Page 25 of Lee

“And I propose I don’t.” Sparring with Alys was reminiscent of how he talked with his sisters sometimes.

“I think we should take a vote,” Rachel said.

Lee gave a huff of laughter as he shook his head. “As if I’d win that vote.”

“Fine.” With an exaggerated pout, Alys turned back to where Rachel was trying to get a dog to sit on the small rug that they’d set up on the floor of one of the intake rooms. “But you can’t blame us if this venture isn’t a success.”

Lee glanced over to see Rori looking agape at them. It seemed she was still getting used to the more casual atmosphere in the clinic.

“Are you ready, Rori?” Rachel asked from where she crouched next to the dog.

“Uh… yes. Yep.” She turned to face Rachel and the dog, lifting her camera. “Ready whenever you are.”

Rori knelt with the camera to her eye, waiting as Rachel counted down from three to one before moving her hands from the dog. He heard the quick snap of the shutter several times before the dog moved.

“Did you get any good shots?” Alys asked as she went to peer over Rori’s shoulder.

After attaching the leash to the dog’s collar, Rachel joined them, and the three stood with their heads close together, bent over the camera.

“Oh, I really like that one,” Rachel said. “His ears are pricked forward, so he looks more friendly.”

“Did you want to see, Lee?” Alys asked.

Lee straightened from the doorway and walked to where they stood. Rori held out the camera, but rather than take it, he stepped close to her and looked down at the screen. She tapped something on it, making the picture zoom in so he could see the dog’s head.

“That is cute,” Lee agreed.

“I hope all of them are as cute,” Rachel said. “So hopefully we can find them good owners.”

Lee knew he didn’t have to hang around to help—they seemed to have it all well in hand—but he still did anyway. Though he refused to actually pose with the animals, he did hold a couple of the kittens after Rori assured him she would only get his hands in the frame.

“That kitten sure is rambunctious,” Rori said with a soft laugh as she watched the little cat tumble over as it chased its tail.

As soon as Lee scooped it up, it started to gnaw on his finger and purr.

“Well, its purr-thing isn’t broken,” she remarked.

“Do you want to hold…” Lee turned the cat over. “Her?”

“I don’t think so,” Rori said with a shake of her head.

“Why not?”

“I’d hate to have another cat decide it didn’t like me.”

Lee tried to reassure her with a smile. “I think you’ll be fine.”

Apparently it didn’t work because a small frown furrowed her brow. Still, she bent and set her camera on the bag sitting on the floor at her feet. “Okay. But if this cat stops purring, I’m going to leave all cats alone from this day forward.”

“The kitten might stop purring,” Lee warned her. “But once she’s comfortable with you, she’ll start again.”

“You are pretty confident about that.”

“He’s right,” Rachel chimed in. “The kittens will purr for you. Especially that one. She’s mischievous but affectionate.”

“Sounds like me,” Alys remarked.

As they all laughed at that, Lee stepped closer to Rori. She held out her hands, then looked up. Her light blue eyes, framed by darkened lashes, gazed at him. In them, he read wariness.

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