Page 53 of Not For Keeps
She hisses at me. Loudly.
I freeze mid-rung. “Andres.”
“Yeah?”
“She’s making the sound that comes right before she does something demonic.”
“She’s just vocal.”
“She’s hissing in another language, I swear to God.”
I reach the branch she’s on. She’s glaring. I slowly reached out, trying to grab her scruff like we practiced in training. She lets me almost get there…then flings herself two branches higher.
“You’ve gotta be kidding me!”
Libby lets out a wail. “She’s so brave!”
Andres snorts. “You mean insane?”
“Don’t call my baby insane!”
I climb higher, practically hugging the tree at this point. “Come on, cat. Please. I am tired. I am hungry. I am slipping away from an early retirement.”
The cat meows again. This time it sounds smug.
With one arm wrapped around the branch and the other slowly reaching out, I inch closer. “Come on. Be a good kitty. Just this once.”
She leaps into my arms. I almost fall off the damn tree. “Got her!” I yell, hugging her to my chest.
She purrs. I blink. “Are you kidding me?”
“She does love you!” Libby cries, clapping her hands. “You’re her favorite!”
The cat nuzzles my neck and immediately sinks her claws into my shoulder. “Favorite,” I grunt, climbing down with one arm.
Andres helps me the last few feet, holding the ladder steady. “You good?”
“Yeah, aside from the minor blood loss.”
We hand the cat over to Libby, who acts like we just rescued her child from a burning building.
“You’re both angels!” she gushes, hugging the cat so tightly. “I’m going to bake you boys a pie!”
“No need, really—” I start.
“What kind do you want? Pumpkin? Cherry? Ooh, how about pear!”
Andres leans in. “Please say pumpkin. Her pear pie tastes like feet.”
“Pumpkin,” I say quickly.
Libby beams and disappears inside. Andres and I make it to the truck, blood on my shirt, tree sap in my hair.
He starts the engine. “Well…another heroic rescue.”
I glance down at the fresh claw marks. “Next time, I’m faking an injury.”
Andres grins. “That’s fair. But deep down, you love her.”
