Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 86632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Brystol nodded. “That is a shame, but you can always order off my website. I’ll ship anywhere.”
The older woman’s eyes lit up. “That’s good to know. I think we’ll get this now, since you have it in stock and my husband’s been looking everywhere for it. Leonard, be sure to get her card.”
He smiled. “I will. Now, is there anything else you want?”
“Let’s look at that tea set over there.”
“I’ll let you both shop. If you need anything else, be sure to let me know.”
She turned and smiled when she saw me. “Why, hello there, Officer Quinn.”
I leaned down and brushed a quick kiss across her lips. “Hey. How’s it going?”
“It’s been a busy day.”
“That’s a good thing, though, right?”
“A very good thing. My mother even came in to help for a few hours earlier. I’m exhausted, I can tell you that much.”
The sound of a cat meowing caused me to look down and see a gray kitten and a white kitten. “Where did these little fellows come from?” I asked, as I swept up both cats up into my arms.
Brystol petted both of them. “They just showed up today and were in the back room. I think they snuck in. Pretty sure they are both girls.”
I lifted each one and laughed. “Yep, both are little girls. Are you going to keep them?”
Shrugging, Brystol kissed the white kitten on the head. “I am. I think they will be store cats. My mom already went to the pet shop and bought them each a bed, bowls for food and water, a scratching post, and a kitty condo.”
She pointed toward the front window, where said condo sat.
“Wow. What are you going to name them?”
“I don’t know,” she said, looking up at me. “I was hoping you’d help me.”
Turning the gray kitten so I could look into her little face, I smiled. “What about Ashes?”
“Ashes?”
“Yeah, she looks like if you put her in an ash pile, she’d blend in.”
Brystol laughed. “Well, when kids ask what her name is, do you really think Ashes will go over well?”
I thought about it for a few moments. “You’re right, that could take an awkward turn. You need like a princess name.”
She nodded.
“You could name her Pearl, that’s my name!” a little girl said, as she tried to reach up and pet the kitten.
“Pearl, you say?” Brystol asked, while tapping a finger to her chin. “You know, I like that name—and look, I think she likes it too.”
The kitten was batting at the little girl’s finger. “They’re both so cute! And the white one can be Snowball.”
Brystol and I exchanged a smile.
“They are super cute,” I said, scratching under the kitten’s chin. “And I think Pearl and Snowball are the perfect names. Are you here picking out toys for your list to Santa?”
Pearl, the human child, nodded. “Yes! My mommy said when she was little she’d come here and pick out toys to put on her list to Santa, so she says we need to start a tradition.”
Brystol smiled and glanced around. “Where’s your mommy?”
Still petting both kittens, Pearl pointed across the store to a woman standing there with a smile on her face. “Come meet my mommy!” the little girl said, taking my hand. I guessed she was so trusting of me because I was wearing my police uniform. We started for the other side of the store where the woman stood.
“Mommy, I found a police officer!”
The woman laughed. “Pearl Henry, why are you dragging a police officer across the store?”
Pearl let go of my hand. “He has kittens!”
The woman shook her head but smiled at her daughter before looking up at me. “She loves kittens. Thank you for letting her pet them.”
I smiled. “Of course. Did you need help with anything? My girlfriend owns the toy store.”
The woman smiled. “Thank you, but my husband is checking out now. My job was to…” Her voice trailed off as she looked down at Pearl.
“Got it.” I grinned at Pearl. “Why don’t I show you and your mom and your baby…?”
“Sister,” the woman supplied.
“Your baby sister something over here, Pearl.”
Pearl grabbed my hand again. “Okay!”
I got Brystol’s attention, and when she smiled at me, I felt my heart jump in my chest. I walked the family to a large display Brystol had set up as a fairy land. Pearl gasped.
“Wow, this is awesome!” she said, as she took in the whole table.
“Thank you,” the mom said softly, as I tipped my head and wandered back toward Brystol. She was behind the counter, helping to check out people. I walked behind the counter and kissed her on the cheek.
“I’ve got to get back to work. Dinner tonight before the Christmas tree lighting?”
She smiled. “That sounds amazing. And thank you for helping out that mom. I’m sure you’re her savior right now.”