by Codi Gary
“Actually, I love cats. I used to have two. Sabrina and Linus. Sabrina was my favorite movie growing up and when they remade it with Harrison Ford? Mmmmhmmmm.”
Anna Beth blinked. Her aunt had just made a yummy sound about a man. Holy crap.
Sarah, oblivious to her disconcertion, continued with her story. “I adopted them not long after I moved into this house and they were good company. Linus passed away at fourteen, but Sabrina lived another five years. After that, I wasn’t ready for another pet. When I finally thought about it...well, the grim reality is, there is really no good ending when you have an animal. They die, whether you have them for one year or nineteen, and the pain is still the same. I decided I didn’t want to go through that again.”
Anna Beth still hadn’t adjusted to this softer version of her aunt. She sounded as though she was about to cry.
“I never knew that,” Anna Beth said.
“It was before you came to live with me and it hurt to talk about them.” Sarah met her gaze and the sadness in her aunt’s eyes hit Anna Beth harder than a punch to the gut. “I don’t love easily, as you well know, but when I do, it’s deep.”
Before Anna Beth could form a response, Sarah lifted the towel and the kitten looked between them, her blue-green eyes squinting.
“Let’s see what you are so we don’t have to keep calling you it.” Sarah lifted the kitten’s tail and laughed. “Definitely a she.” She covered her with the towel and continued drying her. “I bet you’re warmer.”
Anna Beth was still processing her aunt’s moment of vulnerability when Sarah handed the kitten off to Anna Beth. “I’m going to run next door and see if my neighbors have some canned food. I know they have a couple cats, but not sure what they feed them.”
“Thank you. I know this isn’t what you expected and I appreciate your help.”
Sarah stroked the kitten’s head and the baby cat leaned into the touch. A low purr rumbled out of the little body and Sarah smiled.
“I have a feeling she’s going to be fine. You’re a hero. Not everyone would have stopped in a snowstorm to save a cat.” Sarah patted Anna Beth’s shoulder. “I’m proud of you.”
Sarah’s kind words left Anna Beth speechless and as she watched her aunt kick off her high heeled shoes for a pair of snow boots, she wanted to ask Sarah about the changes in her, but fear held her back.
When the front door closed behind her, Anna held the kitten against her chest and rubbed her hand along her body, tears blurring her vision. A lump caught in her throat and she tried to swallow past it, but her emotions were too much to slow the tidal wave of sobs. The last thing she wanted was for Sarah to come back and catch her bawling just because she’d said she was proud of her.
Anna Beth used the edge of the towel to dry her face. As if she knew Anna Beth needed it, the kitten stretched up and rubbed her head along Anna Beth’s chin.
She laughed wetly. “Well, aren’t you sweet.” Anna Beth picked her up and held her in front of her face for a moment. “I think she’s right. You’re going to be fine.”
Her phone vibrated in her pocket and she put the kitten back in her lap before she pulled it out with one hand. It was a text from Jared.
Did you make it home okay?
She sent a response while the kitten nudged her head against her hands, demanding attention.
Yes, you’ll never believe what happened.
Anna Beth held the kitten up and took a cheesy selfie. It wasn’t noticeable that she’d been crying, so she sent it to him.
Isn’t she cute?
I’m more of a dog person, but she’s alright. ;)
He sent back a cheesy picture of him with his Scooby ornament.
Anna Beth laughed and the kitten looked up at her with narrowed eyes, as if she disapproved of the joke. “I think you're more than alright.”
She positioned the kitten like a baby against her chest. It was the first time she noticed the kitten’s paws were huge and shaped like lobster claws. Or mittens. Her phone vibrated again and she checked the message.
You’re an angel for saving her.
Her aunt said something similar, and while Sarah’s words had rocked her emotionally, the simple compliment from Jared gave her butterflies.
Her aunt burst through the door and walked into the living room, her hair covered by a thin layer of snow. She swiped at it with one hand and frowned at the trail of wet footprints behind her. “I’ll have to mop that later.”
