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Oh dear.

SIX

ABIGAIL

I heavedthe kitty litter into my trunk. Who knew that stuff was as heavy as bricks? And I still wasn’t certain I would need it. Sure, everyone at Hooker’s Paradise agreed it was time for me to bring a cat into the mix, but what if finding the right cat was like dating? What if it took months or years? What if I never found a cat that wanted to spend the rest of his or her life with me?

I had no idea. I only knew there was one way to find out.

Besides, thinking about a cat was easier than thinking about Rex.

Sophie was positive I would be adopting a sweet little feline this evening and convinced me to be fully prepared. So I stocked up on other supplies too—kibble, litter box, toys, a collar with a little bell, and some catnip because if my future cat was anything like me, he or she would want something to help relax in the evenings.

The sun was just setting when I pulled up at the NewElwood Animal Shelter. Even though Sophie volunteered here regularly, I didn’t ever remember stepping foot in this place. When I walked up to the door, a friendly face was standing by, waiting for me. But it wasn’t Sophie.

“It’s a big day!” Charlie practically sang with a big grin on her face.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We don’t know that I’m leaving here with anything.”

“If that’s what you have to tell yourself to keep your cool, but I know you’re excited.”

I bit back a smile. It was true; I was excited. This was something I’d always wanted and didn’t think I could ever have. At the same time, I knew that sometimes things didn’t always work out as planned. So I was cautiously optimistic.

Charlie put her arm around my shoulders. “C’mon, Sophie’s waiting for us.”

I expected the shelter to be more like a pet store—clear acrylic cages with adorable little pets on display—but the main room was just a reception desk. Sophie stood behind it, chatting with another volunteer. As we approached, we stole her attention.

“There you are!” Sophie greeted me with a grin that rivaled Charlie’s. “I couldn’t wait for you to get here.”

“Isn’t this supposed to be an animal shelter? Where are all the animals?” I asked, looking around again.

“What did you expect? Critters roaming free like it’s Ace Ventura’s apartment?”

“Maybe,” I answered. “You always talk about how much fun you have cuddling with all the cats and dogs.”

“I do, but in the back for safetyreasons.”

“Keeping strays off the streets,” I joked.

Sophie’s smile fell. “Abigail. We don’t say strays. We prefer the term adoptables.” Of course she did. The woman was a saint.

“Well, am I ever going to see any of these adoptables?”

She slapped her denim-clad thigh. “I thought you’d never ask!”

Charlie and I shared a look and followed our bestie down a hallway into a large, brightly lit room. I practically inhaled stray cat hair when I entered. Excuse me, adoptable cat hair. The walls were lined with metal cages, each housing its own cat. There was enough space to consider them cozy studio cat apartments—but the views were terrible. So maybe it was more like jail.

Not that I knew anything about that.

I looked around at all of the cats, catching gazes with a few of them as they stretched their paws and cried adorable meows. My heart melted. I wanted to take them all home.

Then I’d really be the crazy, divorced cat lady.

Charlie and Sophie were quiet as I walked past the cages until I came across a black cat. Suddenly, it was like I was a little girl again. I pressed my hands to my heart and wailed, “Aw! This one’s just like Mr. Kitty!”

“Who’s Mr. Kitty?” Sophie asked.

“It’s a long story. Can I see this one?” I asked, giving the sweet cat goo-goo eyes as it waved its tail like it was saying hello.