Page 15

CASPER LEANED BACK, his eyes fixed on Nettie as he observed her reaction to his casual mention of their first encounter. He noted how she shifted uncomfortably, a vivid blush creeping across her cheeks. It probably stemmed from embarrassment, he mused, recalling how she had been anything but sober during their initial meeting—three sheets to the wind, as they say. Despite that entertaining introduction, she had astonishingly managed to survive a shooting and carried on with her work throughout the afternoon, demonstrating a resilience he admired. Now, here she was, standing at the threshold of accepting his modest peace offering.

Though she hadn’t outright accepted the kittens yet, Casper felt an unwavering confidence that she soon would. After all, no woman—barring his mother, of course—could resist the charm of two tiny furballs, especially when those little creatures began to frolic and play together, their innocent antics pulling at heartstrings.

“Now, I realize they might have a few fleas, so I went ahead and purchased some flea shampoo. I thought I could lend a hand in scrubbing them up before they made themselves too comfortable on your couch,” he mentioned casually, hoping to ease the tension.

Nettie raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of surprise and skepticism. “You did, did you? Well, let me tell you, Mr. McNabb, I am more than capable of bathing them myself.”

Casper raised a hand, a frown crossing his face as he cringed at her persistent use of his formal name. “Please, don’t read anything into this. I merely wanted to help because I brought this burden to you in the first place. I am genuinely serious about finding a proper home for them. It’s just that, quite frankly, I had no one else to reach out to tonight.”

Her eyes narrowed, a sardonic smile creeping onto her lips. “And you, of all people, first thought of me? Your sworn enemy in the court system?”

The sharpness of her words pierced deep into his soul, but he countered by shaking his head. “No, this isn’t about past grievances. This is about me bringing the kittens to a woman named Nettie. She’s someone who could genuinely use some warmth and companionship after a long, draining workday. These little creatures might just brighten her spirits.”

Casper glanced down at the squirming kitten, feeling the weight of its vulnerability as he contemplated the impact the two might have on Nettie’s life, hoping to mend some of the fractures his actions had caused.

When Nettie sprang to her feet, an unmistakable sense of anxiety swept over Casper. He momentarily feared that she might unleash her frustration and send them all—him and the two kittens—straight to the curb. However, in a delightful twist, she beamed and exclaimed, “Trade with me.”

Eagerly, Nettie traded for the tuxedo cat while Casper cradled the tiny, fluffy creature she had affectionately named “Callie.” With bated breath, he awaited her next move. She gently flipped the kitten over in her hands, inspecting it with curiosity, before turning it back to face her. “Hello, Madam,” she greeted cheerfully as if the kitten were a noblewoman deserving reverence.

Wasn’t her whimsical naming of the kittens an encouraging sign? Casper pondered this, feeling a rush of warmth at the thought. All he truly knew was that being near her was essential, regardless of the circumstances that bound them together. However, in his heart, he hoped his presence would bring her joy rather than face her wrath in a courtroom.

That hope, however, tethered him to the unsettling memory of his brother’s sharp tongue. He could almost hear Aaron’s disdainful tone labeling him as “working with the enemy against him” should he ever discover Casper’s secret visit with the kittens. A wave of relief washed over him when he recalled how he had kept his mother blissfully unaware of his intentions. Had she known, she wouldn’t hesitate to rush to the jail to inform Aaron of the so-called betrayal, undoubtedly branding his actions as traitorous.

But this was altogether different. It had nothing to do with the case and everything to do with her—Nettie, who shimmered with a light that drew him in against all odds.

“This has nothing to do with anything else,” he asserted, though internally, he wrestled with the truth. The reality was that his intent was deeply intertwined with his growing affection for her. “I only wish to help,” he added earnestly, trying to mask the flutter of nerves rising within him. “Let me assist you with washing the kittens. You can’t manage them both simultaneously—they’re far too wiggly and full of energy.”

He stood there, allowing silence to settle between them as she weighed her options, contemplating whether to accept his offer of help or simply take the fluffy creatures away from him. In the end, their undeniable cuteness swayed her decision. Bless their little hearts. The tiny furballs were charming beyond measure.

“This is still unethical, Mr. McNabb,” she finally replied, her tone a mix of reluctance and admission. “But I agree I need assistance, especially since the deputies won’t come inside unless it’s for a safety check on my home.”

