Three Things I'd Never Do

by Remi Carrington

  He wrapped his arms around me. “Absolutely nothing.”

  After a satisfying meal, we carried dessert to the sofa.

  “Let me get this straight, you don’t eat your cheesecake plain, but you like plain vanilla ice cream.” He kicked his feet up onto the ottoman.

  “Yep, I also like it with gummy worms, but I don’t have any. But next time I get a cheesecake, I’ll try plain. Just for you.” I patted the sofa, and Butch climbed up next to me. “I’m not sure how I’m going to sleep tonight.”

  “You and me both. Have a Scrabble game? We can play until the letters start to blur.”

  “Sounds like a great plan.” I jumped up and ran to the closet. “I haven’t played in ages.”

  Game after game, I beat Adam at Scrabble. Either he was letting me win, or he was distracted by worry.

  “I think I’m ready for bed. I can hardly keep my eyes open.”

  “Yeah. It’s late.”

  He followed me down the hall until we were standing awkwardly outside my room.

  “I guess I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “You will.” Adam backed me against the wall just outside my bedroom. “Thank you for tonight.”

  “For beating you at Scrabble?” I ran a finger down the front of his shirt.

  “For being you.” His head dipped toward mine.

  I slid my arms around his neck as our lips met. Dogs and all, Adam was what I wanted.

  He broke away and backed up. “I should go that way.” He pointed down the hall.

  “Wait. Let me get you an extra blanket. I don’t want you to be cold.”

  “How thoughtful.” He followed me into the bedroom.

  I lifted the lid on my hope chest and pulled out a quilt.

  “So that’s what’s in there.”

  I pushed him back toward the door. “Just blankets. Nothing scandalous.”

  He hugged the blanket to his chest. “Thanks.”

  If he didn’t walk away, we’d both still be standing in the hall when the sun came up.

  “Goodnight.”

  “Love you.” Adam strode away, leaving a very conflicted-looking Butch alone in the hall.

  I laughed. “Hard choice, isn’t it?” With my door open a crack, I slid under the covers.

  Butch nosed the door open a second later and jumped onto the bed.

  Maybe Pookie would sleep in Adam’s bed.

  The smell of coffee wafted down the hall. I could get used to waking up to coffee and a hot breakfast. “Morning. Looks like you’ve been up a while.”

  “About an hour.” He arranged bacon and eggs on two plates.

  “What time are you supposed to go get Sundance?”

  “They said I could come by any time after seven.” He dropped into a chair. “I’ve downed way too much coffee this morning. Did you know that Pookie catches treats?”

  “Haley taught her that.”

  “Is Haley a dog or a cat person?”

  “Yes. But she doesn’t have either right now. Her apartment doesn’t allow pets.”

  I glanced at the time. “It’s almost seven.”

  We rushed through breakfast then I pulled on shoes.

  Before we walked out, I dropped down in front of Butch. “We’re going to pick up Sundance, okay? He’ll be home in just a bit.”

  Butch wagged his tail as if he understood every word.

  I kissed him then ran toward the door. “I’m ready.”

  “They really have grown on you, haven’t they?”

  “They’re as sweet as you are. They just slobber more.”

  He laughed.

  When the vet tech brought Sundance out of the back, I thought my heart might burst. That dog tripped over himself trying to get to Adam.

  Adam lifted Sundance off the ground and cradled him like a baby. “You gave us a scare, bud.”

  Sundance licked Adam’s face repeatedly.

  Maybe, just maybe, I was becoming a bit of a dog person.

  Chapter 24

  “Tell me again why you decided to host Thanksgiving dinner.” Adam laid napkins next to each plate.

  “Lots of reasons. It eliminates Mom’s favorite threat. If I’m hosting, she’ll stop hanging that over my head. And because dinner will be on my turf.”

  “You’re a cat, aren’t you?”

  “That’s important because we chose when to have it. We don’t have to wait for Thursday to give thanks.”

  “I appreciate you planning it around my work schedule.”

