Page 37 of Better Together

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Zeke stepped through Alexis’s back door with the kitten in his arms. “Honey, I’m home!”

He heard Alexis chuckle. He set two grocery bags on the island and walked into the living room, where Alexis lay on the floor with her legs resting on the couch cushion, her eyes focused on the ceiling.

He leaned over her and looked down. “Does that help?”

“Very much. It takes the pressure off my lower back.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Much better. I’ve been walking around in the upright position.”

Zeke chuckled. “Good. I brought you something.”

“You did?”

“Uh-huh.” He kneeled on the floor and placed the kitten on her chest.

She squealed in delight.

“He’s yours if you want him, but—”

“Yes!”

“Yes, you want him?” Zeke grinned.

“Yes. I want him. Are you sure it’s a boy?”

“Yep. I looked.”

The kitten curled up on Alexis’s chest, purred, and stretched.

“Where did you get him?”

“Found him under the bushes at the Elmhurst house.”

“Really? Did you check if he belonged to anyone nearby?”

Zeke flipped around, lay back, and placed his feet on the couch, mirroring Alexis. “I did. Talked to the neighbor, who thought maybe he’d been dropped off.”

“What!? Oh, poor guy.” Alexis stroked his fur, a smile on her face. Zeke sure loved her smile.

“Does he have a name?” she asked.

“Nope. I thought you’d like to name him.”

“Boo.”

“Boo?”

“Yep, Boo. Look at him—he’s so cute! All black with not a stitch of white anywhere.” The kitten stretched, and she lifted him up to inspect him. “Nope, no white.”

Zeke enjoyed making Alexis happy.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Alexis had behaved like a true contractor this week, delegating the work instead of getting involved. She needed to save her back from any unnecessary stress. Her crew stayed on track, even with her not engaging in any heavy lifting or pitching in, a true measure of the competency and hard work of her team. She didn’t even mind James filming as she talked with her crew and checked in on their progress.