“I can do it once we get her situated,” Anna Beth offered.
“Either way.” Sarah pulled two cans from her pocket and held them up with a smile. “I got a couple cans to tide us over until the storm lets up. I’m hoping it stops snowing in the morning, but I got an alert on my cell for a winter storm warning. Just hoping they’re wrong. I’m going to put half of this can on a plate and we’ll feed her in the kitchen.”
Anna Beth took one of the kitten’s paws and waved at her aunt with it. “Did you see her feet? They look like lobster claws.”
She stood up and walked over to her aunt so she could get a closer look. Sarah picked up the kitten’s paws, examining them. “Oh, extra toes. Some cats have them. We’ll have to check to make sure none of the nails are growing back into her pad.”
“I think we should call her Mittens.”
Her aunt patted her hand with a smile. “That’s a wonderful name. Let’s get some food in her.”
Anna Beth followed blindly behind her aunt, her eyes tearing up again. “Sarah?”
She looked up from opening the can. “Yes?”
“Thank you, for everything. I appreciate you.”
Maybe it was just a trick of the light, but Anna Beth thought there was a sheen of tears in Sarah’s eyes.
“Of course. I appreciate you, too.”
For the first time, Anna Beth didn’t regret her return to Snowy Springs. Maybe Ian really had been onto something.
Eleven
Jared woke up sputtering as something warm and wet slid across his lips and cheek. His eighty-pound chocolate lab, Rip, hovered over him, panting in his face. When Jared didn’t move fast enough, Rip let out a series of ear-splitting, excited barks. Jared groaned.
“I bought you a doggy door so you could let yourself out to pee. Why are you all up in my grill at…” Jared squinted at his clock on his night stand. “Six-twelve in the morning, on a Sunday?”
Rip bounced off the bed and came back with a stuffed duck toy in his mouth. He dropped it, slick with dog drool, on Jared’s chest.
Jared grimaced. “I get it. I haven’t been home much the last few days and you missed me. Still doesn’t mean I want such a rude awakening.”
Rip laid down on the bed with a huff, as though he didn’t appreciate being lectured.
Jared stretched before climbing to his feet. He stared down at his dog, whose tail thumped rapidly against the comforter as he walked around the end of the bed.
“I’ll go get cleaned up and, if you’re a good boy, we’ll get a pup-cup at Foam Capped Java.”
The minute he said pup-cup, Rip released a stream of excited barks and tore out of the room, zooming back a minute later.
“Yeah, you’re excited. Now, give me some space. I need to make myself gorgeous.”
Jared picked his phone up off his charging station and slid his thumb over the screen. A new text from Anna Beth with an attachment. He clicked on the picture. It was a selfie of her, smiling while the kitten she’d found asleep on her chest.
I think I’m in love.
The message was sent after eleven last night, but he’d already passed out by then. After only four hours of sleep yesterday, followed by hours with his family decorating, he’d been dead on his feet and barely remembered the snowy drive home, let alone climbing into bed.
She probably wasn’t awake yet. Lord knows, he wouldn’t be if not for his pain in the rear dog. He texted her back anyway.
Very sweet. I like her stripes.
Jared set his phon
e on the bathroom counter. He took off his boxers and went through the short hallway into his tile shower. Jared bought the house as a foreclosure last year and worked his ass off remodeling it, especially the destroyed bathroom and kitchen. He’d built his shower as a walk-in with dual shower heads on opposite walls and the deep soaking tub under the window looking out over the trees. He never used it, but maybe he’d meet someone to build a life with who would enjoy it.
He finished washing and rinsing his hair and body and stepped out of the shower. He dried off and wrapped a towel around his waist while he finished his routine.
He turned on his playlist and 90’s grunge blared through the room. Rip lifted his head off the bed and his tongue lolled out of his mouth as he watched Jared moonwalk to his dresser. His parents had dogs while he was growing up, but they’d never let them up on the furniture. Jared didn’t mind sharing his bed with Rip. His pal could sleep anywhere he wanted too.
And if a woman ever had a problem with it, he’d show her the door.
