CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Winter in Minnesota is a frigid bitch. January’s windchills are just plain mean.
Twenty below zero isn’t even that bad in the grand scheme, but it still feels like a million needles are stabbing into my exposed flesh.
I tuck my chin tighter to my chest as the school bus takes its sweet-ass time arriving.
Finally, after my fingers and toes begin to lose feeling, those yellow flashing lights appear around the bend. I shuffle closer to the road as the brakes squeal and the door folds open. A burst of sunshine hops down the stairs to warm my soul.
“Frannie! Why is it soooo cold?” Ronnie’s teeth chatter as she races toward me.
I cuddle her against me, bend low, and make a run for the house. “It’s that time of year, kiddo. Spring will be here before we know it.”
A shiver racks her whole body. “That’s soooo far away! The snow is never gonna melt.”
“Not with that attitude, prissy pants.” I hustle faster to where the chimney is smoking with the promise of heat.
“My pants aren’t prissy,” Ronnie mutters from under the layers between us.
“We’ll change into fleece pajamas and fix the problem.” My palms hold her small frame steady against a fierce gust while we climb the porch stairs.
Just as we’re about to step inside, a broken meow stops me in my tracks.
I push Ronnie over the threshold before going in search of the poor animal stuck out in this weather.
Huddled on the frozen ground beneath the steps is a black kitten.
Its tiny body is curled in a tight ball to block the elements.
Snow and debris cling to its matted fur like a dirty blanket.
When it senses my approach, bright green eyes peek out at me.
My hardened heart lurches. “If that isn’t like looking in the mirror, I don’t know what is.”
Another soft meow greets me. Better than a hiss.
Ronnie is still in the open doorway, waiting for me. “What’re you doing, Frannie? It’s freezing!”
“Don’t I know it,” I say through a tremble. “There’s a kitten out here.”
“A kitten? Is it lost?”
Abandoned or born as a stray is more likely. Although, it seems more friendly than feral. Desperation might be kicking in.
I tug off my glove and extend frozen fingers toward the little thing. “C’mere, cutie. I won’t hurt you.”
White whiskers tickle me as it gives me a cursory sniff test. Whatever the kitten senses has he or she creeping toward me. When they’re close enough to scoop, I do just that and dash for the comfort of home.
“Phew,” I breathe and rest my back against the closed door.
Ronnie is bouncing in place, barely able to contain her excitement. “Can I see?”
After unzipping my jacket, pointy ears on a much smaller head poke out. A quiet meow squeaks from its shaking form. The barely-audible noise alerts Darla and Dottie that there’s a newcomer in their midst. Nails scrape on the hardwood floor as the pair rush toward me.
“Crap,” I mutter.
The kitten puffs up to triple its size when the dogs swarm me.
Wet noses poke and prod at the feline. In return, the tiny creature bats at them with its paw.
I brace myself for a fight, unclear about the protocol in these situations.
My misguided, scantily-clad maternal instincts suggest I shield the much smaller animal.
Darla and Dottie make the decision for me, quickly losing interest. An exhale whooshes out of me as my muscles relax.
“Oh. My. Gosh. He’s soooo super cute.” Ronnie claps her cheeks while her mouth drops open. “What’re we gonna name him?”
“Well, first of all, we don’t even know if he’s a boy.” I turn the scrawny thing in my grip and lift its tail. “You were right. He’s a boy.”
The little girl moves in for a closer look. “How can you tell?”
“Ummm…” I bite my lip to trap the truth about balls from spilling out. “I just can.”
“Are you a vet?”
I laugh. “Not even close. We used to get a lot of random cats in the compound. They’d come and go as they pleased.”
She tilts her head in that certain way. “Is that where you used to live?”
A knot forms in my belly at the reminder of where I came from. “Yep, but it’s not there anymore. Everyone left.”
Her forehead creases. “Are you sad?”
That uncomfortable ache loosens while staring at the face of genuine concern. “No, not really. I miss some of the people. We were like a family, you know? But they’re gone and I’m okay with that.”
“I’m really happy you’re part of our family,” she says. “Are you happy too?”
“Very.” I crouch to wrap her in a hug, careful not to squish the cat. “Thanks for believing in me, babes.”
“I knew you were meant for us.” Her tone is gentle, just like her finger coasting along the bridge of my nose. She swoops off the end to land with a tap on my chin. “Gonna love you for always, Frannie.”
There’s a recognizable clench in my chest. “It’s the same for me.” Even if I can’t actually say the words yet.
“And now we have a kitty!” Ronnie pets the little fella behind his ears. “What should we call him?”
I give his scruffy fur a thorough inspection, discovering a white spot at the base of his throat. “How about Tux? It kinda looks like he’s wearing a tuxedo and this”—I point to the only splash on his black body—“is his bow tie.”
She’s already nodding. “That’s perfect! Daddy wouldn’t let me have a cat. I can’t wait to show him. Thanks for getting Tux for us.”
Which drops a rock into my stomach. But that’s a fight for later. I smooth any trace of worry from my features.
“Do you want to hold him?”
