Page 110 of Marriage (Red, White &) Blues

“No. She’s coming home with me.”

Miss Virgie smiled. “What will that husband of yours think of you bringing her home with you?” I’d told her all about the Georgie conversation with Blake. Plus, she wanted to make sure Miranda wouldn’t find herself back in the shelter because my husband decided he didn’t want her.

“My husband wants me happy. Bringing Miranda home to keep Georgie Boy company during the day will keep me happy.” For a second, I thought about surprising him again but remembered my promise. With Georgie boy next to me, I pulled my phone from my pocket placing a call to Blake.

“Hey, sweetheart, what’s up?”

“You busy?” I asked.

“On my way to another meeting.”

“For new company?”

After pausing a second, he said, “No. For Parker Holdings.”

That felt like a punch to the gut. “Parker… Holdings?” I asked.

“I didn’t go back to them—I mean I did, but they’ve contracted me for three times what I made when I worked for them before. But I did it for you.”

“For me? Why would I want you working for them?”

He exhaled. “We have to figure this shit out.”

“Blake, is this healthy? You’re like obsessed.”

“Yes, I am. You’re my wife. It’s my job to protect you.”

“Come back.”

“Baby, I can’t yet. Please, I need your support.”

Ihatedthis. I hated him having any connection to the Parkers aside from DNA and a last name but for better or worse, right? This moment called for crying or levity. I chose levity. “We’re adopting a cat.”

His returning snicker said it all—‘Thank you.’ ‘I need you.’— even if his words suggested something else. “Weare?”

“A beautiful American shorthair. Her name’s Miranda.”

“How big of a family are we looking at?” He offered a smile to me through his voice.

“Love you, Blake I answered and hung up.

Seconds later I got a text from him.Minx.

Shoving my phone back in my pocket, I called out, “Okay Miss Virgie, let’s make this official.”

In the end, Miranda got all her shots and I had her spayed before I brought her home. I bought one of those real comfortable travel cages at the pet store while she was getting her procedure. But then I saw a cat tree and decided to splurge.

But then, if she was getting new furniture, I thought she deserved a new wardrobe to go with it. I pinked the crap out of her wardrobe: A fluffy pink pillow for her cage. A pink and rhinestone collar, and a pink food bowl. The store even sold a continuous drinking fountain with a pink base.

From rags to riches. I decided to christen her Princess Miranda Parker. Her litter box cleaned itself after every use. Then once a week, I’d have to toss the tray with the clumps. I bought the fishy-smelling gel to feed her once a month to keep her from getting hairballs. And lastly, I bought the fancy cat food. A princess deserved to feast at every meal.

Three hours and 3k poorer later, Georgie and I drove to pick up our furry girl. A groggy but lovable Miranda rubbed her head against my hand.

“Ready to go home?” I asked her. I swore she nodded at me, so I gently scooped her up to lay her in her new carrier. Miranda snuggled down into the luxurious pillow and we headed for home. Georgie Boy loved her, keeping her company in the back seat instead of riding shotgun.

Once home, I pushed the button on my garage door opener and drove in. Then I carried the cage into the house and was startled to see a briefcase sitting on the kitchen counter. My husband owned a briefcase that looked exactly like this. Mahogany leather with gold clasps. Excited, I set Miranda’s cage down next to where we left the shoes. I slipped off my shoes and moved through the kitchen looking for the man I loved.

He startled me, appearing out of thin air behind me. “There’s my wife,” he said with complete nonchalance.

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