horses were housed in the stalls. Then the property was sold and the grain and the hay disappeared. Once the mice left, the cats had nothing to eat, so they likely moved to the woods and foraged for small rodents.”
“And essentially became wild.”
“They did.” As she talked about the cats, her tension gradually eased. “But most of them seem to have retained a connection to people and to this barn. Fred’s the least trusting. He joined the colony late and I don’t think he liked being trapped and neutered.”
“Do you blame him?”
She smiled at his look of horror. “We can’t let them procreate.”
“I get that and I’m all for population control. I just avoid thinking about the process.”
“Are you squeamish?”
“Only when we’re talking about cutting off—”
“Look.” She pointed toward the trees. “Here they come.”
“Where?” Squinting, he scanned the area.
“Over there, moving past the trunk of that big pine. Snow White’s in the lead, as always. Grumpy, Sneezy and Dopey are following her.” The little white female was always easy to spot, while the dappled shade camouflaged the others until they stepped out into the open.
“Okay, I see them.”
“We’re fairly sure those gray tabbies are Snow White’s kittens because of the way she mothers them. And here comes Athena with her brood. They all got her butterscotch coloring except Persephone, the tortoiseshell. There’s Fred, bringing up the rear.”
“He sure does stand out.”
“Yep. He was the hardest to catch. We finally got him in the trap using tuna as bait. I think the others would eat any flavor I put out, but I buy the fish kind because that’s all Fred will eat.”
“You’re partial to him.”
“I am. He’s the smartest one and a survivor. He has several scars from the fights he’s been in, but he beat the odds.” She glanced at the approaching cats. “They seem a little uneasy about you being here. Maybe we shouldn’t talk.”
As they both fell silent, every cat settled down to eat except Fred, who stayed about six feet away with his green eyes fixed on Grady. Sapphire waited in hopes the cat would come forward on his own, but at last she decided he needed to be coaxed.
“Stay very still,” she said, “while I try to sweet-talk him into coming over.”
Grady gave a slight nod.
Leaning forward, she began crooning to the cat. “Come on, sweet Freddie. This man isn’t going to hurt you.” She lowered her voice. “Freddie, Freddie, Freddie. You know you want some. Come on, kitty-cat. That’s a good boy.”
Fred crept up to the bowl and began to eat, his teeth crunching on the small pellets. But that wasn’t the only sound Sapphire heard. The rhythm of Grady’s breathing had changed. She knew that rhythm because she’d heard it last night after he’d kissed her senseless.
She couldn’t imagine why he was reacting that way, unless... She had to smile as she thought of a possible reason. She’d probably sounded damned seductive just now when she’d lured Fred up to the food bowl. Having a man around who was that susceptible to her was flattering. And arousing.
The cats made short work of the food. When it was gone, some moved away from the bowls and began grooming themselves. Snow White and Persephone came over for some head scratches, but Fred grabbed up one last bite before turning and scampering back to the woods as if he couldn’t wait to leave.
“I’m determined to pet him someday.”
“You probably will.” Grady’s breathing was back to normal.
“I think I will, too, eventually.” She gave Athena some attention before she began gathering up the bowls. “Show’s over for this morning, though.”
He picked up the rest of the bowls. “I’ll help you wash these.”
“That’s above and beyond. I know you want to get your area set up.” She didn’t feel ready to share the small space with him again. Besides, one of the other co-op members could show up at any moment and she didn’t want to take a chance on major embarrassment. “I’ll do it.”
He must have heard something in her voice, because he didn’t insist. “Thanks for letting me come along for the feeding routine.”
“You’re welcome. Did you pick any favorites?”
“Either Snow White or Athena. I haven’t decided which.”
“The two mama kitties.”
“Yep.” He held the door for her and followed her into the tiny kitchen. “I’m a real fan of mothers who stick by their kids. Like my mom did.”
She put down the bowls and turned to him in surprise. “But you ended up in foster care at Thunder Mountain Ranch.”
“And consequently, people think she abandoned us. Instead she was in a car accident and Rosie offered to take Liam and me until Mom was on her feet. Once she was okay, we went straight back to her. She’s terrific.”
“Does she live here?”
“Not anymore. She’s in Cody with her new husband. Liam moved there when he got the job with the rafting company. I’d left to work in Alaska, so Liam talked Mom into moving down there with him. She met John in Cody. It all worked out.”
“I can see that.” Her heart squeezed as she thought of how tough those years when his mom was laid up must have been. “I’m glad for you. When we were in high school, all I knew was that you and your brother were at Thunder Mountain. I figured the two of you had no parents, or at least none that were worth anything.”
He grimaced. “That’s the only bad thing about going there. People assume we were neglected. Rosie’s tried to set the record straight, but it’s not easy. Thunder Mountain boys are supposed to be hard-luck cases.”
“And some of them are.”
“Yeah, just not me and Liam.” He walked over to the coffeepot. “I’ll get a cup of coffee and move out of your way.”
“Will you start work on the sculpture for the event?”
“No, I’m saving that for the actual night.” He took a mug out of the cupboard and poured coffee into it. “But I need to get comfortable with the space. Liam said Rosie would love to have one of my pieces, so that’s what I’m going to make first to test the setup.”
“That’s so sweet!”
“I’m a sweet guy.” He grinned. “So if you need me, I’ll be in the back of the barn getting hot and sweaty.” He picked up his coffee and left the kitchen.
Once he was gone, she took a deep breath before turning her focus to the bowls. She’d
