“Speakin’ the truth. Okay, well, I need to go call a few more people to see what is happening tonight. I don’t really want to ring in the new year alone.”
“Be safe. Let me know what you end up doing!”
“Will do, drive carefully.”
“Thanks.” Hanging up, I turn my attention to a very grumpy Potato in the back again. “We’re almost there, buddy,” I coo, hoping to bring him some comfort even though he’s probably trying to think of ways to murder me in my sleep.
Up ahead, I spot the Ryan Family Tree sign, and excitement races through me. Passing the corner tree farm, I follow the GPS instructions and drive a little further, turning down an unmarked road about a quarter mile down.
The road is freshly plowed of snow, but seems to go on forever as I follow it.
Finally, the trees thin, and a quaint cabin comes into view, settled in the middle of the picturesque forest.
Smoke rises from the chimney, and Miller's red truck is parked out front. Pulling my car up beside it, I turn it off just as Miller opens the front door.
As he emerges onto his porch, I can’t help but swoon as he tucks his hands into his pockets, looking every ounce the lumber snack I know him to be in his red flannel jacket with his white tee shirt underneath, his jeans, and boots.
“Hi,” he says, pulling open the driver’s side door. Bending at the waist, he leans in and kisses me as I unbuckle my seatbelt.
“Hey.”
In the backseat, Potato lets out another low growl again.
“He pissed?” Miller glances at my cat's carrier in the backseat.
“Immensely.”
“Great. I wonder how he’s going to get along with Penny.”
“I think it’ll be best to lock him in your second bedroom. He’ll probably hide most of the time anyway, but if he does venture out from under the bed, it’ll be good to have him confined to one room.”
“Yeah, whatever you think is best.”
Grabbing my overnight bag, and the cat carrier, Miller leads us into his cabin, waiting until I'm fully in before using his boot to close the door behind us.
It’s sparse, but exactly what I pictured for him. A substantial fire roars in the fireplace, filling the air with its warmth—a stark difference from the temperature outside. There’s a cozy couch with a burgundy-colored blanket tossed over the top, a couple of end tables, and a flatscreen TV mounted on the wall opposite the fireplace.
As I look around and take it all in, Miller brings my belongings to the guest room. I want to explore, but follow him instead so I can get Potato set up and comfortable in his temporary environment.
“Hopefully he doesn’t take too long to settle in.” Miller places the carrier on top of the bed, then kisses the side of my head and leaves me to it, shutting the door quietly behind him.
The door to the cat carrier hardly swings on its hinges before Potato zooms out and hides under the guest room bed.
“You’ll be safe here, big guy. This is only for a couple days.” My words are spoken in vain, as not even a grumpy meow responds back.
Moving into the attached bathroom, I set up his litter box and bowls, then put a small scratching post near the foot of the bed.
When I’m satisfied my fur baby has everything he needs, I close the door quietly behind me, and seek out Miller, finding him sitting on the couch. When he sees me, he opens his arms wide so I can sink onto his lap. My arms curl around his neck ashis arms encircle my waist, and I press a soft kiss to the side of his cheek. His scruff is rough against my lips, but I pepper him in more kisses, anyway.
“Potato good?” he asks, rubbing his thumb against the small sliver of skin my shirt is exposing.
“He will be. He’s hiding.”
“That’s good. Penny can’t get in there and terrorize him, so I’m sure he’ll get comfortable in no time.”
“Thank you for letting me bring him.”
“Of course. Anything you need.”
