Erin held out her hands and petted the warm powder puff of black fur. The kitten began to purr noisily and scratched its tiny paws against Erin’s jacket. “She’s perfect!” Erin breathed, raising the kitten to eye level and inspecting it.

The shopkeeper tugged on his beard. “That one’s a male—is that acceptable?”

“It doesn’t matter. This is the one I want!”

Erin couldn’t hide her excitement as she tapped lightly on the door to Kane’s apartment. The little cat was perched contentedly on her arm as she called through the door. “Krista? Mrs. Cavenaugh?”

“Where have you been?” Mrs. Cavenaugh scolded as she opened the door. “Kane’s already called twice. Finally decided to leave a message with me…say, what’s that you’ve got there?”

Erin breezed into the room, looking for Krista. “What does it look like, Mrs. Cavenaugh?” Erin asked in a whisper. “He’s a surprise for Krista.”

“Oh-ho,” Mrs. Cavenaugh said, shaking her head, but reaching a tentative hand out to pat the kitten’s soft, downy fur.

The whir of the electric wheelchair caught Erin’s attention as Krista came into the room. The defiant look of rebellion had left her features several days ago, and for the first time since their meeting, Erin was sure that Krista was glad to see her.

“Oh, there you are. Look!” Erin announced with a wide, infectious grin as she proudly held up the black and white kitten for Krista’s inspection. The blond girl let out a squeal of delighted excitement at the sight of the small cat. “I brought him home for you—you do like cats, don’t you?”

“Oh, Erin,” Krista stammered, wheeling more closely to the object of her delight. Erin placed the black ball of fur on Krista’s lap. The kitten stretched and curled into a sleepy ball purring contentedly. “He’s…beautiful….” Krista’s sparkling blue eyes swept from the drowsy kitten to Erin. “Thank you.”

Erin smiled back at the girl and was surprised to feel a lump in her throat. “You’re welcome, Krista,” she murmured, and for a moment her breath caught. Erin kneeled next to the wheelchair and stroked the dozing kitten. “Now, if you decide to keep him, you’ll have to take care of him. Feed him, take him outside….”

“I will,” Krista agreed hurriedly. “Does he have a name?”

Erin shook her head. “That’s for you to decide, unless Mrs. Cavenaugh has any suggestions….” Erin looked at the elderly lady and caught the gray-haired woman taking in the scene before her with teary eyes.

“What? Me?” Mrs. Cavenaugh coughed back her tears. “Oh, no. I’ve never been much of a cat person myself.”

“Then it’s up to you, Krista,” Erin said. She cocked her head and stroked her thumb against her chin as she studied the cat with feigned thoughtfulness. “What do you think?”

“How about—Figaro. You know, like the cat in Pinocchio?” the bright-eyed girl asked, and Erin realized that for the first time since they had met, Krista had asked for and needed her opinion.