Daddy!
Yeah, pumpkin?
She lowered her voice to an excited whisper. There it is! My kitty!
Sure enough, peeking out from the edge of some bushes was a small, charcoal-colored cat. Adam couldnt get a clear look at it among the leaves and branches, but he could tell there was no collar.
Here, kitty. Morgan made some soft noises, a combination of tongue-clucks and kissing sounds.
The feline cocked its head, then took a few tentative steps forward with its front legs low to the ground. Its mew was plaintive.
Morgans pale blue eyes lit up with joy. Daddy, it answered me! She shot to her feet, then headed down the stairs.
Now wait just a second. You cant just go up to strange animals. Not that the tiny piece of fluff looked feral or rabid.
Even though his warning slowed Morgan-she stood immobile on the bottom step-it did nothing to deter the young cat. It crept forward, mewing again with more volume.
Thats what I want for my birthday! Morgan announced. A real pet, not just another stuffed animal. Please, Daddy?
Any other day, Adam probably could have found the willpower to say no, despite her beseeching expression. At this particular instant, after feeling like a failure with both Eliza and Geoff, the best he could come up with was a feeble, It might already have an owner.
But if it doesnt? she pressed.
He hadnt let them keep a dog at his place because he wasnt there often enough to walk it, but werent cats more self-sufficient? I dont know, pumpkin. But
But?
Well see.
The cat, hardly more than a kitten, had reached the stairs. It propped its front feet on the step and bumped Morgans foot with its head. She immediately knelt down to pet it, earning a trilling purr that didnt sound the least bit melancholy or unsure.
To Adams ear, it sounded triumphant.
Chapter Six
More than Puppy Love, Brenna Pierce speaking. Brenna sandwiched the cell phone between her ear and shoulder so that her hands were free to put the lettuce in Sheldons terrarium.
Brenna? This is Adam Varner.
She was stunned. With a dozen clients coming and going from town and calling with last-minute requests or schedule changes, the doctors voice had been the last one shed expected to hear. Hi. How are things at the Chattavista?
Complicated, he said wryly. Im calling about the most recent complication, in fact. Iwondered if we could hire you.
For what? Hed joked yesterday about being desperate, but the only children she babysat were furry, feathered or scaly. I dont understand. Unless youve suddenly acquired a pet between now and when I saw you last, I dont think Im your-
We seem to be the proud owners of a cat, he informed her. Lydia, the lady working the desk here, said its the third young cat to show up around here in the last couple of weeks. There was probably a litter nearby. Morgans pushing for us to take it home as a family pet-made that her explicit birthday wish-but even if we do, the lodge allows only service animals in the rooms. I dont suppose you ever board animals for clients?
Sometimes, she admitted. Josh teased her that she had the sole guest room in Mistletoe specifically decorated for four-legged guests. But only under certain conditions. Any animal she took into her home had to be smaller than her border collie, spayed or neutered, on preventative treatment for parasites, housebroken and good-natured. Even though she kept visiting pets in a room separate from where her own dog and cat lived when she wasnt there to supervise, she refused to take chances with aggressive animals.
Im sure youre busy, he began, so I hate to bother you with this. Well pay whatever you think is fair.
She grinned. Shouldnt you ask what that is first?
No, Im putting myself completely in your hands. Well, yours and a veterinarians. Do you know a good veterinarian?
Her face warmed. Yes, very well. I used to work for him.
Is there any chance hes open late on Fridays? Adam asked on a sigh, sounding as if he already knew the answer.
Brenna bit the inside of her lip. Actually, they close the office at four-thirty on Fridays, but he works from nine to twelve on Saturdays.
Of course, Saturdays tended to be quite busy and hed only bump an animal with an appointment if there was an unavoidable emergency. The idea of asking her ex-boyfriend for a favor was about as pleasant as acid indigestion. Still, she did owe Adam for helping out her and Patch yesterday. She liked to keep her karmic balance sheet even. Let me get off the phone, and Ill call Dr. Higgs. I think I can get him to squeeze you in after hours. Lydia or Josh will give you directions. Its Dr. Kevin Higgs.
Thank you. Simple words, but there was a wealth of relief in his voice. He had obviously been worried about disappointing his children.
Considering that she didnt know him well, it was disconcertingly easy to imagine his expression, the gratitude in those dark eyes, the smile on his face.
Ill see you there, Brenna said, wishing she wasnt so eagerly looking forward to it.
