Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Magnolia shifted, draping herself over my chest. Her hair tickled my nose. The kitten’s fur tickled my ear. I shut my eyes.
When had this become my life?
MAGNOLIA
I woke up, something irritating my nose. I opened my eyes and turned my head, a smile immediately stretching my lips. Alex was asleep, and curled up on his pillow was the kitten. His paws rested on Alex’s mouth, and his tail had been on my face. Both of them looked at peace and comfy. Too comfy to wake up.
I recalled Alex’s voice in the night telling me the kitten was crying. What I had said, I had no idea, but somehow the kitten had ended up here with us and had slept with Alex the entire time.
I desperately wanted a picture. I had my phone plugged in on the nightstand, and I carefully reached over and grabbed it, taking a few shots.
The two of them were probably the most adorable thing I had ever seen.
Alex would hate it.
My smile died when I thought about what Alex had said about the kitten going to the shelter today. I understood his position, but I still hated it.
As I watched, the kitten stretched, then curled up again, burrowing into Alex, half draped across his face. I had to bite back my laughter as Alex’s eyes fluttered open and he looked at the kitten, then me. His gaze fell back to the kitten, and he rolled his eyes.
“Not the pussy I wanted to find on my face this morning,” he grumped.
I gasped at his words, then laughed. The kitten jumped, raising his head and looking at me as if to tell me I had disturbed his sleep. He nestled back into Alex, who frowned. “I only meant to let him stay for a few minutes. I must have fallen asleep.”
“You two look so cute together.”
He snorted. “Don’t get used to it.”
He rolled out of bed, ignoring the little meow of protest from his pillow, and headed to the en suite, coming out a few moments later. The whole time he was gone, the little kitten perched on the end of the bed as if waiting for him. When he came out, the kitten meowed loudly in greeting, and Alex looked askance.
“What does he want?”
I slid from the bed, attempting to tame my hair. “You.”
He scoffed. “He’s getting a one-way trip back to his room. I need coffee and a phone number for the shelter.”
I picked up the kitten, pleased when he curled into my arms. “I’ll make the coffee.”
I brushed past Alex and took the kitten to the room next door, showing him the food. He immediately attacked it, and I left him to go make coffee.
Alex appeared as I was pouring, and he took his mug, taking a large sip. “You do make the best coffee.” He studied me. “What?”
“Can we at least take him to a no-kill shelter?” I asked, my voice catching.
“What?”
I repeated myself, and he frowned. “So, if no one came to adopt him, they would…” He trailed off.
“Yes.”
“But kittens are always wanted.”
“If that was the case, we wouldn’t have found him outside in the dark.”
Just then, the kitten ran into the kitchen, meowing loudly. Alex frowned and bent to pick him up, not objecting when the kitten attached himself to his shoulder, burrowing into his neck. He took his cup of coffee and left the room.
I knew the look on his face. The stubborn, I-will-handle-this expression. He got it at the office several times a day.
I sat on the sofa and drank my coffee. When he reappeared, he was dressed, the kitten held in his hand against his chest, the other hand holding a bag that I knew contained the things we’d bought the kitten. “I found a place.”
“Okay.”
“I’m taking him now.”
I felt the tears building, which was crazy. But I nodded. “I can’t—” I whispered.
“I know. Darryl is coming. I’ll be back.” He paused. “Will you be here?”
“Yes. I understand, Alex. I’m just being—” I couldn’t finish my sentence.
He bent and kissed my forehead. “You’re being Magnolia. Tender and sweet. I understand too, but I have to do this.”
I was silent as he left, letting the tears fall. While he was making calls, I had tried to find someone to take the kitten but got nowhere. I hoped someone would adopt him. He was a crazy-looking little thing with big paws, the orange fur that stood up all over his head, and his big green eyes.
Surely someone would see that and how adorable he was and would adopt him.
Right?
To stay busy, I made muffins. I had brought the ingredients with me, and I needed to keep my mind off what was happening.
I heard the door open as I was taking the muffins from the oven and heard the footsteps behind me.
“Those smell good.”