Page 32 of Autumn at the Cat Cafe

Via slumped into her chair, questioning her decision to involve him in her bucket list. She was starting to see some things about Leo that reminded her of Trevor. They were both handsome, although Leo was on another level in that department. They were charismatic, smart, accomplished... Actually, Leo was superior in those ways too. But they were both cryptic. And she didn’t like that at all.

But she couldn’t back out now. She owed it to herself and Earl to keep tabs on Leo. They’d only met yesterday. Everything he was telling her could be a lie, including him saying he wouldn’t sell Second Chapter to Percival. Just because he’d been truthful about being Earl’s nephew and heir didn’t mean she could trust him. If only Earl were here. A melancholy lump appeared in her throat as she whispered, “I miss you so much.”

Sunday after church, Via was in her parents’ kitchen, stirring the chicken and dumpling soup in the Crock-Pot. The dish was a fall staple in the Dalton household since she could remember. She and her siblings all lived separately—Via in downtown Pecan Corner, Dora in nearby Chagrin Falls, and Fergus had a house farther away in Garfield Heights. But they all attended Abundant Life Church and had Sunday lunch with their parents afterward.

When she was younger and wanted to spread her wings, she couldn’t wait to be away from her family, even though she loved them. Ever since she returned home, she loved being so close to them again.

But her mind wasn’t on her family or food. She’d seen very little of Leo over the past couple of days, and what she did see was due to Sir Meow. The cat couldn’t get enough of the man. It was beyond weird at this point. Thursday night after she left the café and Dora started her Pawtrait Night art lesson, Sir rushed up the stairs and meowed at Leo’s door. Leo had opened it, and Sir dashed right in. Via had to get him, and she and Leo didn’t say anything to each other. It was like they were back to the day they’d met, but without the arguing.

After that she kept Sir right by her side, either on the leash or in his vented catpack. She didn’t like cooping him up, but it was his own fault. She’d even brought him to her parents’ house and he was lounging under the table while Mom finished setting it.

“The flowers are beautiful, Octavia.” Her mother placed a vase in the middle of the table filled with the stunning autumn blooms Via had ordered from The Red Carnation. “Anna always makes such lovely arrangements.”

Dad entered the kitchen after changing from his Sunday best to a flannel shirt and jeans that were probably older than she was, his salt-and-pepper hair slicked back from his forehead. “Smells wonderful, Gayla,” he said, heading for the Crock-Pot. He inhaled the steam from the soup.

“Oh, Kyle, you say that about all my meals.”

Via saw the warmth in her mother’s eyes. After almost four decades of marriage, they still had that spark between them despite being almost complete opposites—she was a literature professor and he a plumber with his own business. But they were alike in the ways that mattered. Family oriented, affectionate, and always making sure to have fun with each other.

Via had wanted a happy marriage like theirs and foolishly thought she would have that with Trevor. She couldn’t have been more mistaken.

Dora and Fergus walked in. “Got the French bread,” Dora said as she set two plastic grocery bags on the island counter.

“Thanks. I can’t believe I forgot to buy it this week.” Mom peeked inside the bags. “What’s all this?”

“I did a little shopping too. It’s been a busy week.” Fergus pulled out a carton of milk and set it inside the refrigerator. “Remind me to get this before I go.”

Soon they were all seated at the table and Dad said the blessing. Then they dug in. Conversation buzzed between her parents and Fergus, with Dora joining in more than usual. Dating Charlie was really bringing her out of her shell.

But Via remained quiet, her mind still on Leo. Tomorrow was their first day to work together in Second Chapter. Were they going to ignore each other like they were doing now? And what about the bucket list activities? She’d rather do them alone than with someone who was icing her out.

Fergus nudged her arm. “What’s with you, sis?” he said, holding the breadbasket with his huge hand. Her brother was built like a brick wall—tall, broad, strong. He kept his flaming-red hair on the longish side, a little past his collar, giving him a wild lumberjack vibe.

She picked up a round slice of bread. Sir was lying on her feet, keeping her toes warm through her pink socks. “Nothing,” she said, tearing the slice into pieces and dropping them into her soup. She glanced at Dora, waiting for her to jump in and contradict her. Her sister had asked her a few times about Leo since their meeting, and finally Via had to tell her to shut up and get back to work. After that, they hadn’t talked much at all.

“You do seem preoccupied, dear.” Mom sprinkled pepper on her soup.

“You know how busy October is for me and the shop.”

Dora gave her an inquisitive look but stayed silent.

“How’s the autumn bucket list going this year?” Dad asked.

“Already marked off two things.” Good, something she could talk about. “I baked pumpkin pies yesterday with Sally for the church bake sale this morning, and the Cats with Pumpkins pictures are done and posted.”

“They’re a hit on social media.” Dora buttered one of the two slices of bread on her plate. “Fergus did a great job taking them during Cuddles and Coffee.”

“I saw them,” Mom said. “Really cute. I hit Like, of course.”

That made Via smile. Her mother was always the first to like, heart, and subscribe to anything the cat café did. Unfortunately, due to her teaching schedule at Lake Erie College, she couldn’t spend much time in Pawsitive Vibes. Her father was there even less, and sometimes he had to work six days a week at his plumbing business. Fergus filled in from time to time if he was free.

Mom turned to her brawny son. “I think it’s sweet you never miss Cuddles and Coffee.”

He rolled his eyes, his ruddy cheeks reddening. “I’m just there for the coffee and to make sure the café is in working order.”

“Sure you are,” Dora said. “That’s why you’ve always got a cat or two in your lap at all times.”

“I can’t help it if they adore me.”