if I ever got a pet I would name them Hazel, but I think she looks more like a Daisy What do you—”
Again, we’re cut off by a long meow, making us both laugh.
“Looks like she agrees,” Ian says, running his fingers down her back. “And it looks like she’s just as feisty as Hagrid. You’re in for a treat.”
A soft knock rings off the door just before Beth pokes her head through spotting all three of us cuddling on the couch. “I see we’re all getting along here! That’s perfect! Is it safe to say she’s your cat?” she asks with a big smile beaming across her face.
“Oh, I am definitely taking her home!” I say, without a doubt.
“Oh, I’m so happy to hear that!” she says, with tears in her eyes. “Don’t mind me, I always shed a few tears when I know one of my babies is getting a forever home.” Wiping at her cheek she says, “I need to fill out some paperwork before you take her home and it’s usually customary that I keep them here for twenty-four hours after you’ve agreed to adopt her. I find it gives people time to change their minds if need be and to get everything in order before they bring their new family member home. It also gives you time to go over the pamphlets on how to introduce your new buddy to their new home, etc,” Beth explains.
“That’s okay,” I say, scratching Daisy under the chin, just a little disappointed that I won’t be bringing her home right this moment but understanding her position. “I do need to get her a few things before bringing her home.”
Squeezing my shoulder, Ian leans in to whisper in my ear, “How about we stop at Levi’s and grab you an overnight bag and you try out the tub I have in my ensuite at home? Then we finish our Harry Potter marathon and snuggle with Hagrid, or we scour the internet for the best cat stuff to go buy tomorrow morning?”
“Perfect! Did you pick a name out? If so I’ll place it on her stall so we know what to call her until tomorrow afternoon?” Beth asks.
“Daisy.”
“That’s the perfect name. I was really afraid that whoever was going to adopt her was going to give her a corny white cat name like Cloud.”
“Oh God, no!” I agree with her.
Ian and I follow Beth back to the front of the rescue where she gets me to fill out a form so she has my contact information, etc.
“Do you need anything else?” I ask her, hanging her back the form.
“No, that’s all there is to it. Here is the pamphlet I was telling you about,” she says, handing me a few papers. “And the adoption fee is to be paid before you leave with her tomorrow. Oh, if you need a carrier, you can borrow one as long as you bring it back within forty-eight hours, but it’s best to get your own for vet visits and such.”
“I’ll make sure to grab one at the store tomorrow,” I tell her with one last wave before Ian grabs my hand, leading me back to his truck.
“I have a cat!” I suddenly say excitedly, as we pull onto the road.
“I know,” Ian says with a laugh. “Are you excited?”
“I cannot wait to bring her home! But I need so much stuff!”
“Don’t worry, we can figure all that out tonight,” he says, laying his hand on my thigh. “How about I take you home, we order some pizza, and make a list of everything you two are going to need while we finish our Harry Potter marathon, since it looks like it’s going to rain?”
“That sounds great!”
“Perfect. Home it is then.”
Home. It’s the second time he says home when referring to his place and I can’t say that I mind. I could easily see it being my home. Not just because the house is gorgeous, but because Ian is my home. I’ve fallen in love with myself again as I’ve fallen in love with Ian. He’s my safe place to grow, explore and learn. He’s where I feel the most confident. With that thought, I settle into the passenger seat of his truck as he drives us to his place.
Chapter 34
Damn, she feels good in my arms. After getting home from the rescue, Hannah fell asleep against me on the couch with Hagrid purring on her stomach. The minute we got home last night, she made me order pizza while she got a pen and paper out of my entryway table, jumping right into writing out everything she needed to get tomorrow morning for Daisy. After that, she stayed up late last night after working on self-editing her book. She’s so driven. I can’t believe that she wrote an entire book in less than three months. All while making new friends, figuring out a new city, and dating me. She’s just so incredible. And she chose me . . . or I think she does.
I knew she was something the minute I laid eyes on her, but I never thought that I would get this far with her. She fits into my life so perfectly, and I’d like to think that I fit perfectly in hers. We fit together for now, but the season is starting soon. In two short weeks, summer vacation is officially over, and I can’t say that I’m not worried about it. Everything is great now that neither of us has a schedule or responsibilities. I’m on vacation and she’s writing a book and taking some time to breathe afterher divorce. But how is this going to work when I’m on the road for ten or more days at a time? Or worse when the puck bunnies get aggressive? Or the media gets in the middle of everything?
How is Hannah going to be able to deal with that, especially after what her ex-husband did to her? Is she going to stick around? Is she going to be able to handle the pressure of dating a professional athlete? Is she going to be able to trust me enough to believe me when I tell her that I only see her? Because I swear that I haven’t looked at another woman since I got a glimpse of her on the crowded dance floor.
“I can hear you think in my sleep. What’s going on, babe?” Hannah asks, interrupting my spiralling thoughts, reaching back to run her hand up and down my thigh.
“Sorry,” I say, brushing my hands through her hair.
