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NEAR HIS HOME, Casper suddenly slammed on the brakes of his rugged Jeep. The tires rebelled against the gravel of the seldom-used back road. Ahead of him, illuminated by the stark beams of his headlights, were two tiny shapes frozen in the middle of the road. Irritation bubbled up inside him—what was it with people and animals always getting in his way when he drove? On this secluded stretch of gravel, void of any other traffic, he quickly bounded from his vehicle, heart racing with concern as he slowly approached the two figures.

As Casper approached, the soft, frantic meows emanating from their little bodies reached his ears, revealing the truth well before he could clearly define their shapes: two very young kittens, hardly old enough to be away from their mother. Their fur was a mess, likely dusty from the road, and their wide, frightened eyes glowed in the dim light.

Realizing the mother cat might be nearby, he instinctively called out into the night, hoping to coax her from hiding. Deep down, he understood that a wild cat would likely avoid him, but the hope of catching a glimpse of her, to assure himself that the kittens were safe, filled his thoughts. Yet, as he looked around, dread gnawed at him; the realization hit him hard—they were not secure at all, stranded in the middle of the roadway, exposed and vulnerable to any incoming vehicle.

As Casper sensed the imminent danger of leaving them, his protective instincts surged like a tide. Realizing the situation’s urgency, he sprang into action, moved by a profound sense of duty. With careful attentiveness, he knelt, reaching out gently to scoop up the vulnerable little bodies in his solid yet tender grasp. Each delicate movement was deliberate, ensuring he didn’t startle them further, as he aimed to shield them from any potential harm that loomed nearby, like foxes and other wild animals.

“Hello, little kitties,” he said softly as he cradled them delicately in front of the luminous glow of his headlights. The night enveloped them, but the Jeep cut a comforting light upon the two tiny creatures in his hands. He had a striking tuxedo kitten, its fur a glossy black broken only by a distinctive black line that perfectly mimicked a fashionable mustache. Beside it, a calico kitten, a tapestry of orange, black, and white patches, squirmed with eager curiosity.

The kittens, vibrant with energy, climbed up his shirt with surprising agility, their minuscule claws pricking at his skin like tiny needles. Instead of jerking away in discomfort, he welcomed their playful antics, allowing the soft, rhythmic brush of their furry bodies against his neck to bring a smile to his face. The purring resonated like a gentle engine, harmonizing with the stillness of the night, creating a sense of shared contentment.

“Oh, no. I can’t have two cats,” he informed them with a mix of amusement and resignation, fully aware they would remain blissfully ignorant of the gravity of his words. They gazed at him with wide, innocent eyes, their world a wondrous play of sights and sounds. “Let’s get you home. Mom surely will want something to nurture now that my brother is out of her reach,” he added, a hint of laughter as he imagined their new lives unfolding together in his bustling household.

Grateful for the protective cover of the top on the Jeep, Casper carefully gathered the two tiny kittens and gently placed them on the floorboard of the front passenger seat. Worrying about their safety, he wished for something better to secure them with—like a harness or a crate—but decided it would have to suffice for their brief journey home.

The curious, fluffy, and wide-eyed kittens began exploring their new surroundings. They eagerly scrambled into the passenger seat, their tiny paws seeking out the warmth of Casper’s lap. Just as he would reach down to lift one kitten off, the other would nimbly leap over the center console, determined to nestle in against him. Their playful antics brought forth a light chuckle from him, a sound that reflected the joy they infused into his thoughts. Each squirm and mew was irresistibly adorable, and he couldn’t help but smile.

When he arrived home, he let the kittens enjoy a little more adventure. As he stepped through the door, both perched on his shoulders like fluffy companions.

His mother appeared in the doorway with an incredulous expression. “You take those rodents right out of here!” she exclaimed, her hands on her hips.

Feeling exasperated and determined, Casper replied, “Ma, they’re not rodents! They’re kittens. I found them on the road and thought you might like a new pet to keep you company.”

His mother’s initial surprise turned to disapproval as she huffed in response. “Well, I don’t! They probably have fleas crawling all over them. Get them out of this house this instant, Ash McNabb!”

Despite the warmth of the kittens snuggled against him, he felt a twinge of frustration, knowing that his attempt to bring joy home was met with resistance.

Knowing he had no choice but to leave if he wanted to maintain peaceful relations with his mother, Casper resigned himself. The air was filled with the comforting sound of the kittens purring contentedly in his ears, a balm to his troubled spirit as he stepped out the door. He took a deep breath, reflecting on his decision and its implications for his family dynamics.

Now what? He reached for his phone and dialed the only other person he’d spoken with since his return, hoping JD might provide a reprieve from this unexpected responsibility that had unexpectedly landed in his lap. With a grueling work schedule and frequent, prolonged absences from home, owning a pet was out of the question unless he had a reliable designated pet sitter—a role he had not arranged for and had no intention of seeking.

