The Firefighter Daddy

“I don’t know if that will ever happen, but you’re doing fine.”

He smiled. “You’re kind. You didn’t see me trying to get my nieces to move this morning when we were late for church.”

“It happens to all of us.”

“I’m beginning to see that when I hear the stories some of the guys talk about at my single dads’ group.”

“Networking is important. I’m looking for a group for caregivers that my mother can join. I think she would appreciate the support and a place to talk about her problems. We talk, but it’s not the same thing. I haven’t yet gone through the problems she has, but I can stay home with Nana while she attends.”

“There isn’t one at church?”

“No, but maybe Mom could start one. That’s a great idea, Liam.” She heard the gate open and watched as the two girls raced out of the backyard with Gabe right behind them, barking.

Madison skidded to a stop first, excitement on her face. “You’ve got to come look.” She tugged on Sarah’s arm while Katie tugged on Liam’s. “You won’t believe it.”

Chapter Four

As Katie pulled Liam toward Sarah’s backyard, he didn’t know if he should prepare himself for something bad or good. With his nieces, he had trouble reading them at times, but at least it was better than the first month he was here. The girls would go from crying one moment to laughing the next. Their emotions had been all over the place, but then, so had his. He didn’t have a large family, and Gareth’s unexpected death had overturned his world.

“Just wait and see, Uncle Liam. You won’t believe it.” Katie kept tugging on his arm, determined to beat her sister to whatever they wanted him to see.

But Madison was several steps ahead of them. Sarah glanced over her shoulder at him, giving him a puzzled look, her eyebrows lifting.

He shrugged and shook his head.

Madison dragged Sarah around the back of the shed. “Look at them. They are so cute!”

Katie dropped his arm and raced ahead.

Liam came into view of the two girls and Sarah sitting on the ground while five kittens explored them.

“Where’s their mama?” Madison carefully picked up one, black with white markings, and rubbed her face against its fur.

Sarah scanned the area. “I don’t know. There was a pregnant cat that used to visit my yard every day in the evening when Gabe was inside, but I don’t know if it was a stray or belonged to someone. She was mostly white.”

“Like this one.” Katie gathered a white kitten, except for its black tail, in her lap and stroked it.

“Yes. She must be the mama. Maybe I can ask around the neighborhood to see who owns the cat.” Sarah examined a white, brown and black kitten.

Liam took a place across from Sarah, his nieces flanking her. “Why would she leave them? They don’t look more than seven or eight weeks old.” A brown and black kitten climbed onto his legs.

“She wouldn’t unless they somehow got away from her or...” Her forehead furrowed.

“Or what, Sarah?” Madison asked.

“Something happened to her. These babies look well fed and cared for. They haven’t been on their own for long.”

Katie lifted the last kitten, white with brown markings, and put it in her lap. She looked right at Liam. “Could we take care of them until she comes back?”

Liam had no idea how to take care of cats, let alone kittens. Growing up all he’d had were dogs. “If we took them home, the mama wouldn’t know where they were.”

“Oh, you’re right.” Katie frowned, petting both kittens in her lap. Then suddenly her eyes brightened. “We can make posters to find their owner and mama.” She glanced at Madison. “We’re good at that.”

“That’s a great idea. Your poster led me to Gabe.” Sarah looked around. “Where is he?”

“Your mama took him inside when she saw the kittens. She told us to get you. She was sneezing. Is she sick?” Madison cradled her kitten against her chest.

The white, brown and black one began climbing all over Sarah. “She’s allergic to cats but mostly the pollen in the air. She can’t be around outside long in the spring.”

“That’s sad.” Katie said while both of her kittens began playing in her lap. She giggled. “Then we have to take them.”

Those words struck panic in Liam. He hadn’t figured out how to raise two girls, let alone five kittens.

Sarah caught his gaze and smiled. “They should stay here. I can make a place in the shed for them. You two can help me this afternoon.”

A scowl descended on Madison’s face as she set her squirming kitten on the ground. “What about Gabe?”

“Gabe is usually great with other animals. We’ll figure it out. What I’ll need from you two are some posters. What do you say?”

“Uncle Liam, will you help us like you did last time?” Katie asked.

He could do this. “We’ll start after dinner tonight, and then after school tomorrow we can finish them and put them up.”

“I can help, too. Monday is my day off. Until then we can clean the shed and make it safe for them—” Sarah’s eyes gleamed “—while your uncle goes home. I’m looking forward to his dinner tonight.”

The girls hopped to their feet as Liam stood and offered Sarah his hand. “Are you sure you don’t need my help?”

She stepped closer while the girls corralled the kittens. “Yes. I know an exhausted man when I see him. Everyone needs a break once in a while. Besides, I don’t have men cooking dinner for me too often. Go. We’re gonna be busy this afternoon, and you’ll only get in the way.”