by Carol Ross
“I know, but we’re not kids anymore, Jay. I’m twenty-one now. I’ve retained an attorney. I’ve filed for custody of the kids and a restraining order against Neil. She will throw a fit for sure, but we both know that she won’t choose us over him, meaning that she won’t kick him out to get the kids back. And if she tries something sneaky, I have the support of law enforcement.” Craig was a cop and up until now, Jay had appreciated the support he’d been giving Josie. He didn’t like the idea of Josie getting her hopes up only to have them dashed once again.
“What do you...? We can’t afford an attorney.” His paycheck was stretched to the limits as it was.
“We can afford this one. He’s a friend of Craig’s. He’s really, really good at this and he’s agreed to take on our case pro bono.”
“But then what? Even if we win, what then?”
“I’ve got my LPN now. I’ll be getting more hours at the hospital and a big pay raise. More news—Craig and I are getting married. The attorney says that will really help our case. Plus, that means you won’t have to help as much with my school expenses.”
“Congratulations, Josie. Craig is a great guy. But I will help you with school until you graduate with your bachelor’s degree in nursing like we’ve planned. I will continue to help you with everything. But what about...” The “but” referred to their four siblings, two of whom were sitting at the table listening to their conversation with great interest.
Josie knew it because she went on, “I’m filing for custody of everyone because it’s easiest, but Levi and Laney want to stay with you. That’s why we’re here.”
A combination of hope and terror unfurled in his chest. If there was any chance of getting their little brothers and sisters away from their mom he wanted to take it. But...there were so many “buts” he didn’t even know where to begin.
Levi and Laney were both staring at him. He hadn’t seen such hope in their eyes since their mom had taken off with a long-haul truck driver a few years ago. Abandonment would have been enough to remove his siblings from the home, but at that time foster care would have been the only way out because Josie hadn’t even been eighteen. Jay had been deployed and in no position to take them. Again, they’d opted to stay together and stay put for the time being.
Laney, her dark blue eyes wide and beseeching, said, “Please, Jay. We’ll pull our weight. We promise.”
Jay swallowed around the lump in his throat. His fifteen-year-old sister shouldn’t have to worry about “pulling her weight.” She should be worrying about girl stuff like homework and boys and volleyball and...whatever normal teenage girls worried about. But he and his siblings had never had the luxury of a “normal” childhood. No one could have a normal childhood with Denise Hough Johnston Porter Merrell Hyde Whittier and whatever her last name might be now as a mother. Yes, Denise was fighting demons, too. It was just difficult not to wish that she would try harder even as he hoped that she’d get better. Jay had spoken to her doctors, all of whom believed part of her condition was medical and part was her personality. It was impossible to say how much of each accounted for her behavior. By all accounts, she knew right from wrong.
Levi sat stiffly beside him, not saying a word. But his entire body radiated with tension.
They all had their issues because of their family situation, but among them, Levi appeared to struggle the most. Jay could see the insecurity, the guilt, the helplessness, at being forced to rely on others when you wanted to rely only on yourself. He saw it because he’d had it, too, at Levi’s age. Which left him wondering if he could handle this. Could he deal with a custody battle and care for two teenagers on his own? Josie was so much better at the nurturing, caretaking part.
Making him wonder, “Why? Why do you guys want to stay with me? It seems like you’d want to stay together.” Staying together had always been their goal.
Laney answered, “It’s embarrassing. Everyone at school knows how we live. They know Mom is...not right. Dean and Delilah are too young to really feel it yet. But Levi and I, we just want a fresh start. We want to start over someplace where no one knows us.”
Jay understood. He was a grown man and he didn’t talk about his family.
“Look,” Josie said. “I know this is a lot to spring on you like this. But I’m done, Jay. We’ve been dealing with this for our entire lives. I’m leaving, and I won’t leave these guys with her, especially now that she’s married a child abuser. The only reason we survived to be even remotely normal is because we had Gran for the first ten years. And we promised Gran before she died that we’d take care of these guys the same way she took care of us. Dean and Delilah are still young enough to shield them from a lot, but even at four and six they know that their life isn’t ‘normal.’” She stopped to add air quotes. “Dean knows that he’s the only one in his first-grade class whose sister comes to parent-teacher night. Delilah asked me the other day if she could call me mom when I pick her up from dance class.”
Levi pushed his chair away from the table. He bent and gathered Coastie in his arms, lifting her to his lap. She snuggled into his embrace. He buried his face in her fur. Levi loved animals. Ever since Jay could remember, Levi had wanted a dog. It had always killed him and Josie that they had to say no. Pets were expensive, and Josie already had so much responsibility.
Josie had always had too much responsibility. He needed to do this for her. She deserved to finally have a life of her own, or as much of one as she could ever have under the circumstances.
“Okay.” Jay looked around the table, smiled at his siblings and said, “I’m in. Let’s do this.”
