Page 55 of Summer Refresh

“I’m going to help.”

“But it’s not your problem. You have other things to do.”

“The only thing I have to do right now is to find Oreo.”

Sara wasn’t the only one who had become fond of the kitten. Oreo was full of personality. Kent never thought of himself as a cat person before, but that little furball had definitely changed his mind.

And there was the worried look written all over Sara’s face. Maybe he’d read things wrong between them, but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t help her out when she needed him. And right now she needed a lot of help because even though this was a small island for humans, when it came to little kittens, it could be huge.

Poor Oreo.

Sara’s heart went out to the curious kitten, who had gotten himself lost. She should tell Kent to move on, but she needed all of the help possible to find the little kitten. Nothing could happen to him. Nothing at all.

She turned to Kent. “What are you doing just standing there?”

“Okay then.” He moved swiftly down the stairs.

She was right behind him. At the bottom of the stairs, she spotted Birdie out on her porch. She rushed over. “Have you seen Oreo?”

“Oreo? I thought he went back to his owners.”

“He did, but he ran away earlier today, and they called me to see if I’d seen him.”

Birdie got to her feet. Ever since she’d broken her hip, she moved a little slower, but she didn’t let it stop her. “No. I haven’t seen him.” She glanced up at the sky. “The sun will be setting in a couple of hours. You don’t have much time to search for him. I’ll make some phone calls.”

“Thank you. I doubt he can find his way back here, but I’d appreciate if you could keep an eye out.”

“I will. I hope you find him.”

“Me too.”

Sara made her way back to the roadway. She didn’t see Kent and couldn’t help but feel disappointed that he’d left. Although there was no reason for him to stay, especially not after their conversation.

He was definitely leaving. The pain was too much. If she delved into her feelings now, she’d fall apart. She couldn’t let that happen. Oreo needed her to keep it together. She shoved the emotions to the back of her mind.

She focused on little Oreo. She had to find him. She started back on the pathway between her place and Birdie’s that led to the beach. It was there that she ran into Kent.

“Oh. I thought you left.”

He frowned at her. “You aren’t the only one who cares about Oreo. I want to see him safe just as much as you do.”

They set off together, working their way down to the beach. They moved slowly as they checked behind each rock and bush. The only talking they did was about the kitten.

Once they’d explored the beach area, they headed toward town—toward Oreo’s other home. Maybe he was somewhere in between them. After all, he was just a little kitten. How far could he get?

But then she thought of how energetic the kitten was when he’d lived with her. He was a little ball of energy. Maybe she was underestimating him.

As they made their way into town, they passed a lot of people who were out and about. They were searching under shrubs and in every nook and corner. Sara was touched by all of the people who were helping with the search—even Agnes Dewey was searching for the kitten.

All the while the sun was sinking farther in the sky. “We aren’t going to find him tonight.”

“Hey, don’t give up.” Kent reached out and squeezed her hand.

The touch sent a shiver up her arm that set her heart pitter-pattering. It would be so easy to turn to him and find comfort in his arms, but she couldn’t give in to that desire. It would only complicate this already messy relationship.

She grudgingly withdrew her hand. As soon as her hand was free of his, the place he’d been touching suddenly felt cold. She regretted pulling away, even if it was for the best.

Chapter Nineteen

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