LOST AND FOUND - PART 11

SOME DAYS

CHAPTER 92

Thea was alone in the kitchen, something that happened very seldom, when she heard a faint yowl coming from the barn, followed by a shout from Adam.

Alarmed, she jumped up and ran out the back door. She was calling his name as she ran, then skidded to a stop when he appeared in the doorway with something black covering his face.

"Get...it...off...me," he said very low, and she took his hand to pull him into the sunlight so she could take a closer look.

The cat had it's little white claws dug into his face and her eyes narrowed in concern when she saw one pawfull was snagged into his right eyelid.

"Adam, be very, very careful," she breathed, "I need you to walk over to the steps so you can sit down and I can reach this better."

Taking both his hands in hers, she guided him through the barnyard, out the gate, and over to the back steps. When they reached the steps she carefully turned him around, pushed down on his shoulders and he sat on the third one.

She quietly climbed up to the fourth, not wanting to startle the cat and reached down to touch the little paw gently with her fingertips. Stroking the soft fur, she hummed soothingly until its claws retracted. Then she turned her attention to the other front paw.

In a few moments the cat tumbled off Adam's face and into his lap, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Blinking rapidly, he scooped it up and stood, then looked at Thea reproachfully as she began to shake with laughter.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she gasped then took his hand to pull him into the kitchen. He went to sit in his usual chair while she hurried down to her treatment room and came back with her doctor's bag.

He had the little cat cupped in both large hands and was taking a peek at it when Thea put the bag on the table and put one hand under his chin to tip his face up. She whistled softly, then he jerked when she inverted his right eyelid.

"Thank goodness the claws didn't go the whole way through," she sighed with relief then began to clean the punctures carefully.

He sat there quietly with his eyes closed and his face tipped up to her. She soon finished and kissed his forehead and he held out both hands with the small cat laying across them. "Is it dead?" he asked with a worried frown. "I didn't hear a sound or feel any movement."

Taking the little limp body into her own hands she sat and lifted an eyelid to touch its cornea, then shook her head. "No, but the poor thing is practically starved to death." She turned it over and carefully examined it.

"At first I thought this was a kitten, but this is a full grown cat." She handed it back to Adam and went to get a cup of milk and took an eyedropper from her bag.

When she came back he instantly understood and carefully dipped a finger in the milk, then moistened the cats lips. A little pink tongue appeared and licked at the milk as it quivered, He used the eye-dropper to feed it then and he heard a rusty little purr.

Without looking up, he said, "I just wish I could understand why this cat keeps attacking my face."

"THIS is the one you pulled from the chimney?" she asked in surprise and then chuckled as he nodded.

"Maybe it's your beard reincarnated and it's just trying to get home."

He gave her a sardonic look then the corners of his mouth lifted.

"Very funny, Theadora," he said, "you're hilarious."

She laughed and slipped her arms around him from behind and whispered in his ear.

"I know."

Later that morning Thea was sitting on the front porch swing, watching the front door of the regional office. When it opened and Nate came out she smiled, noticing the sun glinting brightly on his shaggy blonde hair.

He had recently decided to grow a mustache and he smoothed it down as he came toward the house with his usual long-legged stride. Personally, she thought his dear face didn't need any ornamentation, but as usual she kept that opinion to herself.

As he came through the gate and up the steps she could see he was smiling, but his blue eyes looked puzzled.

She patted the swing seat next to her saying, "Sit here Nate," and he only paused for a second before doing so.

"Is something wrong?" he asked as he sat down and turned to her.

She shook her head and met his gaze, her expression serious. "We need to talk," she said and he grinned.

"Are you breaking up with me?" he joked, then relaxed when she laughed.

Then her expression changed. "Nate...I had a letter from Glory yesterday," she said quietly and could feel as well as see him stiffen. "Her mother died."

"I'm sorry to hear that," he answered and frowned a little.

Thea took his hand in both of hers and she tugged on it to get him to look at her.

Taking a deep breath, she forged ahead.

"She's offered to move here and help with the new baby, but I felt I had to clear that with you before I answered her."

"Clear that...with me?" he said, honestly surprised, as he looked away,

"Yes Nate," she said seriously and put her hand on his chin to turn his head back so she could look in his eyes.

"You are as much a brother to me and Adam as Joe and Hoss and Ted so we would never want to do anything that would cause you pain."

"If you are not comfortable with Glory moving here, I won't invite her." She squeezed his hand, hard and he shook his head.

"I mean what I say," she insisted and he began to laugh.

"You and Adam have been together too long, you just sounded exactly like him."

"Do you need some time to think it over?" she asked and he shook his head again.

"No," he answered quickly, and smiled. "What kind of a brother would I be to deny you someone you love, someone we both know would be a huge help to you in the house!"

Thea kept looking into his eyes, her own narrowed as though looking to be sure he was telling the truth.

"All right," she finally said and smiled back.

"There's just one other thing..." she continued with a chuckle, 'Actually two more things. You have to promise me you won't stay away from the house just because she's here."

Crossing his arms over his chest he gave her an exasperated look. "Okay," he sighed. "And the other thing?"

"Olivia wants to come for a visit!" she chortled gleefully, and he started laughing as he set the swing in motion and Thea put her head on his shoulder.

In a few minutes she spoke again, "I love you Nathan."

"I love you too, Theadora."

Thea sighed with pleasure when she slipped into bed that night. Rolling onto her side, she wriggled up against Adam and was glad that his breathing remained deep and even, making her think he was asleep.

She had no sooner closed her eyes when he suddenly rolled over to take her into his arms.

"I was playing possum," he teased and pulled her as close as possible. Rubbing her back with both hands he asked, "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," she laughed, then rolled onto her back.

He took the hint and began to rub her belly, noting how much smaller it was this time.

"I missed you all day today," he said softly in her ear, and she shivered as he pushed up her nightgown and kissed the small baby mound.

Giggling helplessly, she slipped her arms around him and ran her nails down his back making HIM shiver.

"Bad girl!" he chuckled, and shifted to half cover her. "You are asking for it."

"Yes, I am," she said seriously and surprised him by pushing up and knocking him onto his back, then she sprawled on top of him, stopping his deep laughter with a kiss.

Just before sunrise Thea came awake suddenly, not knowing why. Then she felt the baby move in a way she had never felt before.

She shook Adam's shoulder and he came immediately awake. He sat up to lean over her asking, "What's wrong?"

Taking his hand she placed it on her belly just as the baby seemed to somersault and he gasped when it kicked his hand.

"Is that normal?" he asked, concern plain in his tone.

"I think so," she answered. "I've just never felt one move like that before!"

Adam smiled and looked down into her eyes. "Do you think, maybe, it's because there's only one this time?"

Thea relaxed in relief, "I never thought of that," she chuckled. "I guess before it was always too crowded in there."

Adam burst out laughing. "You certainly have a way with words, my love."

"Thank you," she said. "Are you getting up now?"

"No," he answered and wrapped his arms around her with a sigh. "I think I'm going to stay home today...go back to sleep."

Surprised, but also thankful, she snuggled closer and did as she was told.