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“She is.” I took a drink from my cup.
Vincent moved his chair back and ducked his head to see under her. “Frank? That’s one of my pieces she’s wearing.”
“Her collar?”
“Yeah.” He turned back to face me. “It was a commissioned piece.”
I leaned around him and looked at Pricilla. “Do you remember who bought it?”
“I know it was from Oz.” He tapped his thumb on the table. “I’ll check my records tomorrow at the office.”
“Maybe she’s a shifter.” I lifted my coffee to take a drink, pausing to smile at the thought.
Vincent sighed and grabbed his chest. “Still a hopeless romantic, I see.”
“Vince, c’mon, you are too.” I sat forward. “I see the way you look at Dolly when we meet at the coffee shop.”
“That’s different.” He shook his head.
“How? She’s a puppet that ran away from home. You want her to be a real woman? I have a beautiful cat that I wish could be a woman.”
Vincent chuckled. “You’re not wrong, my friend.”
She looked so perfect sitting on top of the bookshelf my great grandpa had built. Her eyes closed and her tail flicked a few times. I wondered what her dreams were about.
Do cats wish they were human?
“Do you think I should ask Dolly out?”
“I think so.” I lifted a shoulder to shrug. “She’s been sweet on you for a long time now. And I see the way you tip her.”
“What?” Vince sat back with a look of feigned horror.
“You already take care of her. Groceries. Rent.” I lifted a brow at him. “I think asking her out for coffee she doesn’t have to serve might be a nice thing.”
I went back to my sketch of Pricilla. She looked so regal and when she walked; she carried herself like a queen. My pencil made soft scratching sounds as I shaded in the small areas around her ears and muzzle.
Vincent tapped his cup on the table. “It’s a beautiful day. I think I’m gonna go hit the falls. You wanna come with?”
Glancing between my drawing and my cat, I shrugged. “Why not?” I got up and took my coffee cup back to the kitchen. “She could use some time to adjust.”
I slipped out of the room and went to change into my trunks. My mind flipped through scenarios of who Pricilla might belong to. I knew of the Pride in the jungles of Oz, but they were half cat/half human and it wouldn’t make sense for any of them to have a lioness as a pet.
Heaving a sigh, I packed a small bag with beach necessities and went back to Vincent. “I’m ready when you are.”
He stood up from the table and tossed the empty pastry sack and disposable coffee cup in the trash by the door and glanced back at Pricilla. “Enjoy the peaceful house, kitty.”
“I’ll be back later, Pricilla. Enjoy making the house your home.” I blew her a kiss and together we left the room and walked out of the house.
Vincent brought his carriage, so we got in and he drove us over to the Crystal Cascade Falls. All the other giants had the same idea, especially with the sun so high and bright in the sky.
I enjoyed being outside, and my mind went back to my beautiful cat. I hoped Pricilla adjusted quickly to life with me. Then I could get her a pretty harness too and take her for walks.
We looked around and found a place to set up our blanket and enjoy the weather without a lot of interruption. Giants were running along the coastline, some were stretched out catching rays and there were some teens playing a grueling game of volleyball further down the beach.
Vincent helped me secure the blanket in the gentle breeze, then stripped his shirt and shoes and ran for the water.
“Hey, Frank.” A not so feminine voice at my side grated my nerves.
