Page 10 of Rattler
“Well, what do we have here?”Mom laughed as she scooped him up and held him in front of her.
“I am so sorry!I didn’t think he could escape.”Lily moved to take the kitten back.
“No worries.He’s cute.I’ve always had a thing for gingers.We could use a mouser around here, especially in the outbuildings.”She kissed the top of Scrapper’s little head and handed the kitten back to Lily.“He might have to grow a bit first though.I think the mice are bigger than he is.”
Jake wandered in from the back, slapping me on the back.“Oh, you’re here.Good.The old ladies are getting restless out back.Sent me in for some more drinks.”He eyed up Lily and the kitten.“And who do we have here?”
Lily looked over at me, and I held up a hand.“This is Lily.How about we take the cupcakes and drinks out back and I can introduce her to everyone at once instead of telling the story over and over again?”
“Great idea.”Janet picked up one of the platters of cupcakes.“Everyone grab something and let’s get moving.”
Lily moved closer to me, backpack in one hand and Scrapper in the other.I lowered my head to whisper in her ear.“It’s okay.They’re mostly harmless, they just get a little loud when they’re drinking.The guys behave themselves when the old ladies are around.”
We headed down the corridor to the back door.As we exited into the blinding sunshine, we were greeting with a chorus of “Cupcakes!”
Chapter Three
Lily
A group of women sat around an open firepit on an assortment of benches and chairs and chunks of log standing on edge.A cheerful fire blazed away.I noticed no one was sitting very close and I can’t say as I blamed them.It was still fairly warm out for this time of year.To the right was the largest propane BBQ setup I’d ever seen surrounded by a dozen or so guys and a couple of coolers overflowing with ice and beer.
Janet and Mom headed to the women, each carrying a tray of cupcakes.They set them down on a picnic table behind the group of women.The women weren’t paying attention to the cupcakes, though.All eyes were on me and Rattler.
Mom came over and took my other arm.“Be nice, girls.This is Lily.Her brother was in Rattler’s platoon, and he didn’t make it back.He told Lily about us, so she decided to come and find us.Rattler just happened to be the first person she met when she got off the bus.”
“He doesn’t look too upset about it.”A teenaged girl grinned at me.
“That would be Jasmine.”Mom shook her head.“Don’t mind her.She’s been reading all those sappy romance novels this summer and thinks everyone is in love.That’s her sister Jewel over by the flowerbed.They’re twins, and they belong to Beast.”
My expression must have given me away, and Mom hastened to add, “They’re his daughters.They live here with him because they don’t like their stepdad.”
I could totally relate to that and smiled shyly at the young girl.“Hi, Jasmine.”
“So you’re not Rattler’s new girlfriend?”She looked disappointed.
I shook my head.“Nope.Only met him a couple of hours ago.”
A dog came bouncing across the lawn to sniff at Scrapper, who jumped up on my lap.“That’s Willow.”One of the women rushed over to the dog.“She was okay with the barn cats up at the homestead, so she’s probably just curious.I’m Sophia, by the way.”
Scrapper wasn’t so sure.The fur on his back stood on end and he hissed at the dog.On such a tiny creature, the display looked hilarious.
Willow settled back on her haunches and tilted her head to study Scrapper.Her expression was comical, as if to say, “Why are you yelling at me?”
“Get back here, you little brat.You’re scaring the kitten.”The woman grabbed the dog by the collar, looking up at me.“Sorry about that.She’s usually good with cats, but they don’t always like her.”
I winced as one of Scrapper’s claws dug into my skin.“Nice to meet you.It’s been a long day for him with lots of changes.He might be more willing to be friends once he’s had time to settle in.”
“He’s cute.What’s his name?”
“Scrapper.”I carefully disengaged his claws from my shirt.
“Hello, Scrapper.”She held out a hand to me.“Nice to meet you.Deuce over there is my other half.”
One of the men over by the BBQ pit looked over and waved at the sound of his name.
“How about we do a round of introductions and get it over with?”Mom pointed to the woman closest to us.“You start.”
One by one, the women introduced themselves and pointed out their partners.My head was spinning, and I just knew I wasn’t going to remember everyone.I noticed no one asked about my bruises or why exactly I was here.Introductions over, everyone turned their attention to the plates of cupcakes.
