"I can do that," he said, keeping that same Southern Gentleman tone before he gave her a final nod and left the room. He did wander off for a bit, at least long enough for it to seem like he wouldn't be coming back.

But sometime later, a rather large cat padded quietly into the room. Darting behind the furniture where Liadan couldn't easily see him, but Johnny, being closer to the floor, certainly could. Then he settled down and watched them.