Page 49 of Autumn at the Cat Cafe

“I hire people to do that.”

Leo wasn’t the pretentious jerk she initially thought he was—another wrong conclusion she’d jumped to—but there were plenty of reminders that they lived in different worlds. The only reason they were briefly converging was because of Earl.

They stopped in front of the Mr. and Mrs. Pumpkinhead cutouts. Unlike the horror movies of the same name, these were adorably painted wooden props with the faces cut out. Mr. Pumpkinhead had on green overalls and held an ear of corn while the missus wore a blue gingham apron, a bright red bow on her stem.

“You seem to enjoy decorating,” he said.

“I do.”

“You’re pretty good at it.”

She smiled at the compliment. “Thanks—”

“It’s not my style, but it works for you.”

“Oh.” So much for a compliment.

“My clients would think I was a little nuts if I had cat decor stuffed in every nook and cranny of my office.”

“That makes sense,” she said, feeling better now that he explained himself.

He paused. “I like the plaid couch, though. And that red necklace you had on the other day.” He peered down at her ear. “Your earrings are cute.”

Those delicious tingles she felt when she was pressed against him in Gold Yeller returned.

“Creative dedication to the theme.”

The playful glint in his eyes was unexpected and amped up her already revving pulse.

“Picture time!” Dora appeared in front of them, beaming.

Via jumped, and Leo took a step back. She couldn’t stop the salty look she threw at her sister, although it was a good thing she interrupted them. Via had no business getting caught up in Leo’s effortless charm.

Dora handed Via her small Polaroid camera. “Can you take our pictures?”

She took the camera, glad for the diversion from Leo and his tingles and pointed it at the Pumpkinheads. Dora had the camera ready to go. First it was Charlie and Phoenix. Dora held her so her little face could appear in the hole. The child giggled and Via pressed the button. A miniature instant photo slid out of the camera slot. She grabbed it.

“Now Dora and P,” Charlie said. Phoenix laughed at Dora’s big grin and Via snapped another photo.

“P, stay right here.” Charlie put her down on the hay bale next to the props. “It’s me and Dora’s turn.”

Via smiled as they made goofy faces, then super-serious ones. When the picture taking was over, Charlie picked up Phoenix and put her on his shoulders while Dora got the camera and Polaroids from Via. “Thanks!” She thumbed through them quickly. “These are really good.” She showed Via the Charlie and Phoenix one. “He’s going to like this.”

She took the pictures from Dora again and found the one she wanted—one of her sister and Charlie looking at each other adoringly. She handed it to her. “I think he’ll like this one just as much.”

Dora’s cheeks turned rosy as she accepted the photos. Then she nudged Via toward the Pumpkinheads. “You and Leo’s turn,” she said as she put the pictures in her pocket. “I’ll hold Sir.”

“Oh no,” Via said. Although she and Dora always got their pictures taken during their sister visits, she didn’t expect Leo to engage in this part of the tradition.

But Dora was already pulling one of the catpack straps down Via’s arm. “C’mon. Charlie and Phoenix are waiting on me.”

“All right.” She unbuckled the belt. “Leo, you don’t have to—”

But he was already walking toward the cutouts. “It’s just a picture.”

He was right—she was making a big deal over nothing. Via slipped off Sir and hurried to stand behind Mrs. Pumpkinhead. Leo had to crouch down a little in order to center both their faces.

His arm slid around her waist, pulling her closer to him.