Page 16 of Keystrokes and Kittens

Peaches, suddenly awakened, started squawking.

Noah eyed her. “Do you have any issues if I pick her up?”

Sam shook his head as he slanted Carlos at the best angle to feed him. “Of course not. They need to be handled so they’re comfortable with humans. It’s not like there’s a mother to scare away. Yes, that’s a good boy. Keep drinking.”

After Noah scooped up the vociferous Peaches, I gently removed Jack. Who cuddled against me and kept sleeping.

When Sam finished feeding Carlos, he handed the bottle to Noah. “I assume you know what you’re doing?”

Noah grinned. “Oh yeah.” And, clearly like a pro, he began the process of ensuring the little gal had enough food.

“You’ll be next.” Sam gestured to Jack. “You okay with that?”

“Absolutely. I need to be corrected now. If you take the ten o’clock feeding and head to bed, then I can do one and four.”

He shook his head. “That’s too much to ask.”

I shook my head right back. “I’ll sleep from four to ten. If you do seven before you go to work, then we’re good. And I can nap between feedings. And maybe get a bit of work done. I emailed Lolita and put her in charge for a few days.”

Sam’s eyes widened. “Really?”

I shrugged. “Look, I’ve been wanting to take a real vacation for a few years. The problem is we just keep growing. Lolita needs to be tested—to see if she’s up for the task of leading. Better for me to do this when I’m next to the computer rather than when I’m in some foreign country and unreachable.”

“Foreign country, eh?” Noah grinned. “And which country would you go to, precisely?”

“How much time do you have?” I grinned. “I did a bit of traveling in my twenties. Before my marriage. Since I’ve been on my own, though, I’ve been busier than hell. Keeps me out of trouble, but doesn’t give me the opportunity to scratch the itch.”

“Itch?” Sam finished wiping Carlos, pressed a kiss to the kitten’s head, and tucked him back under the blanket.

Does he realize what he just did? It’s so adorable.I cleared my throat. “The desire to immerse myself in other cultures. To see far-flung lands. I haven’t gotten away enough.” I gestured around my cabin. “Don’t get me wrong—this is the most beautiful place on earth. But seeing the Swiss Alps, or the Serengeti, or the outback? All on my list.”

“That’s quite a list.” Noah handed the bottle to Sam. “She was hungry.”

“Oh. Did she have enough?”

“I think so.” Noah began rubbing her belly—while holding the tissue close.

Sam rose and headed back to the kitchen.

I continued to stroke Jack’s head. “Soon, buddy. You’ll get your food soon.” For my trouble, he continued to snooze.

Noah gestured to where Sam had disappeared and then cocked his head.

I shrugged.

He rolled his eyes. Then arched an eyebrow.

Again, I shrugged.

“You’re going to have to resolve this.”

I winced. He was talking about Christmas. Whether everyone in town knew thatsomethinghad happened at Christian and Noah’s Christmas party, I couldn’t be certain. Certainly those two and Miss Esmeralda were aware. “Eventually. Right now, these guys are the priority.” I held Jack closer.

“Bottle’s ready.” Sam entered the room, and a heaviness descended. He looked like he was carrying the weight of the world on his weary shoulders.

“You need a bed. Badly.”

His eyes went wide. Then he shook his head. “I’m fine. I should have some coffee or something.”