Page 65 of Heartstrings & Horizons
As Cade finishes the adoption paperwork, I spot a curly haired toddler holding out a ribbon wand for the kittens to chase. She has the sweetest face with chubby cheeks and big blue eyes, and I notice she has a tiny pink nose and whiskers drawn on her cheeks. Ivy approaches her a moment later,“Hey, love. Are you ready to go? It’s almost time for your visit.”
“But kitties!”
“I know baby, we can come back and play with the kitties another day. Your daddy is waiting for you.”
“No daddy,” she pouts. “Kitties.”
The interaction pulls at my heartstrings and, not for the first time, I wonder what mine and Cade’s kids will look like. I can’t help but dream of a little curly haired toddler with Cade’s honey brown eyes and my dimples. The little orange menace snaps me out of my daydream when he takes a big stretch and inadvertently digs his claws into my thigh. “Ouch! Careful little guy.”
“Ready to go? Cheeto is officially a Brooks.”
“I think you mean Roberts-Brooks. We’re sharing custody, Cowboy.”
“Youwillbe taking my last name, eventually. Get used to it.”
The volunteers provided us with a cardboard carrier that looks like a kitty takeout box with holes, and we loaded Cheeto up before heading over to the pet store to buy all the necessary supplies. Cade immediately gets carried away in the store, buying 2 different cat towers, an ungodly amount of treats, and more toys than this tiny kitten will need in a lifetime. He asks the clerk for the best food recommendation for a 2-month-old kitten and then we head back home to the cabin.
“We definitely need to change his name. Seems like a travesty to be named after a snack food.” Cade laughs and shakes his head. I don’t think he could care any less what his name is. No, he definitely did this simply to put a smile on my face.
It’s been a few weeks since the adoption event and our little furry friend has settled in nicely. Despite his chaotic energy, we’re absolutely in love with him. Cade had to run over to the bar to meet with the delivery guys for the weekly beer shipment this morning so I drove myself over to Chapters and Brews.
As I walk into my newest happy place, the scent of fresh coffee and new books permeating the air, I spot a familiar head full of curls at a small children’s table near the window.
Scanning around the area for Ivy, I find her crouched down, hovering near the bottom of a shelf in the romance section. I’m not usually one to approach people, content to let other people find me, but something about Ivy eases my social anxiety.
“Hey! I’m not sure if you remember me. We met a few weeks ago at the adoption event.”
“Of course! Paige, right? Cheeto’s new friend. How’s he settling in?”
“Definitely living up to his reputation. He seems pretty comfortable considering the chaotic energy he’s already unleashing on us.”
I laugh at the memory of Goose climbing to the top of the curtains earlier today, leaving tiny pin holes along the way. I can’t even be mad about it — he’s too damn cute. “We actually renamed him,” I say a little sheepishly. “I wasn’t a huge fan of ‘Cheeto’ so I let his energy speak to me and we landed on Goose.” I laugh as I recount the incident that led to his new moniker.
I had been soaking in a bubble bath when the little orange fluff ball jumped onto the ledge, and, in a moment of curiosity, started swatting at the bubbles. He suddenly lost his footing and tumbled into the tub. You might assume that plunging headfirst into a tub full of water would cause some sort of distress, but he simply floated for a moment before he used a washcloth to climb back out leaving behind a trail of suds leading back out the bathroom door. I heard an unmistakable boom of laughter, before Cade’s head popped into the bathroom muttering “silly goose” under his breath.
“That’s such a cute nickname,” Ivy laughs, “And definitely fitting!”
“Mommy. Book.” I hear from somewhere behind me before a tiny tornado runs into Ivy’s arms, holding a board book with a kitten on the cover. “Kitty book!”
“That’s right baby, that’s a book about kitties. Do you want mommy to get that one for you?” The little girl’s eyes light up as she nods her head vigorously.
“Rylin, this is Miss Paige. Can you say hi?”
The little girl hides her face in Ivy’s shirt but I can see a small smile playing at the corners of her lips, so I crouch down to her level and hold out my hand.
“Hi Rylin, it’s so nice to meet you! I saw you playing with the kitties a few weeks ago. Did you know that I have a kitty? His name is Goose and he’s orange and white and super playful!”
I’m hoping our shared love of cats and the excitement in my voice might make her more comfortable. As a child, I was a lot like Rylin — hesitant to make new friends. As an adult, I still clam up in a lot of social situations.
Rylin steps away from her mom and takes my proffered hand in a tiny handshake before she launches herself at me in a huge embrace.
“I see kitty?” How could I say no to that? I take out my phone and show her the plethora of pictures and videos that Cade and I have taken over the last few weeks. We’re both completely smitten with him.
Ivy returns to the dark romance book she was looking at before I approached while Rylin and I settle on the floor nearby to watch cat videos. A few minutes pass before Ivy approaches, “want to grab a coffee and find a table?”
“Sure, sounds great!” I rise from my position and help Rylin up with me. She reaches her arms into the air and flaps her little hands in an unmistakable “pick me up” signal. I oblige, lifting the sweet little girl in my arms before walking over to the little cafe. We place our orders and, with Ivy’s permission, I add a cat shaped cake pop to my order for Rylin, before we snag a spot at one of the oversized sofas. Ivy and I sit facing each other with Rylin in the middle, chomping on her treat.
She must notice the moment my eyes snag on the book in her hand. “It’s a dark romance, reverse harem, Beauty and the Beast retelling.”
