Chapter Seven #2
She laughed then. He’d always loved her laugh. It was husky and low. “Before we go any further on this subject, how about dessert?” she asked.
Together, they cleared the table. She got the coffee going and turned on the broiler to finish off the crème br?lée. In no time, they were sipping coffee and enjoying their dessert, which wasn’t quite as pretty as the one they’d been served at Satterfield’s, but still really good.
She broke the silence. “Now, about the cats…”
“I knew it. You really do miss having pets.”
“Yes. Cats and dogs are loving and loyal and they never cheat on you.”
He wanted to grab her and hold her right then. But he stayed in his seat. “I hear you. Let’s figure out a way that you can have what you want.”
“Oh, Finn. As I said before, I can’t see how it’s doable. I just wouldn’t be around enough, especially at first while they’re getting used to living here.”
“So how about if I come by and check on them while you’re at work?”
She was already shaking her head. “No. Finn, that’s not—”
“Just hear me out.”
“But it’s not fair to you,” she insisted. He kept his mouth shut and stared at her steadily until she put up both hands. “Fine. Go ahead.”
“Okay, so it’s like this. Monday through Friday, I have free time during the day because most of my clients are at work themselves.
That means for the first few weeks after you adopt, I can drop by when I have an hour or two to spare.
While I’m here I’ll deal with the litter box and hang out with the cats, help them to get adjusted to their new home. ”
“Finn, really. That’s too much to ask.”
“No, it’s not. Besides, you’re not asking. I’m volunteering.”
“But why?”
“Because I can. Because when I was growing up, I never had pets and I always wanted one. Because there are cats that need homes. Because friends help friends.” Also, he was coming to accept the fact that he would do just about anything for the woman across the table from him.
No way would he admit that now, though. She had her rules when it came to this thing between them.
He had to be careful not to overstep. Anything that sounded too much like Kenzie, I’m falling in love with you all over again could have her suddenly deciding they were spending too much time together.
She was silent. He had no idea what she might be thinking.
Finally, she asked, “You’re sure about this?”
“I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t.”
“Well, okay then. Thank you. Thank you so much. I’m going to start asking around town, see if anyone wants to give a pair of littermates away to a good home.
And if that doesn’t work out, there’s an animal sanctuary in Bronco.
” The larger town was a ninety-minute drive west of Tenacity.
“I’ll check there if I don’t have any luck locally. ”
He offered, “Let me know how I can help.”
She gave him that look from under her lashes. “You’ve already volunteered to entertain my furry friends and clean their litter box. I figure the least I can do is find them and bring them home in the first place.”
“Kenz.”
“Yeah?”
He considered how much to say, and admitted, “I like hanging out with you. Whatever you need, I want to help make it happen. Is it okay with you if I check around, too?”
“You sure?”
“Positive.”
After another thoughtful silence, she gave him permission. “Yes, then. Check around.”
They shared a long look. He thought how he could get lost in those eyes of hers. And that mouth…
Too tempting by far.
His chair scraped the floor as he pushed it back. Swiftly, he circled the table to stand at her side.
She looked up at him and slowly smiled. “Finn Mon-ahan, what are you thinking?”
He offered his hand. She took it. He pulled her to her feet. She came into his arms with a soft little sigh. After a long, tender kiss, she took his hand and led him to her room.
* * *
Finn didn’t get home until after midnight. But the next day he had nothing to take care of workwise until a showing at noon. He was up at nine and fixing himself some breakfast when his housekeeper, Marlene, appeared.
As usual, he was thinking of Kenzie as he microwaved oatmeal. The microwave beeped. He pulled open the door and took out the bowl. “Hey, Marlene, you wouldn’t happen to know anyone in town with kittens or grown cats to give away to a good home, would you?”
Marlene, who was six feet tall, rail-slim and wore her long black hair in a fat topknot, scowled at him disapprovingly. “What do you need with a cat? You’re hardly ever home. Even a cat would get lonely around here.”
“It’s for someone else. And I need more than one.” He went on to explain what he was looking for.
Marlene narrowed her eyes. “These cats for your girlfriend?”
He played it cool. “Who said I have a girlfriend, Marlene?”
“Honey, you’re not in the big city anymore. Everybody in town knows that you and Nurse Osborne have a little thing going on—not that it’s anybody’s business but yours.” Marlene winked. “I think it’s great. And I might be able to help you with the cat situation. I’ll ask around.”
“Thank you.”
“For you, anything.” She patted his shoulder and got to work with the vacuum cleaner.
That afternoon, as he was wrapping up some loose ends in his office at Big Sky Properties before heading to the high school for practice, Marlene called. He picked up on the first ring.
“Hello, Marlene. Do you have good news for me?”
She did. Marlene gave him the phone number of her cousin, Ardella, who had six kittens old enough to be adopted. “She’s giving them away to good homes,” Marlene said. “But take my word for it. Ardella never missed a chance to make a buck. Don’t let her talk you into paying for those kittens.”
“But if she—”
“Okay, okay. I get it. It’s not like you’re hurting for cash. And if you’re willing to pay a little, okay. But you gotta draw the line with Ardella or she’ll be charging you pet-store prices. And then you’ll still have to take them to the vet for shots and all that.”
“I will be firm,” he promised his housekeeper.
“Humph,” Marlene replied. “You haven’t met Ardella yet.” She rattled off her cousin’s number.
He started to call Ardella but then decided he’d better run it by Kenzie first.
She answered his call on the first ring.
“Talk fast. It’s a zoo around here. Someone else could come in with a nosebleed or a bad case of the stomach flu any minute now.
Not that either of those events are out of the ordinary.
It’s a rare day when I don’t end up using a disinfectant wipe to clean blood and or vomit from my scrubs. ”
He asked carefully, “So then, I shouldn’t call you at work?”
“Of course, you should. Just be prepared to listen to me go on about stuff you have no desire to hear.”
“Got it.”
“Now, what can I do for you, Finn?”
He gave her the news, along with Ardella’s number.
She laughed. “Thank you!” He could hear the happy smile in her voice. “I’ll call her before practice. You are the best.”
He hung up feeling great. Kenzie wanted cats and he’d gotten right on that for her.
* * *
He caught up with her at practice.
When he asked if she’d had time to contact Ardella, she nodded. “I’m going over there after we’re done here. I’ve called the vet in town. The receptionist said I can bring the kittens in today for shots and testing.”
“But—”
“I know, I know.” She was beaming from ear to ear. “I haven’t even seen them yet. But they’re kittens, Finn. What’s not to love?”
“I’m sure they’re adorable. Just let me go with you to Ardella’s house.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Oh, yes, I do. I’m the one who set you up with Ardella.”
She looked at him for an uncomfortable count of five. “And…”
“My housekeeper gave me Ardella’s number. The kittens are supposed to be for free, but I’ve been warned that Ardella will try to get money for them. My housekeeper says it’s important to draw the line with Ardella.”
Now, Kenzie was giving him a look of great patience. “I think I can handle the situation myself, Finn.”
“I’m sure you can. But come on. Let me go with you.”
“Because you want to or because you think I’m somehow going to get taken advantage of?”