IN THE BACK SEAT-where all three children had opted to sit-debate raged about what to call the cat. Morgans top choices seemed to be Hannah and Strawberry. Geoff, who had the cat in his lap, had scoffed that, as cats were distant cousins of lions and tigers, the dark gray bundle of fur needed a tougher name.
Ill see you there, Brenna said, wishing she wasnt so eagerly looking forward to it.
IN THE BACK SEAT-where all three children had opted to sit-debate raged about what to call the cat. Morgans top choices seemed to be Hannah and Strawberry. Geoff, who had the cat in his lap, had scoffed that, as cats were distant cousins of lions and tigers, the dark gray bundle of fur needed a tougher name.
Why dont we hold off on a name? Adam suggested not for the first time. Dr. Higgs needs to check her out, make sure shes not sick. And even if shes perfectly healthy, the vet might know who she belongs to. What if she has owners who are worried about her?
The cat was so thin, Adam doubted she had recently enjoyed a home, but she was undeniably comfortable with people. Lydia had found them a cardboard box; theyd set the cat inside, loosely swaddled in a beach towel to hamper any escape attempts. But she only stretched up out of her snug confines when someone stopped petting her. Adam could hear the purring in the front seat.
We havent named her, Eliza said. Were just discussing possibilities. She sounded hopeful rather than hostile. Any lingering anger she felt over the pool incident had dissipated when shed seen the young cat in Adams hands.
That must be the place! Geoff said, pointing. I see Ms. Pierce.
To their left, three storefronts-a crafts shop, a ballet studio and Dr. Higgss office-shared a parking lot. Brenna sat on the front bumper of a white sedan; the only other vehicle outside the vets office was a blue truck. Adam parked next to Brenna.
Nobody open any doors! he cautioned. Just because the cats been calm up until now doesnt mean she wont try to make a break for it. The last thing we want is for her to be running onto the street. Geoff, wait for me to come around and help you with the box.
Yes, sir.
Sir? The kids must really, really want a pet.
Adam had to admit, the idea was growing on him. It would give the kids an extra reason to visit, give him a conversation starter when he didnt know what to say to them, which happened more frequently than he cared to admit. While Morgan was the most vocal about wanting to keep the cat, her big sister clearly felt the same way. What would it be like if the next time Eliza came over she actually smiled?
Before opening the car door to the potential chaos of cat and kids, he took the quiet moment as an opportunity to thank Brenna. I really appreciate your meeting us.
Dont mention it. Always willing to go the extra mile for a new client. She said it casually, but he found himself mentally replaying the statement, trying to put his finger on something-the way he might hum a song when he was trying to remember its title.
So did Dr. Higgs agree to see us? he asked.
Brenna straightened away from the bumper, standing. I was lucky enough to catch his receptionist before she left. Winnies got the softest heart of anyone Ive ever met. She not only harangued him into staying late, I think she actually got you a discount on his services. She probably deserves your thanks more than I do. Ive barely done anything.
It clicked then, that vibe hed been trying to pinpoint. Something in Brennas manner reminded him of a cardiac resident hed once worked with-a gifted surgeon who, while professional and superficially amiable, had maintained an intangible emotional barrier between herself and her patients. It was a necessary part of the profession. Something in the way Brenna had immediately classified him as a client, the way shed tried to give Winnie the credit for helping him, as if to distance herself personally.
Or maybe he was too quick to make the analogy, too used to being surrounded by doctors and nurses who were virtually required to keep others at a friendly arms length.
Id better get the kids and the cat. He opened the back door, wedging himself in the space as much as possible in case the cat startled them all by bolting. Cats were quick, and this one was small enough to disappear into tight spaces. Adam didnt relish the thought of diving for her as she tore across the asphalt.
He neednt have worried. Though she stopped purring and eyed him warily, she remained immobile inside the box. He backed away so that the children could file out of the car.
Hey, guys. Brenna smiled at the kids, then leaned closer to peer over Adams shoulder at the cat. Hi, there. Her voice was a low, soothing murmur. Arent you a sweetie?
The cat began purring again, blinking up at Brenna with admiration, and Adam found himself grinning. He knew how the cat felt.
As they all walked toward the building, Morgan asked questions about what the vet would do. When Brenna explained that their cat would probably receive vaccinations for rabies, distemper and feline leukemia, Morgan winced in sympathy.
Shots hurt, she complained. Her voice quavered. After my birthday, when we get back to Tennessee, I have to have shots, too.
Ill bet youll be really brave, Brenna said, holding the door open for them.
Probly not, Morgan said. I cried last time, but my mom got me ice cream. Daddy, do you think you can take me to the doctors this time?