Felines and Footprints

by Jinty James

  Felines and Footprints – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 13

  by

  Jinty James

  Copyright © 2021 by Jinty James

  All rights reserved

  No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously.

  Table of Contents

  Copyright Page

  DEDICATION | To my wonderful Mother, Annie, and AJ

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

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  DEDICATION

  To my wonderful Mother, Annie, and AJ

  CHAPTER 1

  “I wish I was going to Miami.” Zoe Crenshaw’s voice was cheerful as she rang the doorbell to the parsonage.

  “Me too,” Lauren Crenshaw, her cousin, agreed, shivering slightly in the chilly January breeze.

  “Brrt,” Annie, Lauren’s Norwegian Forest Cat, added. A silver-gray tabby with a plumy tail, her coat was thick and long. She stared up at the closed wooden door, as if she could make it magically open with the force of her green eyes.

  The trio ran the Norwegian Forest Cat Café in the small town of Gold Leaf Valley, Northern California. Lauren liked to think Annie was the main drawcard, leading the customers to their tables, and “chatting” to them, but she also took pride in the quality and yumminess of her cupcakes, and their cappuccinos, lattes, and mochas.

  Zoe was her right hand, and also her roommate.

  “Hi.” Father Mike opened the door. He was dressed in brown slacks, a cream shirt, and matching brown blazer, which suited his medium fame. His hair was balding. “Thank you once again for looking after Mrs. Snuggle for me. I didn’t know who else to ask.”

  “You’re welcome.” Zoe grinned.

  “Brrt.” That’s right.

  “We’ll take good care of her,” Lauren promised.

  “I know I can trust you – all of you.” Goodness and kindness shone out of his eyes.

  Father Mike was the beloved Episcopalian priest of the town, and it wasn’t often that he went on vacation, let alone a work conference.

  “Got your beach towel?” Zoe teased.

  Father Mike shook his head. “I’ve never enjoyed getting sand stuck between my toes – or anywhere else. I doubt I’ll have much time to go swimming, even if the ocean is warm enough. My schedule is jam-packed.”

  “Really?” Lauren asked.

  “Oh, yes. There are a lot of seminars I want to attend, including one on writing a sermon. I’ve always struggled writing mine.”

  “But your sermons are awesome!” Zoe told him.

  “I always find them interesting.” She and Zoe didn’t attend church as often as they should, something Lauren felt guilty about.

  “Thanks.” He smiled at them. “Come on in, and say hello to Mrs. Snuggle.”

  Annie led the way into the house, towing Lauren along. The feline wore her lavender harness.

  Father Mike led them to the living room, decorated in shades of cream and pale green, where Mrs. Snuggle reposed on an elderly khaki sofa. Lauren noticed a suitcase standing near the door.

  “Brrt?” Annie greeted the grumpy white Persian.

  “MEOW!” The fluffy cat turned her back to them.

  “Oh dear.” Father Mike looked regretful. “I think Mrs. Snuggle is cross with me for going away this week.”

  Another grumpy noise sounded from the cat, as if confirming the priest’s thoughts.

  Father Mike had adopted the white Persian, who was a former show cat. Her full name was Mrs. Snuggle Face Furry Frost but everyone had developed the habit of calling her Mrs. Snuggle for short.

  “I’m sure she’ll be okay with us,” Lauren reassured him.

  “Yeah. The three of us will look after her,” Zoe added.

  “I really appreciate you helping me out like this.” He looked at all three of them gratefully. “I’ve made a list for you about Mrs. Snuggle’s likes and dislikes, and I’ve bagged up her food for you. If you run out, there are more cans in the pantry. And I’ve included some of her favorite toys – not that she plays with them much.”

  “She could play with Annie,” Lauren suggested. Her fur baby loved spending time with her friends AJ and Toby, two other cats.

  “I hope she will.” Father Mike crossed the room and dragged out a wire carrier from under a coffee table. “Here, Mrs. Snuggle, it’s time to visit with Lauren and Zoe for a while. And Annie, of course.”

  Another grumpy noise as the Persian buried herself underneath the red blanket she’d been sitting on, as if she were convinced nobody would be able to see her.

  “I’ll be back next Saturday,” he told her, “so I can take the church service on Sunday.”

  The hump under the blanket didn’t stir.

  Father Mike drew in a deep breath.

  “If one of you could close the living room door, I’d be grateful.”

  Lauren swiftly did so.

  “She doesn’t like going into her carrier.” He looked undecided for a second, then picked up the carrier and plonked it down by the sofa. In one swift move, he lifted the blanket, gathered up the feline, and deposited her gently into the carrier, locking the lid.

  Mrs. Snuggle wailed, her blue eyes flashing, as she realized what had happened.

  “Wow,” Zoe said in admiration. “That was amazing!”

  “Definitely,” Lauren agreed.

  “Brrt?” Annie walked up to the carrier, and peered inside.

  “Meow!”

  “Brrp,” Annie said softly.

  Mrs. Snuggle continued to mutter, but the volume was a little lower.