* * *
MIA PREPARED A SPECIAL, extra-pungent breakfast of albacore tuna and ground beef. She carried it out to the porch and placed it in the usual spot, hoping the smell would carry. Even in the summer, morning air was chilly on the Oregon coast, making her glad she’d grabbed a sweatshirt. Taking a seat in a comfy deck chair, she waited, listening to the roar of the ocean. Sunlight glinted off the waves as they rolled up onto the beach. She loved this view. Normally, it would soothe her, refresh her and get her ready for the day. But not this morning, because guilt was gnawing at her.
She should have rounded up the cats when she had the chance. She shouldn’t have tried to wait until they knew her better. She should have...
Her mom poked her head out the door. “No sign of Jane and Edward, huh?”
“No. No sign of any of them. I’m worried.”
“Stay there. I’m coming out.” At least her mom was recovering well. She seemed to regain more of her strength every day.
When Mia and her mom moved into the house, Mia had quickly realized that the area bordering her property was overrun with stray cats. Walking east from her property had revealed a cul-de-sac at the end of the county road. It appeared to be a road to nowhere. Upon asking a neighbor, she’d learned that the property had been slated for development nearly ten years ago, right before the real estate market took a hit along the coast. The project had been abandoned and the property was now grassy fields and overgrown brush, the perfect spot to dump unwanted pets.
Mia had set about rounding up as many of the cats as she could. In the process, her vision for Lucky Cats had taken root. During the few short months she’d lived there, she’d picked up or trapped, neutered and treated, and then adopted out, twelve cats. With her increasing workload at the clinic due to McKenzie’s condition and Dr. Anthony’s resulting absences, she’d put the trapping of the more skittish and truly feral cats on hold. She’d been feeding them on her porch until she could get Lucky Cats officially up and running. There were several regulars, including Jane and Edward, but as of a few days ago, they’d disappeared. There seemed to be fewer of the other cats as well.
Nora stepped out onto the porch, a cup of some type of steaming beverage in each hand. “I’m sorry, sweetie. It’s possible they’ll com
e back. With summer coming on and the weather so nice, maybe they’re off hunting mice and critters on their own.”
Nora placed a mug on the table in front of her. “Maybe.”
They discussed the possibilities for a few minutes before Mia finally lifted the cup and sniffed the contents. “What is this?”
“Green tea herbal mix, new blend we got in the shop.” Nora lowered herself onto the chair across from her. “You know, your dad wouldn’t drink tea? After he was diagnosed with heart disease, I begged him to drink it for his health. He wouldn’t do it.”
“I know. What I don’t know is why you were surprised, Mom. If the Navy didn’t order it, I’m sure he thought it was unnecessary.”
Nora sighed and looked away. Mia instantly felt guilty. William—Bill—Frasier, naval officer and Mia’s father, was the one topic they didn’t really discuss. Her mom had adored him, and while Mia had never disclosed the depth of her own feelings with her mother, she made them clear enough. There had been no love lost between father and daughter. Mia couldn’t understand why her mom wouldn’t acknowledge it. Therapy had taught her that she shouldn’t expect it. Yet once in a while, she couldn’t seem to stop herself from commenting, especially when her mom alluded to the notion that she could have somehow prevented his death. If only she’d taken better care of him, given him this supplement or that herb or kept him from eating so many french fries. Her mom was so strong in every area of life except where her husband was concerned. Mia couldn’t stand it.
In the spirit of a subject change, Mia took a sip from the cup. And immediately grimaced.
“Uh-oh, bad huh?”
“Well, it’s not...good. What’s it supposed to do for me?”
“Sharpen the mind, improve memory and reduce stress.”
Mia tipped her head back and drained the mug.
Nora laughed and then took her own sip. Her face scrunched with distaste. “Yikes, you’re right. We won’t be handing out free samples of this one.” She gestured toward the dish full of cat food. “What are you going to do about these guys?”
“Nothing I can do for now, except hope they show up again.”
“Maybe someone else is feeding them? You always hear about those cats that make the rounds in certain neighborhoods, eating at a bunch of different houses.”
“Maybe,” she answered, with a doubtful tip of her head. “I just wish they would have waited till I could get them in at the clinic. They were going to be the faces of Lucky Cats—my first official clients.” Part of the program was to sterilize feral cats, and if they were deemed too wild for adoption, release them. Mia had planned to use Jane and Edward as successful examples.
“Suppose word got out on the cat street what you had planned for them?” Nora joked.
Mia chuckled, appreciating her mom’s attempts to cheer her. “If that’s the case they would be here right now. Because they would know that it’s healthier for them to be fixed. Less chance of catching a disease. Better chance of finding a real home.”
Nora studied her for a few seconds over the rim of her cup. “Speaking of finding homes for animals, that Jay is a real nice guy, huh?”
Uh-uh. No way. There was no way she was going down this road with her matchmaking mom. Mia knew very well it was one of Nora’s dearest wishes to see her children married with families of their own. Especially that last part, which would land her some grandchildren. Her brother Kyle was also single. Due to the logistics that went along with a career in the Navy, including the fact that he spent the majority of his time in far-off locales unknown to them, he was mostly spared their mom’s scheming. But on the rare occasion he came home on leave, he was fair game. As far as Mia was concerned, he didn’t come home nearly enough.
“Uh, yeah. He seems like a nice guy. What do you have planned for today?”
