Page 48 of High Note

“That’s my good girl. Be polite.” She praised softly, then gave Reba a treat.

“She’s doing really well. You made her sound like a hooligan,” Kirsten said.

“Oh, she’s amazing. I just worry.” She worried about every damn thing, but this trip, this relationship, was teaching her to let a few things go.

“Oh, I get it. When Lupe and Liz came over to pick up their kittens, I stressed everything.” Kirsten rolled her eyes and sat on the old sofa, drawing her feet up under her. “Seriously. Can they smell the litter box? Do they think the kittens seem healthy? Do they think they’re well-socialized. Literally. Every single thing.”

Okay, so that made Skyla feel so much better. “Should I unhook her?”

“Totally. There’s a water bowl in the kitchen. She’ll do fine.” Kirsten winked at her.

“Or not. They’re pets, not toys.”

“True enough. I want them to get along, though. I—it’s important.” She had all these amorphous thoughts about togetherness and shit.

“Oh, me too.” Kirsten slid to the floor and opened her arms to Reba. “Come here, baby girl.”

She let go, and Kirsten just snuggled and scritched and praised. Reba panted and wiggled and wagged, and she had to laugh because the cats were up in the loft staring down.

It was the kitten, little calico Sally, that was brave enough to come up first, whiskers twitching.

Reba sat, just the tip of her tail vibrating, and let the cat come to her, and Skyla was so proud she could bust. She didn’t dare say anything to break the spell or set Reba off.

They touched noses, and then Reba woofed softly, causing Sally to turn all bottle brush. The little bit hissed, and Reba looked so surprised, but no one went postal, and Kirsten just picked up the kitten and held her while Reba sniffed.

Momma kitty came down, rowled softly, then led her daughter away while Kirsten loved on Reba.

“See, Mom? It’s going to be okay.”

“Yeah. Yeah, it looks like the first meeting went well.” She blew out a breath and plopped down on the couch. Damn, she was tired of being stressed.

“You look worn, lady.” Kirsten reached out to put a hand on her ankle, sending a little thrill through her.

“I’m so silly.” Tears stung her eyes, which was maddening. “I hate being at odds with the band. Brenda says it’s growing pains. Change is hard, and I’m looking to make some changes. To my life, I mean. So, they’re on the defensive. Whatever that means.”

“I think she’s got a point. This was supposed to be a vacay, and now it’s some life-changing thing. Give them time.”

She nodded, her heart easing some. “I mean, I will. They’re my band. They’ve been with me from when the van that broke down every time we turned left to the stadium shows. But man, I wish it was just easier.”

“Liz always told me if it was easy it wasn’t worth it when I was working at M&M.”

She snorted. “I hear that a lot too.”

“Maybe there’s something to it.”

“Ugh. Get up here.” She held down a hand to pull Kirsten up on the couch.

Kirsten snuggled in, that lean body all fascinating angles. “You don’t have to solve all the world’s problems today, honey.”

“No?” She snuggled close. “Good. I don’t want to.” Reba hopped up with them on the sofa. “Is that okay?”

“Huh? Oh, sure. The cats have already gotten it all hairy.”

“Oh, good. I want to hang with you. Just have a lazy day.”

“That’s all we have to do. We have food, drink, movies, music, and a bed. We have our babies. It’s easy.”

“Thank you.” She patted Kirsten’s leg. “You know I’m not using you, right? That this is important? I want to spend time withyou.”

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