Darn it. “Did she have family who might be willing to take Marmalade in?”
“She’s only got one son, and he lives on the other side of the country. I told him about the cat, but he said he can’t have pets at his apartment. We’ve been leaving food out for Marmalade, but we haven’t seen him since shortly after Mrs. Peabody passed.” He smiles. “Not until today, anyway.”
“He was probably sad,” the little girl says.
“Any chance…?” I’m not going to say it aloud in front of his kids, but I swing the carrier in his direction meaningfully.
He shakes his head. “Not a chance. I’m allergic, and I’ve got enough to keep me more than busy here.”
As if to emphasize the point, the baby in his arms scrunches their little face and lets out a whimper that, in my experience, is probably leading to a big cry.”
“Not again,” the little girl says, likely having the same thought. “All he ever does is cry.”
I thank them and carry Marmalade back to my truck, weighing my options. Which are, sadly, not many. The shortage of space at the local animal shelter is an ongoing problem and one that is in the process of being rectified. Work has already started on a massive expansion of the facility. Unfortunately, that doesn’t help me right now.
The other option is to take Marmalade to the Weston Farm, where he’ll probably be very happy for as long as they can keep him. Ultimately, he’ll end up at a shelter either here in town or in a nearby town. And there’s no telling how long it might be before he’s adopted.
He stares at me through the bars of his carrier, staring at me and… Is he actually? Yes, the sweet guy is purring like I’m his new favorite person.
Harper’s been asking for a pet for a while now and, to be honest, I’ve wanted a pet since I was her age. It just never seemed like the right time.
But cats are pretty easy.
Marmalade reaches out a paw and brushes my hand, claws retracted. It’s like he’s asking me to keep him.
How can I say no?
Marmalade would have to accept being an indoor cat, because I don’t want him out in the world killing birds, getting into fights, and possibly contracting a disease.
“What do you think, Marmalade? Can you be an indoor cat?”
Marmalade is silent, still just staring at me adorably, offering no clue as to how he feels about the arrangement. We have a sun porch filled with plants that gets tons of light, but outdoor cats generally like to remain outdoor cats. And I don’t want to transition him gradually. My house is too close to a busy main road for my comfort.
If it doesn’t work out, it will break Harper’s heart.
I stick Marmalade in the truck and check my phone. Just a message from Shaleigh to stop by the office when I get a chance. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Mr. Herring called and complained about me.
I get into my truck and decide to take my lunch break super early since things are slow. I’ll get Marmalade set up with everything he needs at my house and go see Shaleigh.
It’s risky, but I’ve never seen a sweeter cat than Marmalade and, in my heart, he already feels like mine. After a quick trip to the pet store and a call to the small animal vet in the next town over to set up an appointment for Marmalade to get checked out, I have to leave Marmalade alone at my house.
He stares up at me as I walk out and mews pitifully. “I’ll be home tonight,” I say. “But for right now, I need you to stay herebecause I have to work and Harper is at preschool. Can you be patient?”
Marmalade’s full-throated meow sounds like a definitive no, but I’ve left him with water and food and I have to get back to work. I don’t have a choice.
But I sure feel guilty as hell as I shut the door and walk away. Maybe this was a bad idea?
***
“That cat I got called about this morning?” I say as soon as I step into Shaleigh’s office.
She raises her brows.
“His owner has passed. I’m going to keep him.”
“Okay,” Shaleigh says, smiling. “Harper will be so excited.”
“I know. I can’t wait to see her reaction.” I’m practically vibrating with anticipation for the joyful reveal as I take a seat across from Shaleigh.
