Chapter 107
""""Is Dakota going into labor?""
""You actually returned my call?"" Joseph's voice was cold.
""I'm asking you!"" Cassie Brooks was frantic. She had cared for Dakota and grown fond of the cat.
""Difficult labor.""
""Why don't you hurry and take her to the vet?"" she snapped, irritable at the thought of the little cat suffering so.
""She's in labor right now. You’d better come over. Dakota misses you. She needs your encouragement now. And if anything, you can say your goodbyes,"" he said, his mood foul. Previously when he had a stomach ache, all she'd sent him was a link to a hospital's account. She seemed to care more about a cat than him.
""Don't talk nonsense; I'm on my way,"" Cassie Brooks said irritably.
""Hurry, I'm not sure she can hold on much longer,"" Joseph said, hanging up.
""La la la la, sweetheart, I'm all dolled up, let's go."" Laura Miller emerged in a flashy red dress, looking ready to party. ""How do I look?""
""Laura Miller, sorry, but Dakota's going into labor. I need to go there. Let's skip tonight,"" Cassie Brooks apologized and rushed out the door.
Laura Miller muttered to herself, ""... what, are you going to deliver the kitten?""
But the only reply she got was the door slamming shut.
Such a bummer.
She'd spent so long choosing that dress, only to be stood up for her ex-husband's cat.
...
Cassie Brooks's car roared down the road, speeding toward Emerald Bay. Opening the door, she realized the code hadn't been changed. Light spilled out from the residence; Joseph was crouched in front of the cat's birthing room, his gaze fixed inside with the quiet intensity of a father awaiting the birth of his beloved daughter's child.
""How is it going? Has Dakota given birth?"" Cassie Brooks rushed over.
""Mm.""
Joseph looked at her with mixed emotions. Since she'd moved out, she seemed even more vibrant and youthful. Tonight, she wore a coffee-colored beret paired with a cropped white down jacket.
It was his first time seeing a woman make a puffy down jacket look so stunning. The fluffy white collar framed her delicate face, giving her the look of a snow fairy. Below were black leggings and short boots, clinging to her legs in a way that was simply irresistible.
Cassie Brooks didn't notice his lingering gaze; she was too preoccupied as she dashed to the whelping room to see Dakota, now lying weakly on the blanket.
Beside her were three tiny kittens, eyes closed, bodies still damp, clearly just brought into the world. She nearly melted with affection, ""So adorable.""
Joseph glanced inside. Adorable? They looked uneven, like bald little mice.
But it had been a long time since she had shown such a tender expression around him.
""You like them?"" he asked. ""If you want, you could take them in. ""
""Of course, who doesn't love tiny kittens?"" Cassie Brooks said, prodding them gently with her finger, then suddenly remembered, ""Didn't you say that Dakota was having a difficult delivery?""
Why did it seem like the kittens were already born upon her arrival?
Joseph answered calmly, "" It was pretty touch-and-go a moment ago.""
He wasn't lying; after all, giving birth is difficult, and difficulty could imply a problematic labor.
""
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