“Ralph,” Ben called for the thirtieth time. The little cat had really hunkered down. He wasn’t under the porch, or in the window wells. Rae didn’t have many other hiding places in the front yard. No wheelbarrows or lawn decorations. Everything was straight and neat, just like the interior of her house. She was organized and controlled in all things—except her animals.
As she searched for the coon cat named Ralph, she wore tension in the lines around her mouth and worry rode in her delightful eyes. Ben wanted to be the one to fix everything for her, a thought which surprised and scared him. He’d never been able to fix anything, for anyone. No, Sam took care of all family things. Darren made sure the laundry got done. Logan paid their bills. And Ben baked pretzels.
Remembering his desire t
