After a long afternoonof insurance phone calls and sending out patient invoices, I carried my dinner outside and sat at my patio table. With a glass of wine poured and the latest psych thriller book open on my e-reader, I settled in for a relaxing evening.
I sipped my wine as my eyes scanned the words and took my first bite of the stir fry chicken dish I whipped up.
“Meow!”
Twix climbed up my patio steps and strutted over to me. “Meow!” He weaved between my legs, rubbing his body and head against me.
“Hey buddy you’re back! I bet you want more chicken, huh?” I leaned down and placed a piece of chicken on the ground, Twix gobbling it down right away.
“You love treats. I hope your owner gives you lots.” I said as I gave him another piece of chicken.
I watched Twix as he ate. I spotted something stuck in his collar and when I reached down, it was a flower stuck in it, probably from his adventures through the garden. I plucked it out and suddenly an idea hit me.
What if I attached a note to his collar? Would the sexy mountain man write back? It could be the stupidest thing I've ever done, and the man might end up thinking I’m crazy but hell, what did I have to lose? Nothing.
I quickly ran inside and grabbed a sticky note and pen. Back outside, I fed Twix another piece of chicken and wrote-
Hey neighbor. Your cat is very cute and apparently loves chicken. It’s nice to see Twix enjoying the outside and warm weather. Happy days- Twila.
Before folding it in half, I read my words a thousand times. They sounded stupid, what was I even thinking? Happy days? Really T?
But before I could contemplate it any longer, I tossed the pen aside and folded the paper, tucking it inside Twix’s collar.
Then I fed him another piece of chicken and wondered if I’d actually get a note in return.
CHAPTER TWO
Baylor
“Where doyou keep running off to, Twix?” I asked my cat as he rubbed his head against my palm, purring softly.
The weather had gotten warmer since the start of the summer and much to my dismay, Twix kept finding his way outside. I’d much rather him be an indoor cat than an outdoor one but I gave up the fight a couple of weeks ago. Instead I carted his ass to the vet, got him on some extra preventative meds, and installed a small kitty door.
Yeah, the cat was spoiled.
But he was my baby. I’d give him the world if I had to. I didn’t have anyone to give it to.
I sipped my coffee and opened the news app on my phone. Catching up on world news and current events was my favorite pastime in the morning. Along with giving Twix all the love.
My fingers grazed over something hard and I stopped. That didn’t feel like fur or part of his collar.
And that’s when I saw it. A piece of paper tucked inside Twix’s collar.
What the hell could this be?
I slid the paper out and unfolded it, my eyes scanning over the words. Twila? Who was she? A neighbor?
A light bulb popped on.
The new next-door neighbor. I wonder if it’s her.
I’d seen her around from time to time. She was younger, gorgeous, and full of curves. I told myself to stay the hell away, as love was not something I wanted to deal with, but I couldn’t help feeling drawn to her.
And not just because of her looks.
Her presence. Her aura. I felt it everywhere outside.
Now she was attaching notes to my cat's collar?
