“All right,” Griffin replied. He seemed relieved that he had something to do. “Help doing what, exactly?”
I grimaced. “I was hoping you wouldn’t ask, because it might involved getting scratched up.”
But Griffin didn’t balk. He smiled and said, “Then let’s go get scratched.”
I was filled with relief, and extremely pleased that I made the right decision in letting him stay the night.
* * *
If I wasn’tin determination mode, I might have minded the cold Sunday morning air more. But there was something much more important that needed my attention.
Griffin’s car was still parked outside, so he drove faster than the speed limit to race to the store. I hoped that Kaden listened to Skylar and stayed where he was, otherwise the cat might have been long gone.
“Does this happen often?” Griffin asked me as we parked.
“What? People dumping animals outside my workplace?” I said with a huff. “Sometimes. Usually they at least do it at the shelter - which isn’t really any better, but at least they’re actually equipped to deal with that sort of thing. My store just sells supplies and has animals up for adoption with local rescues.” I shook my head irritably. “I just wish it didn’t happen at all.”
My heart was racing by the time we reached the store. I calmed down a bit when I saw a figure standing in the alley next to the storefront.
“Kaden!” I called.
Kaden turned, looking relieved that we finally showed up. He shivered in his light coat, and I realized with some guilt that he probably meant to to into the store quickly and get out - he wasn’t dressed for a surprise stint of standing outside in the cold.
“Where is it?” I asked.
Kaden pointed to the cardboard box on the ground. It was large and tipped over, with the top flap obscuring the animal inside. But when it moved in the wind, I could definitely see a cat - white, orange and black with long fur.
“It’s a female,” I said.
“How can you tell?” Griffin asked.
“The colors. Usually only female cats are calico,” I told him. I turned to Kaden now. “Have you tried to approach her at all?”
“No,” he admitted. “I didn’t know what to do. I’ve never dealt with a loose stray cat before, and I didn’t want to freak her out.”
I nodded. “Good. You kept her here and stopped her from escaping, at least.”
Kaden stood back with Griffin, looking unsure.
“What should we do?” Griffin asked.
I kneeled down. From a lower position, I saw the cat’s eyes. She stared at me with a wide and fearful yellow gaze. When the wind blew, her long fur went in all directions. She was definitely frightened and cold.
“It’s okay,” I told her gently. “We’re going to help you.”
Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my keys. “Kaden, can you take these? The big silver one opens the store. Go inside and get the big laundry basket in the back, and a pair of thick gloves.”
“Okay.” Kaden took the keys and ran to the storefront.
“Griffin,” I said, “you’re my backup. I don’t want to have to corner here, but if she bolts, stand in the mouth of the alley so she goes in the opposite direction.”
“All right.”
Kaden returned with the basket and the gloves, which I promptly put on. I hoped I wouldn’t have to get physical with her, but they were a precaution if it became necessary.
“Kaden, I need you to pick up the box on my mark,” I told him.
Kaden nodded. He poised himself around the box, ready to go.
