A Walk in the Rain

Chapter 3

I wake up late and head towards the breakfast table in the kitchen. Mom had already made blueberry pancakes and fresh eggs. My mouth is watering. "Good morning," Mom said as she walked into the kitchen from the hallway. "I left you some breakfast. Your dad and James headed to the pond early this morning to go fishing.

"Hey, Mom, do you know an Adam here by any chance," I asked her. "Adam Smith? A man close to your age?" Mom questioned. "I know him. He is the man we buy our fresh eggs from. Adam only lives a few minutes from here at his parents' farm. Why do you ask?" "I met him the other day at the Bait and Tackle shop. I was just curious," I said as the heat in my face threatened to betray me. My mom starts giving me a glaring look. "I'm going to talk to James and Dad before I head out for the day," I said, hurrying and changing the conversation. "Okay, take this to them," she said while handing me two water bottles. "It's supposed to be hot outside today. Be careful."

At the pond, I stop for a minute and view my son and dad fishing. I'm taking it all in to keep it as a core memory. James keeps asking Dad a million questions about worms and fish, which Dad seems to be eager to answer. I haven't seen Dad this happy in such a long time. I make my way over to them. "Good morning, James," I said as I gave him a big hug and a kiss on the forehead. "I love you." "I love you too, Mommy." "Hey, Dad, caught anything yet?" I asked. "Not yet. It's hot out, so the fish go into the deeper parts of the pond where it is cooler. Thanks," he said as I handed him the water.

I hear a faint meowing towards the woods on my left. "Do you hear that, Dad? It sounds like a cat." I went to the woods and found a small black cat caught in the briars. I helped free the cat and got a few minor scratches on my hand. I picked up the cat and took him over to my dad. The poor creature is scared and shaking. Dad started petting him and pointed out that the cat had a blue collar but didn't have a tag attached. "He must belong to someone around here. Aren't you going to the bookstore today in town? Your mom said you may get a part-time job at the bookstore. Maybe you can stop by and ask around or go to the library to create some flyers." "That's a good idea," I replied. I took out my phone and snapped a photo of the cat. "Go take the cat and put him in the garage for now. It has air conditioning there.

I first stopped by the library to create the flyers. I made the flyers on the computer and uploaded the cute cat photo. I decided to name Felix temporarily until we found the owner. After printing the flyers, I decided to try to find Lilly to see if she had seen Felix before. Lilly stood beside a woman talking to her about tomorrow's kids' program. "Hey Lilly, do you mind posting this flyer at the checkout desk? I found this cat today and was looking for the owner. Do you recognize him?" "No, I don't think so. What about you, Jasmine?" Jasmine has shoulder-length, neon-pink hair and wears a black tank, jeans, and high-top Converse sneakers. "You're Jasmine, Lilly's assistant, right," I asked. "Jasmine, this is April, Celia's daughter." replied Lilly." It is nice to meet you." Jasmine said. "I don't recognize the cat either. I'll put the flyer up for you. Will you be joining us tomorrow at the kids' story time? We are doing a puppet show." "I would love to bring James by tomorrow." It will be a perfect opportunity to be able to spend some quality time together with him. Maybe Dad would want to come with us.

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I finished posting flyers as my stomach began to grumble. I am close to Georgie's Bar and Grill. I take the second seat at the bar. I requested a light meal of chicken tenders, fries, and a drink from the bartender. While waiting, I heard the door's chime open and turned to look and see who walked in. I quickly turned away when I noticed it was Adam. Adam sat next to me because the rest of the chairs had other customers.

Pulling out one of my last few flyers, I handed it to Adam. "I found this cat in the woods at my parents' house. I was wondering if you knew who he could belong to?" I asked. "That looks like my barn cat that went missing a few days ago. I think it may be him." He replied with a slight smile on his face. "If you want. You can come over tonight and see him to ensure it is the same cat. I am headed home after I finish eating."

What was I thinking in asking him to come over tonight? Of course, it is for the cat, but maybe Dad could have taken it to Adam for me tomorrow. I cannot help my mind now wishing I could reach out and touch his trimmed beard and put my lips on his. "Stop right now, April!" I think to myself. I may still be in love with Trevor. I shouldn't be thinking like this at all.

"How do you enjoy being back home?" he asked, breaking my thought. "It's been good." I replied, sighing. "What is wrong? You don't seem so convinced," he replied, seemingly concerned, which made my heart melt slightly. "Well, I could use a job to fix my car," I said honestly. "I could use an extra hand at the farm, and it is only a 10-minute walk from your home. Why don't you come to help me on the weekends, and I'll pay you triple what the bookstore is paying you," he offered. Did this man just offer me a job? "Genuinely, I don't have any experience working on a farm. I wouldn't know what to do," speaking anxiously to Adam. "That's okay. I can show you our daily schedule and will help you," he said. "Okay, I will give it a try," I agreed.

After our meal, I told him I would meet him at my house. "Didn't you say your car isn't working? How will you get home?" "I am going to walk home," I replied. "Here, just get in my truck, and I will drive you there."

I sat in his black Chevrolet truck. As we are heading to my parents' house, I can't help but look over at his arms, where his tight plaid shirt meets his biceps. Oh, how bad I want to reach over and feel how hard they are. I can see the veins sticking out of his forearms. This man looks like heaven. The ride home was awkwardly quiet, but I was fearful that he could hear my heart beating rapidly the whole way.

We pulled up to the garage and got out of the car. I can already hear Felix meowing as though he can sense his owner. We stepped into the garage, and immediately, Adam said, Yep, this is him, alright. I can take him back home." "What is his name," I asked. "He doesn't have a name. I just call him cat." "Well, I have been calling him Felix. I think it suits him," I said. "Hey, little buddy. I guess you have a new name now," he said happily. Adam thanked me for finding his cat, and I can put my mind at ease now, knowing Felix will be back at his home.