Following the Warmth

The bright square of sunlight had wandered away from the dark bottle. I watched it creep across the smooth tabletop until it settled over a thick, braided wool coaster. Taking three slow steps forward, I tested the surface with my snout. It was pleasantly warm and smelled faintly of dried tea. I carefully nudged my front paws onto the raised fabric, feeling the knubby weave yield beneath my weight, then lowered my body down. Resting my chin flat against the coaster's edge, I let the steady warmth soak in while watching tiny dust motes drift lazily through the beam.