some people eat better than others,” he said ruefully.
“You’re good with your hands.”
Her voice was husky, raw with cold. Noah was certain that she was freezing. He also noted that she didn’t seem to notice the chill, refusing to take care of herself until she knew the cats were safe. Once they were settled in her lap, he leaned down to crank up the heat around her feet. “Is that better?”
“Pure heaven.”
He pulled out onto the deserted streets, peering through the sheeting snow. “They weren’t kidding. This storm is looking bad. We could be in for a wild ride.”
In the distance an ambulance whined, the sound swallowed by the gusting snow. The whole city seemed deserted, all activity stopped.
“Just as long as we’re warm.” She smiled, staring down at the pile of kittens, curled together warm and snug on her lap. Noah wondered if she realized that her expensive shoes were history and her elegant wool coat was streaked with mud from the Dumpster. If so, it didn’t seem to bother her.
“They look okay.” At least Noah hoped so.
“They’re moving. That’s a good sign. But we have to get them completely warm. Then we’ll work on hydration,” she said firmly.
Noah didn’t hide his surprise. “Are you a vet, ma’am?”
“No.” She smoothed one tiny, soft body, then pulled the towel back in place. “But my grandfather is. I’ve seen him handle abandoned animals about a thousand times, and that’s what he would do. I’m Grace, by the way.”
“Glad to meet you, Grace. And if anyone did the saving tonight, it was you. I’m surprised you saw them near that Dumpster.”
“Just luck. I was … walking slowly. Thinking.”
Her mouth tightened. She blew out a little breath.
A story there, Noah thought. But it wasn’t any of his business.
He drove with extra care, alert for sliding cars and patchy ice. The snow was getting deeper, and the streets were nearly deserted except for an occasional snow truck or ambulance.
He glanced over at Grace, who was holding the box protectively at her chest. Now they had the heat covered, but what were they supposed to do for fluids? Noah was fresh out of baby bottles or eye-droppers.
But he knew someone who wasn’t.
He pulled out his cell phone and hit speed dial. His older brother answered on the third ring, sounding breathless. “McLeod’s. Reed here.”
“Hey, big bro. I’ve got an emergency on my hands. Can you meet me at Dad’s shop in ten minutes? And bring baby blankets—or clean towels.”
There was a potent silence. Then Reed McLeod cleared his throat. “Baby blankets?”
“That’s what I said, big bro.”
“Do I want to know why?”
“Probably not. I don’t have time to explain anyway. There’s zero visibility out here and this storm is just starting. Gotta go. And be sure to bring the big car, will you? I’m not taking chances with these drifts that are forming.”
“This is an emergency?”
“Yeah, it is.” Noah glanced down at the kittens and frowned.
“I was just sitting down to Myra’s amazing dumplings, but I figure the story you’re going to tell me will be worth it. You’re usually good for a story.”
He hung up before Noah could give him an earful.
Noah was a careful driver, but he barely missed getting hit three times in the whiteout. A layer of ice had formed beneath the fresh snow, and by the time he reached the meeting point at his father’s shop, he was ten minutes behind schedule.
He knew that Grace was worrying about the animals, though she didn’t pester him with questions or complaints.
“How are your guys doing?”
“Two of them are moving around. I think they just started nursing, thank heavens. But the other two look very lethargic. The mother needs fluids. And I’m afraid that—” Her breath caught. “Wait. No way.”
“What?” Noah wanted to look over at the kittens, but he didn’t dare take his eyes from the road given the icy conditions. “What happened?”
“You are not going to believe this. I mean really not going to believe it.” Grace’s voice filled with a husky wave of tenderness.
The smoky sound did something odd to Noah’s pulse. “Tell me, Grace.”
“I thought there were four kittens. But now I can see that this cat has three kittens and one puppy.”
“A puppy?” Noah swerved to avoid a Volvo, skidding sideways over a patch of black ice. “Damn. Okay, now would you say that again? You can’t mean—”
“I’m sure of it. The mother is treating them all the same, grooming them in turn, but I know a puppy when I see one. This looks like maybe a collie-retriever mix. He’s licking my finger in search of food. At least I think it’s a he. You’re a big sweetie, aren’t you, honey? So soft.” Her face was radiant when she looked up. She reached over and squeezed Noah’s shoulder. “I couldn’t have managed this without you. How can I possibly repay you?”
As her hand skimmed his arm, Noah felt a stab of heat. He knew a few ways, but they didn’t bear thinking about. Head out of the gutter, pal.
“Let’s say you thank me by giving me at least one of these guys. Preferably two. I’d really like that puppy you’re holding to be one of them. But you found them, so that’s your call.”
“Oh, no. I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I’m only here in D.C. temporarily, so they’ll need homes. Best of all would be keeping them together, at least until the little ones are older.” Something crossed her face, and Noah saw worry darken her eyes. “I’ll be traveling a lot for the next six months. I won’t be able to take any of them with me. What am I going to do?”
“We’ll work something out. They won’t go back on the street.” He spared time for a quick glance and saw her biting her lip. “Are you going far?”
“Chicago. Oregon. Paris. Provence. Back to Paris. Then probably Romania.”
“Yep, I’d say that’s far. What kind of work do you do, anyway?”
“Food research.”
“Come again?” Noah slowed for a light and frowned when he felt his Jeep slide. The ice was getting worse, but he didn’t want to worry her. “Is that like food technology? Artificial fragrances and additives? Because I have to tell you, I hate people who tamper with what we eat. If God had meant us to eat Red Dye #4, hydrogenated fats and square tomatoes, he would have made them that way to begin with.”
Grace smiled faintly. “I’m