  “Would you look at that.” Father Mike shook his head. “I’m sure Annie’s trying to reassure her.”

  “I think you’re right.” Lauren’s heart melted as she watched her fur baby.

  “I know I’ve made the right choice asking you to look after her,” he continued. “I did think about boarding Mrs. Snuggle, but I was worried they wouldn’t understand her as well as you three.”

  “I know what you mean,” Lauren said gently.

  Based on what she and Zoe knew about Mrs. Snuggle’s previous life as a queen and show cat, at times she could empathize with the Persian’s grumpy demeanor. She hoped Mrs. Snuggle wouldn’t mind living with them too much over the next week.

  “There’s something else I wanted to talk to you about before I leave for the airport,” Father Mike continued. “The church is providing a supply priest for this week. His name is Gavin, and he’ll be arriving tomorrow.”

  “Really?” Zoe’s brown eyes widened.

  “He’ll only be here a couple of times,” Father Mike told them. “He has his own parish in Zeke’s Ridge that he has to attend to, but I’ve been told he’s more than happy to help out here as well. Tomorrow he’ll be delivering some food baskets for me, and making the occasional visit to members of the congregation. I know your café opens at nine-thirty, so I asked him to be here at nine tomorrow. I was hoping you’d be able to meet him here and let him in. I have a spare key in the garden. Let me show you where it is.”

  They followed him outside.

  “It’s over here.” He indicated a plant pot filled with winter greenery near the front door. “
You have to dig a little.” He pointed to a small patch of barely disturbed soil in the pot. “Unless you would like to take the key home with you?”

  Lauren and Zoe looked at each other.

  “Um, no thanks,” Zoe said. “Maybe it’s better if we leave it in your hiding place, so nothing will happen to it.”

  Lauren nodded.

  “Brrt!”

  “Okay.” Father Mike smiled.

  “We’ll remember where it is,” Lauren assured him.

  “I hope I’m not asking too much, with cat sitting Mrs. Snuggle and meeting the supply priest.” Father Mike sounded worried. “I know you girls are busy.”

  “No trouble at all.” Zoe waved her hand in the air. “We’re glad we can do something for you. You do a lot for everyone else.”

  Father Mike looked a little embarrassed at the praise.

  “Thank you. I’ve made a list of the parishioners Gavin needs to deliver the food baskets to, and he might ask you for directions.”

  “We’ll tell him where to go,” Lauren promised.

  “Brrt!”

  “How long is your flight?” Zoe wanted to know.

  “Around seven hours.” Father Mike checked his watch. “I’d better get going.”

  “Is someone giving you a ride to the airport?” Lauren asked.

  “No, I’m driving, and I’ll park in the long term car park there.”

  “I hope you have a good trip.” Lauren smiled at him.

  “Yes, have a great time!”

  “I’m sure I will,” Father Mike replied. “I’ll be meeting up with some old friends who are also priests, and I’m looking forward to all the workshops.”

  They followed him out of the house, Zoe hefting Mrs. Snuggle’s carrier, while Lauren held Annie’s lead.

  “Goodbye!” They waved to him as he got into his elderly car and reversed out of the driveway.

  “It’s okay, Mrs. Snuggle,” Zoe murmured to the cat, whose tail swished in the small cage when she saw the priest depart. “Father Mike is coming back soon, and you’ll be staying with us while he’s gone.”

  Mrs. Snuggle buried her head in her chest and ignored Zoe.

  “Oh dear,” Lauren fretted. “I hope she’s not going to miss him too much.”

  NOTHING PLEASED MRS. Snuggle that day. Lauren drove home carefully, conscious of two cats in the car. Once they settled the Persian into the Victorian cottage they called home, the trio gathered in the homey kitchen.

  Lauren had inherited the house and adjoining café from her Gramms a few years ago. When Zoe visited her one weekend to help out, she’d decided to stay. They made a great team in the café as well as roomies.

  “Brrt?” Annie asked, standing in the kitchen doorway and staring out to the living room, where Mrs. Snuggle reposed on the pink sofa.

  “I think Mrs. Snuggle might want to be alone for a while,” Lauren told her gently.

  “Yeah, it might be a lot for her to process right now,” Zoe agreed, pouring herself a glass of orange juice. “Want one?” she waved the container toward Lauren.

  “No, thanks.”

  “She probably doesn’t understand where and why Father Mike has gone,” Lauren continued talking to her fur baby, “even if he did explain it to her.”

  “Brrt,” Annie said thoughtfully. She hopped onto the pine chair next to Lauren’s and bunted her hand.

  Lauren obliged, stroking her soft, silky fur.

  “Mrs. Snuggle might need a lot of reassurance from you that everything is going to be okay, and Father Mike will be coming back for her,” Lauren told her fur baby.

  “Brrt.” Annie gave a little nod, as if she understood.

  “We could let Mrs. Snuggle choose what to watch tonight on TV,” Zoe suggested. “Didn’t Father Mike mention before that she likes watching shows?”

  “Especially ones on royalty.” Lauren smiled.

  “Brrt.” Good idea.

