Page 4 of Sofa King Safe

The morning flies by while I work on one furry baby after another.My schedule is full, and I love that everyone in town trusts me to care for their cats.People can be picky when it comes to getting them groomed, and I don’t blame them.Grooming a cat is nowhere near the same as grooming a dog.It requires more finesse and different training, which I have.

Opening a cat grooming company in Cottonwood was scary because I wasn’t sure how it would go.In the city, there are a lot more potential clients nearby, whereas out here, the client base is limited.So far, everyone has been really kind, and although I hadn’t meant to put down roots here, it sort of just happened.

One of the biggest advantages to being out here is that I don’t think anyone would look for me in this rural area.Sure, I don’t know anyone, but the What's the Stitch ladies have taken me under their wing from day one.I don’t care if they are three times my age or that they might drive me crazy at times.They mean well, and that’s what matters.I’ve learned the hard way that it’s the intent behind people's actions that’s important.

"I need help!"A woman comes bursting through the door of my shop, causing Boss to let out an annoyed meow.He’s perched atop the cat tower because he enjoys looking down on everyone that comes and goes.

I don't recognize the woman, but I'm still fairly new.Sure, it’s a small town, but there are a lot of people who live out in the country and only come to town every now and then.

"Oh, a Maine Coon."I melt, seeing the giant fluff ball in her arms.A Maine Coon is the dog of the cat world and are gentle giants that thrive in a family home.

"Yes, she’s a Maine Coon," the woman says and places the cat on the front desk."There is shit everywhere.I can't get it out."

"All right, let me have a look."I lift the big girl up and carry her over to one of my large sinks.Maine Coons love the water, so they never put up a fight.The real problem is the fur on their backside.

"I know it looks like I'm a terrible pet mom.I try to comb her, but she keeps getting knots, and now it's on her backside.I think she's in pain."The woman sounds like she’s on the verge of tears.

"Everything will be fine," I reassure her, but she's not wrong.The knots can cause pain and discomfort.Plus, when they go to the bathroom, it can get caught up and make it worse."Their hair can be a lot to manage."

The woman wrings her hands together, still stressed.The level of concern she’s showing does not point to what I'd call a bad pet mom.After I check her over, I get to work on cleaning her up.It doesn't take me too long, and thankfully I have a gap in my schedule.It’s time when I'd normally get lunch, but this is more important.

"Oh, thank God."The woman lets out a sigh of relief when I have her princess all cleaned up."Now how do I make sure that never happens again?"

"I shaved her backside some.It's called a hygiene cut.That should prevent it from happening again, but it needs to be kept up."The woman nods, listening intently."And I suggest you de-shed her every few months."

"Like a dog?"

"Yep, it's a deeper wash and will get all her loose fur free."

"What about shaving her?I've seen people do that."

"No!"I snap before I can catch myself."I mean, that's not a good idea.They aren't meant to be shaved.A de-shedding along with the hygiene cut should do the trick."

"Thank you so much,” she says, and then books an appointment for a few weeks from now to do the first de-shedding."How much do I owe you?"

"This one is on me."

"I can't do that.I have to give you something."

"Spread the word?"In a small town, I'm finding that it actually works.

"That I can do," she promises before we say our goodbyes, and she's out the door.

My stomach growls, reminding me I haven't eaten anything today.I don't want to waste money at the diner even if I love their food and would kill for one of their bacon grilled cheeses right now.Instead, I go in search of a candy bar that I know is in the bottom of my bag.

I realize once I have my whole bag emptied that I’d been wrong.I have a habit of sleep eating, and I could have eaten it in the middle of the night.When I hear the front door open, I assume my next client must be early.I guess if I’m not going to eat, at least I can keep busy so my mind isn't on it.

“Rhodes.”I smile when I see it’s him.“Wait, are you headed home now?”I check the time because he said we worked the same hours.

“No, I brought lunch.”He holds up a bag from the diner.

“You brought me lunch?”

Rhodes gives a lazy shrug of his shoulder.“I hadn’t seen you leave your shop, and I know you didn’t pack one.”

“That’s really sweet of you.”I motion for him to follow me to the back, where I have a table set up to do my bookkeeping.

“Not really.I didn’t want to eat lunch alone when I could have it with you.”

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