Page 51 of The Maverick's Homecoming

“Oh, that. I was just thinking out loud.”

“So youdon’twant a pet?”

“I’m not sure.” She gestured at her baby bump. “As you might have noticed, I have lot going on. But I do miss having pets.”

“I thought so. And I did some research. I suggest a cat. They don’t take as much training and they do better when left on their own than a dog does.” She was looking at him strangely. He asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Just thinking about you, thinking how you and your brothers had no pets growing up…”

“You’re right, we never had so much as a goldfish.”

“If I remember correctly, that was your dad’s doing.”

“Yeah. He always said animals were messy and he didn’t see the point. And then later, when I was playing pro ball, I never felt all that settled, never felt I had time for a pet.”

“That is just sad.”

He shrugged. “It is what it is.”

She shook her head. “Your dad. What a guy.”

“Can we not get side-tracked into talking about my dad?”

She grinned then. “Fair enough. Forget your dad.”

“Happy to—and listen, if I’m way off-base and you don’t even want a cat, you should just say so now.”

She pushed her empty plate to the side, braced her elbow on the table and rested her chin on the heel of her palm. “I haven’t had a cat in years. My ex was like your dad. Not a pet person.”

“So youareinterested in adopting a cat?”

“You know what? Yeah. I am. Tell me about this research that you did.”

“Sure. You should get two cats. They will be happier and they’ll keep each other company when you’re at school or whatever. Shelter cats are great unless you want some specific breed.”

“Not really. Just, you know, anicecat—or I guess, two nice cats.”

“Okay. A cat without papers costs anywhere from nothing to over two hundred bucks depending on the source. Then there are vet bills, neutering and spaying, shots, all that. There are also cat supplies and food. All that can get expensive.”

“Honestly, I can swing it financially. We always had cats and a dog when I was growing up. There’s something so reassuring about having pets around. When they bond with you, they teach you the meaning of devotion. I want that for my little girl.”

“So, then if you’re going to do this, they should be indoor cats. Cats that don’t eat prey or raw meat.”

“Why?”

“To protect against toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can cause birth defects or miscarriage.”

“Yikes!” She was wide-eyed. “You really did look into this.”

“Might as well be prepared, right?”

“Definitely, and I think I read about toxoplasmosis somewhere. Pregnant women get infected from cleaning the litter box.”

“But you won’t have a problem if you keep your cats indoors. And you can have them tested—and treated, if necessary—before you bring them home. And wear nitrile gloves when you clean the litter box to be extra safe.” He was watching her face. Was she skeptical? “You don’t seem all that sure about this.”

“I’m thinking it sounds like a lot. And I’m gone all day five days a week. It seems wrong to bring two cats home and then start out by leaving them alone all day.”

“Yeah, I thought about that and I think I have a solution for you.”