She was a friend. I could tell by how Travis was talking. This woman was someone he cared about, similar to his colleagues at Warrior Security.
“I know. I’m sorry. My truck’s in the shop so I got a rental.”
“What’s in the box? You have some sort of computer problem you need help with? I might have been able to help you over the phone.”
“No. No computer problem. But, ah, I need a favor. A small one. Tiny, really. Barely qualifies as a favor.”
A pause that lasted long enough to be a negotiation all by itself. Then Travis let out a sigh.
“How many?” he asked. “And what kind?”
I had no idea what this conversation was about.
“Three. Kittens. They’re weaned, although just barely. The mom has some medical complications. They just need a place for a week, maybe two. Three at the most. I’ll find them homes, I promise. I’m just out of room. The cat house is full, I’ve got two litters already at my place, and Dr. Carter’s boarding kennels are packed because of that hoarding case in Kalispell.”
“Lark.” He was about to say no; I could already tell.
“They’re so small, Travis. They barely take up any space. You won’t even know they’re here. Remember the puppies at Christmas? You said they were fine. You said, and I quote,they were less annoying than most humans.”
“I said they were less annoying than Beckett. That’s a different bar. Beckett is the most annoying human on the planet.”
“Please. I wouldn’t ask if I had another option.”
A pause. Long enough that I pressed my shoulders harder against the wall.
He’d taken puppies in at Christmas? Somehow, I had no problem imagining that.
“Lark, I can’t. Not right now. I’ve got a lot on my plate and the timing is bad.”
“Travis, they’re six-week-old kittens. They eat and they sleep. They’re not going to interfere with whatever tech project you’re buried in.”
“It’s not that. I just… can’t take on anything else right now.”
He was definitely going to say no.
I heard it in the silence. He was going to send her away. Turn down a friend, a woman who cared about him, because I was hiding in his house and he couldn’t explain why. He was going to add one more wall, close one more door, push one more person away. Because of me.
No.
I stepped into the doorway.
“Hi.” I waved to her. “I think I’m what’s on his plate.”
Lark was standing on the porch with a box in her arms, three small faces peering over the edge. Her whole body went still for about one second. Then her eyes moved from me to Travis and back to me.
“Well,” she said. “That explains a lot.”
Travis had gone rigid beside me. I could feel it without looking at him.
“Lark,” he said carefully, “this is my friend Sera. She’s staying here for a while.”
“Okay. Friend. Okay.” Lark was obviously still reeling.
Travis scrubbed a hand down his face. “It’s pretty important you not mention this to anyone. More serious circumstances than just trying to avoid gossip.”
Lark looked at him, absorbing the request without flinching. Something passed across her face that had nothing to do with curiosity and everything to do with recognition. This was a woman who understood the necessity of keeping some things quiet. A woman with secrets of her own.
“Of course,” she said. “Who or what happens in your house is nobody’s business but your own. So I won’t say a word.”
