Page 21 of Witchy Woman

The creature’s the size of a slightly bigger dog, but it’s distinctly feline. One of those giant things you see on the internet that you can’t believe is actually real and not in a zoo.

Big brown eyes blink up at me as I get out of my chair and drop to her level. She has golden fur with randomly placed dark spots.

Not that I’ve seen evidence that she is a she, but it’s the vibe. I can just tell.

“Hi there,” I coo softly. “Who are you?”

Big, rounded ears twitch at the sound of my voice. She gently pads a little closer.

“Do you belong to anyone? Do we need to find your people?” She doesn’t have a collar, but that doesn’t necessarily mean she’s a stray. “Would you like to come out from under there?”

I back up a little, lifting the tablecloth up for her. She follows, getting up into my space. Her eyes lock with mine and with a delicatemew, she sits on my lap.

Well then.

“Looks to me like you’ve been adopted, dear,” Grandma says, coming up behind me. I’m sitting on the ground with a ginormous cat in my lap. Totally normal.

“How do we know someone isn’t looking for her?”

A gentle purr billows out of her chest as she nuzzles in.

Grandma pats my shoulder. “You can certainly make an effort, of course. But witches and cats have a long history. I fear you have a new companion for life.”

“What do you think, cat? Do you want to come home with me?” I ask, scratching underneath her chin. Her purr intensifies, rumbling through my body. Not too dissimilar from the buzz of the soulmate bond, if I’m honest.

“You didn’t have a choice in the matter!” one of the biddies says from where they’re watching me.

I don’t suppose I do.

After a walk through the market to truly make sure no one recognizes her, I gather Cat up and take her to the pet store before taking her home. Thankfully Grandma already has some things for Rosie, but Cat will need her own things.

I push the door to our house open, Cat still bundled in my arms.

I also need to come up with a name for her other than Cat. That’s terrible.

“What do you think? Do you have any name suggestions?” I ask Cat as she chows down on her dinner.

She doesn’t spare me a look. Fair.

I’m on my own, it seems.

I watch her eat as I sit on my bed. Apparently witches and cats have athing, so maybe my witchy powers can tell me what her name is.

Her tail swishes back and forth, long legs ready to pounce at a moment’s notice. She probably needs a bell just like Noah and Rosie.

I snort.

Belle.

“What do you think about the name ‘Belle?’” I ask her.

She lifts her head slowly from her food, making eye contact with me once again. She huffs, gives a slight nod, and then goes back to eating.

Guess her name is Belle.

Chapter 9

A Weirdo Among Weirdos