Page 18 of Home Town

Three weeks to plan the event of the century and her biggest distraction would be here for all of it.

At that realization the shadow of a dark cloud began to close in on what had been a spark of hope. She stifled the low groan of hate-fueled discontent that threatened to surface from her throat.

It might have been years ago, but that hurt, that betrayal, felt as fresh as if it had happened yesterday. Or this morning, when she’d come face-to-face with Corey again.

Nope. Pain was good. It would fuel her determination. Give her incentive to be the best she could be. And throw the best damn anniversary event this town had ever seen!

Corey peeked into the open doorway to ask his mother a question about the lawnmower or something—but Josie couldn’t concentrate on his words over the pounding of her pulse just his proximity caused.

Besides, she had to concentrate to keep the tea from splashing out of her cup as her hand shook.

He still had power over her after all these years.

This was going to be a long three weeks.

Chapter Nine

Josie walked back to her parents’ house next door after the meeting with a notebook full of To-Do lists, Mrs. Jacob’s printed agenda, and her head filled with ideas on how to make the event great.

She could only hope the anniversary would be distracting enough she’d forget that Corey was back.

In fact, her event planning was so distracting she forgot about the little freeloaders temporarily living in the house with her.

She’d just opened the door and reached inside to flip on the light when she first heard and then saw the blur of fur heading toward where she stood in the open doorway.

Thank goodness she’d packed all she’d need for the meeting in her favorite canvas tote bag so her hands were free.

She had only a split second but it was enough.

Somehow she managed to move inside, bend down to scoop up the kitten with one hand and push the door shut with the other.

She set down her bag and double locked the front door, all without losing hold of the squirming little escapee determined to get free.

These cats were fast. Like mini turbo racers. She’d never have caught it if it had gotten outside.

“What is wrong with you, little one?” she asked the baby kitty right to its furry little face. “You’ll get lost or eaten out there. It’s nice inside. You have food and toys and a whole house full of furniture to sleep on.”

Her mother had gone all out for the two temporary houseguests. Why would they ever want to leave? If Josie had a less complicated relationship with her parents and this town, she never would have left herself.

She set the cat down on the kitchen floor with an exhale as her heart continued to pound from the near catastrophe.

Cat-astrophe. Ha! That was funny.

Too bad she couldn’t post it on her Insta with a picture of the two villains. Her parents might see and then know she probably wasn’t the best person to have put in charge of cat sitting two kittens.

Two kittens. Uh, oh. Where was the other one?

They always hung out together. Partners in crime…and in sleep. They were rarely apart. But she’d only seen once since coming in the door.

Holy shit! Had the second one slipped outside and she hadn’t seen?

Oh-my-god-oh-my-god-oh-my-god.

“Psss, psss, psss. Here kitty, kitty. Jelly, where are you?” she called while Peanut Butter looked on expectantly.

No answer. Crap. Had it gotten out for real? Slipped past her when she’d been grabbing the other one?

Oh no. This was a disaster.

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