Page 11 of Backdraft
It was only nine thirty. Thank God.
I relaxed back into the pillows with my arms flung out, phone still in my hand. I did not want to get up. Maybe I could squeeze in another couple of hours sleep, but my mind had already kicked into overdrive. The biggest question on my mind was if I’d made the right decision coming here?
It wasn't the first, nor would it be the last time I would ask myself that. So far, the only exposure I’d had to Oak Creek and its people was yesterday at the fire scene. Other than Shannon and Taylor. I had no problem talking with the fire crews, it was a camaraderie we all seemed to have, even if we didn’t know each other.
It was too early to judge if I’d made the right choice, but I was always ready to split if necessary. The urge to flee, and be able to move at the drop of a hat, was my nemesis. I wasn't entirely sure where it came from and hoped that one day I could shake it and settle down.
And seeing Taylor! What a mind fuck that was.
Then I remembered the cat.
I had to call about the cat.
My heart hurt for the little guy. I knew I couldn't keep him in the hotel, and if I wanted to keep him, I'd have to figure out where I was going to live if I stayed. Regardless, with or without him, I couldn't stay in a hotel forever.
I googled Wags & Whiskers and wasn't surprised by the whacky results. I fine-tuned the search by adding the words “pet groomer”.
"Ah, there you are." I pressed the number, and a woman picked up.
"This is Mel."
"Oh, hi, Mel. My name is Andrea, and I think a black cat was brought in to you yesterday?"
"Oh, yes. He's here. What a sweetie. He's all washed up and ready to go anytime you want to come by,” she said.
"Actually, I was the fire investigator that found the cat. Someone took him out of my truck and left a note saying they were taking him to you. I'm living in a hotel at the moment, so I need to make some arrangements for him. The note said I had twenty-four hours to claim him or they’d take him home, but I really don't want that, since I have no idea who they are."
"Oh, right. I didn’t see the person that dropped him off, my other groomer did. I'll tell you what, we'll keep him here and tell the other person to check back in a few days if they happen to call or come by. Then we can sort this out."
I sat up in the darkened room, surprised how talking to Mel relieved my concern for the cat. I guess I wanted him after all, which meant I either had to find someplace permanent to live or not work here.
"Thank you so much. I will be in touch, here's my number." I gave it to Mel and she promised to call should anybody contact her about the cat.
I dropped the phone on the bed and stood to open the blackout draperies. Light flooded the room, momentarily blinding me until my eyes adjusted.
Oh my, the countryside was lovely. I could also see part of the town off to the right, and I wondered if Taylor lived here or elsewhere.
He was coming up in my thoughts often. It was because we’d been at the fire scene, and would see each other today again at the PM. Not because we'd spent a smoking-hot weekend together in the not-to-distant past.
My stomach grumbled its displeasure. I needed food.
I'd lost track of time and couldn't remember the last time I’d eaten. Then I remembered the cafe the firefighters had told me about. I would love a stack of pancakes and bacon.
I began to feel somewhat human after washing up, and I managed to get myself out the door in thirty minutes. I whispered a silent thank you when I saw the coffee station in the lobby. I made myself two cups of coffee, definitely needing a kick start.
"Ms. Trask?"
I turned to the registration desk. "Yes?"
"This note came for you," he said.
"Oh, thank you. I wasn't expecting anything." I looked at both sides of the envelope. My room number was scrawled on the front. "Do you know who left it?"
"No, I'm sorry. It was waiting on the concierge desk early this morning."
"Hmm, weird. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
