Page 76 of Burn Bag
“Right,” I said, finally tearing my gaze from his handsome face. “Cats. I was discussing cats.”
“You’re always discussing cats.”
“Not always,” I muttered. “I am capable of carrying on a conversation about other things.”
“Then do enlighten me,” he grinned, egging me on.
“What? Like you just want me to pull a subject out of my hat and start ranting about it?”
He shrugged. “Why not?”
Why not? Because I was intimidated as hell by this man. Yes, I could banter with the best of them and carry on a conversation, but I was beginning to see that my new husband was a real catch, and that was?—
“Did you go to college?”
College? What was college? Ah, yes. It was school. I went to school. I was an intelligent, interesting person. You just couldn’t tell right now.
I nodded. “University of Missouri.”
“What did you study?”
“Archeology.”
I snorted at the shocked look on his face.
“Wait, I thought you said you worked with animals.”
Oh, that was right. I had said that. “Right, I do.”
“How does an archaeologist have anything to do with animals?”
And this was the part where I came clean and told him everything. Except, I never got the chance because Red walked up at that very moment.
“We’re beginning our descent.”
Bradley nodded and unbuckled. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
Where else would I go? I watched curiously as he strode to the front of the plane and sat down with Red and Eli, looking over something on the table. I was curious what they were doing, but then I heard the cats meowing and unbuckled to calm them down. The poor things had been locked up the whole flight.
“Hey, sweetie,” I said to the one in the front. His giant ears were so dang adorable, and those big eyes made me want to squeeze him with hugs. “If I had a bunch of money, I’d buy you in an instant.”
The cat brushed up against the cage, trying to reach my fingers. A few of the others were still sleeping, and one was playing with a toy in his cage. Overall, they were calm and completely unaffected by the trip. I wasn’t entirely sure what I had been needed for, but I was happy I got to see these cuties.
“You really don’t listen very well,” Bradley said from behind me.
“I was just checking on them,” I said, still letting the cat in front of me rub against me through the cage. “They’re so sweet.”
Bradley wrapped his hand around my bicep and tugged me to my feet, turning me to face him. “Under no circumstances are we bringing more cats home.”
I smiled sweetly at him, finding it hilarious that he actually thought I was some kind of crazy cat lady. “I have no intention of bringing any of them home.”
“Good, because I need you to be clear on this. Seven cats is enough.”
“I know.”
“And we don’t have a hundred grand to blow on a cat.”
“I’m well aware. Not that a cat wouldn’t be worth a hundred grand…” I cocked my head at him curiously. “You wouldn’t spend that kind of money to save a life?”
