I pour Sunny some food to distract him from the door, which works, and then slip out.
The great room is busy with guests eating breakfast. My eyes scan the room, looking, searching, but he’s not here.
I’m not disappointed. This is fine.
I shuffle to the counter where the coffee and Mae Huffman are.
“Morning, Mrs. Huffman,” I say, reaching for a cup.
“Morning, dear.” She smiles. “Please call me Mae. I heard that cat of yours caused quite a stir yesterday!”
“Oh goodness, I’m so sorry. He escaped from my room. Luke found him snoozing on the couch! Hopefully, it doesn’t happen again.”
“See now, here we all are hoping it does!” She laughs as she wipes the counter down. “It seems he was a wonderful host to our guests during lunch, greeting them and being friendly! No one seemed to mind him at all. One or two guests asked if he was the house’s new cat and if they might bring some treats for him later. I told them he belonged to a guest, but I’d check to see if that would be alright with you.”
Who knew Sunny was so social?
“Oh. Well, he’s in my room now, sitting at the door, actually, hoping to escape again, I think.” A self-deprecating laugh escapes me.
“Let him out if you like. He was perfectly fine yesterday, and we certainly don’t mind. We love having pets here!”
I knew they allowed pets, which was why Sunny could join us, but I supposed I assumed they’d expect me to keep him contained and under control.
“He’s only ever been an indoor cat living in an apartment. I’m worried he’ll find himself outside and lost, but he really seems to want to come back out.”
Mae stops her cleaning to look at me. Tossing the rag over her shoulder, she tilts her head slightly as if thinking deeply. “In myexperience, a cat is going to do what a cat wants to do. So, if you don’t let him out, he’ll get out on his own somehow—especially now that he’s tasted his freedom a bit.” She laughs, shaking her head. “Cats are difficult like that. However, I also know that when they’re attached to a person, they never stray too far. I think he’ll be okay, but certainly only do what you're most comfortable with.” Nodding, she turns and takes the milk out for me, pouring a bit in my cup. This woman reminds me a bit of my Pop—gentle guidance and not too pushy.
“You know we used to have a cat here. Percy. He greeted all our guests and lazed about in the sun on the floor by the back doors. I wondered after a time if the guests returning to our bed-and-breakfast came because they enjoyed their stay or just wanted to see the cat!” Her eyes sparkle, then grow distant. The same sadness I saw flash across her face the other morning flickered in her eyes before being wiped away with a well-practiced smile. “Having your cat around makes me wish we still had ours.”
I take my coffee back to my room, marinating on what Mae said about Sunny.How can I possibly willingly let him out knowing he could get lost, hurt, or taken? And yet, how can I possibly keep him locked in my room when I know he was so happy to be out here yesterday? Is this what it’s like having kids?
I quickly check the Liv + Viv social media page only to find Cori has scheduled the content for the week. On a Sunday. I smile to myself.Maybe Viv was right.
Outside my room is a small personal patio, complete with two wooden rocking chairs and a small table. Pink rose bushes are on both sides, providing privacy, yet still allowing a view of the dock and lake in front of me. Coffee mug in hand, I slide the glass door closed behind me, easing into the rocking chair.
When was the last time I sat on a Sunday morning? Cori is on it—I can relax. My mind isn’t spinning in circles, and I slept last night. Ireallyslept.
Happy Sunday to me.
“Holy shit!” a man shouts, and the sound of shears snapping shut startles me back into the real world.
I jump, spilling coffee all over myself. “Dammit.”
A face pokes around the bush, and Luke pulls his earbud out of his ear.
“Jesus, Trip, you havegotto stop jumping out at me like that!” Shaking his head, he looks down at the ground and bends to pick something up.
“Are you serious? What did I do? I was having coffee. You’re the one who screamed, scared the shit out ofme, and made me spill coffee on my sweatshirt!”
He stands straight again, holding a giant pink rose in his hand that he must have sheared off, smells it, and then holds it out for me.
“I’m sorry I scared you, beautiful. Forgive me?”
Is this guy for real?
“Have I stumbled into a magical land where sleep is a thing and gorgeous men call women in coffee-stained sweatshirts and glasses beautiful?” I tug my now-stained hoodie off and toss it over the back of the chair.
Luke clears his throat, diverting his gaze. Gray-green eyes, as bright as a summer day, find their way back to me. “One, I think those glasses areveryattractive.” He holds out his fist, counting each statement on his fingers. “Two, didn’t even notice the coffee on your sweatshirt. Three, I’m glad you slept well. And four, you think I’m gorgeous?” He smirks, pushing the rose toward me.
