Page 40 of Rawhide and Ransom

Out marched a yawning, stretching barn cat. He sniffed the strip of leather Miley had been working on, then pushed his head against her hand.

“Oh, Hawk!” Miley flung her arms around the glossy ginger tomcat and buried her face against his furry neck.

“Fleas?” Annalee inquired quickly.

“All gone,” he assured. “He’s already been to the vet and everything. New shots. New collar. He’s good to go.”

“Can I take him inside sometimes?” Miley asked eagerly. “Like when it’s raining and stuff?”

He shrugged. “That’s up to your mom.” He pointed toward the cabin. “There’s a litter box beneath the sink in the bathroom, which I’ve installed a cat door on, and a box of refill litter at the bottom of the linen closet.”

“You did all of that because you know I’m not going to say no, huh?” Annalee drenched him with a smile that made his gaze darken with emotion.

“You’re such a softie,” he scoffed.

“Takes one to know one.” She imagined few people had ever seen this side of him. It touched her deeply to know her daughter was the one who’d inspired such devotion from him.

“Mom of the year award,” Miley cooed as she lifted the cat and held him over her head in the Simba pose.

Hawk sent her a look of mocking protest. “What about the guy who adopted the furry flea-bag for you?”

“Flea-less bag,” she corrected. “I could maybe scrounge up a Boss of the Week award for you.”

“Better,” he growled playfully.

“Um, so…” Miley cuddled the enormous cat against her shoulder. “Whatareyou guys now? Like…a couple?” Despite having been a barn cat for so long, the enormous tomcat settled into her arms like he’d been made for spoiling.

“Yep.” Hawk stalked back toward Annalee, kissing her with his eyes. “I’m in love with your mom, kid.”

“Like everyone didn’t already know that!” She rolled her eyes at them. “I was asking if you’re her boyfriend.”

“We-e-ell…” Annalee gave him a blushing look tinged with mischief. “Now that you mention it, he hasn’t officially asked me out yet.”

Hawk snorted. “You called meyourHawk! That felt pretty official to me.” He arrived at the end of the table she was still perched on, reaching around her to tweak her ponytail.

Miley made a gagging sound. “I just threw up in my mouth,” she informed the cat.

He stretched and yawned in her face.

“I’m gonna name him Rex, if that’s alright with you and your boyfriend, Mom.” Miley bent to nuzzle the cat’s forehead with her forehead.

“Rex?” Annalee gave Hawk a puzzled look, but all he did was shrug.

“Yes, Rex. As in king of the dinosaurs,” her daughter explained impatiently. “I’ve never met a more blood-thirsty predator. He’s forever stalking birds, squirrels, mice, and anything else that dares to cross his path. The last time I was playing with him in the backyard, I had to watch him dismember a dragonfly.” She shuddered. “Dive-bombing Rex was the last bad decision that poor little winged critter made.”

“Speaking of bad decisions.” Annalee dropped her voice and leaned toward Hawk.

“Stop right there!” Miley made another gagging sound. “There’s a no-kissing during work hours rule out here,” she announced loudly. “Hawk’s rules. Not mine.”

Annalee blinked at him. “A no-kissing rule?” If it was true, they’d just finished breaking it at least a dozen times over.

“It only applies to teenagers.” He wagged a finger at her daughter. “And Josh Chavez,” he added beneath his breath. “He visits here way too often for my taste.”

It had only been a couple of times. “He’s a really nice guy,” Annalee protested softly. She would have no objections whatsoever if Miley decided to date a minister. None! It filled her with hope that her daughter would be less likely to make the same mistakes she’d made at her age.

He changed the subject. “I believe we were speaking about bad decisions?” He reached for her hands, tangling his fingers with hers.

“Oh, my goodness! I can’t hear what y’all are saying, but you’re still killing me!” Miley pushed back her chair and stood with Rex in her arms. “You’d better not forget about the no-kissing rule while I give Rex a tour of the house.”

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