  “You’re welcome.” I hugged him from behind, burying my face in his back. “I’m sorry Harper couldn’t make it, but it’s good that he got to go home and see his family.” When I pulled back, I scanned the room. “Where did I put my list? I need to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything.”

  “Right here.” He waved the piece of paper back and forth. “When are you supposed to put the turkey in the oven?”

  The room started to spin. “I didn’t. You said you’d cook it in that pot.” Had we talked about a different plan? If so, why didn’t I remember?

  “I’m joking. The oil is almost to temp. Turkey will be cooked in less than an hour.”

  “Not funny.”

  “Wrong. That was very funny. But you need to calm down. It’ll be fine.”

  “Right. The stuffing is in the oven. And our moms are bringing the other side dishes. This might work out after all.”

  Someone knocked, and Adam kissed me. “Smile. It’s family time.”

  With both dads offering helpful advice, Adam carved the turkey.

  His mom pulled the sweet potatoes and stuffing out of the oven and slid in the rolls. “These will be ready in about ten minutes.”

  “I need four straight pins, dear.” Mom tucked aluminum foil into a folded napkin.

  I dug out my sewing repair kit, hoping there was something helpful in there. “What are you doing?”

  “I wanted the table to look pretty, so I’m folding these napkins into turkeys. The pin just holds it all together.”

  This was the one flaw in my plan about having Thanksgiving on my turf—Mom had the opportunity to minimize my efforts. My festive tablecloth and coordinating napkins weren’t enough.

  “I can’t wait to see how they turn out.” I carried dishes to the table. With the aroma of seasoned turkey wafting through the kitchen, my stomach growled.

  After a quick check to make sure the forks were on the correct side of the plate, I snuck back to the bedroom and called Haley. “Hey, how’s it going?”

  “Things are good. I mean, it isn’t what I expected . . . at all.”

  “Did Hank invite Zach along?” I dropped onto the floor in the back of my closet and waited for an answer to a question Haley hadn’t expected.

  “Yeah, but it’s not a big deal.” Haley wasn’t being straight with me, but there wasn’t time now to prod her for an answer.

  “Adam’s parents and my parents are all here at the house. We’re going to eat in just a minute, but everyone was busy with something, so I called to check on you.”

  “Go back to your company. I’ll survive . . . probably.”

  “Have fun. Tell Zach I said sorry about his breakup.”

  She gasped. “I am not bringing that up. Then he’ll know.”

  Another voice sounded from her end of the line, but it definitely wasn’t Haley. It didn’t sound like her brother either. “Then I’ll know what, Carrot?” Zach must have been eavesdropping.

  I laughed. “I’ll talk to you later. Text me if you live through the night.”

  “Very funny.” Haley didn’t sound at all amused.

  Adam glanced up as I walked back to the table. “There you are.”

  “Sorry I kept you waiting.” I dropped into the chair next to Adam, trying not to laugh as everyone stared at the turkey napkin. Were we supposed to unfold them?

  Mom pulled the pin out of hers then laid the colorful napkin that had been the feathers in her lap. “But you’re good at keeping things, a
ren’t you?”

  I held my breath and drenched my mashed potatoes with gravy.

  Adam’s mom chimed in. “I guess you mean about how they dated without saying anything. Nearly broke my heart thinking he was cheating.”

  Adam pulled his bottom lip between his teeth. Hopefully his attempt not to laugh didn’t result in a bloody lip.

  “I was thinking of how they conveniently didn’t tell us how she’d met Adam before the blind date.” My mom passed the potatoes around the table.

  My dad cleared his throat. “So were you just about to get into the bath or . . .”

  Of all the conversations I never wanted to have at Thanksgiving, this ranked near the top of my list. But they’d brought it up. “In the bath. If it weren’t for bubbles and leaves, I’d have—”

  “That’s enough.” Mom put her hand up. “We don’t want to hear anymore.”

  “I’m happy to tell the whole story. From how he was trying to hurry before all the bubbles popped to how he gave me a shirt and loaned me his fireman jacket. And, by the way, your bathroom towels are tiny.”

