Chapter 20
A couple of weeks later, Gabriella had caught a rare summer cold, and Misty had to avoid her. She missed walking with her and having someone to comment to when she saw a beautiful rosebush exploding into bloom or recognized one of the firefighters on Engine 22 as they cruised by.
“Aren’t you going for your walk?” Antonio asked as he entered the living room one day.
She looked up from her book. Gabe had been sitting next to her but hopped a few feet away in case she wanted to push herself up off the couch. “I’d really like to, but…” She didn’t know how to follow that up.I think I might have a stalker? I’d feel safer with another person around?Suddenly, she felt silly. “You know what? I do want to walk. I could really use the exercise.”
Antonio grinned. “Yeah, wow. You look like you’ve put on a few pounds, girl. That’s quite the spare tire you’ve got there.”
“Oh, thanks,” she said, deadpan. Planting her hands on the sofa, she heaved herself to her feet. “I would ask you to go with me, but not after that crack.”
Antonio laughed. “Good. I’m tired. And you don’t need an escort in the middle of a beautiful Saturday afternoon.”
She realized he was right. It had been two weeks since she’d seen Adam—even if the guy in the hoodie, lurking, was him, she hadn’t seen anything else suspicious. She figured he’d gotten the hint.
“Okay. In that case, I’ll be back in a few.” She turned to blow a kiss to Gabe, but he flew up onto her shoulder.
“Oh, you want to come too?”
He bobbed his head.
“No can do, Son,” Antonio said. “You know the rules.”
Misty felt bad for him. She got the exercise she needed, but did he? “Is that only because of the tail feathers getting attention from passersby?”
“Yes. Gettingunwantedattention,” Antonio stressed.
“Can’t he do something to cover them up?”
Antonio smirked. “I’d say no, but you’re not stupid. The boys have found ways… Jayce does ‘the chimney sweep,’ he calls it. I think he got that from Ryan. And… Never mind. I shouldn’t be giving anyone ideas.” He tipped his head toward Gabe. “Remember, it’s only temporary. I’m going downstairs to watch the BU vs. BC game.”
“Have fun,” Misty called out as she moved toward the front door.
As soon as Antonio had shut the door to the man cave, she returned to Gabe. “I have an idea,” she said excitedly.
He cocked his head.
“How would you like to go for a walk with me? You must be dying to get outside in this beautiful weather.”
He swiftly turned his right eye toward her.
“I thought so. Listen. Your mom keeps a big tin of cocoa in the pantry. Could you still fly if I coat your tail feathers in cocoa?”
He squawked as he bobbed his head, which she took as an excited yes.
“Awesome. Let’s hope your mom is still lying down upstairs and we can have the kitchen to ourselves for a few minutes.”
Gabe sailed into the kitchen and returned, bobbing his head as if to say the coast was clear.
Misty giggled, feeling like a naughty girl about to get away with some forbidden fun. What could go wrong?Famous last words…
Misty quickly coated the butcher-block counter with a generous amount of cocoa, and after Gabe landed nearby, she took a handful of powder and smoothed it down his tail feathers, hoping that would work.
“Should I add some water to make it muddy? Would that help it stick better?”
Gabe showed her his left eye for no, so she just smoothed the chocolate powder down his tail feathers again. He made a cooing sound that she’d never heard before. He must’ve enjoyed it. At least she hoped so.
She cleaned up the mess and let him perch on her finger as she walked out the front door, locking it behind her.
