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KIM BALDWIN. his four white socks and the stark white triangle on his chest
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his four white socks and the stark white triangle on his chest.
“Oh, my,” she exclaimed in a low voice.
The kitten raised his head and looked at her and mewled a sleepy greeting. When she started toward the bed, he got up and stretched.
Gable gently picked him up and held him against her chest, looking down into pale green eyes as she scratched him beneath the chin in the way that Earl Grey favored. The kitten leaned into her touch, closed his eyes, and started to purr, a raspy loud buzzing that seemed to vibrate his sleek body.
“He’s so adorable!” Gable gushed. “What splendid markings—he looks like he’s wearing a tuxedo and spats!”
“I got him from the shelter in Charlevoix,” Erin said, looking on approvingly. “Can you believe someone could abandon this little guy in the snow?”
“No way. He’s so tiny!”
“I had him checked out with a vet, and he’s had all his shots. So I take it I chose well?”
Gable crossed to Erin with the kitten in her arms and kissed her soundly. “More than okay. Does he have a name?”
“Thought I’d leave that to you.”
“Hmm. I’ll have to think about that a while. Hey! Has he met Earl Grey yet?”
Erin shook her head. “I didn’t want to hit him with too much at once. I’ve kept him in here since I got him a couple days ago. Thought we could introduce them after he’s had time to get used to both of us. I know they’ll become great buddies.”
“How long do you think it will take Earl to teach this one how to get up in the rafters?”
“Two minutes, I’m sure!” Erin laughed.
Earl Grey used the rafters that spanned Erin’s ceiling as his own private playground, racing up and down the logs at all hours of the day and night. He had F rst gained access to the rafters through a dramatic leap from a high bookcase. Erin had then facilitated his way up and down by covering one of the support posts with rough sisal rope, effectively turning it into a ten-foot-high scratching post.
“I have to admit, he’ll sure make it less lonely around my house when you’re not there,” Gable said. “I’ve gotten to where I almost can’t sleep in my big old empty bed anymore without you in it.”
• 218 •
FORCE OF NATURE
The kitten yawned and slumped in her arms. “Back to sleep, baby boy,” she said, returning him to his spot against the pillow. “I’ll check on you soon.”
He curled into a ball and was soon fast asleep again. She and Erin retreated into the living room and resumed their places snuggled up to each other on the couch.
“I know it’s not always a good idea to get a pet for someone,” Erin said “But I was pretty sure you’d take to him, after watching you with Earl. And I love to see a precious little thing like that one in there get a good home.”
“He’s a wonderful present,” Gable assured her. “All the presents are great.”
They remained wrapped up in each other’s arms for several minutes, enjoying the Christmas tree, the F re, and each other. Earl Grey turned up from wherever he’d been hiding all night and settled into Erin’s lap.
“Well there you are,” Erin said. “Where were you this time, eh?
Are you going to teach your new little friend where all your hiding places are?”
Although it was a relatively small cabin, Earl Grey sure knew how to disappear—curling into the corner of a closet, or hiding under the bed, or in a pile of laundry. Gable smiled, imagining how it would be with the two felines. Quite a family. It was such a serene and loving moment, there in front of the F re, that she decided the time had come to give the gift she most wanted Erin to have. As soon as she made the decision, she could feel the pounding of her heart in her chest.
“I’ve got something else I’d like you to open tonight.” The quaver in her voice betrayed her nervousness. Her palms felt suddenly clammy.
She wiped her right hand on the lap robe that covered their legs before she withdrew a velvet-covered ring box from a pocket in her pajamas.
When she heard a sharp intake of breath, she knew immediately she’d made a mistake. Erin stared at the ring box with wide eyes, her face ashen. Gable never got a chance to say a word.
“Don’t, Gable. Oh, please don’t.” Erin whispered. “Can’t we keep things as they are?” She lifted fearful eyes to her, close to tears.
Gable put the box back in her pocket without a word and drew Erin into a cautious embrace. They didn’t move for a very long moment.
“All right,” she said F nally, her voice choked with emotion. “We’ll leave things as they are. I won’t bring it up again.”
• 219 •
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