Page 77 of This Heart
Once inside the house, I saw Winnie sitting in the living room coloring. She glanced up and her face broke out into a smile before she ran over to me. I picked her up and hugged her tightly.
“I missed you, Rora!”
Laughing, I kissed her on the nose. “You just saw me earlier today!”
She wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me, then pushed away and asked, “Kitty?”
“She’s right here,” Liam stated as he set the carrier on the floor and opened it. The kitten casually poked her head out, then spied Winnie and dashed out.
“Winnie and I picked up a few things for the kitten.”
My head turned to the side in confusion. “A few things?”
He set the carrier on the side table by the door. “Yeah, a litter box and a water and food dish that Winnie picked out all on her own.”
I turned and smiled at Winnie, who nodded in return.
“Then we got this diaper genie-looking thing that is for the cat poop and pee. If she’s going to be visiting us, she’ll need a designated potty area and a feeding space. I set it all up in the laundry room.”
“I can’t believe I didn’t even think about a little box for her while we were here,” I stated, my cheeks burning. “I’m not starting off as a very good cat mom, am I?”
Liam laughed. “Why don’t you show the kitten where her stuff is. Also, do we have a name for her yet?”
Glancing down to where the kitten was playing with one of Winnie’s crayons, I shook my head. “No name yet. Maybe you and Winnie can help me name her. What do you think, Winnie?”
Winnie nodded while I picked up the kitten. “Let’s go show her where her litter and food are.”
Popping up, Winnie ran ahead of me.
“I’m not sure how I’m going to explain to her that the kitten isn’t staying here.”
“Don’t look at me. I am not going to be the one to break her heart.”
Liam huffed. “Coward.”
After we showed the kitten where her litter box was, Winnie scooped her up and took her to the living room, where she placed her in her baby stroller. I was stunned the kitten stayed in the stroller while Winnie pushed her all over the place.
Poking his head around the corner, Liam said, “Dinner is ready.”
“Ready to eat?” I asked Winnie as I stood and reached for her hand.
“Da kitten!” Winnie exclaimed, dropping my hand and picking up the kitten. She tucked her against her chest and started for the kitchen.
“Kitten is joining us, huh?” Liam asked, taking the kitten and holding her while I helped Winnie get into her chair.
“Da kitten,” Winnie said as she motioned for her father to give her the kitten back. He set the little one in Winnie’s lap, and she snuggled up, and I swore she fell asleep within seconds.
“I think it’s time to give this little girl a name,” Liam said as he pulled my chair out for me.
I sat and felt my cheeks heat. Had he ever done that before? Surely, I would have noticed. “Oh, thank you so much.”
Glancing around the table, I drew in a deep breath through my nose. “Wow, do you think you cooked enough?”
Liam laughed. “I found my mother’s meatloaf recipe and thought it would be nice for dinner tonight.”
He cut a slice and handed it to me. “Would you mind cutting up Winnie’s?”
“Of course,” I said as I took the plate and started to cut the meatloaf into bite-sized pieces. Liam put some mashed potatoes and small pieces of carrots on another plate. The second I set the dishes down in front of Winnie, she started shoveling food into her mouth as fast as she could with her little fork.
