Chapter 23

He returned with two bottles of Budweiser. I unscrewed the cap on mine and waited while he did the same, then tapped my bottle against his.

“Here’s to the first of many Christmases together.”

“And may we have a hundred of them.” His eyes were a warm brown in the candlelight.

“Why limit ourselves?”

His smile was broad and happy, appropriate for Christmas Eve. “Then here’s to a forever of them.”

* * * *

A well-behaved feline, Miss Su waited politely for us to finish eating, giving an occasional “mrrow” to remind us that she hadn’t yet dined.

“I think it should be okay to feed her now. The sedative seems to have worn off.”

“Sedative?”

“I had to fly down with her from Cambridge, and Jill gave her something so she wouldn’t cry the whole flight.”

“When did you get her, babe?”

“Today.”

“You flew there and back in one day?”

“Sure. I’ve done plenty of day trips. They’re no big deal. Get her, okay?”