Catching Alicka Read Online Free PDF Page B

out a breath to move it. Her gaze then shifted back to his. “What about your parents?”
    “They own a picplom grove as well as a ricctop grove. The two groves keep them very busy.” She shifted and his gaze darted to her full breasts.
    Her fingers tightened on his briefly, causing his gaze to roam upward. “Didn’t you say you want to have a ricctop grove of your own?”
    “Yes, one day I’ll do it.”
    “That’s exciting. Can I help you with the grove you have now and the ricctop when you get it started? I love plants and I know those two have healing properties.”
    A tug to his heart told Slanon another part of his heart had just surrendered to her. “I’d love for you to work with me.” He couldn’t wait to have her by his side every day.
    A small pink flower floated over her. She reached out to grab it, but missed. Her laughter surrounded them as he grabbed for it, only to have the wind jerk it out of his reach.
    The laughter died and her eyes widened. “I need to go check on Mr. Tickles, he doesn’t like to be left alone for long.” She jumped up and Slanon followed her over the bridge and into the house.
    Mr. Tickles was near the door and when it opened, he stood on his back leg and placed his front paws on his hips. Slanon burst out laughing and had to fight to stop when Mr. Tickles’s little yellow eyes narrowed and shot daggers through him.
    Knowing he needed to make up with her beloved pet, he said, “I’m sorry, Mr. Tickles.” The tiny pink creature looked funny, staring him down from less than one foot off the floor. Plus, the poor guy was pink. Pink didn’t strike fear in Slanon. Even the white around the lukpas’s eyes was not menacing.
    Alicka rushed over and picked her tiny pet up. She rubbed her nose against his. “I’m sorry, little guy. Slanon’s promised to fix the rail so you can safely go out with us. Isn’t that right, Slanon?” Her bright blue eyes beseeched him to go along with comforting her pet.
    “That’s right, Mr. Tickles. I’ll get on it as soon as I can.” Her grateful smile was worth him sinking to being ruled by a five-pound, pink fur-ball.
    “See? Everything’s going to be fine. We’ll be a close family before you know it.” A fluffy, pink tail rose up and tickled Alicka under the chin. Happy laughter echoed off the walls. That was new, and Slanon enjoyed it. Maybe her pet wouldn’t be so bad to have around after all.
    Alicka put her pet down and then picked up some of her stuff. “Let’s get my things put away.” She turned and started for the bedroom.
    When he bent to pick up some more of her stuff, a tail darted out and slapped him. He looked at Mr. Tickles. The animal was once again standing on his back leg with his paws on his hips. He glared at Slanon and stabbed his pink tail sharply in the air three times at Slanon.
    He raised his hands in surrender. If lukpas could talk, he was pretty sure Mr. Tickles would have just said, “I’m watching you.”
    Eying the little fellow, he whispered, “I’m not going to hurt her.”
    Mr. Tickles snorted and gave Slanon a “we’ll see” look. The temptation to toss the thing over the outside rail rose up in him. Alicka coming back stopped him.
    “Are you boys coming? I need your direction, Slanon. We need to figure out where to put Mr. Tickles’s litter box and food and water bowls.” Her fur-ball had instantly gone down on his front paws when she’d entered the room. Now he was hopping over to her, looking like an innocent angel.
    Alicka smiled when her pet tickled her under the arm. She looked at Slanon. “Isn’t he the cutest thing?”
    Taking a page from the little critter’s playbook, he walked over and petted Mr. Tickles’s pink head. “Yes, he is. I’m so glad you have him.”
    A fluffy tail swooshed over Alicka’s face, causing her to close her eyes. When hers were shut, Slanon had a pair of angry yellow eyes glaring at him.
    Alicka giggled and stood. “He belongs to both of us