“Bas!” Hudson reached out and found himself with his arms full of kitty.
Bas purred as he rubbed all over Hudson’s chest, chin, and face.
Hudson spluttered, spitting fur from his mouth as he hadn’t expected the rubdown from his furry buddy.
“At least he seems to like you,” Carter said, leaning closer.
Bas stopped trying to cover Hudson in all his dang fur to turn his head and hiss at Carter.
“And not me.” Carter jerked back just in time to avoid a paw swiping at him.
“Hey,” Hudson said quietly as he bounced, trying to get Bas’s attention. “Just ignore him. You’re such a pretty boy, yes you are, but I’m going to need to wash my clothes after this. Maybe twice.” He was covered in fur.
Bas gave another one of those low rumbles that wasn’t quite catlike as he started to rub against Hudson’s chin again.
Hudson turned his face, which just gave Bas better access to his neck.
Dang! Bas sure was acting funny. “Do you think he’s happy I rescued him?” he asked his brother.
“Didn’t he climb down by himself?” Carter asked.
He huffed. “That’s not the point!” Hudson had totally rescued Bas. Twice. The little feline fell asleep in the trees and Hudson made sure that he didn’t fall out. That was a rescue!
Carter opened his mouth, probably to argue further, but Hudson spotted Noah running toward them. He tightened his arms around Bas. He wanted answers this time. Hudson didn’t like confrontations, but these guys weren’t taking proper care of Bas.
“Hey!” Noah slowed his jog.
“Hello,” Hudson responded tensely.
Carter glanced between Hudson and Noah before rocking back on his heels, probably catching Hudson’s unpleased tone.
“I see our little cat found you again,” Noah said.
“He was up the tree again,” Hudson told him.
Noah shrugged. “Yeah, he does that.”
“It’s not safe,” Hudson said firmly.
“Wait!” Noah’s eyes were wide. “Are you mad at me?”
It wasn’t Noah’s fault. Hudson knew that. He just hated that such a sweet cat wasn’t being properly cared for. “No.” He shook his head. “Sorry. It’s just really not safe for him.”
Bas finally stopped rubbing all over him. Hudson was thankful. He could feel the fur covering every inch of his neck and chest. It was uncomfortable.
“He’s a really good climber,” Noah told him. “He won’t fall.”
“Bas is a margay, isn’t he?”
“How do you know that?” Noah bounced as he asked.
“I looked it up on the internet.” Hudson was proud of himself. He’d figured out Bas’s species. “He’s endangered. I’m not sure how he got here but he should be watched and cared for properly.”
Noah was staring at the cat, who was still watching Hudson with those expressive eyes. “He’s not really mine?” Noah offered.
“I would like to talk to his owner,” Hudson insisted. If Bas was going to be running around, then Hudson wanted to meet the man who had claimed the feline. Was Bas smuggled over? Should he even be there? “I have questions.”
“Uh, okay.” Noah swallowed hard. He appeared extremely uncomfortable. “You know the big property out by the state park?”
