He shook his head. He didn’t know what he’d do in the fall when it was time for Celine to return to the university. Kylie would be devastated. And he? He didn’t even want to go there.
Celine had asked about his options and pleaded with him to do what was best for Kylie. There was one option he’d not mentioned, one that would be ideal, at least for him and for Kylie. But for Celine? He didn’t know.
There were so many things he didn’t know. Like Celine… she was such an enigma. Did she have feelings for him? Did she crave him as much as he craved her?
He knew he wanted Celine to a degree he’d never felt for any woman. She was different from anyone he’d ever known. But he, confirmed bachelor, was he ready to give up his fast paced life to become a father and husband in one jump? More importantly, if he asked her to marry him, would she say yes?
His lips tightened and he stared with blind eyes at the space in front of him. Somehow, after the way he had behaved tonight, he doubted it.
CHAPTER EIGHT
That weekend Pierce took Kylie and Celine to the zoo where, for the first time, the little girl saw real live elephants, lions, tigers and zebras. As the adults expected, her favorites were the monkeys who entertained them with their antics. One of them punched his brother then took off, running smack into the patriarch of the clan who gave him a whack for his troubles. They all laughed out loud at that.
Next they went to the small amusement park where they went on all the rides - the merry-go-round, the haunted train, the bumper cars and the kiddies’ roller coaster.
Last and scariest of all was the Ferris wheel. All three of them sat in the chair and when they went up, up into the air, so high they could see the tops of trees and buildings, Celine was the only one who screamed to get down. Even after they got home Kylie would not let her forget it. Both she and Pierce teased her relentlessly that night until she feigned a pout and marched off to bed.
Next day, Sunday, was another day of wonderful weather. And again, Celine decided that she and Kylie would spend most of the afternoon outdoors. To Celine’s shock and near horror Pierce had decided to try his hand in the kitchen. She decided she’d made the right decision in taking Kylie outside just in case he blew up the house experimenting with the stove.
They had been playing tag on the lawn for a while when Celine put a hand on Kylie’s shoulder and stopped her. She’d heard a sound coming from the copse of trees that lined the garden path. She stood still listening. There it was again, the soft cry of what sounded like a cat.
“Kylie, wait over by that rock,” she said. “I just want to check on something.”
Walking stealthily across the grass she ducked under a branch then pushed through some bushes until she entered the cool shadows of the alcove created by the trees.
“Celine, where’re you going?” Kylie’s call was plaintive.
Celine realized that she’d probably become scared when she disappeared but, not wanting to scare the animal, she remained silent. She had a soft spot for cats. They were her favorite animals and she’d had several as pets when she was growing up.
The tiny cry came again then Celine saw it, a black and white kitten curled up in the root of a tree. “Hi, baby,” she crooned, “What are you doing here? Are you all alone?” She looked around but the kitty’s mommy was nowhere in sight.
She went closer, slowly, fearing that the little cat would flee in fright. To Celine’s surprise it did the exact opposite. When its big green eyes came to rest on her it got up from its cradle at the foot of the tree and walked over to her. The cat looked like it was about three or four months old, still quite young but old enough to survive and thrive without its mother. Not shy at all, it yawned and stretched its neck up as if to invite Celine to scratch its head.
“Aw, you’re so cute.” She took the invitation and tickled the little head. Then she straightened. So. What was she going to do now? She couldn’t leave the cat in the woods to starve. On the other hand, this was not her home. If she’d been in France the cat would be installed at her house, no question about it. But here? She didn’t have that right. The only option, it seemed, was to take the cat and ask Pierce to take it to the shelter.
She stretched out her hand and the cat immediately came to her. It must have strayed from someone’s house, it was so tame. Then, cradling it to her chest, she headed back to the lawn.
“Celine,” Kylie cried her voice full of relief. “Where were you? Why did you go into the woods?”
“Look what I found,” Celine said with a laugh. She shifted her little bundle so that Kylie could see.
“A kitty,” she exclaimed in wonder. “You found a kitty.”
“Yes, and I’m going to give her some milk and find a nice box to make a bed for her.”
“And then we get to keep her?” The child’s eyes were wide and full of hope.
“I don’t know, cherie.” Celine shook her head. “That all depends on what Pierce says. I was thinking of taking her to the shelter.”
“The shelter? Oh, no. I want to keep her. I want her for my friend.” Kylie almost looked like she was going to cry.
Celine’s heart went out to her. A pet was just what she needed, something to hug, to love, to call her friend. She could suggest it to Pierce. They could take the cat to the vet, have her checked and vaccinated, and then Kylie could have a pet of her own. At the end of the day, though, it would be Pierce’s decision.
“Can I touch her?” Kylie stretched out a hand but Celine turned, keeping the cat out of reach.
“No, not yet. I have to make sure she’s safe before I let you play with her.” She saw Kylie’s face fall. “There’s something you can do to help me, though. Why don’t you help me make a carrier box for her so we can take her safely to the vet? You can help me make air holes in the box.”
That seemed to cheer her up. Her face brightened and she skipped ahead of Celine up the path toward the house.
“Uncle Pierce, guess what? We have a surprise,” she yelled as they entered the kitchen.