Not wanting to lose this fleeting chance, he quickly reached for one of the bags the deputies had brought inside. “Let me grab the kitten shampoo. The kitchen sink would be the most practical place. It offers more room.” His gaze shifted to her as she hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. “Plus, there’s no carpet, which helps prevent jumping mishaps—no risk of having creatures bounce from one kitten to the next before we take care of them.”

His words trailed off, the gravity of his intent overshadowed by lighthearted sarcasm. Yet he wondered if she sensed his underlying concern for the fragile lives they were about to care for.

With her nod of agreement, he felt a surge of hope that perhaps this small act would help them build a closer connection between them while saving those innocent kittens from their fate.

With the cozy house’s expansive open floor plan, Casper observed Nettie as she gracefully walked toward the kitchen, the tiny kitten, Madam, cradled gently in her arms. Madam meowed louder, the sound filled with urgency as if she were desperately searching for her sister, Callie. Not wanting to keep the two furry siblings apart for too long, Casper quickly followed her, a bottle of cat shampoo clutched firmly in his hand.

“We’ll need some towels,” he said, fully aware that she would have to venture outside the kitchen to locate towels large enough to dry the wet cats. “One to dry them off and another to help clean up the inevitable mess.”

Nettie’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, and a flicker of concern crossed her face. “What mess?” she asked.

Casper chuckled softly, the sound warm and lighthearted. “You’ve never washed squirming kittens before, have you?” There was a twinkle of amusement in his eyes as he imagined the chaos that would ensue.

Shaking her head, Nettie glanced down at the fluffy ball of fur in her hold, her expression shifting from concern to determination. She then carefully handed Madam over to him, ensuring the kitten felt secure. “Let me get them. Stay right here,” she instructed firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

With that, she turned to dart off searching for the needed towels, leaving Casper to anticipate the delightful yet messy task of their miniature-washing adventure.

As the playful kittens clambered onto his shoulders, their tiny paws pressing against his skin as if they had claimed territory on their new feline perch, he couldn’t help but admire Nettie as she walked away. The gentle sway of her hips, moving with an effortless and captivating rhythm, held his gaze momentarily. However, reality soon beckoned.

Turning his attention to the task, he prepared a warm bath for the kittens. He approached the faucet, twisting it carefully, and felt the water gradually warm to a gentle touch but remain cool enough to ensure the little ones wouldn’t get scalded.

When Nettie returned, determined in her eyes, he instructed her with calm authority: “Please put one towel aside and lay the other on the counter surrounding the sink. It’s probably their first bath, and they are likely to claw and flail in a panic to escape the water,” he explained, trying to prepare her for the chaos that might ensue. “So, I’ll hold them while you bathe them.”

She nodded in agreement, a hint of excitement and trepidation evident in her expression. “That’s fine,” she replied.

With a gentle smile, he carefully removed Callie from his shoulder and cradled the little kitten. “Come on, little girl,” he cooed softly. “Let’s get you cleaned up for your new momma.”

“Their new foster momma,” she corrected gently, a smile touching her lips.

He felt a twist in his gut at her words, realizing what they implied. Inside, he understood that he was unlikely to get the kittens back once they bonded with her. So, he simply nodded, acknowledging the truth of her perspective. “Right,” he conceded, the hint of loss looming over the moment’s joy.

He carefully held Callie in the spacious kitchen sink, her tiny frame trembling with unease as he instructed Nettie to grab the long, flexible hose from the kitchen faucet. The warm water splashed into the sink, an ominous sound to the little kitten. As the hose sprayed the water over Callie, she let out an ear-piercing screech as if she were in grave danger, her sharp claws digging deeply into Casper’s tough hands in a desperate attempt to escape the dreadful experience of water and the baffling ritual of a bath.

Nettie hesitated momentarily. When she finally turned off the water, Casper, trying to reassure the kitten and his friend, said, “It’s okay. Not all cats take to water very well, but she’s tough and will survive.”

Nettie, biting her lip in concern, glanced at his hands, now scratched and trickling with tiny droplets of blood from the kitten’s frantic escape. “But your hands—” she started, worry etched on her face.

He shrugged nonchalantly, stealing a glance at the wounds. “It’s nothing to worry about. It’s the price you pay when you take care of kittens.”

