“Of course not.” He grabbed one of the lower branches and pulled himself up.

She couldn’t quite contain her relish. “Your legs are going to get ripped to shreds.”

He shimmied higher.

“If you slip, you could break your passing arm. This might end your whole career.”

He was disappearing into the branches now, and she raised her voice. “Please come down! It’s too dangerous.”

“You’re making more noise than the cat!”

“Let me get Troy.”

“Great idea. The last time I saw him, he was down at the dock. And take your time.”

“Do you think there are any tree snakes up there?”

“I don’t know, but I’ll bet you can find some in the woods. Go look.” The branches rustled. “Come here, Marmie. Here, girl.”

The limb where the yowling cat crouched was fairly thick, but he was a large man. What if it snapped and he really did injure himself? For the first time Molly’s warning was genuine. “Don’t climb out on that, Kevin. You’re too big.”

“Would you be quiet!”

Molly held her breath as he threw his leg over the limb about eight feet from where Marmie crouched. He scooted forward, making soothing noises to the cat. He’d just about reached her when Marmie stuck her nose in the air, hopped delicately to a lower branch, then proceeded to pick her way down the tree.

Molly watched in disgust as the traitorous cat reached the ground, then shot toward Lilly, who scooped her up and gave Molly a pointed look. She didn’t say anything to Kevin, however, who was climbing back down.

“How long did you tell me she was stuck up there?” he asked as he dropped.

“It’s, uh, tough to keep track of time when you’re terrified.”

He studied Molly, his expression suspicious, then bent to examine a nasty scrape on the inside of his calf.

“I’ve got some ointment in the kitchen,” she said.

Lilly stepped forward. “I’ll get it.”

“Don’t do me any favors.” Kevin snapped.

Lilly clenched her teeth. “You know, I’m getting really sick of your attitude. And I’m tired of biding my time. We’re going to talk right now.” She set down the cat.

Kevin was taken aback. He’d grown accustomed to the way she hadn’t pressed him, and he didn’t seem to know how to respond.

She jabbed her finger toward the side of the house. “We’ve postponed this long enough. Follow me! Or maybe you don’t have the guts.”

She’d waved a red flag in his face, and Kevin was quick to respond. “We’ll see who has guts,” he growled.

Lilly charged toward the woods.

Molly wanted to applaud, but she was glad she didn’t because Lilly spun around to glare at her. “Don’t touch my cat!”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Lilly and Kevin headed off together.