If the scent match recognition is one-sided, I’ll be devastated.
I don’t know how I would explain that to Rowan. I can keep it together, but he might lose his mind.
We’ve been waiting for so long…
“I get that,” I say. “I would never abandon an animal. I’m not a monster.”
Her smile grows. “Good. If there are any problems, we have a low-cost vet clinic in the same building.”
I let her lead me through the playroom, surprised at its size, and through an open door that leads to a row of large kennels and crates.
“We have a couple of cats in here right now,” she says. “Some of them like to sleep in here, while others prefer to rest in the playroom.”
“Damn,” I say. “They’re living the life, huh?”
She chuckles. “Yeah. They are.”
I don’t know a lot about rescues, but I never imagined them to represent a luxury resort for cats.
But hell, if I was a cat here?
I’d never want to leave.
Especially if I got to see Blair every day.
“Who’s this?” I ask, my eyes falling to a large black cat that’s yawning. We make eye contact through the crate, which has its door open and slightly ajar. I’m eye level with the cat as the crate sits on top of another empty one.
“That’s Ash,” Blair replies. “He’s a sweet boy that someone found next to the highway.”
I cautiously extend my hand, and the cat’s black nose rubs against my fingers through the metal door of the crate. A large rumble sounds from him, and his yellow eyes close in bliss.
“Oh, that’s a good sign,” Blair breathes, her face lighting up. She’s beautiful like this, her passion and care for animals on display, and I bite my tongue to keep from telling her that.
“Yeah?” I ask dumbly, losing my words as I study her face.
“He adores you,” she murmurs. “You want to hold him?”
I want to holdyou,I think.
But Ash’s purr increases, and I nod.
Idowant to hold the cat. There’s a feeling in my gut that the cat that will do well in our packhouse and be a good companion to Rowan and Travis.
Blair reaches over to open the crate door, and Ash immediately headbutts my hand. I slowly gather him into my arms while he continues to purr.
He’s heavier than I expected, though.
“He looks like he swallowed a bowling ball,” I deadpan, and Blair bursts into beautiful laughter that makes my breath catch while Ash rubs his face all over my sweatshirt.
“They eat well here.” When we make eye contact again, I catch a flicker of longing across her face. She takes in a deep breath then clears her throat and steps back from me.
“I’ll give you some time with him,” she says quickly. She hurries out of the room and through the playroom, leaving me frowning.
Maybe shedoessense this.
But Ash doesn’t. The cat is oblivious to my struggle as he nuzzles into my chest, his purr ridiculously loud.
“Hey buddy,” I say, scratching his head. “You know her better than I do. Any chance she’d like me?”
