Page 14 of The Way We Win

“I know,” she frowns. “Why does Liv look like she’s annoyed with you?”

“Not with her.” Liv walks up, crossing her arms over her chest. “With your big brother.”

Liv and Garrett started dating when they were in high school, which means she’s basically been part of this family all her life.

“Which one?” Dylan laughs. “They’re all pretty pig-headed in their own special ways.”

“Jack.” She glances from Dylan to me. “He walked all the way across the room to tell Allie not to worry about her son’s football career. Then he just walked away.”

Dylan’s lips twist, and she looks at me curiously. “What did you say to that, Ms. Sinclair?”

“Stop.” I hold up a hand, shaking my head. “Your brother has a lot on his plate dealing with this team and his daughter and all those parents… Not to mention all of you. I thought it was nice of him to even care that I was worried.”

“I don’t understand. Why would you be worried?” Dylan frowns. “Austin is so talented, and he’s being recruited like crazy.”

“There’s a new kid in town.” Liv’s eyebrow arches. “Levi Powell. All the way from Gainesville, and his dad is clearly over-involved and expecting him to be QB-1.”

“Oh.” Dylan blows a laugh through her lips. “That won’t work with Jack. He’s impervious to pushy parents.”

“Still, wasn’t it nice of your big brother to make sure our favorite sexy librarian wasn’t spooked?” Liv cuts her eyes at me, and my throat tightens.

I’m ready to argue when Kimmie Joy marches into the room clutching the squirming orange kitten to her chest. “Apricot doesn’t want to stay outside by herself, Miss Allie, and Daddy said we have to leave her here so she can establish her territory. But how can she do that if Smokey won’t play with her?”

Bending my knees, I squat in front of her, petting the struggling kitten. I don’t know if it’s because she looks so much like my best friend Dylan, who threw us a lifeline when we needed it most, or if it’s because her dad has been so kind to my son.

All I know is this little girl has a special place in my heart,and I do like spending time with her. I like that she comes to me for help.

Placing my hand on her back, I smile. “You know, cats are really self-sufficient.”

Kimmie’s bottom lip pouts. “But it’s dark outside, and she’s used to being with her mama cat and all her brothers and sisters. She doesn’t have anybody to cuddle with.”

“Want to know a secret?” I lean closer.

Kimmie’s eyes light, and she nods.

“Cats are nocturnal.” Her little chin pulls back, but I continue. “That means they like to stay up all night. You know how her eyes shine in the light? That means she has night vision. Apricot will figure out her territory if you let her.”

The little girl still seems worried, but I take her hand, rising slowly and leading her to the back door. “She’ll have so much fun playing tonight. You’ll see, then we can come back and see her tomorrow.”

Kimmie hesitates, looking through the screen into the pitch-black yard. “But what if there’s something out there she doesn’t like? Edward said ’possums eat kittens, and he knows everything!”

“He is pretty smart,” I concede. “But Apricot will stay away from ’possums. She knows what to do, and she can climb trees and hide.” I rub my hand over her little shoulder. “She’ll be fine. She’s smart.”

It takes a minute, but she finally relents. She bends down and puts the kitten on the top step, and as soon as she lets her go, Apricot scampers under the building.

“Oh!” Kimmie takes a step down. “What if she doesn’t know how to get out?”

Reaching for her hand, I give her another encouraging smile. “She’ll come back for the good food and pets and lots of love.”

Kimmie’s on the fence, but she takes my hand, letting me lead her into the restaurant again. A frown tugs at the side of her mouth, and a sliver of anxiety is in my chest. I’m prettysure I’m right about all of this, but I hope nothing happens to that little cat.

Be okay, Apricot, I silently pray.

“You are so good with her.” Dylan shakes her head as I walk back to where they’re standing. “I’m way too much of a pushover.”

Kimmie’s hand is in mine, and she frowns up at me. “Are you really never going to eat sugar ever again, Miss Allie?”

It’s such a little kid thing to worry about, I almost laugh. Only, Garrett is in the room now along with most of his brothers, including Jack, which has my senses on high alert.

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