tell about the baby kittens.
Sally looked at Delcie. “We can has a baby kitty?” Her eyes were wide. So innocent.
And now, with Alonzo locked up, the children could grow up in peace and security. Thanks to Ryder. Sally waited for her answer. “I’d have to ask Aunt Hilda. And Mrs. Holmen.” Her throat was so tight she could barely get the words out.
“You’re welcome to take one,” Audrey said.
“When you gonna ask Aunt Hilda?” Kent asked.
Delcie chuckled. “When we get back to town, I suppose.”
Sally turned to Ryder. “You wanna see the kitties?”
“Can I finish my tea first?”
“How long you gonna take?”
The adults chuckled at Sally’s impatience.
Audrey pushed the plate of cookies toward Sally. “Perhaps a cookie would help pass the time while he drinks his tea.”
The children each took a cookie. Sally watched Ryder closely, her eyes following every movement as he lifted his cup and set it down again and as he took a cookie and ate it.
Finally, the cup was empty, and the cookie gone.
“Now let’s go.” Sally jumped down, grabbed Ryder’s hand, and pulled him toward the door with Kent, Owen, and Willa following, all chattering about the kittens.
He looked back over his shoulder. “Are you coming, Delcie?”
She didn’t need to be asked twice. “Excuse me,” she said to Audrey. Kent grabbed her hand and hurried her after the others. Sweetness, hope, and possibility flowed through her veins like warmed honey. It was because she knew the children were now safe. And maybe, just maybe, because she hoped she and Ryder might enjoy a growing friendship.
They went to a woodshed where the mother cat and four kittens had a nest. The mama cat meowed a welcome, obviously used to the children.
“Which one do you like best?” Kent asked as she focused on the kittens.
“They’re all beautiful.” Big enough to scamper around. A gray one climbed to Sally’s lap and settled down like it meant to stay, purring and washing itself. A black one with white socks and collar chased a fly. A white kitten with black spots sat down to scratch his ear. The fourth, a beautifully striped tabby, played around Ryder’s knee.
He picked it up and held it to his face. “So you’re curious about me, are you?”
The kitten made a chirruping sound.
Delcie laughed. “I think he likes you.”
“You could take him home.” Kent sounded so eager and lonesome at the same time that if she didn’t have to get the approval of the other ladies, Delcie would take a kitten home this very afternoon. A pet would be good for them and help them forget about being kidnapped. However, she must have the agreement of the others.
“I think that would be a good idea,” Ryder said. “A person can always use a cat to hunt mice.”
“And to keep them company.” Kent stroked the cat. “’Specially since you’re all alone.”
“I am, aren’t I? That settles it. I’ll ask the Holmens if I can take this one home.”
“Whatcha gonna name him?” All four children watched Ryder, waiting for his answer.
Owen edged closer. “We called him Tiger ’cause he’s got stripes like a tiger.”
“Then Tiger it is.”
“I’ll go tell Papa.” Owen raced to the house. A few minutes later he returned. “Papa says you can have him.”
Kent looked at Delcie, his eyes wide and pleading.
Sally’s lip protruded. She looked ready to cry.
“I’m sorry. I can’t take a kitten without asking the others.” Her excuse felt flimsy even though it was the truth.
“I tell you what,” Ryder said. “I’ll keep Tiger at my house, but he can be your kitten too. Would you like that?”
The children brightened and shifted their attention to the cat.
“I hope that’s all right with you,” Ryder whispered.
“It’s fine.” She’d once forbidden them to go next door, but things had changed. She might even welcome an excuse to visit as well.
Ryder gave the cat to Kent, got to his feet, and held out a hand to help Delcie up. “I need to get back to town.”
“There’s no need for me to stay, but I hate to ask Mr. Holmen to make a second trip.”
“Maybe you don’t have to.”
“It’s a long way to walk.”
He laughed. “Too far. But I’ll suggest I leave my horse here and take you and the children in the wagon. He can come to town on my horse when it’s convenient for him.”
Mr. Holmen was more than agreeable. Half an hour later, the children were in the back of the wagon holding the cat and Delcie was on the seat beside