18. Tender Warrior

~ CARA ~

The pet store was huge, but mostly a warehouse area full of food and toys. Only one section of the store, brightly lit and smelling like sawdust, had pets.

I had headed straight for the back wall that was lined with aquariums glowing blue. I’d assumed Rig would take the easy route to a first pet—but to my surprise, as we passed the first aisle and entered the rows of cages and crates, Rig stopped a few feet from where a large square on the floor had been gated off. Inside was a pile of blankets… and a litter of kittens.

I cooed and rushed to the little fence immediately as five or six tiny balls of fur on legs started hopping towards me. Their little triangle-tails stuck straight up and they gave high-pitched mewls as they tumbled towards me. “They’re so cute!”

Leaning my crutches on the wire sides of the enclosure, I reached awkwardly over the low gate to pick up a little tabby who purred immediately and rubbed its face on my nose when I leaned in to kiss it.

Rig had stayed