“Is that for blackmail?”
“I wouldn’t need it. I can sell it and make more money. Hot guy and a kitten? If you were shirtless, I could be a millionaire.”
“I’ll pay you not to show anyone.” I carefully pick up the box. The kittens inside are nestled in a corner, their little eyes wide.
We carry our find to the patio. Meredith giggles as the cat rubs all over her.
“I’m going to have to change before I return to work.”
“You can work topless. I won’t mind.”
She smirks, but her cheeks flush. “It’s not hygienic, but you really don’t like the work polos.”
“Wrong. You made me like them a lot, rosy. I’m going to walk the fence and the ditches, make sure no more kittens are roaming around. Want to check me for ticks when I’m done?”
She may be blushing, but interest lights her eyes. “I can be of service. I might need my own check.”
Chuckling, I set the orange kitten in the box and walk through the property listening for meows. I find nothing but an empty Cheetos bag, three shooter bottles of Smirnoff, and a used condom.
Bowen pulls in with Dad’s pickup just as I return to the patio. The windows are open, and Landry’s in the passenger seat. They both get out. Landry swaggers with his head down until Bowen says something to him. They both arch their brows at the picture Meredith and I make hanging out on the porch. Meredith is sitting backward on the picnic table. She has one tortie kitten, and the other two are playing at her feet.
“Want a cat?” Meredith asks when they get closer.
“Strays?” Landry drops to a knee. I don’t expect him to get so close, but he picks the kitten up and cradles her.
“They were dumped.” Mama cat swirls around my legs, so I lift her. It’s been ages since I’ve cuddled a cat. The barn cats are still wary of me, but the more I feed them, the closer they get. “They need names.”
“You only name the animals you keep,” Bowen says.
Meredith puts the other tortie down, and the kitty runs to Bowen’s boots and attacks the toe. The corner of his mouth lifts.
“She’s got an orange nose.”
She scoops up the orange kitten. “These girls and one boy are used to being inside. I think you’re a…Cheddar.”
Landry holds his kitten up to his face. “Belle.” The kitten sneezes, and he squeezes his eyes shut. “My dude. Gross.” He chuckles and wipes his nose off on his shoulder.
Bowen laughs. “You’d better hope that’s not distemper. You’ll pass it on to all those models in Cali.”
Landry scowls. “Not how it works, jackass.”
I catch Meredith’s eye, and we both grin. A shared moment. My brothers aren’t being pains in the asses. They’re naming cats like they care whether the animals will be here the next time they come home—if they return. I could go for more instances like this.
Bowen holds his bundle close to his chest. “She looks like a Bonnie.”
“Have you known a Bonnie?” I ask.
“Nope.” He strokes her head.
“Calder?” A smile plays over Meredith’s lips. “You got a name for mama kitty?”
Mama kitty’s rubbing her head against my chest, but I’m watching Meredith’s eyes go soft, and the sweet look on her face because I’m cuddling a cat. She likes my softer side.
I scratch the cat’s chin, and she stretches her head out. She’s the second female I haven’t wanted to let go in two weeks. “Winnie.”
“Winnie,” Meredith says with a broad smile, nuzzling Cheddar. “I like it.”
“Bit close to Winslow, isn’t it?” Bowen asks dryly, but not without a note of accusation.
