He went on, saying, “I take it you came to see Tom, but he’s not home. You’re welcome to come in, though.”

The wind whipped my hair across my face and I brushed it away. But though I was cold and more than a little confused, I didn’t know this man from Adam. I wasn’t about to go inside the house with a stranger. “Where’s Tom?”

“Good question. My brother hasn’t shown his face since I arrived two days ago.”

“Your brother?” I said. That explained the resemblance.

“Guess he never mentioned me. Figures. And you are?”

“Jillian Hart. Tom’s friend.”

He offered his charismatic smile again. “A friend with benefits?”

My cheeks heated up and I started to turn away. “I’ll come back when Tom’s home.”

Bob Cochran grabbed my elbow. “Wait. Sorry. That’s not any of my business. But maybe you can help me out. See, I expected Tom to be here and I’m a little puzzled he hasn’t shown up. Especially since he left his cat.”

Dashiell. Tom left Dashiell alone? I withdrew from Bob Cochran’s grasp but didn’t leave. I couldn’t now. “How is Dashiell?” I craned my neck to see past the man’s wide frame.

“He left instructions for a neighbor to care for the animal—the old lady next door. Mostly illegible notes about food and medicine. She came over, said something about how she could give the cat his shots and test him since she and this cat had the same problem, whatever that meant. But the stupid animal slipped by me when I let her in. Haven’t seen the thing since.”

“What?” I almost shouted around the lump of panic in my throat. “When did this happen?”

“Two days ago. I told the neighbor I’d come and get her if the cat came back.” He cocked his head and smiled again. “It’s only a cat. They always come back to where the food is.”