It Takes a Cowboy

“Does that make you the beast?”

He grinned. “Real funny, Aunt Blair.”

“I like the name Belle, too,” Blair admitted, bending to scratch the cat’s silky ears. “I think we’re all going to get along very well.”

“Aunt Blair?” Jeffrey said when she straightened.

“Yes?”

He hesitated, then wrapped his arms around her waist. “Thank you.”

It was the first time he had ever reached out to her. Her throat tight, Blair returned the hug warmly. “You’re very welcome, sweetie,” she murmured in a voice gruff with emotion.

He didn’t stay long, but pulled away to turn to his cat again. Still smiling, Blair went into the kitchen to prepare dinner. Maybe a little gossip wasn’t so bad, after all, she thought. Especially since the weekend seemed to have been so very good for Jeffrey.

CHAPTER NINE

THEY HAD EATEN dinner and Blair had just told Jeffrey to get out his books while she cleaned the kitchen when the telephone rang. “I’ll get it,” Jeffrey said, and pounced on the phone before Blair could reach it. “H’lo?”

She dried her hands on a paper towel, expecting the caller to ask for her. Instead, she heard Jeffrey say enthusiastically, “Hi, Scott! Guess what...I got a cat. Her name is Belle and she’s gray and she has a white spot on her nose and she likes to chase a string and Aunt Blair says I can keep her.”

While her nephew spent the next five minutes chattering about his new pet, Blair mentally prepared herself for her own conversation with Scott. Though she knew just the sound of his voice would have an effect on her, she decided that she would greet him with the restrained warmth of a passing acquaintance. Not prim and proper, she thought, wincing as she remembered Scott’s teasing, but not overly encouraging, either. She didn’t want him to think she expected any more from him than he’d already given.

Jeffrey finally held the receiver out to her. “He wants to talk to you, Aunt Blair.”

Taking the phone—and a deep breath to steady her nerves—she said, “Thank you, Jeffrey. Now go start your homework. I’ll be in soon to help.”

He nodded and dashed away, his cat at his heels.

Blair lifted the receiver to her ears. “Hello, Scott.”

“Hello, beautiful.”

Her heart tripped—not the way to respond to a friendly acquaintance, she chided herself.

He continued before she could reply. “The kid sure seemed happy about his cat.”

“Yes, he seems quite taken with her.”

“So you were listening on the plane yesterday when he said he’d never had a pet.”

“I heard. To be honest, I’d never really given it any thought. Now I wish I’d thought of a pet sooner.”

“You got him one the day after you learned he wanted one. I would call that a quick response.”

Some of her guilt eased. “I only had to make a few phone calls to find the cat. I was told she was a very sweet-natured, affectionate pet, and so far that’s proven true.”

“It’s a great idea. One of the first things the staff at Lost Springs does with a new resident is to give him responsibilities for the animals there. Initially it’s often easier for the boys to bond with animals rather than humans. And it gives them a sense of confidence to play an important role in that animal’s well-being.”

“I’m sure there will be times I’ll have to nag Jeffrey to clean the litter box or do some of his other pet-care chores, especially once the novelty wears off.”

Scott laughed softly. “You can count on it.”

“I think I’ve done the right thing, though,” she added, still trying to convince herself.

“I’m sure you have. I know I’ve mentioned this before, Blair, but it bears repeating—Jeffrey’s lucky to have you.”

Her cheeks warmed in pleasure as he unconsciously repeated the words her aunt had said earlier. “Thank you.”