Stumbling Into the Holidays (Stumbling Through Life #3) - Molly O'Hare Page 0,26

cat instantly turned his nose up to Ben and whined.

“You know the drill. We talked about this yesterday. Once you go to the bathroom you can leave.” Ben stuck his fingers through the cage to scratch the cat’s head. “I have no idea why you’re fighting this.”

Buster pulled back from his hand sending him a glare before blinking at him.

“As soon as we get the samples we need for the lab, you’re free to go home.”

Buster stared at him, not moving. “I’m giving you a few more hours before I have to take it myself. And neither one of us wants to do that. Trust me.”

Buster’s eyes widened before he twisted his head to the litter box in the cage with him.

“You’re killing me here, Buster.” Ben decided it was best to leave the cat alone. With a shake of his head, he made his way over to exam room one.

“Where is my favorite fashionista cat?” Ben asked, as he walked into the room greeting the hairless cat Rupert and his smiling owner Abbie.

“Hey, doc. Long time no see,” Abbie replied, holding her hairless cat to her chest.

“But that’s a good thing. Means your little guy here has been healthy.” Ben gave Rupert the once-over. The cat was dressed from head to toe, and might he add, very festively, too.

Rupert was donned in a Christmas tree sweater that included blinking lights that went on and off to the sound of “Jingle Bells”. He also had on a rhinestone Christmas necklace that sparkled as Rupert moved his head from side-to-side showing it off. “Well, aren’t you a handsome fella? You’re definitely in the holiday spirit.”

Abbie placed Rupert on the exam table who gladly took that as his cue to strut back and forth showing off his outfit.

“Very nice.”

“Don’t encourage him.” Abbie rolled her eyes.

“It’s kinda hard not to.” Ben laughed, watching as the cat’s sweater blinked in tune.

“Ugh. He’s spoiled rotten and he knows it. He’s got everyone wrapped around his hairless paw.”

Ben chuckled as Rupert sent him a small nod in his direction.

“My husband, Hunter, is the worst offender. You know that jerk actually built Rupert a dresser?”

“That so?”

“Yeah, and now this twerp thinks Hunter hung the moon. Rupert now makes me put his clothes away.” Abbie sent an evil eye to her cat. “Between Rupert and our newborn, Hunter can do no wrong.” Abbie looked at Ben. “You know, he put up three trees this year? He said Rupert needed his own, and then of course, since Rupert got one, so did the baby.”

Ben laughed again. “Sounds about right. Congrats on the baby by the way.”

“Thanks,” Abbie beamed at him as pride radiated off her. “It’s a hard adjustment with her here, but it’s working out.”

“I hear you.” Ben glanced back to the cat who was still strutting his stuff up and down the table. “Catwalk time is over, Rupert. You ready for your annual check-up?”

Rupert stopped before blinking at Ben a few times.

“I’m taking that as a yes.” Ben carefully removed Rupert’s decked-out Christmas necklace and turned off the blinking lights on the sweater so he could complete his examination.

As soon as the lights clicked off though, Rupert hissed, narrowing his eyes at Ben.

“I’ll turn them back on as soon as I’m done.”

Rupert glared at him even harder.

For fuck’s sake. Maybe it’s me that attracts the weird animals?

It only took a few more minutes with Rupert staring down at Ben the whole time for him to complete his examination.

After a quick round of annual shots and one more check of his heart, Rupert was good to go. “He’s in perfect health as always.” Ben placed his stethoscope around his neck.

“Good to know.” Abbie scratched Rupert between his ears. “And here I was yelling at your father for giving you too many treats.”

Rupert turned his glare on his owner causing Abbie to narrow her eyes back at him.

Wow. Just like Holly and Waffles when they go at it. Ben shook his head with a chuckle as he clicked on Rupert’s sweater. “He’s a good weight right now. I would try to keep him where he’s at.” Ben put Rupert’s necklace back on, clicking it into place. “That better?”

Rupert bumped his head into Ben’s hand telling him his answer.

“Stop encouraging him. You’re just as bad as Hunter.”

“I can’t help it.” Ben’s smile went from ear-to-ear as he winked at the cat. “He knows how to dress.”

Rupert agreed as he did another strut up and down the table showing off.

“I’ll see