Page 4 of Pledge Of A Bobcat

“I know.” I twisted the last lug nut on. “I’m not nearly as prepared as you.”

“You mean you didn’t get the necessities?” she shot back.

I stood to my full height, my gaze meeting hers again. “Nope. No milk, eggs, or bread.”

“Hot chocolate. Do you have that?” the little girl asked, eyeing me from the backseat while she munched on apple chips.

A grin twisted my lips. “Nope, no hot chocolate either.”

“That’s her favorite,” the woman said, drawing my attention back to her. “Hot chocolate with extra marshmallows.”

“Sounds good.”

“It is!” the little girl shouted. “Mommy, can I have some when we get home?”

“Maybe after dinner.”

The little girl shifted to look at me again. “We’re having grilled cheese for dinner. Do you like grilled cheese?”

“I do, but it has to have two slices of cheese so it’s gooey,” I said.

A loud crack of thunder clapped in the distance, startling us all.

“On that note, I think we’re going to head out,” the woman said. “Thank you for your help.”

“Not a problem. Here, let me help load everything back into your trunk.” I moved to pick up the flat. “If you take this to Dark Moon Automotive, I’m sure they can repair it for you. It’s notsafe to drive around for long on that donut,” I said, suddenly feeling a twinge of protectiveness toward her.

It stemmed from my bobcat, that much was clear. He’d remained alert this whole time. Not in an uneasy or concerned way, but in a curious way.

This woman intrigued him.

It wasn’t just her beauty—although she was stunning—it was something else. Before I could think on it any longer, the rain picked up.

“Good to know. I’ll swing by there soon,” she said, hoisting the tire iron and jack back into her trunk on top of the flat tire I’d placed where her spare used to be.

I grabbed the bags of groceries from the ground. “Do you want these in the trunk or the backseat?”

“Let’s put them in the backseat,” she said, popping open the back passenger side door.

As I leaned down to set them on the floorboard, I met the little girl’s big, inquisitive eyes.

“What’s your name?” she asked.

“Ellis.”

“I like that name. Mine is Serenity,” she said.

“That’s a pretty name.”

“My mommy’s name is Rachel, not Mommy.”

I laughed. “That’s good to know.”

“All right, sweetie. Let’s let Mr. Ellis go. I’m sure he has someplace he was trying to get to before the storm hits,” Rachel said, closing the door. She shifted her attention to me again and shoved her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. “Thanks again for your help. I really appreciate it.”

“Like I said, no problem. Stay safe during the storm.”

Why was I so concerned for her safety? Better yet, why was my bobcat?

---