Chapter 122
Tilda
In less time than it probably should’ve taken Ethan to drive here, I get an alert on my phone that someone just passed the driveway camera.
“He’s almost here.” I run my hand down the baby’s back.
She’s the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen. And I already love her. But I can’t bring myself to give her a name.
Because I heard the other conversation Ethan was having, and I bet that person is on their way too. Which means I’ll probably never see this sweet baby again.
I press my finger against her sleeping nose.
There’s also the tiny detail that this sweet baby will grow up to be a lethal weapon.
“Yeah.” I boop her nose again. “You’re gonna grow up to be a killing machine, aren’t you?”
She yawns. And my heart melts even more.
I hear Ethan park his truck just as my phone notifies me of another car passing the driveway cam.
The front door opens, and Ethan walks in. But I keep my eyes on the baby. Wanting to soak her in as much as I can.
Ethan sighs as he crouches next to where I’m sitting on the floor.
I didn’t want her falling off the couch. And I figured, in case she pees on me, then at least this way it’s just my dress and not any furniture.
Ethan’s warm palm settles on my bare shoulder. “She’s cute.”
I nod. “Super cute.”
We both hear the other car pull up, and Ethan stands to go wait by the door.
The baby cat blinks her eyes open.
“Such a pretty girl,” I whisper as Ethan and the stranger step into the house.
I keep my gaze on the cat.
The furball stretches, her front legs reaching out, her claws catching on my dress.
I help her untangle, then finally lift my eyes to Ethan. “Sorry.”
He lowers back to a crouch beside me. “You don’t have to be sorry.”
“After I called you, I did an internet search about what you should do with abandoned mountain lion cubs.” I wince as I say it, and we both know why.
Every search turned up with the same thing. Do not touch them. For a plethora of reasons.
Ethan runs his tongue along his teeth. A move I suspect is meant to hide a smirk.
“Turd,” I whisper.
He runs a hand over my hair, petting me like I’m petting the baby. “Yeah, but I’m your turd.”
The other person, a woman in her thirties, sets a pet carrier on the floor a few feet away from me. “Hi. I’m Shelia.”
“Hi, Shelia. I’m Tilda.” I look back down at the feline in my lap. “You gotta go with Shelia now. But I promise you’ll like her.”
I sniff against the urge to cry.
I want to ask where the baby’s mother is.
How they’ll find her.
But I don’t ask because I’m afraid the answer will end up being something sad.
Shelia pulls leather gloves on, and I stroke the baby’s back one more time before she picks her up.
Shelia expertly gets the cat secured, tells us goodbye, then carries the mountain lion out of the house.
Ethan, still next to me, leans in and presses a kiss to my temple. “I’m sorry, Starlight.” He kisses me again. “We can get you a regular cat if you want.”
I exhale the sadness. “I’m allergic.”
An engine starts, and a vehicle drives away.
Then a quack sounds through the stillness, and we both watch through the windows as Quackers flies down from the roof.
“Good thing you’re not allergic to ducks.”
“It is a good thing.” I sniff but can’t stop my smile. “I don’t think Quackers liked her much.”
Ethan hums, then kisses my temple again. “Come on, Starlight.” He stands, then steps over so he’s straddling my extended legs. “Let’s go wash your hands, then have some lunch.”
He reaches down, hooks his hands under my arms, and lifts me to my feet.
I look up into his eyes, soaking in the colors. “I like how strong you are.”
Ethan smirks as he slides his hands down my sides. “I like that you like it.”
I start to reach for him but stop with my hands in the air between us when I remember what he said about washing my hands.
I wrinkle my nose. “She was a little stinky.”
Ethan lifts his brows. “Wild animals.”
I sigh as I drop my hands back to my sides. “Guess I should probably wash my dress too.”
“Not a bad idea.” He flexes his fingers against my hips, then steps back. “You do that, I’ll start lunch.”
Gratitude fills my stomach. “Thank you for coming. I’m sorry if I scared you.”
Ethan steps forward, closer than he had been. “You never have to thank me, Starlight.” He leans in, slowly, and presses his lips to mine. “Now hurry up. If we eat fast, I might still have enough time on my lunch break to eat you for dessert.”
I inhale, then sprint to my bedroom for a new dress.