Page 37 of Just Add Mistletoe

“Oh, I don’t mind,” Lori said, stroking the soft fur. “He can just curl up next to me until he’s comfortable at my place. Then I can train him to use the cat bed.” Her voice hitched, and she swallowed back her emotion.

Malcom had started to rinse off the dishes, but he turned. “Are you sure this is all okay? I can take him to the animal shelter in the morning.”

But Lori had already fallen in love. Unless the kitten had truly escaped a loving family, she considered Tiger hers. She kissed the top of his head. “I’m okay.”

“Do you want to take some chicken with you?” he offered. “Or I can buy stuff in the morning for it.”

Tomorrow would be extremely busy, and she didn’t have a litter box or kitten food.

At her hesitation, Malcom said, “I really don’t mind. I’m going to have a lot of nervous energy tomorrow anyway while I’m waiting until I can talk to Bronson in person. Why don’t you text me a list, and I’ll go to the pet store—is there a pet store in Everly Falls?”

“The local grocery store has everything,” Lori said. She was trying to think if she’d ever been on such a unique date—or hanging-out event. Malcom was being really sweet and patient and accommodating about all of this. Especially considering he was in a world of hurt.

The kitten yawned and burrowed into her lap again. Lori’s heart tugged with protectiveness. What sort of person would abandon a kitten? She had a sudden thought. What if there were more kittens out there?

“We need to see if there are more abandoned cats,” she said.

Malcom turned from the sink, drying his hands on a towel. “More?”

“Yeah, maybe a whole litter was dropped off.” Lori picked up the kitten and moved to her feet. “We should look.”

He hesitated, then nodded. “Okay. I’ll look. You stay here since it’s still raining.”

He pulled on a jacket, then grabbed a flashlight and headed outside. Lori paced the kitchen area with the sleeping kitten in her arms. Malcom took longer than she expected, and by the time he came back inside, his jacket and hair were damp with rain.

“I looked all over, under the trailer and throughout the parking lot. I didn’t see anything, or hear any meowing, but maybe daylight will be better.”

“Thanks for looking anyway,” she said. A water droplet skated down the side of his face, and she wanted to brush it away for him. But she kept her hands to herself.

“No worries.” He paused. “Should I drive you in my truck? I don’t have an umbrella.”

“It’s fine, I can walk,” Lori said.

Malcom nodded. “I’ll walk you.”

“There’s no need for both of us to get wetter.”

He opened the door and held it for her.

“Don’t say you weren’t warned,” Lori teased.

Malcom chuckled and headed outside after her. They walked quickly across the lot, then crossed the empty street together.

The light over the shop’s door glowed yellow. Thankfully, there was an awning too, so they were out of the rain while Lori fumbled for her shop keys. There was also a back entrance next to a second door to her apartment, but that would entail more rain.

“Here, I’ll hold the cat,” Malcom said.

Lori relinquished the kitten, who was awake again, and dug out the keys from her handbag. She opened the door, then turned to retrieve Tiger.

Malcom handed him over. “Do you need help with anything?” he asked. His eyes were hooded beneath the door light, and the dark night surrounding them only seemed to accentuate the breadth of his shoulders.

“No, I’ve got it for now.” Lori smiled at him.

“I’ll be waiting for your supply list.” Malcom scratched the top of the kitten’s head. Then his eyes lifted. “Thanks for tonight. It was the perfect distraction.”

“You paid for the movie and snacks, then you cooked, and finally you rescued this kitten,” she said. “I should be thanking you.”

“We can both thank each other.”

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