Up close, he was even more intimidating. He seemed to grow bigger as he stretched out, giant paws investigating his surroundings, nose twitching, limp ear hanging crooked. His tail swooshed and his mouth curved in pure displeasure and disgust.
No wonder everyone was afraid of him.
“I bet you’re pretty misunderstood,” she said quietly. “Everyone wants a cute kitten, right? Or a sweet, untroubled soul who didn’t have to deal with any of the bad stuff yet. That’s the type I wanted, too. Uncomplicated.”
He pawed at a rubber ball, then swatted it to the side. Prowled back and forth as if thinking about something important which had nothing to do with her.
Sierra sighed. “I’m not even sure why I’m here. You probably wouldn’t be happy with
me. I think we’re complete opposites.”
He twitched, turned, and paced some more.
“I need a shop cat, like one who looks good in a bookstore. I own a boutique so I also wanted a female cat. You’d scare people and that’s not good for business.”
He gave her side eye. Swatted at something that moved on the floor. His fur bristled.
“My house is really nice and I’d want you to live inside. No going in and out dragging creatures in as gifts. I think you’re too old and set in your ways to be trained. I should get a kitten.”
Finally, he pivoted and sat on his rear. Blinked. Those gold eyes fascinated her, but she remembered not to look at him directly because it was confrontational and she didn’t want to piss him off.
But Sierra couldn’t help it. She tried to use her periphery but this cat stared so intently, she literally felt the command to meet his gaze head-on.
She did.
Time stopped. In a flash, she saw things in those eyes. A knowledge of the outside of this shelter and the things he’d seen. Done. Experienced. A stubborn pride that overcame the world weariness most animals would succumb to on the street. A beautiful fuck-you to the masses who tried to break him into something and someone he was not.
Understanding passed between them.
“You’re perfect,” Sierra whispered.
Slowly, he unfurled his legs and stalked over. She held her breath, not sure what to do, and then the giant cat went straight to her lap. Using his paws, he kneaded her legs as if trying to shape them into the perfect pillow.
Then dropped to her lap. The gesture screamed arrogance. He was making himself comfortable on his terms, not bending to her whim. Her heart began to speed up and she lifted a hand, gently petting his fur. The thick softness under her palm was the perfect antidote to any worries. Her mind eased, and the low rumbling of a purr filled the quiet room.
And in that moment, Sierra realized they were twin souls and this was the cat she was looking for.
He wasn’t the best one. He wouldn’t have been her pick.
But he chose her. And he was now hers.
Colette popped her head in. “Everything going—oh, my goodness!” Her jaw seemed to drop, then snap shut. “I’ve never seen him do this before.”
Sierra smiled, refusing to look away from this magnificent creature before her.
“He’s the one I want.”
The cat stretched his neck to glance back. He seemed smug, as if promising her she made the right choice but he wouldn’t make it easy on her. Love never was.
For now, Sierra was okay with it.
“I’m so happy for you and Garfield.”
“His name is Montgomery,” she corrected.
She knew no one with that name. It wasn’t from a famous celebrity or leader; it wasn’t picked from a beloved book or movie. But it was a name that screamed dignity. A name that spoke regalness. A name that was meant to be remembered.
Montgomery cocked his head as if considering. Then began licking his paw, obviously not giving a crap what she decided to name him. As long as it wasn’t a copycat of a cartoon who ate lasagna.
