He let out a hollow laugh.“No.They aren’t alive any longer.”
“I’m sorry.I should have figured it out.”When Tater Tot wiggled in her arms, she looked at him.“You’re getting heavy.”
“You must be feeding him well.”
She shrugged as she lowered Tater Tot to the floor.“I’m just following Merry’s instructions.By the way, have you talked to her today?I tried to call her earlier, but I couldn’t get a hold of her.”
“And you’re wondering if she found someone to take in Tater Tot?”
“Uh, yes.”She watched as Tater Tot made his way over to Thor.They sniffed each other, and then Tater Tot started jumping around, barking at Thor.“Should I stop him?”
Colin shook his head.“He just wants to play.See his tail wagging.Why are you so anxious for Merry to find him a new home?”
Holly shrugged.“It’s just not fair to him to get used to living with me and then to shuffle him to another home.”
Colin looked over at the tail-wagging pup.“I think he’s going to be just fine.”
She wanted to believe him, but she knew how important stability was to youngsters.And even though Tater Tot wasn’t human, she still believed this was true.She wanted the best for the pooch.
“Mrr…”
Holly turned her head to see an orange, black, and white calico cat stroll into the room.The cat walked over to Colin and rubbed against his legs.The cat’s purr was so loud Holly could hear it.
“And this is Clementine.”
The cat strolled over to her and rubbed over her ankles too.“She’s very friendly.”
“Yes, she is.”He moved to her side.
She knelt down to pet the cat.It was only after she’d pet the cat that she noticed Clementine was missing an eye.The poor baby.And part of her ear was missing.Aww…
It didn’t stop Holly from wanting to scoop her up and take her home.But of course, that wasn’t necessary because she was certain Colin spoiled all of his furbabies, including Clementine.
When Holly straightened, Clementine jumped up and leaned against her leg.Holly scratched her head.When the cat didn’t seem to be going anywhere, Holly scooped her up into her arms.
As she petted the cat, she chanced a glance at Colin.He was keeping an eye on the dogs.Tater was sniffing his way around the room.
“Do you mind if I ask what happened to Clementine?”
“No.She was a stray that was brought into the clinic.She was sick.Her eye was infected.The eye couldn’t be saved.”
“And her ear?”
“They do that when a feral cat is sterilized, and they release them back to the wild.Someone found her and dropped her at the clinic.They didn’t stick around.And so I took her in.I wasn’t planning to keep her, but there aren’t a lot of people who want a one-eyed cat.”
“And…”
His brow crinkled.“And what?”
“And you fell for her, didn’t you?”
He smiled.“Yes.I did.She’s the best.She puts up with the dogs.In fact, she bosses them around.”
She looked at Clementine.“I bet they’re a lot of work to keep in line.Huh, girl?”
“Mrr..”
“Don’t let her tell you any big stories.We aren’t that much work.”Colin sent her a teasing smile.“Would you like to meet Cupcake and Jinx?”