  Adam turned a deep shade of red. “Turkey turned out pretty good.”

  “It did.” Mr. Cardona added more to his plate. “Thanks for making it.”

  Dad grinned. “Maybe y’all can host every year.”

  Both moms paled at the assumption included in dad’s idea.

  Adam gripped my hand under the table. “We’ll have to see about that. Maybe just every other year.”

  Mrs. Cardona dropped her fork; my mom choked on her sip of wine.

  Before either of them could ask any questions, Adam turned to his dad. “What time does the game start?”

  That kicked off a conversation about football, and hosting Thanksgiving didn’t come up again.

  Adam looked at me and pointed to the kitchen. “Want to help me get dessert?”

  “Sure.” I pushed away from the table.

  He poked me in the side as we walked to the kitchen. “That was fun. Are you going to run away and hide again?”

  “I wasn’t hiding earlier. Haley is spending Thanksgiving with her brother, and I called to check on her.” I served slices of pie while Adam poured cups of coffee. “I should get out the special doggie and kitty treats I bought.”

  “Where is Pookie? I haven’t seen her in a while.” He moved the cups and saucers to a tray.

  Mom grabbed the creamer out of the fridge. “I let her out a bit ago. She was begging at the door.”

  “She’s an indoor cat. She never goes outside.” I bit my tongue, keeping back all the other words I wanted to say.

  Adam pulled me close. “I’ll go find her. Don’t worry, okay?”

  I nodded. “Did you let her out the front or back door?”

  “The front. I’m sure she didn’t want to share the back yard with those smelly dogs.” Mom seemed unfazed by my mild panic attack.

  Adam squeezed my arm before walking away. “Have dessert. I’ll bring her home. Love you.”

  I pointed at the trays. “Mom, y’all enjoy. I’m going with Adam.”

  She blinked, her mouth hanging open.

  “Did you hear me? Will you take this to the table?”

  “He loves you?” Had she missed all the clues at dinner? Why was she just putting it together now?

  “Yes. That’s kind of old news, but yes. He loves me.” I headed out the front door.

  On his hands and knees, Adam looked under bushes, using his phone to shine a light into places the porch light didn’t illuminate.

  I looked under the cars. “Pookie! Here, kitty.”

  He walked to the gate and shined the light over the fence. Butch and Sundance barked with excitement. “Have you guys seen Pookie?”

  “Why don’t you call her, Adam? It’s dark. She could be anywhere. How are we going to find her?”

  He rubbed my arm. “Pookie, come here, sweet girl.” Who wouldn’t come when called like that?

  A hesitant meow sounded in the branches of the big tree.

  “She has a thing for trees, doesn’t she?” He moved to the base of my large oak and pointed the flashlight into the branches. “Please come down. Don’t make me get the ladder.”

  I grabbed his arm. “Should we call the fire department?”

  “You’re joking, right?”

  The wind blew, and I shivered. “No. Isn’t that what people do when cats get stuck in trees?”

  “Have you ever seen a cat skeleton in a tree?” He reached into his back pocket. “Pookie, you can have the rest of the bag if you don’t make me climb up after you.”

  She seemed excited about that idea. One branch at a time, she worked her way closer to the ground. But she was so little, and the tree was so big.

  I covered my face, too nervous to watch. “Tell me when she’s down.”

  “She’s a cat.”

  “Just tell me.”

  He slipped his arms around my waist. “While Pookie makes her way down, we get a few minutes alone. You know what I’m most thankful for?”

  “Are you trying to distract me?”

  “Is it working?”

  “Yes. What are you thankful for?”

  “You. And Mr. Raymond.”

  I swatted his chest. “You’re such a rule breaker.”

  “Maybe just a little.” He rubbed his hands up and down my arms. “You cold?”

  “Only a little. Oh, my mom heard you.”

  He flashed his lopsided grin, and those dimples appeared. “The love part?”

  “Yeah, that. So, be prepared for questioning.” Pookie jumped down, and I scooped her up. “You had me worried.”

