“I’ve got it,’ Liv said, wiping her hands on a dish-towel on the counter. She crossed to the back door and opened it, letting out a shrill scream before taking off out the back door. “Oh my God! Mama!”
“What’s wrong?” I rushed outside to find her chasing Mama around in an attempt to get her to drop the very stunned, or very dead, chipmunk she held in her jaw.
“Drop it, Mama!” Liv shrieked. “Bad cat! No!” Mama dropped the chipmunk who, much to my surprise, was alive. Seeing it attempt to scurry away, Mama went into attack mode again. I dove for Mama as Liv lunged for the chipmunk.
Liv’s face crumpled with horror when she realized she’d grabbed the rodent with her bare hands. “Oh my God! What do I do? What do I do with it, Jax?” I howled with laughter because I didn’t know who looked more terrified: Liv or the chipmunk. “If I put it down here, Mamawillfind it, and I cannot be finding dead baby chipmunks.”
Mama hissed as I tossed her inside, closing the door. I could barely form words, my body shaking with laughter as I rushed back to Liv’s side and took the tiny rodent out of her hand. “I’m going to go put him over the fence. He’ll at least have a fighting chance out of Mama’s line of sight.” I took the little guy to the farthest point of the backyard and gently set him over the fence, watching as he scampered away probably terrified out of his little chipmunk mind.
By the time I got back to the deck, Liv was giggling uncontrollably. “I can’t believe I just did that.”
“You’re a hero.” I chuckled, pulling her into my arms. “You should have seen yourself. You were like Snow White, if she were a fearless ninja.”
“Fearless, or just plain stupid,” she said, shaking her head. “That crazy cat.”
“I think that was her way of bringing you a gift.” I snickered. “I remember Dallas had a cat back when we were in school that used to do that. It’s their way of showing they love you.”
“I guess it’s the thought that counts.” She grinned. “Come on. I need to finish these dumplings for Dallas.”
Later that evening, we walked through the entrance of the hotel with Brady on our heels. He’d met us out front to ward off anyone who may try to approach, but the hotel lobby was mostly empty, except for Antoni, Cash, and Derek, who were talking just outside the elevator.
“Oooh, look who it is,” Antoni purred. “How are you, Miss Thing? What’s all this?” He made a sweeping gesture at the crockpot in my hands and the pile of baked goods that Liv carried.
“Just a little care package I made for you guys.” Liv expertly balanced the goods in one hand, hugging Antoni with the other. “I wanted to make something for Dallas to help him feel better, and I wanted y’all to have plenty to share.”
“You made all this?” Cash’s eyes gaped open. He looked at me questioningly, and I nodded. His face seemed to soften as he watched Liv.
Derek peered into the container at the top of Liv’s stack with a clear lid. “Are those cupcakes?”
“They sure are.” Liv beamed.
“Can I please steal one?” Derek asked. “I’m headed out for a bit, but I can’t walk out of here without one of those.”
“I’m not going anywhere, but can I take one too?” Brady grinned.
Liv laughed. “Sure.”
“I’m gonna take one for the road too,” Antoni said, helping to ease the lid off the container, pulling out two cupcakes and handing one to Derek. Brady reached in, grabbing one before pressing the lid closed and immediately taking a bite.
Antoni bit into his cupcake, closing his eyes. “Girl, I’m gonna have to go to confession. These are positively sinful!”
Derek took a bite of his cupcake and sighed. “Your cupcakes are the best.” He reached out and squeezed Liv’s arm. “I hate to grab and go, but I’m meeting with a friend who’s in town. Save me some of whatever is in that crockpot because it smells delicious.”
“Drive safe.” Liv smiled at him.
“I’ll be right back,” Brady said. “I’m going to walk Derek out.”
“Later, Derek.” I waved as he disappeared through the entrance with Brady on his heels.
“Well, that’s my cue too, boo-boo.” Antoni air-kissed Liv. “I’m going home to Texas for a few days to see the fam, but I’ll see you boys in LA. And I hope to see you again soon, Miss Liv.” He gave me a pointed look as he rolled his suitcase behind him into the night.
“I’ll go up with you guys.” Cash hit the button on the elevator. Liv, Cash, and I made the ascent to the twelfth floor, where our rooms were. “This was really nice of you, Liv.”
“It can’t be fun being sick in a hotel room.” Liv scrunched up her nose.
I led her down the hall toward Dallas’s room. “It definitely isn’t.”
Liv smiled. “Besides, y’all need a home-cooked meal every now and then.”
