Page 67 of Galen's Redemption
The chance to keep Robert in their lives? Yes. Hell, yes. “Okay.”
“Then talk to the nice lady and tell her what you want.”
Galen looked up to find Amanda smiling down on them.
“I take it you’re in love?”
He wasn’t sure if she meant with Robert or the kitten, and he was glad he didn’t have to answer that question.“She’s beautiful.”
“Then let’s get you together with someone who’ll get the paperwork taken care of so you can take your new family member home with you.”
When Amanda reached down to take the kitten, Galen’s first reaction was to hold fast and never let her go. He’d had very little in his life that mattered to him, but this puffball in his arms had already wound her way around his heart.
“I’mjust going to get her checked out so she’s ready. I promise to get her back to you by the time you’re done.”
He picked up the kitten and handed her to Amanda, but when the kitten opened her eyes, she squeaked at him, and his heart broke. She didn’t want to leave him, and he didn’t want to give her up. Only Robert’s hand on his shoulder stopped Galen from saying something.
“Come on. The fasterwe get through the paperwork, the quicker we can take her home. Have you decided what you’re going to name her?”
“The sign on the door said her name was Berty.” And if it made him think of Robert, well, that was okay too.
“But what do you want to name her?”
The name came so quickly, it shocked Galen. “Mouse.”
Robert chuckled. “You want to name a cat Mouse?” He stood and helped Galen to hisfeet.
“She squeaks like a mouse. I don’t know. Is it stupid?”
“No, not at all. It’s clever. And I think it suits her.”
Amanda led them to the counter where Andy and Marco stood, bags of goodies in hand.
“Did you buy out the store?”
“No, only necessities.”
Robert lifted his head, trying to peek into the bags. “Somehow I don’t think all those toys are necessities.”
“Well, we got a water bowl,a food bowl with a five-pound bag of kitty chow, two litter boxes, a collar, a leash, a scratching post, a bed, a few toys, and—”
Galen was stunned. “Wait. All of this is essential?”
“Well, no, not really.” Andy’s cheeks flushed. “But I saw you looking at the kitten, and I knew you were going to get her, so I wanted to make her feel at home.”
“How much did you spend?”
“This is a gift, andit’s not polite to ask how much it cost.” Marco slipped an arm around Andy’s waist. “Besides, boyfriend here likes shopping, and it was fun to watch. You should have seen the clerk’s eyes when he started piling stuff on the counter.”
“Shut up. You’re the one who paid for it.”
“It made you happy, so it made me happy to do it.” Marco kissed Andy on the lips. “Besides, Galen is my friend too.”
He was? “I am?”
Marco frowned. “Well, I thought you were.”
“Oh, no, I’d like to be!” God, how desperately he wanted to be friends with the man Andy loved. “I just didn’t know you felt that way.”
