A little after one in the afternoon on Monday Jax went looking for Ramon. She figured her relationship with Lucy was about as good as it was going to get—the cat seemed relaxed and settled, albeit unimpressed with her. The sooner Ramon met his new cat, the sooner he would be an even happier bird.
She found him in the mystery room, perched by the New Releases bookshelf, as if studying which of his favorite authors had shown up.
“You know you prefer cozies to hardcore mysteries,” she said as she approached. “We have at least three new ones in the other room.”
She held out her arm and he hopped on, then walked up to her shoulder.
“Hey, handsome boy,” she murmured, stroking him lightly. “How are you doing?”
“Never better.”
“Good to hear.”
He nuzzled her ear. “Love you.”
“Love you, too. Ready to meet your cat?”
It was as if she’d poked him with something hot. He squawked and flew back to the shelf where he gave her some serious parrot stink eye.
“No!”
“Ramon, come on. You haven’t even seen her. She’s very beautiful and you know how you like pretty things. Plus, Ithink you’d be happier with a cat of your own. Sam was amazing and you two had a great relationship. I’m hoping it will be the same with Lucy.”
He turned his back on her. She sighed.
“I’m only doing this because I love you. Please? Just go look at her. You don’t have to stay long, but at least you could try.”
She waited a couple of seconds before repeating, “Please? For me?”
She could swear she heard him make a huffing sigh before he looked at her.
“Not happy.”
“I know but thank you for the effort.”
She held out her arm and he hopped on. Together they went up to the apartment where she stepped inside, then carefully closed the door behind her. Lucy might be doing well in the apartment, but it would be a while until Jax trusted her in the much larger bookstore with the constantly open front door.
She walked to one of the chairs by the kitchen table and waited until Ramon stepped from her hand to the back of the chair, then she called for Lucy.
“Hey, pretty girl. It’s me. Want to come out and say hi?”
Nothing happened. Ramon gave her a superior look, as if pointing out that the cat didn’t seem all that interested in doing what she was told, but Jax ignored him. She walked into the bedroom where she found the cat stretched out on her bed, dozing in a patch of sunlight.
“Hi,” she said quietly as she approached. “I have a surprise for you.”
Lucy opened her eyes, but otherwise didn’t move. Jax stroked her gently, then scratched her under her chin, hoping for the soft rumble of a purr. There wasn’t one. Lucy stretched, her tail flicking slightly as if she were more annoyed by the attention than pleased by it.
“You don’t have to like me,” she said, scooping up the cat in her arms. “Let’s see if you feel differently about Ramon.”
She carried her out to the living room and set her on the sofa. Lucy immediately jumped to the ground and stretched again before settling on her side as if prepared to resume her nap. Her big blue eyes closed slowly.
“Ramon,” Jax said. “Do you want to say hi?”
The parrot fluttered on the back of the chair. “No.”
“Ramon. Be nice.”
He fluttered again, his wings flapping in the quiet of the apartment. In less than a heartbeat, Lucy went from sleepy and relaxed to on alert. She came to her feet in a lightning-fast move as every muscle in her body tensed. Her eyes were wide and dilated, her head turning as she searched for the source of the sound. When she spotted the parrot, she made a cacking sound in her throat, then crouched low, as if preparing to—