Her mom had taken a doctor-ordered week off after the accident to recuperate. That had been fine for a few days, but Mia could tell she was going a little stir-crazy “taking it easy.”
“Doctor’s appointment. I’m hoping he’ll give me some idea of when I’ll be cleared for yoga. I’m getting a little bored. You should invite Jay over for dinner.”
Mia stood and stretched. “I’m sorry. I’d be bored, too. I am proud of you for listening to the doctor, though. Let me know what he says. I need to get to work, but let’s leave this food out for a while in case they’ve been spooked and they’re waiting for the coast to clear. Can you pick it up before you leave? The raccoons and opossums can find their own breakfast.” She softened her next comment with a wink. “And Petty Officer Johnston can get his own dinner.”
Mia’s recent brush with death only strengthened her resolve. Life was short. Too short to waste dating men she knew she had no future with. Plus, she was more determined than ever to make that difference. Now if only the cats she was trying to help would cooperate.
From her chair, Nora let out a little sigh of disappointment. “I’ll keep an eye out in case they show up.”
CHAPTER SIX
“HEY, GOOD NEWS!” Charlotte said as she strolled through Mia’s open office door. “I got us a volunteer.”
“A volunteer? Like singular?”
“Yes, but this is only the beginning. Remember a while back when I said the Coast Guard was looking for organizations for their people to volunteer with? I put Lucky Cats on their list. I heard this morning that we got accepted and someone signed up. He’ll be here Saturday.” Saturday was Lucky Cats’ first official work party.
Charlotte handed her the paper. Mia stared at the name and tried to make sense of it. Jay Johnston had signed up as a Lucky Cats volunteer? Why would he do that? He’d told her flat-out he wasn’t an animal lover. His resistance to adopting Coastie was proof of it.
Mia sighed. Did this mean he was harboring romantic feelings and trying to get on her good side? Even as that option warmed a tiny piece of something inside her, it was quickly overshadowed by a flash of unease. She didn’t need this guy getting too attached to her. There was no future here. She would have to let him down easy.
“Thanks, Charlotte.” She knew she sounded disappointed.
Her friend patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Mia, we’ll get some more people interested. As soon as the community learns what you’re doing, volunteers will jump on board. Speaking of that, I talked to Mayor Cummings, and Pacific Cove’s website is running a spot. Several businesses have agreed to put out our fliers. Oh, and I’ve contacted the newspaper. Hopefully, they’ll run a story soon and then we’ll be swamped with calls.”
Mia smiled at her friend. “Thank you, Charlotte, for your hard work. I love your optimism. It’s frustrating that people can’t see how important this is.”
* * *
JAY STARED AT his name on the printout Aubrey handed him. He looked up at her, trying to make sense of it. “Lucky Cats? What is this?”
“That’s your first volunteer stint. You’re working for Lucky Cats.”
“What is it? It sounds like a casino.”
“It’s a stray and feral cat reduction program.”
“A...what? Cats? Are you kidding me?”
“No. You’re going to be rounding up stray cats. It’s one of those trap, neuter, return deals.”
He let out a noise of frustration and shook his head. “Who approved this place?”
Aubrey’s brows shot upward. “I did. It’s a valid organization. They’re trying to reduce the population of stray cats in Pacific Cove and the surrounding communities. It’s really—”
Jay started shaking his head before she’d even finished. “No. I can’t do this. I don’t want to do this. Find someone else.”
“What? Why?”
“My whole purpose in starting this outreach is to help people, Aubrey. Needy people. Community outreach.” Like he and his siblin
gs had once been. He and Josie had counted on help from places like the food bank and programs like Coats for Kids when they were younger. He would never forget what it was like to work every crap job he could after school until late in the night surviving on four or five hours of sleep to buy diapers and put food on the table and still not have enough. They’d been grateful for the help, even though it had been difficult to accept. That was before he’d turned eighteen and joined the Coast Guard. It was one of his proudest moments when he knew he’d no longer have to accept charity for his family.
But now Jay wanted to give back to the community. He truly believed a lot of people wanted to help their down-and-out neighbors, friends and community members, they just didn’t know how or where to start. He’d planned on leading the charge with his example.
“This is outreach.”
“People, Aubrey. Not cats. I want to help people, especially kids. I never would have approved this if I’d known it was on the list.”
“Cats are people, too, Jay,” Aubrey quipped. “Just spend a few minutes on social media and you’ll see.”
“Funny,” he said wryly.
“She really needs help. You don’t want to disappoint her, do you?”
“She?”
Aubrey tapped on the paper. “It’s organized and run by your vet, Dr. Mia Frasier.”
Jay looked back down at the name that now seemed to be glowing on the paper and felt his heart sink. “Oh, great,” he said, his tone saying anything but.
“What is the matter with you?” She studied him intently. “I thought you liked her.”
“That’s the problem. Now she’s going to think I signed up for this because I like her.”
Aubrey’s face lit up. “You do like her. I knew it.”
“Aubrey, it doesn’t matter if I like her. I can’t...”
She stared at him expectantly, waiting for an explanation. An explanation he had no intention or desire to give. But one that the appearance of Levi and Laney in his life had only served to exemplify.