Pressing my lips together, I tried to keep from laughing, especially seeing the shocked look on Amelia’s face.
“Well, um…I…Patches?”
Chloe nodded.
Waylynn walked to Chloe and kissed her on the cheek, then faced her younger sister. “I vote yes!”
Chloe clapped. “Yay!”
“Wh-what?” Amelia said, giving her sister a death stare.
“I mean, if Patches was at Steed and Paxton’s wedding and my welcome home party, it’s only fair he gets to come to the reception.”
Amelia turned to Paxton, who was desperately trying not to laugh. Focusing back on Chloe, Amelia forced a smile. “Of course Patches can come. We’ll have him sit next to Waylynn.”
“Thank you, Aunt Meli!”
Paxton put a very excited Chloe down as she ran out of the room calling for her father.
Waylynn turned from watching Chloe to face Amelia. “You think you’ve won this round, but wait, little sister. You forget who your teacher was.”
After I left the ranch, I stopped by and checked my house. The entire second floor had been gutted and work had already begun. It was Sunday, so the workers were absent.
I headed back to Mitchell’s place. Standing in the middle of Mitchell’s living room, I looked around for something to do.
Milo jumped onto the back of the sofa and meowed.
“Hey, buddy. You want some food?”
Another loud meow signaled he was more than ready. He followed me into the kitchen where I poured him some kibble. Milo stared at it before looking up at me.
“Don’t tell me you want soft food.”
He gazed at me with those big blue eyes.
“Fine. I need to get something for dinner anyway. What time do you think Mitchell will get home?”
With a tilt of his head, Milo answered with his little bark meow.
“No, I’m not texting him to ask. The last thing I want to do is be a pushy girlfriend.”
I paused to smile. Reaching down, I lifted Milo and snuggled him. “Is it too soon to call myself Mitchell’s girlfriend?”
Milo struggled to get out of my arms.
“Don’t be jealous, Milo.”
He ran to Mitchell’s bedroom. Traitor. Milo hadn’t slept with me since I’d moved in, preferring Mitchell’s bed.
“I’m going to get cat food!” Rolling my eyes, I headed down the stairs. “I cannot believe I’m letting the cat know I’m leaving.”
Stepping outside, I locked the door. When I turned around, I let out a small scream. Cassidy was standing there with a smug expression. “Still haven’t found a place to live yet?”
Ugh. I hated drama, and the last thing I wanted to do deal with was a crazy woman who had the hots for Mitchell.
Another voice came from my side. “Hey, Corina. I’ve tried calling you.”
I looked over, surprised to see Lane. He was the second-to-last person I wanted to talk to right now. “If you’ll both excuse me, I’m in a bit of a rush.” It was a lie, but they didn’t need to know that. Besides, I was still pissed at Lane.
“Corina, please,” he said. “Let me apologize.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I called out, “No worries, Lane. See you at work soon!”
I made my way across the street, catching a glimpse of Mrs. Johnson trying to put something into the backseat of her car.
“Mrs. Johnson?” I called out. She peeked up and smiled. “Oh, Corina.”
“What are you doing?” I asked as I got closer.
“Trying to get this body into my car.”
My brows pulled tight. “What?”
“This scarecrow I made with my crafting group. Darn thing won’t get in.”
I let out a sigh to see it was just a stuffed scarecrow. Leaning down, I helped her get it into the back seat of her car.
“May I ask why you have a scarecrow?”
“It’s for the fall festival pie eating competition.”
Okay, now I’m lost.
Once we got the thing into the car, I shut the door and faced Mrs. Johnson. “You need a scarecrow for that?”
“Now, Corina, I know this isn’t your first fall festival.”
I laughed. “No, ma’am. But it’s actually the middle of August and the festival isn’t for another month.”
“And I’m a month ahead of schedule. Now, come with me, I have a new pie for you to taste. I’m entering it into the contest.”
Mrs. Johnson’s house was two blocks from the main square on Orcher Ave, a block over from my house. The ride was quick and Mrs. Johnson went on and on about the pie contest. She was positive she was going to win this year.
After pulling up to her house, she got out of her car and ordered me to help her. “Help me carry this fellow in.”
Getting the scarecrow out of the car was easier than getting him in. I walked behind her, carrying him as we made our way to her garage. “Just set him in the corner there, Corina. Then come on in. I’ll put a pot of coffee on.”
“I can’t stay long, Mrs. Johnson,” I called out from over my shoulder.