Right Move (Clean Slate Ranch #6) - A.M. Arthur Page 0,1
for a reason. If the universe decided I need three cats, I’ll keep them.”
Dr. Clark smiled and held eye contact a hair longer than most men would hold with other men. Unless they were interested. “Can I assume you’ll be bringing them back for future shots and checkups? Because they’ll need names.”
He hadn’t decided for sure on settling in this area but sticking around might have its merits. “I have no idea what to call them. I’m used to naming horses, not cats.”
“Well, for now we can designate them by their breed and your last name. Mister?”
“Levi Peletier.” He spelled his last name for the vet, who typed it into a computer. “Um, I guess Ginger, Tuxedo and Calico for now.” Actually, he liked the name Ginger for his little ginger kitty. Maybe he’d keep that.
“You’re new in town, I take it?”
“Very new. I’ve got my house hitched to my pickup.”
“How’s that?”
Levi explained a bit about his blog. “As I told the kittens, I hadn’t intended on getting a roommate, much less three, but here we are.”
“If you need a place to park, Lakeview Campground is only a few miles outside of town.” Dr. Clark grinned. “I’ve been fishing out on that lake. It’s a beautiful area. Peaceful. Not too crowded, even at the height of summer vacation season.”
“Then maybe I’ll check it out. Stick around for a little while.”
“Then welcome to town, Mr. Peletier.”
“Thank you, and Levi is fine.” He couldn’t decide if the vet was flirting with him or not. Levi was bisexual, and Dr. Clark was all kinds of cute and kind.
They shook hands and Levi liked that Dr. Clark didn’t let go right away. He wasn’t ready for a relationship, not after only being six months sober, but maybe living out here wouldn’t be as lonely as he expected. If nothing else, he could make a new friend while he was in the area.
“I’ll get you some cans of kitten formula,” Dr. Clark said. “You should be able to transition them from the formula to wet food fairly soon. The biggest question is litter box training.”
Ginger chose that moment to prove the doc right by squatting and pooping on the exam table. Levi laughed. “I guess we’ll figure that one out,” he replied.
“Have you ever owned a cat before, Levi?”
“Not a day in my life but I’m a fast learner. They came to me for a reason, and I’ll honor that reason. And I also believe in karma, so whoever abandoned them better watch their ass.”
“Agreed. There’s a special place in hell for people who abuse animals.” Dr. Clark seemed to be stalling, looking for things to talk about. “You mentioned earlier you’re used to naming horses. I take it you ride?”
Levi quirked an eyebrow. “I do. Did. I grew up working with horses but I left that life behind. Needed a change.”
“A change you’re finding here?”
“We’ll see. The best part of my house is I can take it with me when I get itchy feet. I spent most of my life traveling, so settling down in any one spot for a long time will be a challenge.” But Levi needed the stability while he figured out his future. He missed his father and he missed his best friend, Robin, but distance was best for everyone for now. This was where the kittens had led him, and this was where he’d settle for a while.
“Sounds as if you’ve got some interesting stories to tell.” Dr. Clark wrote something on a business card and handed it over. “If you ever want to tell some stories over a beer, give me a call. I’ll get your kitten formula and meet you at the front desk.”
Levi tucked the card into his pocket and took his time gathering the little floofballs back into the box. The tuxedo kitty started purring immediately when he scratched behind her ears, the sound impossibly loud for such a small beast. But maybe now they’d all start feeling safe. Because they were.
“I have no idea how this is going to work in my little house. Every spot is precise. I don’t know where I’ll stash a litter box, but we’ll figure it out, right ladies?”
Ginger looked up and meowed at him, as if agreeing with his words. Despite getting his shit figured out in rehab and back on a good path, Levi still floundered most days. Still wondered if he was making the right choices, doing the right things. He was used to being given