Page 76 of The Night
Hazel grinned. “Ilovedseeing the kitties!”
“You can come back and see them another time, then. And feel free to take home one… orthree.” Daniel gave me a sickly-sweet smile.
“Wow. That’swaytoo generous,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “By a lot.”
Julian laughed and scratched at his bristly jaw. “Daniel’s trying to find them all homes before I give him my big eyes and tell him what I really want for Christmas is some new furry family members.”
“I cannot resist those big, blue eyes, baby.” Daniel wrapped both of his arms around Julian’s waist from behind. “And you know Iloveour crew. But we’ve rescuedsixcats, two dogs, an owl, and a chameleon in the lastyear. I feel the need to, you know,sharethe love. Spread it wide.”
“That’s a delightful sentiment,” my husband said. “But spread it elsewhere.”
“I don’t even want another cat,” Hazel interjected.
I looked down at her in surprise and she shrugged.
“Not right now, I mean. Fia would be jealous. She’s still just a kitten herself, and she’s not ready to be a big sister yet.”
“Smart,” Julian approved.
“Me, on the other hand, I’msuperready.” She grinned coyly up at Liam and me. “And I still have a free spot on my Christmas list!”
Liam coughed, and I felt my face go hot. “Ah… Maybe wait and ask for that next year, Bug,” I choked out, patting her shoulder.
Hazel shrugged, unconcerned. “Santa will take care of it. So, Julian! Next time I come by, can you show me the snakes?”
Julian frowned. “The… oh.Thosesnakes.” He and Daniel exchanged a look, then both of them glared at Parker, who seemed to suddenly find the gray sky compelling.
“Actually, tough news there,” Julian said. “They, um…” He shrugged helplessly at Daniel.
“Ran away,” Daniel supplied sadly. “No note, no forwarding address, nothing.”
“Ran?” Hazel’s eyes narrowed.
“Slithered,” Julian corrected. “Daniel means theyslitheredaway. I think they, um, got tired of Daniel’s terrible flute playing.”
“Hey!” Daniel protested, pulling Julian in tighter. “No more impugning my flute playing, Julian Ross, or I’ll stop practicing altogether.”
Julian jammed his elbow into Daniel’s stomach, making him chuckle.
“That’s so sad,” Hazel said worriedly. “It’s dangerous for vipers to be outside this time of year. They’re cold-blooded, you know.”
Julian’s smile softened. “I know, sweetie. But I think they’ll be fine. Maybe they hitched a ride to Florida. Or Arizona.”
“Definitely Arizona,” Parker said sagely. “Might give my mom something to talk about besides my dad’s golf games.”
“Just in case, I’m going to make them some little hats and scarves,” Hazel announced. “Once we move my craft kit here from Boston. Daddy, can we do that soon, just in case?”
If Liam thought there was anything funny about the idea of tiny viper hats and tiny viper scarves, he didn’t show it. Instead he nodded solemnly, bent down to cup her chin in his hand, and said, “Sure thing, Bug. We’ll get it right after Christmas,” serious as a heart attack.
And I couldn’t say why that made my chest tighten and my fingers clench into fists, overcome with the need to protect them both against anything and everything that might harm them, but it did.
At least, I couldn’t explain it until Parker, that dumbass genius, leaned toward me and whispered, “That, my friend, is you discovering yourmovaries.”
I blew out a breath, frustrated more than anything because I had a sneaking suspicion the asshole was right.
“Just remember who was right about you being a Daddy type.”
“Not the same thing, Parker,” I growled. “Not bymiles.”