Jared dug inside the top drawer and his hand touched the envelope mixed in with his socks. He pulled it out and slid the folded letter out. Another envelope dropped onto the hardwood floor, but that one wasn’t addressed to him. It had Anna Beth’s name on it.
Jared opened his letter, reading it again.
Jared,
This letter probably came as a surprise to you. You may have even forgotten who I am. I’m going to write this letter as though you haven’t. I don’t know why you and Anna Beth stopped talking, although, I can hazard a guess. She is an amazing woman, but I bet you already realized that.
I don’t know when but, at some point, she will go back to Snowy Springs without me and I’d like to make a request of you. Please, look out for her. Help her. She will be hurting. I want someone who knows and cares about her to watch over her.
I might be pushing my luck, but here goes. I’ve enclosed a letter for Anna Beth. Please, make sure she gets it when her list is finished?
The way Anna Beth talks about you, I know you’re a good man. I only met once before the wedding and I wish we’d had a chance to get to know each other. Thank you in advance.
Best,
Ian Crawford
Jared slipped the folded letter back into the envelope and picked Anna Beth’s letter off the floor. He stared at it, wondering what Ian had written and why he’d entrusted it to Jared.
None of his questions would be answered until Anna Beth finished her list, so speculating would only drive him crazy. He placed both letters back into the envelope and slid it in the drawer, reaching for a pair of socks. Clad in jeans, a t-shirt, and hoodie, Jared went downstairs with socks in his hands, Rip tearing past him down the stairs.
“Hey! If you trip me and I break my neck, you don’t get whipped cream, bud.”
Rip went to the door and sat, his tail slapping impatiently against the wood flooring. Jared sat on his leather couch and put on his socks. He’d just slipped on his tennis shoes when he realized he left his phone upstairs.
“If only you were like Lassie and could get my phone.”
Rip barked at him as Jared ran back up the stairs. When he picked up his phone, he noticed the blinking light and opened it up to find a message from Anna Beth.
Morning.
Jared grinned at the sleepy emoji she’d tagged on the end of her text. He was feeling the exact same way.
Morning, A.B. How’d you sleep?
Alright. The kitten liked the crook of my neck, so I’m a little stiff. You?
I slept okay until my dog woke me up.
Jared attached a picture of Rip from camping a few months ago.
I guess he didn’t get the memo that Sundays are a day of rest.
Awww, he’s so handsome.
Yeah, he gets that from me.
Anna Beth sent back a gif of Ryan Reynolds rolling his eyes. Jared countered with Jim Carey’s grinning Grinch.
You are still such a goober. I’m heading to Foam Capped to work on my screenplay.
I was going to take Rip there for a pup-cup. Mind if we say hi?
Not at all. I’m leaving now. See you in a few.
Jared whistled the whole way down the stairs and when he jumped the last two, he caught Rip watching him, his head tilted curiously.
“You, my friend, are about to meet someone mighty special.”
He grabbed his coat and Rip’s leash, latching the latter onto his red collar. He didn’t bother to lock his front door because he didn’t plan on being gone that long and besides, if someone found something inside worth stealing, they obviously needed it more than he did.
Jared opened the passenger door and clicked his tongue. “Rip, up.”
Rip jumped onto the floorboard then the seat. Jared tossed in his leash and shut the door.
“You ready, bud?” he asked as he slid into the driver’s seat.
Rip’s head bounced, as though nodding. It had been just them for more than two years and, at times, Jared felt sure his dog actually understood him.
Ten minutes later, Jared parked in front of Foam Capped Java next to Anna Beth’s car. He helped Rip out of the truck and led him toward the entrance. Anna Beth sat at a table in the corner, her laptop covering half of the surface. Chopsticks held her hair piled on top of her head. Several curls escaped and hung down along the nape of her neck. She looked up from her laptop screen and spotted him. A wide smile spread across her face and she waved enthusiastically. It was downright enchanting.
Enchanting? What the fuck, man? You need a guy’s night with Vance. What’s next? Lifting your pinky when you drink?
