Page 69 of One Kind Soul

“How did you end up with five cats anyway?” Nicole rubbed Nina until the kitten curled up in her lap. “Did they come with the farm?”

Christian shook his head. “You met Violet. The hairdresser.”

Nicole nodded as Leaf joined Nina on her lap and snuggled up to the other cat.

“She also volunteers at Maplehaven’s animal shelter.” He helped Roxie free her claw snagged on his shorts then pulled Pebbles into his lap as well. Tibbs, however, perched on the couch’s arm in a show of independence. “Someone brought in all five of these babies. They’d been found in a bag in a dumpster over in Cheshire. They were a mess. Filthy, matted fur. Skinny as shit.” He pointed at Tibbs. “He had a broken tail.”

“How awful. Somebody tossed them like trash? In an actual bag?”

“People suck sometimes.” Christian’s nose crinkled in disgust. “Anyway, I had just inherited the farm. I ran into Violet at Marco’s and when I mentioned the farm was now mine, she got one of her ideas.” He smiled. “She dragged me to the shelter and introduced me to this pack.”

“And you took all of them?”

“Yup. Violet was only suggesting one or two, but how could I not take them all?” He gestured to the ones lounging—and purring deeply—in their laps and Tibbs doing is own thing on the couch arm, but still looking super at home in the loft. “They’re family and I mean, look at them. Then picture them as tiny kittens.”

“Irresistible,” Nicole said. “Like you.”

He rewarded her with a huge smile that crinkled the skin by his eyes. “Right. I decided we could all be irresistible together on this farm.”

“A hot cowboy farmer and his pack cats are impossible to walk away from.” She leaned over and kissed him. “So I’m not going to.”

Christian bent over his lap, getting closer to Roxie and Pebbles. “You hear that guys? We did it. We found you a mommy.”

Nicole chuckled when Roxie stretched out her front paw and let it rest on Christian’s chest. “I think she’s thanking you.”

“Because she knows I picked well.” He slid his hand over to hers and intertwined their fingers. Bringing their joined hands up, he pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles. “You really said you’ll stay, right? I didn’t imagine that because I was loopy from amazing shower sex, did I?”

She cupped his whiskered cheek then caught his mouth with hers, hoping to give him an answer he’d know was real and he’d remember. “I’ll call the resort tomorrow and give my notice. I’ll probably have to work at least another week though so they can hire a replacement. That will give me time to pack up my stuff anyway.”

“Boo to you being gone for a week.” Christian pouted. “But yay to you packing up your stuff. You’ll move in here, yes?”

Her eyes widened and he laughed.

“Nixen, I can’t have you living in Maplehaven and not being here on the farm with me. C’mon.” He rolled his beautiful eyes. “Besides, how can you mother the pack cats if you don’t live here?”

This felt like a lot to process. Quitting her job at The Nalu Resort. Moving from Hawaii to Vermont. Living with Christian.

On the other hand, it also felt incredibly right. More right than anything in her life had ever felt.

She stroked Nina and Leaf. “Consider me part of the pack.”

Chapter Twelve

Nicole had started the day—after a proper good morning with Christian—by calling The Nalu Resort and telling her boss she’d be quitting. She’d expected to be nervous about making that call, but the words tumbled right out without a problem and by the time the conversation concluded, Nicole had no doubt she’d made a good, life-changing decision. As predicted, her boss asked her for one more week of service which she agreed to. After this extra week in Vermont, she’d fly back to Kauai, pack up her things throughout that final work week, then head back north to be with Christian.

Up next? Telling Tessa they’d be living in the same place again.

She pulled Christian’s truck into the parking lot of Aliza’s yoga studio where Tessa taught dance classes. Christian had hesitated letting Nicole go out alone, but she’d assured him cops were around thanks to Donovan and she’d be in a public place. So far Lynda hadn’t been found, and perhaps Nicole had been wrong. Maybe the store vandalism was purely a random act of destruction.

But Lynda wasn’t in jail where she belonged so the hunt for her had to continue. Perhaps the hunt didn’t have to happen in Vermont though. Lynda could realistically be anywhere.

Sifting out a breath, Nicole focused on the positive—like heading into the studio and surprising her best friend with wonderful news. She got out of the truck, threw a cautionary glance around at her surroundings, then jogged up to the studio’s front door. She pulled it open and stepped inside to find Tessa at the front desk.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” Her face brightened. “I figured I’d have to beg to get some time with you this week. You know, peel you off Christian.” She rounded the desk and folded Nicole into a hug.

“Don’t be all jealous.”

“I can’t help it.” Tessa pouted. “I found you first.”