Page 50 of Make It Last

I’d finished work for the day, and I was just waiting, trying to pass the time until Tanner came over with pizza. Josie poked her head in. “I have Growly here.”

“Oh, the cat?” I squeaked, starting to lurch upright before catching myself.

“Don’t you dare get up!” she warned. “I’ll bring him to you.”

She entered carrying a small cat carrier. She set it carefully on the ottoman near my boot.

“Did you say his name is Growly?” I asked.

Josie grinned. “He didn’t have a name, and that’s what the shelter called him as of this morning.”

“Why’s he called Growly?”

“His purr sounds like a growl. Tiffany says he’s a sweetheart, but he’s stressed. He needs time to decompress and feel loved.”

I nodded solemnly. “I am here for him.”

“I’ll get the supplies.”

“Wait—what supplies?” I asked as she headed for the door.

“You know, litter box, food, all the things.”

“Josie! You didn’t have to buy all that!”

She threw an eye roll over her shoulder. “I’m not gonna dump a cat off without the essentials.” She disappeared through the door.

I leaned toward the carrier and studied Growly through the mesh door. He was a grizzled-looking guy. One of his ears was half-gone, he had puffy cheeks, and he looked depressed.

“Oh, honey,” I murmured. “I want to let you out.”

As I reached forward, Josie reentered. “Don’t open it until I’m back in,” she warned. “I don’t want him to bolt.”

I peered at him again. “He looks a little sad.”

She held up the litter box. “Where should I put this?”

“Laundry area, I guess?”

“On it.” She disappeared again.

I opened the carrier carefully. “Hey, bud,” I whispered.

He stayed in place, suspicious and silent. I’d never had any pets. There wasn’t time, not with my sister. When I got married to Brad, he’d declared he hated pets. Which should have been a red flag.

Josie returned. “Okay, all set. Litter box in the laundry room, and water and food just outside.

“Thanks,” I said sincerely.

She plopped onto the couch beside me. “I have a feeling.”

“You have a feeling…?” I had no idea where she was going with this.

“You should stay.”

“Stay?”

“In Alaska.” When I opened my mouth to reply, she held up a hand. “Do you like your life back home?”