In the evenings, although Erin would eat with Krista and Kane, there wasn’t much time spent relaxing. Kane’s things had made it up to Seattle Tuesday afternoon, and after dinner each night for the next four days, Erin would help him and Krista get the apartment organized. It was a nearly impossible task. Although Kane had most of his belongings in storage, it still seemed to Erin that he had overstuffed the apartment with furniture, books, clothes and whatever else he could imagine. For the first time she realized how different Kane’s lifestyle in California must have been. The expensive leather furniture, an endless wardrobe of clothes, everything he owned spoke of money.

Although Kane seemed to become more tense with each passing day, Erin decided it had to do with the added responsibilities of being a full-time father. All in all, Krista seemed to be adjusting better than Kane to their new life together in Seattle. Slowly Krista was coming out of her shell. She adored Mrs. Cavenaugh and had even accepted Erin. It was difficult, but the girl had begun to take hesitant steps in her father’s presence, and at those times, all of the tension would drain from Kane and he would relax. The brooding sense of distrust in his eyes would die, and he would seem to enjoy life again.

The hectic week passed quickly, and Erin let a sigh of relief escape from her lips at six o’clock on Friday when she could forget about the flu, the computer, and the inheritance tax auditors. She grabbed her coat and hurried out of the bank building. Knowing that Kane was working late this evening, she hadn’t even bothered to knock on his office door to let him know she was leaving. Tonight she had special plans.

She hurried along on foot for several blocks before locating the pet shop that she had found just this week. As promised, the owner had kept his store open the extra ten minutes that Erin needed.

Erin entered the little building and tried to keep her nose from wrinkling at the pungent odor within. Several fat puppies yipped to get her attention, and longingly she patted a black fluff of fur with sparkling eyes. The puppy’s entire rear end was set in motion and a long pink tongue licked Erin’s fingers.

“Oh, Miss O’Toole,” the bearded shopkeeper smiled. “Have you changed your mind and decided on a dog?” He held up the fat black puppy, who responded by washing the shopkeeper’s broad face.

“No, unfortunately, I don’t have the space for a puppy.” She wavered a moment, and then shook her head resolutely. “No, I think a kitten is a better choice. It’s a gift for a friend.”

The round shopkeeper held his hands out helplessly and shrugged his broad shoulders. “If you’re sure. Just give me a couple of minutes. I know which one you picked out earlier.” He hurried to the back of his store and came back with a tiny black and white kitten that couldn’t have been more than six weeks old. “This is the one, right?” he asked.