Deciding she would probably need some new things to take care of this little guy, I made a quick detour and picked up some cat supplies at the nearest pet shop. Not wanting to let him out of my sight, Smoky came with me. It probably looked silly having a big guy like me cuddling this tiny cat in my arms, but I was so thrilled to have found him I didn’t even care.
After getting Smoky a new collar and tag with his name and the phone number to Sophia’s new cell, I added a bed, cat scratch tower, food and food bowl, litter box, and a whole mess of toys to my cart. I had to admit, Smoky was actually a pretty chill cat and made a great shopping buddy. I didn’t mind one bit how much money I’d just dropped to make sure he was all set. All I cared about was making Sophia happy.
It was insane how easily she’d gotten under my skin. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t started feeling things for her that I hadn’t felt in a long time. Just seeing her smile made my whole damn day. The fact that she was as kind as she was beautiful didn’t seem to help matters.
But I couldn’t be the one to make a move. She’d been through enough, and while I’d love more than anything to maybe take her on a date when she healed, she had so much more to deal with.
So I decided I’d let her set the pace of where this friendship went. Which wasn’t the norm for me. I’d dated many women, playing the field and figuring out what I wanted in a woman.
And Sophia was definitely one in a million. I had to be smart and just be there for her in any capacity she needed me to be.
Giving her back her most prized possession was a good step though.
Pulling up to the house, I looked over at the gray fur ball laying calmly in my passenger seat.
“Ready to be home, buddy?” I asked him. He glanced up at me with big eyes and let out a little chittering meow. Laughing at his happy sounding response, I decided to take that as a yes.
“Here we go.” Picking him up, I jumped from the truck and anxiously trekked through the garage and into the house.
Loud snores could be heard coming from upstairs, alerting me to the fact the other two had already turned in for a nap. I was about to head to the stairs, but a familiar head of blonde hair caught my attention on the couch.
I walked over and circled it, seeing her fast asleep with her head turned into the back of the sofa. I felt bad waking her up, knowing the poor girl was probably still having a hard time fighting the pain meds that put her to sleep. But I knew she might want to be woken up for this.
I sat down by her feet and put Smoky behind me, then leaned over and lightly shook her shoulder.
“Sophia? Sophia, wake up,” I told her gently.
She stirred and yawned a bit, her eyes slowly blinking open to find me.
“Hey. Is it late? I didn’t even realize I’d dozed off.”
I chuckled. “No, it’s not late. But I have something for you.”
She pushed the blanket from her shoulders and sat up a little straighter, brushing her hair from her face.
God she’s beautiful.
“Really? What is it?” she asked.
I reached behind me and grabbed Smoky, then gently pulled him out and set him on my lap.
Her eyes grew wide with shock and she gasped, slapping a hand over her mouth. “Omigod! Is it really him?” She reached for him, so I placed him into her arms.
“Check for yourself,” I encouraged.
She did as I said, picking his back paw up and seeing that little pink toe. “It is!” Tears flooded her eyes and she pulled her cat to her chest, hugging him and sobbing as she kissed his little head.
“I can’t believe it! You found him!” she cried out, giving me a look of shock and disbelief. “Where?”
“A neighbor’s house a couple streets away from yours. He was pretty well taken care of. The old woman was happy he had a home and was more than gracious about giving him back to you.”
Sophia cradled and loved on him some more, the joy in her tear filled eyes was worth every second it took to find him. I wished I saw her like this all the time.
Smoky, now probably getting fed up with all the tight hugs, jumped from her arms and immediately went exploring.
Sophia giggled at that then turned to me, grabbing one of my hands that rested in my lap firmly. Her hand was so tiny, smooth, and warm and felt so perfect in mine. It would make it hard for me to ever want to let it go.
“I don’t know how to thank you for everything, Porter. Finding him means everything in the world to me. Thank you!”