“Hey, Jared!” The owner, Kelly, never batted an eye when Snowy Springs patrons brought their dogs inside as long as they were well behaved. Just another benefit of living in a small town. “The usual for Rip?”
Jared faced Kelly with a grin. “Yeah, thanks, Kel. And I’ll take a large white mocha.” He held out a twenty, but she shook her head.
“It’s been covered.”
“It has?”
“Yep.” Anna Beth came up alongside him and Kelly winked. “Glad to have you back, Anna Beth. Be just a minute.”
Anna Beth leaned on the counter next to him, her vanilla scent swirling around him pleasantly. “What did you get?”
“Large white mocha for me and a pup-cup for Rip. You didn’t have to pay for my order.”
“I know. But that’s what friends do, right? Buy each other coffee?”
“Yeah, but I could have bought yours.”
“Next time, if I don’t beat you to it.”
Jared shook his head. “Did you order something yet?”
“Not yet. I was just getting situated. I’m kind of a freak when I work. Everything has to be just so.” Without warning, Anna Beth knelt down and her voice went up two octaves. “You must be Rip. You are gorgeous. Has anyone ever told you that?”
Rip loved everyone he’d ever met, but only a select few got the lap treatment. Rip knocked Anna Beth backward, onto her butt, and Rip curled up in her lap, nuzzling her cheek. She laughed, wrapping her arms around the dog.
“What a love bug. I may have to claim you. How do you feel about cats, though?”
Rip sniffed the front of her shirt in response and then rubbed his cheek against it with a whimper.
“I hate to break it to you, but this fur ball and I are an inseparable pair. If you want him, you get me too.” Jared wanted to kick himself as soon as the words tumbled out but, to his surprise, she laughed.
“I could live with that.”
Her words were a gut-punch. He knew it was only good-natured razzing, but he wanted it to be more. After all these years, he was still carrying a torch for Anna Beth Howard.
Son of a bitch.
Twelve
Anna Beth stroked the top of Rip’s head, nestled in her lap. The dog hadn’t left her side since Jared sat down and, when Rip leaned against her, Anna Beth melted. She grinned at Jared from across the coffee shop table.
Jared cocked a brow and took a drink of his coffee, his brown eyes filled with amusement. He set his cup down on the table with a gentle tap. “You’re still not taking my dog.”
Anna Beth sighed dramatically. “Fine, I’ll let you keep him.” She shot him a sly smile. “For now.”
Jared chuckled, a deep rumbling in his chest, and she shivered. Had his voice always been so low and sexy?
Snap out of it. There will be none of that! Friends, remember?
“Why did you name him Rip, anyway?” she asked.
“My favorite character on Yellowstone.”
“I haven’t seen it.”
“What? We'll have to remedy that. Maybe we can schedule a marathon while you’re here.”
“Sounds fun.” She rubbed Rip's velvety ear. “I still want to dog-nap him, but considering my vagabond lifestyle at the moment, I won’t be owning any pet for a while. Although, maybe if I could train Mittens to walk on a leash, I could keep her. I’ve seen videos of cats who accompanied their owners everywhere, even long-distance road trips.”
“Are you planning to backpack around the country, sleeping in that car of yours?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure what happens once I’m finished here. I sold my house in L.A., so my future plans are up in the air.”
Jared shot her a puzzled gaze. “Why did you sell your house?”
“It was Ian’s idea. We’d talked about moving out of the area for a while and I never liked living there. The house was big and modern, which I hated anyway, and our next-door neighbor was an evil curmudgeon.”
Jared chuckled. “You lived next to a cranky old man, huh?”
“Like Mr. Wilson turned up to one hundred. It’s one of the things I’m really glad Ian asked for, because I’m not sure I would have done it otherwise.”
“Why not? If you hated it, why stay?”
Anna Beth thought about all the firsts they’d had in that place. All of the happy times that were now clouded by the fact that Ian wasn’t there anymore. “Because it was familiar. But Ian knew I’d need a fresh start.”