Page 43 of Far from Destined
“I’m here. Let me take a look.” I pulled my medical bag tighter over my shoulder and stepped closer.
Her gaze met mine, and then she narrowed her eyes. “Did you just get back from a fight?”
I froze at the doorstep and swallowed hard. “Yes. If you need me to go, I will.”
“No,” she said with a sigh. “It’s not my right to tell you what to do. As long as you’re safe.”
“As safe as possible,” I replied, hoping it was true.
“Let’s go save those kittens. And my sanity.” And then she turned and walked towards the back yard.
I closed and locked the door behind me and followed her to the back patio where Dakota was now kneeling on the ground next to Joshua, worry on her face.
“Macon, can you help?” Joshua asked, his voice small. There was still excitement there, but he was worried.
Dammit, if we lost even one of these kittens or the mama cat, Joshua wouldn’t handle it well.
Hell,Iwouldn’t handle it well.
I knelt beside Dakota, ignoring her scent and heat, as I looked at what was in front of me.
The mama cat looked a little thin and run-down, but I hoped it was just exhaustion. It didn’t look like there was any bleeding or any apparent wounds, but I would have to do a full checkup here and another in the morning at the clinic. The kittens seemed to be about four weeks old, so they were still too young to be away from their mom.
“There were a couple of storms the past two days. Might have forced the mama to move to another location with the babies,” I whispered, nearly mumbling to myself.
“Do you think that’s why she looks so tired? That she’s cold and sick from it?” Dakota asked.
“I’m not sure, but we’re helping her now. Why don’t you get whatever towels you don’t mind losing to kitten claws, and I’ll see what I can do.”
“I can get water, too,” she said.
“Yes, a shallow bowl she can easily use if you have it. I have some cat food in my bag, ironically.” At Dakota’s look, I elaborated. “I was feeding a group of feral cats on my block this morning. They’re fixed but run free. With the storms I mentioned, they came in for food.”
“You’re a good person, Macon.”
“I’m a vet,” I said simply.
She met my gaze before swallowing hard. “I’m glad you have food. I was going a bit crazy trying to think of what I was allowed to feed her.”
“I’m glad I have it with me.” I began the checkup as Dakota left, but then Joshua leaned into my side.
“You have a bruise on your face. And some on your hands. Are you okay?” Joshua asked, his voice low.
I knew that Joshua had been afraid when my brother was hurt, as well as Paris and Prior. There had been no shielding him from some of the attacks that had happened in the past. I didn’t know what Joshua knew about his father, if anything. So I wasn’t going to broach that subject, but I could at least be gentle with my honesty tonight regarding my issues.
“I was boxing,” I said honestly. “It’s a sport that some adults do. I just forgot to put ice on my cheek like I should have. But it’s okay. I’ll heal.”
“I got you ice,” Dakota chimed in, her voice tight. “As well as the blankets and water. And a couple of towels.”
“I’ll help, Mom,” Joshua said, the excitement in his voice coming back.
“Let me finish the exams, and then we’ll make some plans,” I told him softly, and Joshua nodded. When Dakota didn’t correct my use ofwe, I tried not to think about it as a win. She was just protecting her son. I wasn’t part of this family. Even if part of me desperately wanted to be.
I finished the exam, made sure the babies were eating, and then hand-fed the mama cat. She was clearly tired but looked to be in better spirits.
“This should be good for the evening. I’ll take them into the office tomorrow, and Jeremy and I can figure out what to do.”
“You’re going to take them away?” Joshua asked, his lower lip quivering.