They were scattered all around the room. Felines of all sizes and colors lay on the shelves, sat cleaning themselves in the windows, and took up positions of honor on the sofas. A few smaller kittens tumbled across the floor playing with some sort of automated fluffy toy.
“Irasshai-mase!” A young lady emerged from behind the hostess desk and rushed to Forte’s side. “Oh! You’re here to visit? Let’s get you settled before we worry about any of the official stuff. Did you want cats or coffee first?”
Forte looked pointedly at Sophie.
Her attention was riveted on the windows into the cat lounge.
Sighing, he craned his neck to make eye contact with their hostess instead. “It’s all about the cats.” Though he could definitely do with a cup of coffee.
The hostess opened another door, gesturing for him to enter the lounge. “Welcome to our cat café. Please be gentle when playing with our feline friends and enjoy yourselves.”
Forte walked in slowly, hoping any cats would avoid his boots until he had a chance to get Sophie situated. He set her down on a mint green couch, making sure her right foot remained elevated.
“Oh, here. Will this help?” The hostess offered him a felt pillow in the shape of a cheerful rice ball.
This was definitely Sophie’s kind of cute immersion. “Sure. Thanks…”
“Kaseri. Most people call me Katherine if they can’t manage the Japanese version.” The hostess smiled. She had a nice face, round with dark eyes. Her hair was tied in twin ponytails at the base of her skull.
Cats were already starting to approach Sophie. She was completely gone, ignoring the other humans in the room. Good. This was the right place to bring her, then. Forte glanced down at the orange tabby winding its way between his boots. “Well, Kaseri, it’s nice to meet you. How much for the coffee?”
“Five dollars. There’re also toys you can buy for the cats.”
He reached for his wallet and handed over the cash.
Kaseri took the money with a smile and glanced at Sophie’s leg. “I’ll be back with your receipt. In the meantime, take your time and enjoy. Don’t worry about any time limits.”
Forte nodded his thanks and turned his attention back to Sophie. She was literally covered in cats. Apparently, they liked her. Carefully lifting his boot clear of the orange tabby, he stepped closer and kneeled down next to Sophie.
Her eyes shone with happiness again and her lips were curved in a bright smile. One cat had hopped onto the back of the couch and was rubbing its face into her hair while another had climbed up her chest to nuzzle her face. The others were making themselves comfortable on her lap and, hell, there was one play-attacking her medical boot.
“None of that now.” He carefully got hold of the overly enthusiastic kitty by the scruff and lifted it away from her foot. He kicked a stuffed mouse so it bounced along the floor. “Here.”
The enthusiastic kitty happily pounced on the mouse toy.
Sophie giggled. “I’m so used to seeing you around the big working dogs; being surrounded by cats is a change.”
He glowered at her. Anyone else would’ve gotten nervous or backed away. Not her. She only laughed, cuddling as many cats as she could at a time.
“This definitely made this a better day. I didn’t know they were open yet.” Sophie nuzzled a particularly small, cute cat that had managed to perch on her shoulder.
He’d kept track ever since she’d mentioned a news article on the place. “It’s an interesting business concept. I’m not sure if there’s a potential for a dog version, though. Maybe.”
Not that he had that sort of business in mind, but it was always an interesting mental exercise to consider possibilities.
“Oh!” Sophie was very enamored of the kitty on her shoulder. It was a soft cream color with darker fur on its nose, ear tips, and paws. “A dog café would totally be popular. German Shepherd Dogs, Belgian Malinois, and Labrador Retrievers can be warm and fuzzy snuggle buddies, too.”
He snorted. He couldn’t help it. “I’m not sure Atlas, Souze, Haydn, or any of the dogs would be immediately described as ‘fuzzy snuggle buddies.’”
“They can be.” Sophie had some of her steel back in her voice, too.
She had a caring heart and a fierceness to her when it came to any of his dogs. There’d been plenty of times when he’d first started the training school when it’d been Sophie’s trust in his dogs that had shown others the intimidating canines could be friendly and sociable. She’d been a diplomat of sorts for his kennels in the first year or two.
“Here’s your receipt.” Kaseri was back. She bent to pet a few of the cats and caught sight of Sophie with her new cream-colored friend. “All of these cats are from a nearby shelter, by the way. They’re fostered here, but they are available for adoption. That little girl was tossed in a Dumpster not too long ago, trapped in a trash bag.”
“No!” Sophie cuddled the cat in question close.
Uh-oh.
Chapter Six