Sisters by Choice (Blackberry Island #4)(13)

“You were young?” Grant asked, sliding to the floor where his brother pulled him up. “Like in the olden days?”

“Very funny.” Kristine pointed to the stairs. “Say good-night, boys.”

“Good night, boys,” JJ yelled as he led the charge up the stairs.

“I don’t know how you do it,” Sophie told her. “They’re exhausting.”

“So’s running a business empire.”

“Yes, but my little empire can be left alone for the night and isn’t counting the days until it’s old enough to drive.”

Kristine threw herself back on the sofa and groaned. “JJ told you he was doing that?”

“He thinks I should buy him a car for his sixteenth birthday.”

Her cousin shot back up into a sitting position and stared at her, wide-eyed. “Tell me he didn’t say that. He couldn’t have! I’m sorry. I will so have a talk with him.”

Sophie waved away her concerns. “I took it in the spirit in which he meant it. Wishful thinking. Don’t worry, I’m not buying him a car.”

One of the reasons her company was so successful was she poured every penny she could back into it. She took a decent salary, but no one could accuse her of living large. Her car was nearly five years old, her condo in Valencia had been a modest two-bedroom and she’d used the second bedroom for CK to product-test new items. She dressed casually, shopped the sales and, except for the occasional trip back to Blackberry Island, couldn’t remember ever taking a vacation. There were always people coming to her for money, but she generally told them no. Buy her nephew a car on his sixteenth birthday? Not happening.

“Thanks for understanding,” Kristine said. “How are you doing otherwise?”

“I’ll feel better when I’m in my rental, which will be tomorrow. It’s furnished so all I have to do is unpack my personal stuff. The movers are supposed to deliver all that in the afternoon.”

“You need a cat.”

Sophie reached for her wine. “No. It’s too soon. I don’t want a cat.”

“You need a cat.”

“Didn’t you just say that?”

“Because it’s true. You’re a cat person. You run a business that is all about cats. Of course you’re missing CK, but you really do need a cat in your life. Having a cat keeps you grounded and makes you feel whole.”

An insight that would have made her uncomfortable had anyone else uttered it, but she and Kristine were family and had known each other all their lives. After Sophie’s mom had died, Sophie had moved in with Kristine and her parents.

“I’m not ready.”

Kristine pulled a piece of paper out of her back pocket. “I knew you’d say that. And you’re right. It’s way too soon. You have to grieve and move on, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have cats in your life.” She waved the paper. “Foster. We’re entering kitten season and the local animal shelter needs people to foster pregnant cats.”

Sophie took the paper and stared at the phone number. “What does that mean? I don’t know anything about fostering a pregnant cat. I’d freak when the babies are born.”

“It’s not that hard. They have experienced mothers giving birth. You give the cat a place to stay while the kittens are born and then keep them until they’re ready to be adopted. They have to be socialized, which would be good for you. When the kittens are old enough, off they go to find their forever family. The same with mom. She gets spayed, then put up for adoption and you’re officially cat-free. By the time that happens, you might find you’re ready for a cat of your own.”

“I never thought of doing that. I’m gone a lot, so I wonder about the socializing.”

“The kittens won’t need much until they’re three or four weeks old. The boys will help. They’ll love it. We’ll set up a schedule. Heather and I will stop by. I’d mention Amber only I’m sure she’ll complain about something and kittens don’t need the negativity. Besides, you need little cat feet and purrs in your life, Sophie. You’re lonely.”

Sophie nodded slowly. “You’re a good mom. I’ll call them. If I could be sure the mother cat knew what she was doing, I think I’d be okay with this.” She waved the paper. “Thanks for the information.”

“Something popped up on my Facebook feed and I instantly thought of you.”

“Am I that obviously broken?”

Kristine laughed. “Yes, but you’ll heal. You’re the strongest person I know.”

“I don’t feel strong at all. I feel like spun glass.”

“Of course you do, but that will pass and in a few weeks, you’ll be your sassy, entrepreneurial self. Oh, Sunday morning meet me at the park at nine.”

“What? No.” Sunday was the only day Sophie let herself sleep in. She did things like laundry and grocery shopping. She’d been planning on spending this Sunday settling into her new place.

“Be there. I mean it. I’ll come drag you there if I have to.”

“I hate it when you’re bossy. What happens at the park on Sunday morning?”

“Tai Chi.”

“Is that like yoga or is it the wavy arm thing old people do?”