“Well, um,” Violet begins, then throws Noah a death glare. “It’s when two people…go out for coffee together.”
Deacon nods, but it’s clear this isn’t the end of it. He’s thinking.
I take a sip of my wine.
“Is that how you got the baby in your tummy? You and Daddy hooked up?”
I choke on my wine.
That has more to do with the last part than the part everyone else is reacting to.
Aubrey and Sophie hug Violet, congratulating her. The guys do the same with TJ, giving him man-hugs, and then hug Violet with more vigor.
It takes several minutes for the excitement to die down. Deacon has long since grown bored waiting for a reply to his question and is now playing with the three dogs.
“Congratulations,” I tell Violet and TJ the second I have a chance. Violet’s back is to him and his hand rests protectively on her belly.
Soon after, we have dinner, which is a lot of fun. Everyone shares funny stories about their day. This surprises me because I’m a complete stranger. But then it’s not like they have to worry about their stories being shared on social media or in the tabloids.
They don’t have to worry about being stabbed in the back.
And because of their openness, I don’t feel so guarded when I tell them about my latest stable-cleaning adventures.
“I’m sure to his little mouse family, his scampering around Scoundrel’s stall was a riot,” I say, “but I wasn’t so impressed.” I look at Noah. “I’m just surprised you didn’t hear me screaming while you were here at the ranch.”
“Maybe you need to get a barn cat,” he suggests.
“Can you rent them?” I ask in earnest.
“You want to rent a cat?”
You’d think from his tone that I’d just asked him to go shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue. Naked.
“Sure why not? I’m only here for another week. As it is, I have to find Lady and Scoundrel new homes. I don’t need to add a barn cat to that list, too.” Because I’m assuming the kitty won’t want to return to Beverly Hills with me. I don’t have a barn there…nor do I have any mice.
“I don’t know about Beverly Hills, but I don’t think it works that way here. You adopt cats. You don’t rent them.”
That’s probably true for back home, too.
“So I guess Wilbur and his family have nothing to worry about then.” I pop the tasty green bean into my mouth.
A slight frown forms on Noah’s brow. “Wilbur?”
“Yes, I named the mouse Wilbur.”
“Can I meet Wilbur?” Deacon asks. Then he turns his mom and firmly states, “Green beans are yucky.”
* * *
After dinner,I’m talking to Aubrey and Ryan when Noah approaches our group. Turns out the reason that Ryan looked familiar is because he used to be a Calvin Klein model while in vet school.
“Did you want to go for a walk outside for a bit?” Noah asks me as Ryan poses a question to Aubrey.
“Sure. Let me get Charlie.”
I turn to find him busy playing with Deacon and Maui. Asgard is watching over everyone. I decide to leave Charlie to his fun.
“Looks like it’s just you and me,” I tell Noah.
