“If she likes it here, she can stay,” Sassie said. “I’ve no mind to stress her out any more than is necessary. If she pines for her owner though, you might have to rethink the whole idea.”
“Brilliant. That would be very much appreciated. I’d keep her myself but my daughter, Jo, has a kitten already and I’m not that keen to add any more animals to our family until she starts getting her grades up. We’ve had a difficult few months and she’s only just starting to settle down. The next pet has to be earned, as far as I’m concerned. Besides, I think this little one will suit you, being an only cat. She’s used to a much quieter way of life than she’d get at my place.” Lara laughed then explained, “Riley built me animal runs out the back of the surgery, and you can bet they are nearly always full of patients recuperating. Not the life for this little lady.”
At the mention of Riley’s name, heat raced up her cheeks and she turned away, making a fuss of the cat now smooching around her legs.
“Like that, is it? Well, well, well.”
“No, you have it all wrong. We’re friends is all.” Sassie finished her tea and put the cup on her workbench. “Neither of us is ready for a relationship, and that suits me just fine.”
She almost laughed aloud at the look on Lara’s face. “You don’t mean to tell me that you’re fine as friends with benefits do you?” The vet shook her head. “Really?”
“Yes, to be sure, and what’s wrong with that? It is an arrangement that works for us and harms no one.” Sassie reached down and picked up the cat, who purred loudly and lifted its chin for a scratch. “I think you’ve found your home, little one. What do you say you live with me and we can be best friends forever?”
“I appreciate your taking her at such short notice. Her owner will be devastated at having to give her up, but some things just can’t be planned. Now I really must be going if I’m going to get Jo on the bus on time.” Lara reached over and gave Sassie a quick hug as though they’d known each other for years. “Don’t forget I’m picking you up tonight for drinks. About seven thirty, okay?”
“Sounds wonderful. I’ll be ready, and thanks again for my new friend.”
Lara gave a smile before she closed the door behind her.
“Well now, it’s only you and me, my love. Time I had a shower and got ready for another fun-filled day of renovating this old place.” She stroked her hand over the cat’s back before putting her down and headed to her bedroom, peeling off her pajamas as she went. The shower was old but serviceable and suited her just fine. Flicking on the water, she waited until the pipes moaned and groaned before settling down once the water started to flow, and then she stepped in under the spluttering spray.
Sassie took a cake of lemongrass soap from the holder and lathered up the body sponge before starting at the back of her neck and scrubbing herself all over. Her nipples were super sensitive after last night and, as she brushed over them lightly, warmth settled between her thighs. Riley was a considerate lover; hopefully, they could make this work without things getting complicated.
“Oh, fecking hell.” She shook her head. So intent on getting showered and thinking about last night’s garden sex, she’d totally forgotten to cover her bandage. It was a soggy mess. “Nothing for it, Tinker Bell,” she said to the cat sitting in the bedroom, watching her new owner cursing and talking to herself. “Time it came off. I’ll just have to put a sticky plaster on to keep it clean. Whatever will Emily say?”
Unwinding the mess, she let it drop to the corner of the shower stall and inspected the stitches in her finger while standing under the water. The skin around the cut looked angry and swollen, but there was little pain anymore. That was something at least, and it would probably stay pain-free if she didn’t go overboard and use it or knock it around.
Easier said than done when you were the world’s biggest klutz.
Sassie turned off the water, stepped out of the shower, and reached for a towel. The sun peeked through the window with the promise of a sunny, work-filled day.
After a hurried breakfast of toast, which she shared with her new cat, Sassie took her cup of tea into the spare room where her partially made kitchen cabinets waited to be moved to the kitchen. Now that the bandage was off, she was more dexterous with her hand and planned on getting the rest of the cabinets ready to fit for when she hunted down a plumber and decided what to do with the floor. Polished boards would be wonderful and show off the lovely timber. They’d look fantastic with hooked mats at the back door and sink.
After putting her tea on the floor, she ripped open another box and spent the next ten minutes going over the instruction sheet. Tinker Bell cautiously put her head around the edge of the door and meowed. “Come on in, pretty girl. I might need your help.” Sassie held her hand out to the cat and stroked her back as she walked in. Satisfied that there was no danger, the cat sat, lifted her back leg, and proceeded to wash herself.
A knock at the door a few hours later, followed by a man bellowing her name, made the cat run and seek a dark corner to hide. “Ms.
