Can three tiny kittens really bring these two men together and prove love can bloom despite the chilly spring days?
Tommy Davis considered himself a loner. He spent his days writing and running, all while keeping everyone else at bay. That is, until he discovers three kittens abandoned in his shrubbery. His fatherly instincts kick in, and he goes to the one person he knows can help—his sexy-as-sin next-door neighbor who happens to be a veterinarian.
Matthew James wasn’t looking for love, but the moment Tommy shows up on his doorstep, he can’t send him away. He’s had a thing for Tommy since the first time he saw him, but his shyness has kept him from making a move.
The melting snow, blossoming flowers and a trio of kittens could be more than the guys can handle, but they just might be the push Matthew needs to find his forever with Tommy.
Reader advisory: This book contains references of past sexual assault and mentions of an abusive ex.
General Release Date: 6th April 2021
Tommy Davis jogged the last half-mile as he reached his property. He loved running and tried to get six miles in every day. The exercise kept him fit and helped clear his mind when stricken with a case of writer’s block. He came to a stop in front of his house and leaned over. The last three months of cold weather had been hell on his overall mood. He hated being cooped up in the house and being lonely.
Snow still covered the ground, but the temperatures had risen to almost fifty degrees and made running quite pleasant. Plus, he’d returned just as his neighbor Matthew had come home from work. Tommy stretched his back, then his hips, before standing tall. He swept his gaze over Matthew. His neighbor must’ve worked the night shift at the veterinary hospital. The poor guy’s shirt was untucked, and he’d slung his coat over his arm. He wore his glasses instead of his contacts.
“Long night?” Tommy called. He stretched his calves against the fence, pressing his toes into the post. “You look tired.”
“You’re up early.” Matthew abandoned his jacket on the trunk of his car. “How are you?” He ran his fingers through his dark hair, and his blue eyes, though tired, sparkled. When he smiled, Tommy noticed the few lines at the corners of his eyes. Gray strands of hair colored his temples, but the slight salt-and-pepper streaks worked for him. It added to his aura of professionalism.
“I like running in the morning when it’s quiet.” Tommy finished his stretches. “Are you just getting off work or getting home from a date?” He’d never seen Matthew with a boyfriend or girlfriend. “Sorry. Not my business.”
“I wish it was a date.” Matthew tucked his hands in his pockets and rolled on the balls of his feet. “I have a dog at the clinic with Evans Syndrome and it’s in the final stages. Sucks. She’s a nice dog and they don’t seem to last long enough, but the family insists on doing more tests. They want to prolong her life, and I spent most of the night with her. I didn’t get much to eat and my stomach’s growling, but I’d rather get some sleep.”
“You’re a good man.” He admired anyone who could raise animals. He barely kept his house plants alive. When he glanced at Matthew, he realized how thin the man was, but also how much he longed to capture Matthew in his embrace. He loved stealing glances at Matthew when he went shirtless to mow the grass.
“I’ll bet you say that to all the boys.” Matthew laughed. “I’ll take it.”
“I don’t say it to all of them. Just you.” If Matthew wanted to go back and forth, he’d go with him. Having someone to spar with was fun. He couldn’t deny the attraction to Matthew. He’d ogled him for the last year, secretly pining for his attention while trying to ignore the fact that he didn’t think Matthew was out. Was he wrong? He hoped so. He’d love to make a move on Matthew.
“Yeah?” Matthew offered a lopsided grin. “If I didn’t need to get some sleep, I’d take you up on that. Then again, if I were more awake I’d volunteer to join you on your next run. I like the way you fill out those tiny shorts.”
He does? Holy hell. “I’ll take you up on that, and thanks. I’ll wear those shorts more often.” He waved. “Go get some sleep.” He’d never had this long a conversation with Matthew and loved it. Plus, the conversation seemed to come so easily. “See you?”
“Hopefully not for six or seven hours.” Matthew winked, then picked up his jacket and headed into his house.
Tommy strode up to his ranch home. A slight breeze wrapped around him. He breathed in the spring air and sighed. Snow decorated the bushes and along the flower box, but he spotted bits of green peeking through the white. The first buds of spring pleased him. Soon, his flowerbeds would be full of blossoms and exploding with color. He checked the tiny stems, then noticed a dark form moving beneath one of his evergreen shrubs. He knelt next to the shrub. What the hell is down there? The form shifted. Is it mewling?
Tommy moved the branches out of the way to get a better look at the animal beneath the bush. Three balls of fur squirmed, and one stretched as well. His breath lodged in his throat. Kittens? What in the name of God…? He checked under the other bushes, but only found the three kittens, two calico and one orange. Well, fuck. He needed help.