“JD,” he said with a hint of urgency when his friend picked up the call. “I found two tiny kittens abandoned in the middle of the road. Would you—”

“Oh no!” JD interrupted before Casper could finish his thought. “We already have two cats at home. While I know my son and Cassie would absolutely adore having more, we aren’t moving to a bigger space yet.”

Frustration washed over Casper as he contemplated his options. “Well, then, what the hell do I do with them? I can’t bear the thought of dropping them off at the shelter, especially since it’s closed for the day,” he replied, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him.

“Do you know anyone else who can take care of them?” JD asked, his tone serious but still supportive.

Casper racked his brain, desperately looking for anyone who could help. But as the minutes ticked by, he could think of no one suitable. Then, an idea suddenly struck him like a bolt of lightning. “I might have an idea,” he said, a spark of hope igniting in his voice. “I’ll reach out to you tomorrow.”

JD chuckled softly. “Glad I could help you brainstorm a solution,” he replied warmly before they ended the call, leaving Casper with new possibilities to explore.

Knowing he couldn’t arrive with the flea-ridden kittens without a solution to alleviate their discomfort, he hurried toward the pet store, relieved that it remained open that evening. The soft glow of the store’s neon sign welcomed him as he pushed through the glass doors.

Inside, he clutched the two kittens against his chest, their tiny bodies trembling slightly as they peered around with wide, curious eyes. The employees, a lively bunch with genuine smiles, immediately noticed the precious little furballs. They gushed over their adorable features and fluffy coats, their enthusiasm infectious. With their help, he filled his shopping cart with an array of essentials: flea treatments, soft bedding, nutritious food, and an assortment of toys to keep the lively duo entertained.

After what felt like he had spent nearly a month’s pay on cat supplies, he finally made his way to the checkout. The cashier, captivated by the kittens, cooed at them as he paid, her fingers gently grazing their velvety fur. Satisfied and hopeful, he secured the little tykes in a sturdy, padded pet carrier, fastening it safely in the back seat of his Jeep. This time, they were snugly buckled in, ready for their new journey together, their future brighter with his newfound determination to care for them.

He held onto a flicker of hope that his plan would succeed. As he navigated the winding roads to his destination, he turned his attention to the tiny creatures in the cage behind him. The soft, fragile kittens seemed to sense his nervousness, their mews filling the air with curiosity and distress.

“Now, we don’t really know how she’ll react when she sees you, but I truly believe she has a big heart, ready to embrace new friends,” he said reassuringly, glancing at the kittens who stared up at him with wide, innocent eyes through the bars on the front of the carrier. “There’s a chance she might kick me out, but I trust she’ll take you in. And if things don’t go as planned, we’ll find a way to work together.”

The little furballs continued to meow, their desperation to escape the confines of their cage palpable as they pawed at the bars, eager for freedom.

As Casper parked his Jeep, a sense of unease washed over him. The warm glow of the streetlights illuminated the scene, but it also revealed a new presence. A new pair of sheriff’s deputies now stood guard at Nettie’s home, their imposing figures casting long shadows on the pavement. Would they allow him to pass? Casper felt a knot tighten in his stomach. He truly hoped they would.

Before he could cut the engine and take a deep breath, a burly, dark-skinned deputy approached, his expression a mixture of scrutiny and authority. “How may I help you?” he asked, his tone firm but not unkind.

Casper flashed what he hoped was his most disarming smile, which radiated warmth and sincerity. “I’m here to see Nettie,” he replied, deliberately opting for the relaxed familiarity of her name to make the moment feel less intimidating.

The deputy raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “She’s not expecting company tonight,” he stated with a hint of skepticism, crossing his arms over his chest.

“No,” Casper admitted, his heart racing a little faster. “She’s not expecting me, but I have a surprise for her.” He hoped this would lend some credibility to his visit.

The deputy’s gaze narrowed suspiciously, the soft glow of the streetlight catching the corners of his eyes. “What exactly is this surprise?” he probed, leaning slightly forward as if to glimpse Casper’s intentions.

Without hesitation, Casper gestured toward the backseat of his Jeep. The kittens’ meows erupted in a symphony of tiny, pleading sounds. Their innocence was almost palpable, as if they understood the situation’s urgency. “I brought some kittens!” he exclaimed, feeling the weight of how their furry little bodies might bring joy to Nettie.

The deputy shook his head, a hint of a smile creeping onto his face despite himself. “She needs a pet, but I’ll have to clear you first,” he replied, conferring with the other deputy who stood a few paces away. “Ask Miss Broussard if she’s up for company,” he instructed, nodding toward the entrance to the home.

Turning back to Casper, the deputy asked, “What did you say your name was?”

Casper felt a rush of hope mixed with apprehension as he prepared to answer, knowing that every word that followed would determine the outcome of this encounter. “Tell her it’s Casper, and it’s not about my brother’s case or…or what we discussed earlier. Tell her I have a…peace offering.”