Sally and Riley looked at each other.“We both want a kitten,” said Riley, “but since the twins need to go to one family, we could do that.We are like sisters.”
“Thank you,” said Raven.“I’ll be in touch by the end of the day tomorrow.”
Sarah thanked her, and she and Simon ushered the girls away from the table.
“Now what are we going to do, Mom?”asked Riley.
“We’re going to wait for the decision,” said Sarah.
“I think we have a good chance,” said Simon.“Meanwhile, do you want to spend any more time with the cats?Or maybe go upstairs and get your face painted?I saw a sign over by the stairs.I’m going to get a book.It’s summer, and I can finally dive into a new sci-fi I’ve been waiting to read.”
Sally and Riley went back to the cats, leaving Sarah alone with him again.“I should go soon, but I’ll leave you my phone number in case you hear from Raven before I do.”She took out her business card and scribbled her personal cell number onto the back.
“Thanks,” said Simon, taking it and placing it into his pocket.“I’ll see you soon.”
“Yes.”She gazed into his eyes just a little longer than necessary then stepped back.“I also wanted to grab a book while I’m here, and maybe one about cat care.I’ll talk to you later.”
They dispersed to different parts of the store, and once Sarah had grabbed her book and chosen one on cat care that was appropriate for an eleven-year-old, she told Riley it was time to go.
Riley looked a moment like she was going to argue, but when she saw the book her mother was going to pay for, she seemed to think better of it.Sarah smiled inwardly.The kid was learning to pick her battles.A good lesson to learn.
ChapterSeven
Raven waved goodbye to Simon when he was leaving the store.“You’ll hear from me soon,” she assured his daughter, who was watching her with eyes filled with hope.She had almost decided to give the twins to Sarah and Simon.They had stable homes and jobs, daughters who seemed to understand the responsibility, and she was confident the cats would be happy with them.Though they were a bonded pair, they were also young and could probably learn to have time apart without too many repercussions—especially if the separation was made slowly over time.
Lance appeared beside her with a latte from Whisking Love.“I thought we were in the business of matching cats and humans,” he said, “but I think there’s a bit more going on there.”
“Thank you!I needed this,” Raven said, taking the latte from Lance.“Now, tell me.What are you talking about?”
“Simon and that woman.”He took a sip of his own coffee and led her to the side of the room where they could speak more privately.
“You mean Sarah?What about them?”
“I’ve known Simon for a few months now.He’s often in here for books.I’ve never seen him quite so… hmmm…” His brows furrowed.“Animated?”
“He did seem excited about adopting the kittens, and it would be a solution.Though I must admit it doesn’t always work for bonded pairs to be split.So I hope they follow through.”
“I think if it’s up to Simon, they’ll be spending a lot of time together.”
“He did seem more enthusiastic than Sarah,” she admitted.“I’m not sure if she really wants a cat.”
“Are you being deliberately obtuse?”Lance’s voice held amusement.
“Obtuse?”
“I’m not talking about the cats.I think Simon is interested in Sarah.And, if I’m not mistaken, she isn’t indifferent to him either.”
“You mean…?”
“Yes.While your main objective may be matching cats to owners, I think you may be playing matchmaker too.”
“Huh,” said Raven, smiling as she took another drink.“Whatever works to make sure my cats have happy homes.”
Lance chuckled and shook his head at her.“You really do have a one-track mind.”
She grinned.“I find it helps to have focus.”
“I see Mal on her way over.I’m going to go and relieve Ahmed so he can grab some lunch.Zoey’s happy to take a break from restocking shelves and help out at the back table if the others want to take a break.”He pecked her on the cheek and jostled himself through the crowd toward a grateful Ahmed.
