“Morning.” His voice was rough, like he hadn’t used it much yet today. He moved closer to the tree, peering up. “How long has it been up there?”
Audrey shrugged. “Don’t know, but it sounds really scared.”
The cat yowled again, louder this time, and shifted on the branch. The wood creaked ominously.
“Shit,” Cam muttered, then seemed to remember his daughters were right there. “I mean, shoot.”
“What are we gonna do, Daddy?” Alice looked like she was about to start crying.
“Someone will have to climb up and get it.” He studied the tree with a heavy frown. “I’m too heavy for those branches. They won’t hold me.”
“Emily said she used to climb trees,” Audrey offered helpfully.
His eyes cut to me. “Did she now.”
“I mean, it’s been a while,” I said quickly. “But I’m lighter than you, if you think it would help?”
He looked at the tree again, clearly running calculations in his head. The muscle in his jaw ticked. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I know. But I’m already out here, and that cat sounds miserable.” I glanced at the girls, both watching me with identical hopeful expressions. “Plus, I can’t let the girls down.”
Alice’s face lit up. “You’re gonna save it?”
“I’m going to try. No promises.”
Cam’s exhale was long and controlled. “Okay then. Come up to the gate.”
I met him at the gate and when he swung it wide, he gestured to the yard. “After you.”
I slipped past him, hyper-aware of how close we were. He smelled like coffee and something cooking, maple syrup maybe. My heart rate went up a notch.
The girls rushed over immediately, flanking me like tiny bodyguards.
“Be careful,” Audrey’s tone was very serious.
“I will. Promise.”
I studied the tree, plotting my route. The lowest branch was just within reach if I jumped. From there, it was a fairly straightforward climb.
Reaching for the first branch, I said, “Okay, buddy, let’s get you down.”
The bark was rough under my palms. I hauled myself up, refusing to think about how I looked to the people standing below me. And by people, I meant Cam, obviously.
One branch, then another. My arms remembered this, even if my brain had forgotten. The rhythm of it. Test the branch, shift my weight, pull myself higher.
“You’re doing it!” Alice’s voice drifted up to me.
The cat watched me approach with increasing alarm, pressing harder against the trunk.
“Hey there, buddy,” I said softly, inching closer. “I’m not going to hurt you. I just want to help you get down, okay?”
It hissed.
Great.
“Emily.” Cam’s voice, low and tight. “Be careful.”
“I’ve got it.” As long as I ignored the way my name sounded in that deep, rumbly voice.
