I pull into the garage, kill the engine, and grab the pizza and bag of fries and onion rings. Every once in a while, we’re left with a ton of food at the end of the night. We offer it up to the staff for free, and depending on what kind of food is left, we take it to a homeless shelter.
Balancing the bag of fries and onion rings on top of the pizza box, I unlock the door and step inside, the house is dark and quiet, and I silently move through the mudroom and into the kitchen, setting the food on the counter. Tulip, meowing softly, limps into the kitchen. I pick her up and get a few pets in before she growls. I really don’t get why people like cats so much.
I run up the stairs to change into clothes that don’t smell like the bar. The guest room door is open, but Charlie isn’t in bed. I pull my shirt over my head, strip out of my jeans, and pull on sweatpants. Then it’s back downstairs to look for Charlie. She’s not in the living room either. Did I miss her upstairs? Maybe she was in the bathroom?
But the bed was made. I’m about to go back up and look when I see the door to the screened-in porch is open. Stepping out, I see Charlie huddled up on a lounge chair. There’s a book on the floor next to her. She must have fallen asleep reading. It’s a little chilly tonight, so I grab another blanket from the living room and go out onto the porch.
The boards creak softly underfoot, and I pause, not wanting to wake her up. Light from the porch lamps illuminate her face, and the gentle steaming from the fountain in the pond fills the night air, muted slightly by a chorus of crickets. Falling asleep out here is easy to do. It’s quiet and peaceful, though probably not the safest.
The door exiting the porch has a lock, but it’s one that would be easy to bust through. I don’t keep anything valuable out here, even though the crime rate in Eastwood is low. You never know, and I’d rather not have to call Wes and report that something was stolen. Charlie seemed to have a similar train of thought and pushed a chair up against the door.
Smiling, I drape the blanket over her. She lets out a soft moan and pulls the blankets tighter over her shoulder, rolling over to her side. The lounge chairs are comfortable to sit in and, well, lounge, and I’ve taken a good nap or two in them before. But sleeping all night…that can’t be comfortable.
Her hair is in her face and I want so bad to tuck it away. I want to run my fingers through it and put my lips to hers. Tearing my eyes away, I go back into the house. The porch is right off the kitchen, and I pull down the kitchen window’s blinds before turning on the light so it doesn’t bother her.
I grab a water bottle from the fridge and open the box of pizza.
“Owen?”
“Hey, Sleeping Beauty.”
She rubs her eyes. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep out there.”
“Were you hoping to make it out of here before I got home?”
She laughs. “I was, but now that I know you brought home pizza, I’m glad I stayed.” Crossing the room, she grabs a slice and joins me at the table. “I actually told Libby she could have my room tonight. She’s sharing a room with both her brothers and it’s a tight fit. How was work?”
“Busy, which is good. Two of our regulars got into a fight.”
“Sounds more exciting than my day.”
“Missing the hustle and bustle of the city already?”
She shakes her head. “Not really, but I do enjoy challenging cases. And I will miss going up against asshole men who see me as less because I’m a woman and then I get to tear them limb from limb. Metaphorically, I mean. In the courtroom.”
God, this woman is perfect. “I’d love to see you in action, and I don’t mean that sexually for once.”
“Thanks. It’s kind of funny to say I love conflict in that sense. Well, mediating conflict.” She takes a bite of pizza. “This is good. It’s from Getaway?”
“It is.”
“I have been missing out by not going. Are those onion rings?” She opens the bag. “And French fries? Score!”
It’s three AM and we’re pigging out on junk food. I never thought this would be a perfect night, but it is. I want more of this…and more of Charlie.
“How’s she doing?” I ask, looking at Charlie’s cat.
“She’s back to her old self today. I think being away from the dogs is all she needed. Thank you again for letting her stay.” She grabs an onion ring. “And save the crazy cat lady jokes.”