Finding The Road Home. Tina Radcliffe

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      “Was it the right thing to move them from Denver? Away from everything they know.”

      “Away from the pain.” Alice sighed. “You needed to move as much as they did. It does no good to keep rehashing this every five minutes. Stop thinking about the past.”

      Daisy traced her finger along the battered farmhouse table she’d picked up at a thrift shop. “What should I think about? How much work this house needs?” Daisy waved a hand around, taking in everything from the peeling wallpaper to the lopsided light fixture, and the olive green dishwasher that didn’t work.

      “That’s all fun stuff,” Alice said.

      “Fun.” Daisy stretched. “Tell that to my back. We’ve spent the last few days unloading that truck, unpacking boxes and getting this old house in shape. Yet, there’s still so much to do.”

      “That’s part and parcel of being a homeowner, Daisy. Besides, there’s no rush. This is your home now. The good Lord got us here. He’s not going to abandon us.”

      “Yes. You’re right. I’m letting my tired muscles get the better of me.”

      “I’ll put on a fresh pot of coffee.”

      “Wait. Did you hear that?” Daisy straightened, ears perking at the sound of tires crunching on the gravel drive.

      “Aunt D, that policeman is here again,” Seth called.

      Mitch Rainbolt was back?

      “Uh-oh. This can’t be good,” Daisy murmured. She handed PJ off to her grandmother and hurried to her feet and out the door. When the screen door slammed against the house behind her, Daisy cringed.

      Relax, she told herself and slowed her gait to a casual stroll as she moved across the yard, while pushing her wild mane away from her face.

      Again, she was struck by how he seemed to command the surrounding space. And from what she recalled about the embarrassing moments in his arms, the man was 100 percent muscle. Hair the color of warm chocolate peeked out from beneath his gray Stetson. As he approached, she could see that he held an animal carrier.

      “Chief, did you forget something?”

      “No, I brought you something.”

      “Is that a...cat?” she asked.

      He held up two fingers. “Two.”

      Daisy stared at him for a moment, touched speechless by the kind gesture.

      “Turns out Rebel Vet and Rescue has an overflow of kittens this time of year,” he continued. “These are from the same litter. Eight months old. They’ve been spayed, neutered and vaccinated courtesy of my third brother, the vet.”

      “Just how many Rainbolt brothers are there?”

      “Several. Plus a sister.” He nodded toward the departmental SUV. “I’ve got supplies in the vehicle.”

      “Supplies too? That’s awfully generous.”

      “Is it?” He raised a brow. “Or maybe it’s the vet’s way of ensuring that you become a loyal customer.”

      Daisy chuckled. “In that case, I’d say he’s a savvy businessman.”

      Mitch set the carrier on the grass and opened the top. With the first sounds of mewing, Daisy’s nieces and nephews and her grandmother appeared, eager to see what was going on.

      “Kittens,” Seth said, peering into the carrier. Both had white and black patches with white boots and predominantly black faces. “Are they twins, like me and Grace?” He smiled, his face more animated than she’d seen since they had arrived in their new home.

      “You’re right. These two are brother and sister,” Mitch said. “One has a white nose and the other a black nose.”

      Once Daisy sat on the ground, it didn’t take the animals long to climb right out of the carrier and into the grass. The one with the star-shaped patch on its nose head-bumped Daisy’s hand, seeking attention, while the other waddled toward Mitch.

      “Oh, my, they’re so friendly,” she said.

      Mitch gently picked up the kitten who’d valiantly attempted to crawl up his leg and placed it back on the grass.

      “Whose are they?” Grace asked.

      “It looks like they’re ours. Chief Rainbolt brought them,” Daisy said.

      “A housewarming gift,” he said gruffly. “They’ll keep mice out of the house.”

      “Well, Mitch, that was sweet of you,” Alice said.

      “I probably should have asked first,” he murmured.

      “Nonsense,” Alice said. “This is exactly what the children need right now. Thank you.”

      Mitch met Daisy’s eyes as he answered her grandmother. “You’re sure I didn’t jump the gun?”

      “Gran’s right. This is perfect. Thank you.”

      He gave a short nod.

      Sam and Christian wiggled to the front of the group until they were closer to the carrier.

      “What are their names?” Christian asked.

      Daisy pulled little Sam to her lap before she looked up at Mitch.

      “You get to name them,” Mitch said.

      A cacophony of excited responses sounded at the announcement as each child spoke over the next.

      “Can I hold them, Aunt D?” Seth asked.

      “One at a time and very gently,” Daisy said. She turned to Mitch. “Thank you.”

      “I guess that means they can stay,” he said.

      “Oh, yes. Of course.”

      “Then you’re welcome.” Mitch nodded toward the drive. “Want to help me grab those supplies?”

      “Sure.” She put little Sam on his feet and stood.

      Alice raised a brow and once again offered a mischievous grin.

      “Stop that,” Daisy whispered before she followed Mitch to the police vehicle.

      Mitch popped the rear of the Tahoe and pushed his Stetson to the back of his head. Reaching into the vehicle, he handed her a bag of litter.

      “Not too heavy?” he asked.

      “Not much heavier than a ten-month-old,” she answered. When their hands touched, Daisy jerked slightly at the brief contact and did her best to appear nonchalant. For a moment their eyes connected. Clear brown eyes with a golden hint searched hers before he looked away.

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