Lock, Stock, and Feral

of these days they’re going to bring a litter into this world because of it, too.
“Apparently, Lady Haddie beat me to it,” I say.
Sherlock barks. Don’t worry, Bizzy. My father sired many litters. I’m sure Jasper has a few more in him, too.
“Wonderful.”
I give an irritated glance around at the tiny cottage we’ve called home together ever since we got hitched last July. It was my cottage before Jasper and Sherlock moved in, and yet it wasn’t until they took up residence here that it started to feel like a home. It’s small and cozy with its frilly shabby chic curtains and a couple of yellow and white plaid sofas. There are wood floors with a fuzzy rug over them in the living room, and a simple dining room. It’s not much, but it’s more than enough for the two of us, and we’ve been happy here. Or at least I have. For all I know, Jasper could have spent his nights ruminating over Lady Haddie—the movie star that got away.
“It’s as if I’ve been living with a stranger,” I say to no one in particular and Sherlock barks.
Jasper’s no stranger, Bizzy. The freckled cutie makes his way over. I’ve never seen him sniff another woman quite the way he’s sniffed you.
“Did you know Hadley?” Suddenly I’m interested in any intel Sherlock might have.
She was before my time. He rests his head on the floor and Clyde jumps up on his back. She really seems to like that position—almost as much as Lady Haddie seems to like it when it comes to Duke Wilder. Hadley was shameless in her exploitation of my husband. Or should I say sexploitation? Camila brought her up a time or two, though. She was always angry about her, too.
“Sounds as if Camila was jealous.”
Sherlock gives a soft bark. Jasper used to say that ‘Jealous’ was Camila’s middle name.
“Great. I wonder what he’ll say about me.”
Bizzy. Fish swats me with her tail once again. Jasper adores you. He’s not a tomcat. I can’t see him leaving you for this lady.
“Oh, she’s no lady.” A laugh rises in my throat. “Not in the traditional sense anyway. Not after what I subjected my eyes and my mind to.”
The door handle jiggles and all eyes shift in that direction.
He’s here! Fish yowls as she hops off the sofa and darts behind Sherlock. Don’t throw anything breakable. I’d hate to tiptoe around sharp objects.
“Don’t worry,” I tell her. “A book is the best weapon for a woman in my position. And lucky for me, I’ve got just the literary tome.”
Jasper walks in looking impossibly handsome with the scruff on his cheeks a little thicker than usual, and it only makes his eyes shine all the more like lightning.
He holds up a bag of takeout from our favorite Chinese place and offers up a lopsided smile.
“Together at last,” he says, sounding a bit fatigued.
“I bet you say that to all of the women you share a meal with.” Like the lunch date he’s about to have with you know who.
“What’s that?” He frowns a little as he takes off his coat and heads my way. He lands a kiss to my forehead before sitting down next to me. “Hungry?”
“Not particularly.”
Jasper is just about to dig into the bag when he stops midflight and his eyes flit my way.
“Why do I get the feeling I’m in trouble?”
Sherlock barks. Because you’re a smart man, Jasper. Now run to the bedroom and lock yourself in it before Bizzy breaks something.
Jasper’s lips twitch as he studies Sherlock before reverting his gaze to me.
“Why is Sherlock giving me that warning bark of his? Should I be wearing a helmet?”
Clyde belts out a sharp meow. You’re right, Sherlock. He is smart. I bet that’s where you get all of your smarts, too. She licks a line up the side of his face and a yodeling sound comes from him.
Oh, for goodness’ sake. Fish sighs. Get on with it, Bizzy, or none of us will eat tonight.
I knew I should have fed them the minute we walked through the door.
“Bizzy?” Jasper lands the food on the coffee table and turns to face me fully.
The warm scent of his cologne makes my heart break, and suddenly I want to sob for the Jasper I knew two days ago who I didn’t think was keeping a single secret from me. Not that I asked for an inventory of exes when we met. But in hindsight, I probably should have.
“How is the case?” I ask and our eyes lock a moment too long.
He shakes his head. “This isn’t about the case. What’s happening? Is it the inn? Did something go wrong with a guest?”
“It’s very much about the case.” I take a quick breath. “I questioned my prime suspect today.”
“Bizzy.” He inches back. “You know I don’t want you doing that. I don’t want you getting hurt. Who did you talk to? Where did you go?”
“Hadley Culpepper.” I scowl instinctually when I say her name.
His eyes close as he lets out a breath.
“Bizzy.” He takes up both of my hands. “I’m sorry. I should have made time last night to assure you she’s firmly in my past. I know Camila’s words must have stung.”
“But you said them. I mean, if you said them once, you must have meant it. And she’s Hadley Culpepper. I was one of her biggest fans.”
“And I wasn’t. When Hadley and I met, I had never even seen an episode of the show she was on.”
“You were her fan for other reasons.”
“And they were short-lived. We were together for a few months and then she took off.”
“Is that what the two of you were arguing about last night?”
His eyes enlarge a moment before he glances to the floor. “I’m sorry, Bizzy. I’ve had a tense night, a tough day, and I can’t do this right now.” He bows his head into his hand a moment before looking back up at me. “How about we have dinner and