8. Lynne （Now）
Lynne (Now)
She didn’t intend it, but when Leo arrived, he found her sitting on the floor near the utility closet with her head in her hands. “Oh, I didn’t even hear you come in,” she said when she noticed him standing there.
“You look like you could use a break.” He set down the heavy bags and wiped his hands on his sweatpants. She was relieved to see Ethan and Cali had gotten Leo everything they’d need.
“No, it’s okay,” she assured him. “What I really need is to get this litter upstairs. Every time I breathe in Mama’s direction she hisses at me.”
Leo glanced at a content mama cat in the cardboard box and back at Lynne. “You need to eat something. I’ll cook dinner. Burgers okay? It’s one of the few things I can whip up fast.”
She wanted to object. She wanted to just get this hard part over with now that he was here. But her tired body and frustrated mind wouldn’t let her. She hadn’t had anything to eat all day—and consumed way too much coffee. He was right.
“The patties are in the fridge on the left,” she said, pointing. “Spatula right beside the grill, of course. But can you make mine a cheeseburger?” she asked. “With extra cheese?”
His dimples flashed before he turned back to the stove—unfair, really, considering the day she was having. “Comfort food, coming right up.”
She cradled her head with her hands again, making sure to cover her eyes.
This was a good idea, she thought. Just in time.
She was probably headed for a headache and a terrible night of sleep before he arrived.
Within a few minutes the entire hallway smelled of smoky, charred beef, and her mouth watered.
Even mama cat lifted her nose toward the ceiling and sniffed.
Leo peeked around the kitchen corner and called down the hallway. “Buns? Not yours or mine, of course. I know where those are.” He winked.
She shook her head disapprovingly at the joke, but a tired chuckle still cracked through her. The feeling of it flooded her entire body with some relief.
“I want the good stuff,” she called back through the noise of the air vent and popping fat. “Pretzel rolls are in that airtight container on your right. See them?”
He turned. “Yeah.”
“Cut in half, butter, and toast for thirty seconds. Don’t let them burn.”
“Got it.”
Leo disappeared to finish the food, and when he was done, he brought out her plate and sat on the floor across from her, his back propped against the wall. They both took huge bites, spicy mustard dripping from one side of his mouth and ketchup dripping down hers.
“We look absolutely feral right now,” Leo commented. “See, Mama? You’re in good company.”
The creamy, melted cheese hit her tongue, and she let out a small moan. “Mmm. Leo, you’re hired.”
“Those pretzel rolls were a good call. Why don’t you serve all your burgers with that?”
She tried to talk with a full mouth, and everything came out a bit garbled.
“Meh. They’re really meant for that Irish cheese dip we serve as an appetizer.
See how they’re in Celtic knots?” He nodded as he chewed.
“We have to special order them. So it would jack up the price of burgers. No one in Autumn Ridge wants that. But when I make a burger for myself, this is what I use.”
“Well, maybe someday you can test-drive a burger special with this, see how well it sells. I mean, I’d buy it.”
She shoved another bite into her mouth. “You’re just full of good ideas tonight. Aren’t you?”
“Only when I’m properly fed.”
She snickered. For a while they sat in silence and just watched each other eat and glance at the litter nestled up against Mama. Eventually Leo stretched out a hand and grabbed her plate.
“So about those good ideas. Why don’t you let me try to coax them upstairs for a bit? Alone? No offense. Mama may prefer it.”
She eyed Mama, who made airplane ears at her the longer she stared.
“None taken, I guess. We can try it your way. I should probably finish setting up things in the guest room for when you succeed anyway. You probably will.” She sighed.
“Wanna trade? Your stray for this one here? I think Fred’s adopted me already—or at least he’s adopted my couch.
It’s all the same thing, though, isn’t it? Human equals couch?”
“To cats, yes.” He got to his feet, stacked the plates in one hand, and helped her up. “Let me just get these cleaned, and I’ll see what magic I can make happen with the cat food.”
Lynne fought the urge to clean up after Leo.
After all, he’d made them dinner. But if the grill was off and the dishes were in the sink, she could handle the rest tomorrow.
Tomorrow. That word still formed a tight knot in her stomach.
Except now the knot wasn’t hollow. It was filled with cheeseburger.
She took the bags upstairs one by one, leaving some canned kitten food for Leo’s solo attempt, then proceeded to set up the guest bedroom.
Minka had tagged O’Donnell’s in that social media post earlier today, and although it was a pain to keep checking the numerous comments that kept appearing, she had to admit one or two comments had been helpful.
A couple linked to some cat rescue vloggers who shared their own stray kitten litter setups.
All she had to do now was replicate it with what Ethan and Cali had purchased.
One big pile of pee pads, blankets, shallow bowls, food, Tabitha’s playpen, and other purchases were rearranged and laid out so the litter had a cozy corner to nest and Mama had non-clumping litter nearby.
By the time she glanced down at her watch again, an hour had gone by. She texted Leo—All ready here. Any luck yet?
He didn’t reply. So she trudged downstairs and saw him sitting just outside the utility door, half-eaten can cupped in one of his hands.
“Well, that’s promising at least.”
“We’re just talking,” he told her. “Mama said she needs to know a little more about me first before I’m allowed to touch the kittens.”
Lynne grasped and twirled her pendant in her hands.
She felt bad for keeping him here. “It’s getting late, Leo.
Mike’s probably expecting you back soon.
I should just text Ruby and bounce off the idea of keeping O’Donnell’s closed until Monday.
Maybe when Cali’s rescue friend comes tomorrow, they can help move the litter. ”
“Mike already texted. He’s fine. I can stay.” He gestured to the spot beside him in the hallway. “Want to sit for a bit?”
She felt less guilty about that option, and so she slid down the wall beside Leo.
She tried to stay hidden from Mama’s sight while he whispered sweetly to her.
Mama didn’t hiss once at him. Minutes stretched quietly, the building settling around them, Leo’s voice dropping softer and softer until it blended with the hum of the vents.
Next thing Lynne knew, she was waking up. Her head rested on Leo’s shoulder. She must’ve dozed off.
“Shit. What time is it?” Lynne asked him.
“After midnight. I didn’t want to wake you.”
“Oh no. Leo, I—”
“Shh. It’s okay. I’ll take the night shift. You go sleep.”
“But don’t you have to work tomorrow, too?”
“Yeah. But I can’t shake the feeling it’s just a matter of time here. Look.” She peered around him at the box. “See? The kittens are already asleep. I just need Mama to get tired enough to do the same, and I’ll move them.”
She couldn’t help but admire his patience. And she didn’t want to be running on fumes instead of sleep tomorrow.
She lowered her voice to a whisper. “If anything bad happens, promise to come get me. Okay? Don’t go chasing Mama in the alley by yourself.”
He brushed off the possibility with a wave of his hand but promised nonetheless.
“Okay, I’ll leave the door unlocked. And I’ll throw some blankets on the sofa in case you need to crash with Fred tonight.” She showed him a photo she’d snapped of Fred earlier, belly up in the middle of the couch.
Leo’s eyes brightened in the phone screen’s glow. “Aww. Send me that, will you? Maybe I’ll get to join the little guy in a bit.”
Lynne found his number and sent the picture as she headed upstairs.