Tommy left the kittens long enough to retrieve car towels and a box from the garage. If he remembered correctly, he shouldn’t touch the kittens at the risk of distressing the mother. Where is the mother?
He tucked the kittens into the warmth of the towels in the box, then moved the branches at the bottom of the other bushes. A larger cat, too thin for its own good, but bigger, had huddled under the second evergreen bush.
“Kitty, kitty?” He wanted to approach the animal, but the lack of movement freaked him out. If this was the mother, she was in trouble. “Kitty?”
Tommy shook his head. He didn’t know what to do. He scooped up the box and hurried over the short privet hedgerow to Matthew’s property. He kept the cardboard container in one hand and knocked on Matthew’s door. “I need help.”
Matthew opened the door. “It’s eight in the morning and I’m tired. I don’t care if it is fifty degrees out, I’m not running right now.” He frowned. “Wait, you said you had a problem. Did you get my mail again?”
“Sort of, maybe?” Tommy bit back his desperation and fear. “I found kittens.”
“Kittens?” Matthew peeked into the box. “They’re only a few days old, but their eyes are open. Where were they? Is the mother with them?”
“I found these three in the bushes.” He fought to catch his breath. “I don’t know what to do. I think the momma perished.”
Matthew sighed. “Jesus.”
“If you don’t want to give me a hand, I’ll take them to the clinic.” Tommy covered the mewling kittens with the towels and box flaps. “Sorry I bothered you.”
“If you take them to the clinic, they could put them down,” Matthew said. “Kittens without a mother require special attention we don’t have at the clinic and they might not survive anyway.”
“That’s terrible.” Tommy shook his head. “Look, I don’t know anything about them. Shouldn’t I have bottles and formula or something? I’ll take care of them.” He needed to be sure about the mother cat, though. “Will you check on Momma? I’ll pay you for the home visit.”
Matthew shoved his feet into a pair of boots. “I didn’t think you were an animal lover.”
“I didn’t think you were so heartless,” Tommy snapped. “Put them down? They’d truly do that?”
Matthew grabbed his scarf. “First, I said they might—not me. Second, they are young kittens. It can be tricky because they’re so small. The averages aren’t in their favor if the mother has rejected them. It’s not being cruel. It’s being honest. That said, I’ll help you. I can’t imagine being left alone, even if today is the warmest it’s been all year. Where’s the mother?”
“In the bushes. Can’t miss her. Ginger cat by the bush closest to the flower box,” Tommy said. “Do I take these guys inside?”
“Take them to my living room. I’ve got milk replacer at the house. If the mother has expired, I’ll show you what to do to give the kittens get the best start. Ensure they’re warm. Pushy will try to get involved, so just let her. She simply wants to investigate and won’t hurt them.” Matthew hustled past the hedgerow and across Tommy’s lawn.
Tommy stepped into Matthew’s house. He’d never been inside before. The best he’d done was catch glimpses of the interior when he’d gone for an evening run and Matthew’s lights were on.
Pushy trotted up to Tommy. She didn’t bark but wagged her tail. She sniffed at the box until he put the cardboard on the floor. He had petted her head and chatted to her plenty of times when she’d managed to tunnel under the fence between his and Matthew’s yards. “Hi, Push.” He sat on the floor. “I’ve got kittens. See?” He moved one of the flaps. “Three kittens.”
Pushy whined and nosed the box, then let out what sounded like a howl.
Tommy petted her, trying to soothe the dog. “I’m sorry, Push. What’s wrong?”
Matthew strode into the house. “Momma has expired. She probably froze to death or starved trying to protect them. She was so thin.”
Tommy’s heart sank. He’d hoped she could be saved. “Why don’t you keep these guys, Squeak, Eek and Meek? I’ve got a shoebox and will bury Momma.” He stood. “When I’m done, you can give me the rundown as to how to take care of them.”
“You’re sure you want to take them in?”
“Someone has to. They’ve had a rough start in life and it’s the least I can do, giving them a fighting chance. It’s the official first day of spring and everyone needs that chance to survive.”
“I admire you, Tommy.”
“Don’t admire me until we know they’re all okay.” He half-smiled, faking confidence, then abandoned the box. He headed outside and over to his garage. Once he’d emptied a shoebox, he took to the task of giving Momma a proper burial. He might not be able to help her, but he could take care of her babies. If it meant spending time with Matthew, then even better.
Spring was supposed to be the time for new beginnings and fresh starts. Maybe he and Matthew could form a strong alliance or something more.
I never thought Matthew and I could bond over a triad of abandoned kittens.
Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com.
When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice.
Find out more about Megan on her website, and sign up for the newsletter here. You can also check out her Blog, Amazon Author Page, Bookbub and Instagram.
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