He felt something brush against his leg. When he glanced down he saw the mother cat rubbing her leg against him. She looked up, purring.
Feeling awkward and stupid and like he was being taken, he bent over and patted the top of her head. She turned and rubbed her jaw against his fingers. He could feel the vibration of her purring.
He’d never been one for pets. As a kid, it was all he could do to feed himself. Plus caring about anything only made you a victim. In the army, there had always been guys who kept dogs around, but he wasn’t one of them.
He straightened. He could hear Willow and Marina talking in the living room, although he couldn’t hear the words, thank God. So now what? Where did he go? This was supposed to be his house, but he suddenly felt like he didn’t belong.
There was another knock on the door. Before he could say anything, Marina yelled that she was getting it. He walked into his living room in time to see an older version of Willow stepping into his house, along with a fiftysomething guy in a suit.
“Mom, you didn’t have to come,” Willow said. “I’m fine.”
Willow’s mother handed Marina a casserole, then rushed to Willow’s side. “You’re not fine. You hurt yourself. What was I supposed to do? Just let you lie here in pain?”
“Oh, Mom.”
The man approached Kane. “I’m Dr. David Greenberg, a friend of the family.”
“Kane Dennison.” They shook hands.
Dr. Greenberg moved over to the ottoman. “All right, Willow, let’s see what you’ve done.”
Willow’s mother moved back. Marina touched her arm. “This is Kane, Mom.”
The older woman smiled at him. “Hi. Naomi Nelson. She said you carried her here and saved her life.”
Willow had managed to make a number of phone calls and pass on a lot of information in the short time he’d been gone, he thought, not sure if he should punish her or be impressed.
“I don’t think she was all that near death,” he said.
“Mom, there are kittens,” Willow said. She pointed at the box.
“Oh, they’re just born.”
While Naomi went to coo over the kittens, Marina murmured something about putting the casserole in the refrigerator. Kane watched as the doctor examined Willow’s ankle.
“Does this hurt?” he asked as he manipulated her foot. “Does this?”
She answered his questions, then looked at Kane. He felt the impact of her gaze all the way down to his groin. Funny how Marina was similar in appearance, but nothing about her turned him on. Yet with Willow, all it took was a look.
Dr. Greenberg continued his exam for a couple more minutes, then patted her knee. “You’ll live. It’s a minor sprain. You have some swelling, which should go away in the next couple of days. Keep doing what you’re doing. Elevation and ice. You’ll be better in the morning.”
“It hurts,” Willow said with a soft whimper.
The doctor smiled. “I remember how badly you handle pain. You’re the one who cried before I ever gave you a shot when you were little.” He dug around in his case and handed her a sample pack of pills. “These will help. Take them now and then don’t even think about driving until tomorrow. You’re going to be out of it.”
She smiled. “You’ve been very good to me.”
“I know.” He stood, bent over and kissed her cheek. “Try not to be such a klutz.”
“I didn’t do this on purpose.”
“But you still do it.”
Naomi hurried over. “Thank you so much for coming.”
The doctor shrugged. “I’ve known them nearly all their lives. They’re like my girls, too. I’m going back to the office.”
“I’ll be there within the hour,” Naomi promised.
Both women fluttered around, bringing Willow water so she could take her pill, more ice, a snack. Kane stayed in the background, watching them move so easily through his place—as if they’d been here before. Or maybe that was the way of nurturers. They were comfortable wherever they went.
At last Marina left, leaving only Willow and her mother. Naomi beckoned him into the kitchen.
“Thank you for all your help,” she began. “I’m sorry we’ve all invaded you like this.”
“It’s fine,” he said, when what he was thinking was more along the lines of “you could be gone now.”
“I’ll just get her things and take her home.”
Kane eyed the woman. She was about five-five and in decent shape, but there was no way she could carry her daughter.
“I’ll do that,” he said, knowing it was the only way. “You can’t carry her inside.”
“Oh.” Naomi looked concerned. “I hadn’t thought about that. With her foot and all…Can she hop?”
“Not well. Don’t worry. I’ll get her home.”
“If you’re sure…” She glanced at her watch and he knew she was thinking she had to get back to work.
“Ask Willow if she’s comfortable with that arrangement,” he said.
Naomi nodded, then walked back into the living room. Kane followed her and watched as Willow and her mother spoke.
“I’ll be fine,” Willow said, glancing at him, her blue eyes bright with anticipation and humor.
He narrowed his gaze. What the hell was she planning now?
Naomi hugged her daughter, then walked over to him and held out her hand. “You’ve been very kind. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Not a problem.”
“Good luck with the cat and her kittens. They’re going to be a handful.”
As they wouldn’t still be here while they were growing up, he didn’t care.
Then she was gone and he was alone with Willow.
“Sorry about everyone coming by,” she said.
“No, you’re not. You invited them all. You wanted them to come.”
“Okay. Maybe. I had to be sure I wasn’t dying.”
“Sprained ankles are rarely fatal.”
“At least they brought food.” She smiled. “You like food.”
“How do you know?”
“You’re a guy. It’s a guy thing.”
“I’m going to get the cat food,” he said and turned back to the kitchen.
“You haven’t fed her yet?” Willow sounded outraged.
He held in a groan. “Of course I fed the cat. I’m going to collect the food so you can have it.”
“I don’t eat cat food.”
She was doing this on purpose. He knew that. She thought baiting him was a fun, new game.
“It’s for the cat,” he said patiently.
“The cat’s not coming home with me. My building doesn’t allow pets, which is one of the reasons I rented there. That and the amazing backyard. I turned it into a garden and it’s so beautiful. But there are a lot of plants that would be poisonous to a kitten. Not that I wouldn’t love one. But I know better.