Until We Touch (Fool's Gold #15)

“Just a little bit more than the rest of us do,” Taryn told her. “I think you’re hiding.”


Something Larissa didn’t want to hear. It was too close to what her mother had mentioned to her. They meant it in different ways but the ultimate message was still the same.

“I’m fine,” she insisted.

“Do I look convinced?” Taryn asked.

“Yes.”

Taryn raised her eyebrows. “I worry about you. You’re so busy taking care of everyone else. Who looks after you?”

Jack, Larissa thought, but instinctively knew that wasn’t a good answer. Not in these circumstances. “I can take care of myself. I don’t need saving.”

Taryn shook her head. “Some days we all need saving. You should know that.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

DYNA’S PLAINTIVE CRIES made Larissa rethink her plan. The sweet-faced Ragdoll cat was obviously unhappy with the evening’s events.

“I think you’ll like it when we get there,” Larissa said as she grabbed the carrier, along with the big bag of takeout she’d picked up on the way over. “And Percy is nice. You’ll enjoy him.”

Dyna meowed again, making it clear she wasn’t on board with the program. Larissa did her best to not feel guilty as she walked up the walkway to Jack’s front door.

Jack opened it before she got there and stared at the carrier. “Dyna?” he asked, taking the food from her.

“I thought she’d like Percy. Pets are important in a family.”

“Uh-huh. I don’t have a litter box.”

“Yes, you do. From when you had those kittens.”

A couple of months ago, a litter of feral kittens had been in danger of dying when their mother had been killed by a car. They’d moved in with Jack until they’d been adopted.

“Right,” he said. “I’d forgotten. I have no idea where it is.”

“Not a problem.”

Larissa made sure the front door was securely closed, then opened the carrier. Dyna stepped out with the dignity only an offended cat could muster.

“I keep making backward progress with her,” she murmured.

“I’ll tell her she’s a fool not to adore you,” Jack told her. “Come on. Let’s eat.”

Percy clattered down the stairs. He was all arms and legs, still growing, Larissa thought as he stepped into the living room. But his new clothes looked good on him.

“Hey, is that a cat?” he asked, seeing Dyna. “She’s a real beauty.”

He bent over to pick up the feline. Larissa started to warn him that Dyna could be standoffish, only to watch while the cat relaxed into his arms and began to purr.

“That just figures,” she said with a sigh, then went off to the storage area by the utility room. Sure enough, the cat box and extra container of litter were just where she’d last seen them. She filled the box and set it by the washer, then returned to the living room.

Percy stood cradling the cat as he stroked her. She had her big blue eyes half-closed in pure bliss.

“I’ve never had a cat,” he admitted. “I didn’t think I’d like them, but she’s nice.”

Larissa thought of the dogs, cats, fish and hamsters she’d grown up with and briefly wondered how many other Percys were out there, barely getting by.

“Let’s show her the litter box,” she said, motioning for him to follow her. “Then eat. Jack gets crabby if his meals are delayed.”

“I heard that,” Jack yelled from the dining room.

Percy grinned.

After showing Dyna her facilities, Larissa and Percy detoured by the kitchen. They both washed their hands and collected cans of soda before walking into the dining room.

Jack had set out plates and serving spoons. He’d unpacked all the cartons and opened them. Larissa handed him a soda and sat across from him. Percy sat next to Jack and a few seconds later, Dyna sat in the chair next to Percy.

“Traitor,” she told the feline. “I’m the one who saved you.”

“There’s no accounting for who you fall for,” Jack said, and handed Larissa a carton. “Have an egg roll. You’ll feel better.”

There were plenty of choices for dinner. She’d gotten all of Jack’s favorites, along with the crispy spicy shrimp she liked, then added a few things for Percy. She preferred chow mein and Jack preferred rice, so they usually alternated. But with a teenaged boy in the house, she’d gone for both.

For a few minutes there was only the sound of chewing, accompanied by Dyna’s soft purr. Then Percy surfaced long enough to say, “I had Mexican food for lunch. It was good, too.”

“That’s right. Kenny took you out.” Larissa smiled. “You had a nice time with him?”

“Yeah, he’s cool. He really likes football, though.”

Larissa felt her lips twitch. “Could be from being a professional and all.”

“I guess. But it’s just a game, man.” The teen glanced at Jack. “No offense.”

“None taken.” Jack put down his fork. “Basketball is more your game?”

“Uh-huh.”

Larissa saw where this was going. “No,” she said firmly. “No way and no. You can’t.”

Percy’s dark eyes widened slightly. “Can’t what?”