As Callie gently wiggled and splashed in the warm water, her fluffy fur glistening in the streetlight that streamed through the window, Casper couldn’t help but let his imagination drift. He envisioned Nettie’s soft, delicate hands—hands that were always gentle and caring—gently scrubbing him clean instead. That tantalizing thought sent excitement down his spine and made his heart race with anticipation. Realizing he was sinking deeper into daydreams, lost in dreamy reverie, he cleared his throat loudly, trying to anchor himself back to the task at hand.

“By the way,” he began, “the lady at the pet store mentioned that the kittens are around six weeks old. She recommended that they should be transitioned to solid food instead of being kept on continued bottle feeding, which is not ideal for their development.” He paused, ensuring his words carried the weight of responsibility. “Just to be safe, I bought both soft and hard kitten food. I wanted to ensure they get all the nutrients needed to grow strong, healthy, and be well-fed and happy.”

“It seems you thought of everything,” she remarked, her gaze fixed on him as he gently dried off a sobbing Callie, careful to soothe her distress with soft words and a comforting touch.

“I tried my best,” he replied, a hint of exhaustion in his tone but satisfaction in his efforts.

“Good,” she said. “You’ll have everything you need to care for them when you leave.”

Shock washed over him like a wave crashing against a rocky shore. Leave? As in tonight? The very idea sent a shudder through his veins. “But, Nettie, I can’t—” His words fell short, choked by disbelief and impending loss.

She raised a trembling hand, dripping with dampness, to interrupt him. Her expression was steely and resolute. “When you go back to Maryland—if you haven’t found a new home for them,” she insisted, despite the tears pooling in her eyes. “I’m serious about not keeping them. This isn’t just a fleeting thought. It’s a necessity.”

He recognized this was not the right moment for a confrontation, so he offered a gentle smile and skillfully diverted the conversation. “There’s a pet tent in one of the bags I brought. We should set that up to place Callie in while we bathe Madam.”

“Can’t we just put her bag in the carrier instead?” she inquired, nervously biting her lip.

Casper shook his head firmly, determination evident in his eyes. “No, they can’t stay in the carrier all night. I figured a tent would be better since you won’t have to worry about where they are. Plus, it’ll keep them safe and secure. Setting it up is simple enough.” He then moved into the living room, cradling the now contentedly purring towel-wrapped Callie in his arms, her whiskers twitching as she settled into comfort. “We’ll also get the litter box set up along with food and water so she’ll be all set to sleep by the time we finish bathing Madam.”

“Wow, you know a lot about caring for kittens,” she said.

Sheepishly, he smiled back, a hint of bashfulness in his demeanor. “Not really. I just took some lessons from the associates at the pet store. They taught me everything I needed to know. Here, you take Callie, and I’ll set everything up.” He stepped closer to her, captivated by the enchanting aura she radiated. As he did, an undeniable realization hit him—her scent was intoxicating, a fragrant blend that wrapped around him and sent a jolt of desire straight to his groin. Damn, she was incredibly alluring, especially with her hair cascading down her shoulders in beautiful waves tonight.

He hesitated momentarily, the tiny kitten nestled in his arms. She looked up at him, her large eyes sparkling with curiosity, and he couldn’t help but notice the small gasp that escaped her lips as her breath caught in her throat. Without thinking, caught up in their chemistry, he leaned down, closing the distance between them, and softly brushed his lips against hers. A surge of exhilaration rushed through him, and he was grateful that she didn’t recoil in shock or anger.

Encouraged, he attempted to deepen the kiss, feeling an overwhelming sense of rightness in the connection they were forming. Just as their lips met fully, a piercing screeching meow erupted from the kitten between them.

Casper jerked back instinctively, startled, his heart racing as he locked eyes with Nettie. Time froze, and they were suspended in a shared gaze filled with a storm of heat and confusion—an unspoken tension hanging heavy in the space surrounding them.

Nettie was the first to regain her composure. A gentle determination in her eyes as she looked at the tiny, crying figure cradled in Casper’s arms. “I think I can take it from here,” she said.

Clearing his throat to mask his uncertainty, Casper nodded slowly, his eyes lingering on the fragile baby, Callie, whose tear-streaked face poignantly reminded him of the emotions swirling in the room. He carefully handed Callie over to Nettie, feeling relief and unease. “I think you’re right. I’ll see you another time,” he replied softly, the words tinged with finality.

With a heavy heart, he turned away, knowing that leaving now was the best choice for both—fearing that one more moment could lead to something neither of them was ready to face, something they might deeply regret.

Then, all hell broke loose around him.