Page 53 of Taking The Shot

*ping*

“Uh-huh,” she retorted openly, staring at them as Keith drove – and ignored the second heavy sigh from him as she continued. She narrowed her eyes. The girls remained immaculately still, their faces blank masks of innocence. Her maternal radar was screaming.

“We don’t have to pet them all. We don’t have to bring them all home. A cat is a big responsibility, and each of them has a different personality. Some are loving, some want to play, and some do not want to be touched in the slightest.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

*ping*

“Are you scared?” Keith muttered under his breath in a hushed whisper. “I feel like we’ve gotChildren of the Cornin the back seat right now and…Ow!Really, honey? I’m on your side,” he grimaced, glancing at her where she’d pinched his side.

Children of the Corn… please, she thought and looked back at the kids – only to see Paige and Kayla both angle their heads to the left in unison, expressions serene.

*ping! ping! ping!*

“I think I owe you an apology,” Constance said warily, glancing at Keith. “This isnotnormal.”

“No, I know – but we’re not outnumbered.”

“Don’t fall for it,” Constance hissed to the side. “They play to win.”

“Oh gosh…”

“Wait for it…”

“I’m scared,” Keith muttered tightly. “Is that okay to admit?”

“In this case – yes.”

“Mommy? Daddy? We’re not getting a kitten today?” Paige warbled, precariously close to tears. “We’re only looking?”

And Constance heard Keith’s guttteral grunt under his breath as he muttered a four-letter word – and she pinched him again.

“Ow - again?”he retorted, giving her a shocked glance. “I’mstillon your side, you know and…oh no. Noooo, there are tears! Why are they crying? What’s with the wobbly lips? Did you make them cry, Constance? Are you pinching my girls, too?”

“Don’t…”

“Don’t you worry, sweeties. We’ll find a little kitty today.”

“Keith…”

“But don’t cry. We’re gonna look and see what we can find.”

“Keith, no…”

“And we’ll pet them all, see which wants to snuggle and…”

Her husband was panicking, folding like a deck of cards. Where was the big brash man on the ice that was so fierce? Where did the grim, frowning, resigned man she married disappear to? She had no idea that the girls would wrap him around their fingers so quickly – and that backbone?

Gone.

He was a wet noodle.

“We’ll bring hometwokitties today – one for each of you,” he promised in a loving, mushy, baby voice looking in the rearview mirror.

This time, Constance cussed as she glared at him, giving him a sharp look.

“What? I can’t make them cry!” he exclaimed, horrified. “Did you not see the crocodile tears – and that wobbly lip? That’s my kryptonite. I cannot handle a wobbly lip, honey. It just destroys me.”

---