Page 12 of More Than a Blind Date

“I’m sorry, Rose. What happened?” His voice is soft, tender.

I point across the driveway at my parents’ house. “My mom took him. But she won’t tell me where.” I stay snuggled against him, thankful that he hasn’t bolted away at the first hint of crying.

His body tenses. “Your cat? All the paperwork is in your name?” He steps back and rubs his jaw, anger flashing in his eyes. “Tell me what happened. And what she said.”

“I adopted the cat a few months ago. Only my name is on the paperwork. All the vet info has my name on it. But, Dallas, he’s a black kitten. If she gave him to a random person, that could be bad.” Thinking about Floofy ending up hurt makes me sick to my stomach. Wrapping my arms around myself, I try to hold it together. Then I recount in detail everything that happened.

As soon as I finish, Dallas pulls me close again, and after holding me for several heart beats, he whispers in my ear. “Give me a few minutes. I’ll do my best to get your kitten back. But, fair warning, your parents will not like me once this is all over.”

“I just want Floofy back.”

He wipes my cheek. Then he slides his phone out of his pocket as he walks back to his truck.

I watch from my porch. He’s talking on the phone, but he’s too far away for me to hear what’s being said. His hand moves as he talks; then he nods, pulls the phone away from his ear, and taps on the screen. Then he’s talking again.

After fifteen minutes, he climbs the stairs and nods toward the door. “Let’s wait inside. The police will be here soon.”

“Police?” Panic grips me. Am I ready to drop a bomb on my relationship with my parents? Because getting Mom arrested would definitely cause problems. “What did you tell them?”

“I said someone entered your home while you were gone and took your kitten. I emphasized that there was no sign of anyone breaking in.”

“How did you convince the police to respond to a call about a missing kitten?”

“First of all, your cat isn’t missing. It was stolen.” He takes off his cowboy hat and sets it on the table. “And… I know people.”

I blink. “That sounds like a line out of a mob movie.”

Grinning, he tugs me closer. “I guess it does. But I hate seeing you upset. Fake or not, I’m your fiancé and if the problem is fixable, I aim to find the solution.”

“You’ll love Floofy. He’s adorable.”

“I’m sure I will.”

“Who do you know?”

“I happen to work with someone who has a cousin who is a deputy in this county.”

“Mom will be so mad at me.”

“She can be mad at me. When my fiancée tells me her cat was stolen, of course I’m going to call the police. I’m concerned for your safety if someone is entering your house without your permission.” He strokes my hair. “I hate seeing you cry. And I’m not trying to get your parents in trouble, but I’m betting that having a deputy show up will get us what we need, which is for her to tell us where she took your kitten.”

“Even if I find him, they won’t let me keep him in the apartment. I just know they’ll claim we agreed on no pets. And it’s not like I signed a lease with my parents and can prove otherwise.”

He cups my cheek. “Hey, one thing at a time. Okay?”

CHAPTER 6

DALLAS

Ireally need to stop hugging this woman. But she seems less upset when I have my arms around her, so I’m calling it a solution rather than labeling it poor judgment.

A door slams outside, and I stroke Rose’s blonde hair. “He’s here.”

We hurry down the steps as Nico, my friend Dag’s cousin, makes his way to the front door of the main house. He’s well over six feet tall and looks like a portion of a wall. He’s imposing, especially when he isn’t smiling, which makes him perfect for today.

Before Rose can run up to him, I tug her close. “Give him a second.”

He knocks, and the door swings open.

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