“Oh my gosh, they’re so cute!” Anna Leigh’s excited voice pierced through the walls, and Levi let himself grin this time. He took a step toward the laundry room to join her, and he assumed Hayley as well, when Shelby stopped him with a touch on his arm.
“We brought supplies for the kittens, but I also stopped by to let you know that Trisha Donolly has an extra room in her house that Hayley can stay in until the road clears. I know you’re a private person and playing bed-and-breakfast host isn’t something you’d normally sign up for, so”—she shrugged—“now you don’t have to anymore.”
Hayley leave? His chest constricted, and black spots danced in his vision. He knew she wouldn’t stay forever. That she’d eventually leave when one of the roads was cleared and the bookmobile was safe to drive again. She’d go home. Back to her life in Little Creek. But leave now? Today?
No. Absolutely not.
He ground his molars, his jaw aching at the pressure. Hayley wasn’t going anywhere. Especially not now. Especially not after that kiss.
“I can let her know—”
“No,” he growled.
Shelby recoiled at his harsh tone.
He uncurled his fingers from the fists he’d unconsciously formed and tried again with a more patient and kinder tone. “It’s fine. She’s already settled here, and the road should be cleared soon anyway. There’s no reason for her to have to move again.”
Shelby frowned. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” More certain than he’d been about anything before in his life.
She shrugged, appearing unconvinced but not having a reason to press the matter. “If you’re sure. I’ll let Trish know not to expect Hayley, then.”
“Thank you,” Levi managed to say.
She nodded, then looked toward the other side of the house. “Well, we better head on in there and let Anna Leigh show you how to be a proper cat daddy so you can get back to your evening.”
Back to his evening, sure, but more importantly, back to Hayley.
The door to the laundry room was wide open, Hayley and Anna Leigh sitting side by side and cooing over the kittens. Anna Leigh had Harry Pawter cupped in both of her hands as she rubbed her cheek along the kitten’s soft fur.
“What are you going to do with them?” Anna Leigh asked.
“I’m not sure yet,” Hayley replied softly.
“Can I have one, if my Mama lets me?”
“Absolutely not.” Shelby’s elbow bumped Levi as she crossed her arms over her chest and gave her daughter a firm look. “No more pets. We practically live in a zoo as it is.”
Anna Leigh rolled her eyes. “It’s not a zoo, Mama. It’s a farm, and farms are supposed to have lots of animals.”
Shelby’s gaze became pinpricks. “No.”
Hayley turned to look over her shoulder at where Shelby and Levi stood. Her eyes twinkled with mischievous delight. “Better watch out, Levi. She’s stealing your favorite word.”
Levi gave her a deadpan look, which just made her cackle in laughter.
“I don’t get it. What’s so funny?” Anna Leigh looked between them.
Shelby unfolded her arms and took a step forward. She squatted down beside her daughter. “Never mind, baby. Why don’t you show Miss Hayley and Mr. Levi what we brought and how to use it. We need to get back home so I can start dinner.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Anna Leigh set Harry Pawter back down on the bed of blankets with his brothers, then reached for the box and opened the flaps. She pulled out a heating pad. “Kitties can’t regu ... regu...” She scrunched up her face. “Shoot. I can’t ever get that word right.”
“Regulate,” her mom helped.
Her face brightened. “Right. Regulate. Kitties can’t regulate their body temperature, and the mama cat is the one that keeps them warm. But since there isn’t a mama cat, you use a heating pad.”
“Make sure you put it on the lowest setting and wrap it in a few towels,” Shelby supplied.
