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We’ve been at the shelter for a few hours, and Hailee has been busy reading to the cats. Of course, her first book wasBeauty and the Beast.
Blake is having a great time too. He’s petting and loving up on the cats. I think spending time with Mr. Muggles has made him soft, where cats are concerned.
He’s spent the last three-quarters of an hour with one cat in particular who seems to have formed a real attachment to him. I stand back, watching Hailee read and Blake in his element, and I can’t help but think how amazing this day has been. Sure, there was a minor hiccup with the planetarium, but Hailee is so happy right now, and Blake has been so good with her all day.
I can’t remember when I ever felt this calm, happy, and grounded. I sit at a table, and a cat jumps up, purring as I gently pet its fur. I smile, loving this place so much, as I glance back to look for Blake, but he isn’t where he was a moment ago.
I snap my head around to see if I can find him, but he is nowhere to be seen.
Maybe he went to the bathroom?
Shrugging, I continue to sit, watching Hailee as she reads and stroking my new friend, when I spot Blake walking back out with a cat carrier and talking to the lady at the main desk while he’s filling out paperwork. Widening my eyes, I stand to approach him and tilt my head to the carrier. “Ahh… what have you done?”
He shrugs. “I couldn’t help it. He chose me.”
I let out a small laugh. “You adopted a cat?”
He shrugs. “Hailee said my apartment needed a pet. How can I say no to that? In fact…” he turns back to the front desk, and I follow his every move, “… Clara, I’d like to donate to the shelter.”
Clara smiles and grabs an envelope. “Of course, thank you so much. You can fill this out and pop the cash in here.”
Blake hands the envelope back. “Not a small donation, Clara. I want to donate ten thousand dollars.”
I gasp as Clara’s hand moves to her chest. Her eyes are wide in shock. “Mr. Branson, I-I don’t k-know what to say?”
“This place… it’s amazing, Clara. And you should be rewarded for all your good work here.”
She reaches out, grabbing Blake’s hand. “Thank you, Mr. Branson, this means so much. Let me go grab the manager so we can get this settled.”
Clara walks off, and Blake turns to me.
I smile at him. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
He shrugs. “What’s the point of having money if you can’t spend it on worthwhile causes?”
“We should tell Hailee.” I turn my head to look for her. “Hailee?” I call out, seeing she isn’t where she was only moments before. My head snaps around the large room, looking at all the nooks, trying to find my daughter. “Hailee?” I call out again as I step off, searching for her.
Blake follows me with my heart rate accelerating. “Hailee, baby, this isn’t funny. Answer me.”
“Hailee!” Blake calls out as we walk faster.
“Where the hell is she?” I ask as we take off down the halls, both of us searching in the cat cages for anywhere she might be lurking.
“Hailee?” Blake calls out.
Clara comes up to us. “Everything all right?” she asks.
Panic starts to rise inside me as I shake my head. “My daughter, the young girl who came in with us, we can’t find her.”
Clara nods her head. “It’s okay. She’s probably gone into one of the cuddle corners. I’ll get the team to search for her.” She brings her radio up to her mouth and presses the button. “All staff be advised we have a lost child on premises. Young girl, blonde hair, be on the lookout. All available staff, please search your stations.”
Nodding, I grab Blake’s hand, and he tightens his grip on mine. “Thank you, Clara.”
“It’s okay. This happens here sometimes. The kids wander off to go look at the animals. We’ll find her.”
Blake’s breathing quickens as I look at him—seeing his panic only heightens mine. “I’m going to go look out on the street.”
