“Now? The pizza hasn’t even gotten here,” Jules asked with a furrow in her brow.
“True. But the cobbler is still warm, and I’m starving. Besides, haven’t you heard? Life is short…”
Jules laughed. “Eat dessert first!”
Kelly flashed a mischievous grin, much like her brother’s. “Exactly.”
Jules started to get up. “I can come to the table.”
“No.” Kelly held up a hand. “I’ll bring it to you. Enjoy the pampering while you’ve got it.”
Kelly disappeared into the kitchen, and a moment later, Jules heard Kelly coo, “Oh, my goodness! Aren’t you precious? Where did this kitten come from?”
“Be careful!” Jules called. “She’s still pretty feist—”
Kelly strolled back into the living room with Joy curled against her chest, a docile ball of fluff. “Is it yours?”
Jules gaped. “How did you do that?”
“Do what?” Kelly stroked Joy’s fur with her fingertips, and a loud rumbling purr filled the room.
Jules shook her head and chuckled. “You’re the kitten whisperer. Joy’s been nothing but feisty since we trapped her.”
“Feisty?” Kelly kissed Joy’s head and walked over to Jules. “Not this little love, surely.” She handed the kitten to Jules, who cradled Joy on her chest. “You hold her while I get our cobbler.”
Joy stood and turned around once before settling down again and continuing to purr. Tears pooled in Jules’s eyes as she cuddled the kitten.
“You were just scared, weren’t you?” she whispered as she patted the fuzzy baby. Her heart swelled, knowing the kitten’s calm and loving behavior meant Joy felt safe now, could even be forming bonds with her people.
And why did Joy’s turnaround make her think of her own experience with Cal? Was she starting to feel safe in their relationship? Was she forming bonds with him and his family? Friendships, certainly. But was it more?
And what if the answer was yes? What did she do with that information?
“Here you go,” Kelly announced brightly as she returned from the kitchen with a bowl of warm cherry cobbler topped with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Jules took the bowl, then waffled as to how to eat it without disturbing Joy, who was now asleep on her chest. “Um…”
Kelly laughed. “Want me to move the kitten?”
“Not on your life! I’m loving this.” Jules propped the bowl beside her and took small bites, taking care not to jostle Joy or drip ice cream on the couch.
“So are things between you and Cal serious?” Kelly asked.
Jules sputtered and choked on her last bite of ice cream, startling Joy away and sloshing a bit of cherry juice on the sofa cushion.
Kelly set aside her dish and came over to help Jules sit up and dab at the cherry stain. “Sorry. That was rather blunt and out ofthe blue, wasn’t it? You can take the lawyer out of the courtroom, but…” She pulled an apologetic face.
“Is this a cross-examination?” Jules asked as she sat up and wiped her mouth on the napkin Kelly had given her.
“Not at all. Just a sister hoping her oldest brother has finally met someone who’ll love him and stick around. He deserves to be happy, and his last couple girlfriends weren’t in it for the long haul.”
Jules perked at mention of Cal’s past. They’d never discussed previous relationships, and knowing Cal had been let down twice before pierced her heart. She hated to think of Cal getting hurt, yet…she didn’t plan to stick around. If they were able to get Chase Hamilton off the street and Abby felt safe to resume her life outside the hospital, why would she and Abby stay in Red Grove?
When Jules didn’t answer, Kelly frowned. “I’m kinda protective of my brothers, I suppose. Not that they aren’t capable of taking care of themselves, but…” She shrugged. “Personal relationships are different, and I’ve already seen him hurt.”
“I have no intention of hurting Cal.”
“Then you have feelings for him? You plan on sticking around?” Kelly asked, brightening.
