Page 328 of Small Town Firsts
“When this goes off, you move to the next playpen. And don’t worry if you don’t find your perfectpurrmatetoday. The entry fee will go to helping all of our special needs kittens and cats here at Kitten Around, and we truly appreciate it.”
Since I had my own buzzer, Preston and I wouldn’t be seeing the same kittens. However, I couldn’t stop myself from watchinghis reactions to each cat or kitten. The tentative and patient way he had with the frightened ones, and the overwhelmed delight he couldn’t disguise at the playful ones.
Okay, my ovaries were in serious peril here.
Ignoring the warmth in my belly, I focused on my own tiny bundle of fluff. The initial rounds had gone quickly, and we were now in round four. I was thoroughly covered in kitten fur, but the energy of the room had boosted my mood.
I sat crosslegged in one of the larger pens. This was a special case with a bonded pair. The sweet white kitten with a heart-shaped spot to the left of her nose was freaking adorable. But her protective, jet black brother was a bit thornier.
I let my hands rest in my lap and didn’t make any sudden movements, allowing them to come to me. Eventually, the white one climbed up my sleeve to get to my shoulder while the black one gave me some serious side-eye.
A minute later, the little white one was purring from her perch in my curls.
Oh, crap. I had not been entertaining the thought of actually getting a cat today. Let alone a troublesome pair of pre-teens. They weren’t itty bitty kittens, but according to their paperwork, they’d been returned twice because of problematic behavior.
“You do not need this in your life, Ryan.”
Maybe if I said the intention aloud…
Then the black kitten jumped into my lap and I was sunk. He tucked himself against my hip, under the light sweater I was wearing over my black linen sundress.
I looked up and met PMS’s gaze. He smirked at my predicament as he was lightly stroking the top of an elderly cat’s head. His or her ear was torn, but it only made the cat more beautiful.
The buzzer went off in my sweater pocket.
It was now or never.
I huffed out a sigh and tucked my flag into the top of the gate to let them know I was interested in taking these kittens.
I almost took my flag back when the black cat took a swipe at my ribs when I had to move him. I lifted him gently so I could look him in the eyes. “Feisty, aren’t you?”
He yowled and leaped away.
Okay, then.
He continued to meow and yell at me until I detangled the white kitten from my hair and set her back down with him.
“All right, that’s enough. I didn’t steal her.”
He hissed at me, and I stuck my tongue out at him before I lifted my skirt to climb out of the pen.
“You want me to take away my flag?”
He flounced to the blankets heaped in the corner and settled down to stare at me.
“Look, the kitten has your temperament.”
I knew that voice. I dreamed of that damn voice.
When I elbowed Preston, he chuckled. “Planted your flag?”
“Maybe.” Both the buzzer and flag were caged in his long fingers. “I see you have not.”
“Haven’t quite met my match.” His gaze drifted to my lips then back to meet my eyes. “I’m very particular.”
I swallowed. I just bet he was. Stuffy, pent up, repressed suit that he was. Of course he’d be picky about every little thing.
He’d be very thorough.