“Yes!” She holds out her arms for me to pass him over and immediately clutches him against her. “Wow! He’s light as a feather.”
“Probably needs food,” I muse. “And a bath.”
Concerned eyes search mine. Tux might be glaring too. “But cats don’t like water.”
“Let’s start with dinner. I bet there’s a can of tuna in the pantry. He’d probably love some milk too.”
Her smile is blinding. “Uh-huh! I bet he’s super hungry.”
“Maybe he’ll let us clean him up a bit once his tummy is full.”
“Maybe.” But the little girl doesn’t sound convinced.
I lead us to the kitchen. Ronnie cradles Tux to her chest like he’s her most precious baby doll. An unmistakable purr rumbles from the tiny kitten. The sight chips away at my charred soul. That cat is going to be fat, spoiled, and lazy within days. My lips twitch into a grin. As he should be.
After gathering the supplies, we get settled on the tile floor. Tux immediately chows down on the tuna. Ronnie hums and it’s a peppy tune. A cozy buzz fills my veins. This feels right. Settled. It’s home.
That’s how Byron finds us. Brown eyes the color of toasted chocolate are blown wide while scanning the scene we’ve created. I wince and prepare for battle. Damn, I didn’t even hear him come in.
“What’s this?”
Ronnie isn’t bothered by his clipped tone. Her pearly-white teeth are on sparkly display when she gives him a megawatt grin. “Hi, Daddy! We found a kitten. Isn’t he cuuuuute? We named him Tux like a tuxedo with a white tie. Dottie and Darla don’t mind him. We’re all family!”
“You already named him?” Like the good father Byron is, he knows what that means.
I wink. “Sure did.”
His frustration shifts to me. “You brought in a stray?”
In a fluid, graceful motion, I rise to my feet. “You’re one to talk.”
“Wasn’t my idea,” he grumbles.
I park a hand on my hip. “Are you complaining about the outcome?”
His glare loses its sharp edge as he gives me a leisurely once-over. “Nah, it’s working in my favor. That cat is another story.”
Tux understands the assignment. After licking his chops, he stretches and stalks his target. His lithe body twines around Byron’s legs like they’re long-lost buddies. The grump scowls at the feline trying to make friends.
“Smart pussy,” I mutter under my breath. “Catch more fools with flirting.”
But his grimace isn’t impressed. “I don’t like this.”
“What’s all the fuss about?” Dennis appears out of nowhere, much like his nephew. Must run in their genes.
“Uncle Dennis!” Ronnie launches off the floor to drag him into the kitchen. “You gotta meet Tux. He’s our kitty.”
The Benson patriarch ambles to where the cat is still trying to win Byron’s affection. “Isn’t he precious? Just a bundle of joy.”
The grump grunts. “Mhmm, probably has fleas.”
“There’s a pill for that.” As if I’m an expert in pet health.
Dennis glances at me, a twinkle gleaming in his kind gaze. “Ah, my fellow menace.”
“That’s… me?”
“We’ll get along just fine. I’ve been known to cause plenty of trouble and mischief myself.” Gruff laughter shakes his arthritic joints. “Why haven’t we talked since the wedding?”
My mouth flaps open and closed, unsure how to navigate this scrutiny. “Been busy?”
“Yes, I’ve heard.” His focus travels a path to Ronnie and Byron before returning to me. “Figured we were due for another chat.”
“Um, okay?” Why I’m speaking in questions is beyond my scope. This entire situation is making me itchy.
He leans close and drops his voice. “That biker gang won’t be bothering you anymore.”
“Did you scare ‘em off?” Try as I might to avoid them, snark and sarcasm pump through my veins.
Dennis pats my hand in that grandfatherly way I’ve only heard about. “We take care of our own.”
Shock stuns me silent for a moment. My blind faith in this man is equal parts baffling and warranted. He’s not the type to blow smoke. There’s no doubt.
“You…” I begin on a stammer. “You consider me one of yours?”
His keen awareness strips away my defensive layers until the urge to cry tickles my throat. “Don’t you, Frankie?”
My gulp is thick. “I’m not sure what to say.”
He squeezes my shoulder gently. “Just keep doing what you’re doing.”
And that’s the end of that.
Dennis straightens, wiping any trace of malicious actions from his expression. A charming grin is there to soothe my stunned astonishment.
It spreads an unfamiliar calm over me. “Are you sticking around for a bit?”
Dennis shrugs. “Depends what you’re planning.”
“I’ll make supper.” My legs are already in motion when I realize how natural that sounded. Damn, look how far I’ve come. It’s almost scary.
Ronnie is hot on my heels. “Can I help?”
“Of course, kiddo. Couldn’t do it without you.” And that’s the truth.
As I glance over my shoulder, acceptance reflects back at me from Byron’s gaze. It’s intimate, but I don’t recoil. Maybe that’s because I’m fighting to keep a straight face while he tries to sneak a peek at my ass.
There’s something different in the air, and then it hits me. A deep-rooted sense of belonging rushes under my skin as if I’m wrapped in a comforting embrace. Thanks to this family, I know what that feels like.