Harper jerked her head in my direction. "You meanhim?" She said "him" like I'd molested the cat myself.
"That's exactly who I mean," Gwen said. "And just so you know, he's the one who helped me after the stroller broke. He carried the kittens all the way back here." Her voice rose. "Without being asked."
Harper gave a dramatic groan. "Oh, my God. Don't tell you me you left the kittens alone with him."
I spoke up. "Why? What do you think I'd do?"
"Whatwouldn'tyou do?" she scoffed. "For all I know, you'd feed them to your dog."
I looked to Cash, who was sitting near my feet as polite as could be. The dog didn't have a mean bone in his body. I couldn't say the same for the redhead. So far, she'd insulted my grandfatherandmy dog.
I felt my jaw clench. "Don't worry. He prefers redheads."
Her mouth tightened. "What?"
I didn't bother hiding my sarcasm. "Yeah, he had one for dinner last night."
"Are you threatening me?"
"No, I'm making a joke. Cash wouldn't harm anyone, including you." At my side, Cash gave a little yip as if to second what I'd just said.
Harper gave Cash a wary look. "And why is he barking at me?"
"It wasn't a bark," I said. "It was a yip."
She scowled. "But he's scaring the kittens."
I looked to the kittens. If she meant the two she was holding, they looked more curious than anything. As far as theotherkittens, I spotted two perched in an undecorated Christmas tree and another in the basket by the fireplace.
None of them looked scared.
I told her, "I'm pretty sure they'll get over it."
"How doyouknow?" she demanded.
"Because if they're scared of anyone, it's you."
"Me?" she sputtered for the second time.
"Yeah,you'rethe one making a racket."
Again, Gwen spoke up. "Can't we all just calm down? Please?"
Nowthatwas a joke. Unlike Harper, I was calmer than the situation deserved. I looked to Gwen and said, "It's fine."
She winced. "No, it's not. I'mreallysorry."
Harper whirled to Gwen and demanded, "Why areyouapologizing?"
Gwen threw up her hands. "Becauseyoucertainly won't."
"Why should I?" Harper scoffed. "It's notmyfault."
Gwen turned to me with obvious regret. "Ireallyhate to say this, but I've got to leave for work." She bit her lip. "Maybe we could talk some other time?"
I turned toward the door. Over my shoulder, I said, "Yeah, well, you know where to find me."
A minute later, Cash and I were back outside, heading down the snowy sidewalk.
