Page 39 of A Lifetime of Afters
“Most cats are.”
She rolled onto her side to face me, and I followed suit. “I don’t think we’ve ever had cats. Either of our families.”
“No,” I confirmed. “We’ve always been dog people. It’s taken time to learn to speak cat. I'm still not good at it.”
Her eyes twinkled. “That’s probably why he’s weird. You’ve made him socially awkward.”
I laughed. “I don’t doubt it. You want to come to the store with me to buy him a birdhouse?”
Harley’s brow furrowed. “You want to buy your cat a birdhouse?”
“Not to live in, Harley,” I explained exasperatedly. “To hang outside the window. So, he can watch the birds.”
“You mean a bird feeder? You really can’t speak cat. Or bird, apparently.”
“Shut up,” I grumped before grabbing her hand and pulling her off the bed.
In the end, I bought a bird feeder, bird seed, a kitty window seat, a climbing gym, and a hand-felted mushroom house that cost more than my monthly car payment.
I’d never felt more at home.
Chapter Sixteen - Taquitos
Panting, I grabbed my cell and accepted the call. “Hey!”
“Why are you out of breath?” Max barked. He took his role as big brother seriously.
Juggling my keys, I opened my door and tossed them on the counter. “I’m good,” I teased. “How are you?”
I grabbed a glass from the cabinet and filled it with water from the tap before guzzling it down. I’d forgotten just how good Sage Ridge water tasted. As if I dipped my face into the spring at the foot of Hailey’s Falls.
“Noelle,” he growled.
“Really? That’s so interesting!” No matter how old I got, that bratty little sister vibe kicked in whenever Max showed up in all his big brother glory.
“Right,” he clipped. “I’m coming over.”
“What? No!” I laughed. “I’m stinky and sweaty. Hello? Max?” I shook my head as I realized he hung up on me.
One of the best things about living on the resort was the easy access to hiking trails and the gym facilities on site. I’d partaken of both that morning, and I needed a shower. Badly.
I affixed a sticky note to the door informing Max I was in the shower and sprinted through my routine. Throwing my wet hair back into a soft ponytail, I came out just in time to witness the frown that stole across his face as he tore my note off the door.
His dark brows snapped down as he knocked louder. As incensed as he was by my note, he did not notice me slinking over to the door where I stood grinning at him from the other side of the glass.
When he raised his fist to knock again, I knocked back.
He jumped, his hand going to his chest, much like mine did when surprised. I swung open the door. “Did I scare you, old man?” I teased. “Want me to get you an aspirin to chew?”
I was tall but Max was capital T tall. In one step he was behind me, my head tucked under his arm, his knuckles rubbing my scalp. “You’re a troublemaker,” he groused.
“Is this news?” I wheezed through my laughter as I struggled to free my head. “Are you losing your memory as well? How’s your hearing?”
“You don’t put a note on your door advertising that you’re naked and alone and vulnerable in the shower, squirt.”
“It didn’t say I was alone,” I huffed at his waist.
“I’m going to stuff your nose in my pit,” he threatened.
