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“Kit-ty?”
“Yeah, kitty.”
Afton’s eyes grew wide. “A cat?”
I gave Holden a reassuring smile as he helped Avery into the saddle. Was it babies that bothered him? It was a mystery that wasn’t mine to solve.
Landon spotted a cat and took off with Sally on his heels. I didn’t know if that cat was Tabby, but Afton followed. I put Riley down and she toddled after them. We spent the next twenty minutes searching the barn and around the house for the cat. At the back of the house, we found Tabby. She preened and stretched and sauntered toward Landon. He dropped to sit on the concrete. Afton did the same.
This was such a nice place. A person could get lost in nature. Dogs, cats, horses, cows, and acres to explore. My old house had all the space in the world and a yard the size of half a football field, but it hadn’t been welcoming. The house I rented in town was small, but it fit us and had a small fenced-in backyard. The kids could play, but I missed being able to let them run.
Riley sat on my lap and I helped her pet the cat without tearing out its fur. Avery rounded the corner, excitement flushing her face, and she dropped to her knees to hug Tabby.
If there was a cat that loved the attention more, I’d be surprised.
Several minutes later, Holden found us and grinned at the cat. “She’s in heaven.”
I held Riley as she tipped forward to pick a pebble from the concrete pad. “I can’t believe she’s so friendly.”
He squatted down and scratched behind her ears. “She’s an indoor cat in a barn cat’s body. She’s always been that way. It’s not like I socialize them, but I try to make sure they’re not feral. I find mama cat and give her some attention and let the kittens get used to being handled. Tabby even cuddles with Sally.”
I grinned as I watched the cat happily twine around all the kids, going from person to person and loving the adoration. “She’s so good with kids too.”
Landon ran his hand down Tabby’s length to the tip of her striped tail. “Do you have kids, Holden?”
I was about to shake my head, but I realized I didn’t know. It seemed like something he’d have mentioned. When I glanced at him, my heart dropped. Oh, no.
He’d gone still, his face draining of color. He swallowed hard. I didn’t know what the story was, but I knew it wasn’t our business.
I was about to say something, but stalled. How should I respond? How could I respond in a way that wouldn’t make the kids ask even nosier questions? I was used to difficult conversations, but I wasn’t in the work environment where I was accustomed to them and better prepared.
“Oh, Landon…” I began.
Holden gave himself a shake and rose out of his crouch. “It’s fine. Uh, I’m going to go check on…” He spun on a boot heel and vanished around his house.
Whatever had happened might not have been my business, but that didn’t mean he had to hurt alone. “Avery, do you mind making sure everyone sticks around the patio while I see if Holden needs help with anything?”
She nodded, thankfully not questioning what had just happened. Grateful that kids’ minds moved from subject to subject so quickly, I went in search of Holden.
