Bas rumbled that low growl of a purr maybe. Hudson wished he knew what kind of feline that Bas was. It would be nice to have more information on his new friend. Although if Bas’s owner wasn’t going to take proper care of him, then Hudson might need to step in.
It was just poor ownership to allow such a sweet and affectionate animal out like this.
The cat yawned, showing off those sharp teeth once again.
Okay, so Bas could probably take care of himself. At least if there was a loose dog or something, Bas could climb trees.
He sighed. Fall was quickly approaching, and the nights were cooling down but with his little guy in his arms, Hudson didn’t feel the temperature dropping. He cuddled and crooned to Bas until his arms began to ache.
It was late and he’d worked a long couple of days, but he didn’t want to leave his new friend.
“Hud?”
Damn it! Hudson turned toward the back door where Carter was standing with the screen propped open.
“What are you doing out here?” Carter asked. “I was starting to get worried. Is that a cat?”
“This is Bas,” Hudson told him as he strode forward so Carter could meet his new furry friend.
“Bas?” Carter scowled down at the animal. “Where did he come from?”
Hudson shrugged. “I think he might have followed me home.” Except Hudson had seen Noah heading back into the bakery with Bas on his shoulder when Hudson had climbed into EJ’s truck. “Or found my scent somehow? I don’t know.”
“So, you met this little guy before?” Carter tried to run a hand down Bas’s back, but the cat swiped his paw at Carter’s attempt before moving up to sit on Hudson’s shoulder. His long tail wrapped around Hudson’s neck to trail down his chest.
“No!” Hudson admonished Bas. “Don’t be mean to my brother.”
Bas gave a massive huff.
“It appears he just likes you,” Carter said. He was still staring at Bas. “I’ve never seen a domestic cat with those marking before.”
“Yeah,” Hudson agreed. “He was up in a tree at the park. I thought he might be stuck.”
Carter chuckled. “Rescuing a cat from the tree. Every firefighters dream.”
Hudson’s cheeks reddened in embarrassment.
From his shoulder Bas growled deep and low.
“Damn,” Carter said with a grin. “Protective little shit.”
“Don’t be mean either,” Hudson told his brother. Even as the growl had made something in his stomach clench. Like Bas thought Hudson was important. “Anyway, I was considering taking him to the vet since he didn’t have a collar.”
“You were thinking about bringing him home.”
His brother knew him well. “He’s just a little guy! What if he got hurt?”
Bas sneezed like he was insulted.
Hudson patted the tail still wrapped around him as Bas continued to perch on Hudson’s shoulder.
“What happened? You obviously didn’t just leave him in the yard.”
“One of the guys from the bakery came and collected him,” Hudson explained. “He didn’t seem concerned that Bas was out on his own.”
“Maybe he’s one of those feral cats that just roam around,” Carter suggested.
“Look at him!” Hudson exclaimed. “He’s way too well taken care of to be feral. Plus, he’s a big sweetie.”