  She wriggled and shoved on me until I set her down, then she sat at Adam’s feet and meowed like a little angel.

  He picked her up. “You can have the treats inside.” He carried her into the living room and dumped the treats onto the ottoman. “Eat up before we let Butch and Sundance back in. They’ll steal them from you.”

  Hand in hand, Adam and I walked back to the table.

  His mom stood up. “When were you going to tell us that you were in love?”

  Adam laughed. “I sort of figured it was obvious. I’m over here every chance I get, and I almost always have kitty treats in my pocket. But maybe I should’ve rented a billboard to broadcast the news.”

  Dad chuckled. “Seemed obvious to me.”

  Adam leaned in and kissed me. “I’m ready for pie.”

  If pie was code for something more, I was on board with that. “Me too.”

  Chapter 25

  Glitter was everywhere. Why did I choose this wrapping paper? Obviously, I chose the blue paper with the glittery snowflakes because it was stunningly pretty. I rolled out enough paper to cover the stainless-steel food trays I’d found for Adam.

  For a guy who didn’t like his food to touch, those would be the perfect gift.

  Pookie ran onto the paper then flopped on her side.

  “Get off. I’m trying to wrap.”

  Sundance trotted over, sure that he was missing out.

  “Pookie, go play with Sundance.” I picked her up and set her by her favorite playmate.

  Butch stayed snuggled against my leg.

  The last few times Adam went on shift, I’d been keeping the dogs. I liked having them around.

  While Sundance kept Pookie entertained, I laid the trays in the center of the paper and folded the edges up, taping them into place. This was the last gift to be wrapped.

  I was looking forward to Christmas more than I had in years past. I’d spent more on doggie toys and kitty toys than I should have, but watching them open gifts would be so much fun.

  I grabbed the phone when it buzzed. “Hey, Haley. What’s up?”

  “Drop everything. I’ll be there to pick you up in ten minutes.”

  “Why?”

  “I need help shopping. Please.” Haley rarely begged.

  I stuck a bow to the top of the gift. “All right. I need to let the dogs out, and then I�
�ll get my shoes on.”

  “Thanks. I owe you one.” The call ended.

  I tucked the gifts under the tree—except for the pet toys. Those went into the closet so they wouldn’t get opened early.

  I glanced down at my leggings and favorite t-shirt. Why bother changing? Adam was on duty, and I didn’t care about impressing anyone at the mall.

  After letting the dogs out for a potty break, I pulled on my shoes. “Be good, all of you.”

  Pookie licked her paws. She was too busy to listen.

  “Butch, I’m leaving you in charge.”

  He was by far the most responsible.

  Haley honked when she pulled up in front.

  I blew the animals a kiss and locked the house before running out to the car. “So who are you shopping for?”

  “My brother. He wants to get together for Christmas.”

  “Y’all going camping again?” I couldn’t say it without laughing.

  Grumbling, she rolled her eyes. “Maybe I can buy my brother a clue.”

  “What’s with his sudden desire for family togetherness?” I hadn’t seen her brother in a while, but from what I remembered, he’d never been all that interested in spending time with his little sister.

  “He’s been this way since he moved back home. I’m not sure why, and he doesn’t talk about it.” She parked outside the mall. “Only happy talk now. It’s Christmas. Let’s start in the bookstore. I need to get something for me.” Haley was practical that way.

  After hours of shopping, Haley pulled up to the curb in front of my house. “I’m not coming in. You don’t mind, do you?”

  “That’s fine. I’ll call you tomorrow.” I carried my bags onto the porch and fumbled with my keys before unlocking the door. Once inside, I froze.

  The dogs and Pookie weren’t waiting at the door. A glass of wine and a small plate of chocolate truffles sat on the entry table. Next to them was a note that read: A treat for you.

  “Adam?” I popped a chocolate in my mouth and picked up the glass of wine.

  I couldn’t imagine a different explanation, but where was his truck?

  Following the trail of yellow rose petals and candles, I called out again, “Are you here? I thought you were at work.”