Page 43 of Reckless Harmony

“Oh, uh… thanks,” Rayna said.

He nodded and left the clinic.

CHAPTER 17

Rayna rapped on Stark’s front door before shoving her hands deep into her coat pockets. There was a bitterly cold wind blowing, and she glanced behind her at Stark’s car. After leaving the clinic, she’d spent most of the day with Zuri, going over details for the fundraiser. She’d arrived home just after two, and after dropping her ancient laptop at the house, she headed over to Stark’s.

She rapped again and was considering texting him when the door opened. Stark raised one eyebrow. “What can I do for you, Ms. Abrams?”

“I’m here to check on Molly and to discuss her care with you,” she said.

He scowled. “What is there to discuss?”

“Can I come in? I’m freezing my ass off out here,” she said.

He hesitated, and she said, “She’s not your cat, Stark. She belongs to the rescue.”

He moved back, and she stepped inside, shutting the door behind her. “How is she doing?”

“She’s good,” Stark said as he led her down the hallway with the horrific wallpaper. “She had her first dose of antibiotics, and Dr. Henshaw gave her some fluids before we left the clinic. They’ve helped her to feel better.”

He opened his bedroom door, and Rayna followed him into the room. “That’s good. I’m glad she’s… what in the nut waffle is this?”

Stark cleared his throat, his cheeks already a little red. “I picked her up a few things before I went back to the clinic.”

“A few things?” Rayna studied the large and elaborate cat trees stuffed into the tiny room. “You bought her two cat trees?”

“I didn’t know which one she would like better,” he said defensively.

“Is that a self-cleaning litter box?” Rayna asked.

He glanced at the state-of-the-art litter box. “Yes.”

“And a water fountain?”

“The pet store employee said most cats like to drink from a fountain,” Stark said.

“Right,” Rayna said. “Did they also convince you to buy every cat toy in the store?”

“I didn’t buy that many,” he snapped.

She pointed to the floor that was covered with cat toys. “There has to be at least a hundred toys in here, Stark.”

“An exaggeration on your part, Ms. Abrams,” he said.

“Yeah, but only slightly.” Her eyes widened when she heard Molly’s squeaky meow coming from the bed. She stared at the large, clear plastic container that sat on Stark’s bed next to a slim laptop and Stark’s phone. She could see Molly inside on a nest of fluffy blankets, the three kittens sleeping in a pile against her chest.

“What is this?” she asked as she approached the bed. She reached inside and petted Molly’s cheeks, smiling a little when Molly made a soft chirp. “You look like you feel better, sweet girl.”

She turned to Stark. “Why are they in a container on your bed?”

“Molly didn’t like being stuck in the closet all the time,” Stark said.

“So, is your plan to let Molly and the babies sleep on the bed with you?” She gave him an amused look.

“Of course not,” he snapped. “You’ve seen that Molly is feeling better, so if you’ll excuse me, I have some work to do.”

She glanced at the television on the wall across from the bed. “Is that Cat TV?”

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