Blackwood Grove, Wednesday Evening

The sauce was simmering on the stove, filling the whole cabin with the scent of roasted garlic, spices, and tomatoes. There was also a freshly baked loaf of bread cooling under a dishtowel, and Adrian hummed as he washed up the dishes from dinner prep in advance of Rey's arrival. Bran was also hard at work, sweeping up the floor of the entire cabin - and sometimes bedeviling Boston as it followed Adrian's familiar from spot to spot, cleaning up any cat hair before it had a chance to settle. The fire was already burning merrily in the hearth, chasing away what little autumnal chill Baltimore had managed to accumulate as the sun headed towards setting.

"All right you two, enough playing," he called, ignoring Boston's indignant squawk. "Rey will be over any minute. Bran, do you want to give the greenhouse another quick once over to make sure everything is still clear?"

The broom performed a small circle and disappeared towards the back of the cabin.

"And Boston--"

"Don't worry about me, Adrian," Boston declared with regal dignity. "I have plans of my own this evening."

Adrian was pretty sure that wasn't true, but Forest forbid Boston should be seen as less in demand than his witch. "Of course," he said.

"I'll go keep an eye out on the porch," Boston continued, sauntering out the door with his tail high.

"Thanks!" Adrian called after him. Dinner, cabin, broom, and cat all accounted for, now all he needed was his date!

[For the lady mentioned and for SP as I deal with enjoy guests!]