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."

EXCERPT 2:

“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.