  “Are you seeing Mitch tonight?” Zoe asked.

  “No.” Mitch was Lauren’s police detective boyfriend and things had been serious for a while. A few months ago, he’d acted a little strangely, and she had spied him at a jewelry store, but nothing had been mentioned – nor any gift given.

  “Are you seeing Chris?” Lauren asked.

  “Not tonight.” Zoe gave a little pout, then smiled. “He’s working all night.”

  Chris was a paramedic and a friend of Mitch’s. Zoe had tried internet dating with disastrous results, then had met Chris in real life. The four of them double dated regularly now. Chili night at Chris’s house was something they all looked forward to.

  “What should we do now?” Zoe finished her juice.

  Lauren glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s almost lunchtime.”

  “I know we usually visit Mrs. Finch on Mondays when the café is closed, but do you think we should leave Mrs. Snuggle by herself?” Zoe glanced toward the living room.

  “I know what you mean.” Lauren nodded. “I could stay with her if you want to go.”

  “Or you and Annie could go and I’ll cat sit Mrs. Snuggle. I know Mrs. Finch likes seeing Annie.”

  “Deal.”

  “Brrt!”

  LAUREN AND ANNIE ENJOYED their visit with their elderly friend. Mrs. Finch was a regular at the café, and only lived around the block. On Friday nights, Lauren, Annie, and Zoe visited their friend’s house for craft club, a Zoe invention, with a membership of four.

  “I’ll be at the café tomorrow,” Mrs. Finch promised, waving goodbye to Lauren and Annie. “I do hope Mrs. Snuggle settles in with you.”

  “So do we,” Lauren replied. “We’ll update you tomorrow.”

  “I’ll look forward to it.” Mrs. Finch beamed, the orange rouge on her cheeks blooming like the Californian poppies in her garden during summer.

  Lauren and Annie walked home, the feline stopping at times to sniff a particular blade of grass that must have smelled enticing.

  “Zoe might want to go to the grocery store while we keep Mrs. Snuggle company,” Lauren suggested to Annie.

  “Brrt,” Annie agreed.

  When they arrived home, Zoe ran to greet them.

  “I don’t think she likes me.” She cast a backward glance toward the living room. “I tried to cheer up Mrs. Snuggle, but she totally ignored me!” Slim, in her late twenties, with a cute brunette pixie cut and an upbeat attitude, Zoe wasn’t used to being ignored.

  “It might take her a few days to settle in.” Lauren tried to be philosophical. “I’m sure she’d hate being boarded even more than staying here with us.”

  “Brrt,” Annie agreed, although she’d never been in that situation.

  “I’ll do the grocery shopping,” Zoe volunteered.

  Lauren and Annie glanced at each other, smiling.

  “Thanks.” Lauren handed her the list she’d made earlier. “Annie and I will sit with Mrs. Snuggle. Maybe you could show her your toys?” She looked down at her fur baby.

  “Brrt!” Annie scampered into the living room.

  Jingle.

  Lauren didn’t have to look to know Annie had found her ball.

  “MEOW!”

  “Won’t be long.” Zoe stuffed the list into her jeans’ pocket. “Promise.”

  “It’s okay.”

  “Thanks.” Zoe touched Lauren’s arm. “You’re the best.”

  “So are you.” Her cousin could be impulsive at times, but had a good heart. She suspected Zoe was a little flummoxed with Mrs. Snuggle’s attitude.

  Lauren joined the felines in the living room. It looked like Mrs. Snuggle hadn’t stirred from the sofa all morning.

  “Everything’s going to be okay, Mrs. Snuggle,” Lauren said gently. “You’ll see.”

  No response. The white Persian stared at the blank TV screen.

  Jingle.

  Annie pushed the ball toward the sofa.

  Mrs. Snuggle glanced down for a split-second, then pretended she hadn’t done so.

  “What about the two o
f you watching a show?” Lauren suggested. She turned on the remote.

  “Brrt!” Annie hopped onto the sofa next to the fluffy cat.

  A gardening show flickered onto the screen.

  “What about those pretty roses?” Lauren pointed to the pink and yellow flowers on the TV.

  Mrs. Snuggle looked faintly interested.

  “Brrt!” Annie stared at the screen intently.

  “I’ll be in the kitchen.” Her stomach growled and she realized she hadn’t eaten since breakfast. She heated a small amount of leftover stew, wondering when Zoe would return with the groceries.

  Tomorrow, when they opened the café, she planned on making her new cupcake creation, lemon meringue. Her mouth watered at the thought of it. She’d made a test batch last week, and Zoe, Mitch, and Chris had all declared it a success.

  “I’m back!” Zoe staggered into the kitchen, carrying two sacks of groceries.

  “Let me help.” Lauren took a bag from her. Her eyes widened at the weight, her arms sagging a little. “What did you buy?”

  “Everything on your list. And then I saw this frozen apple pie, and this new ice-cream – salted caramel. I mean, we have to try it, right?”

  “Right,” Lauren reluctantly agreed. Mitch said he loved her curves, but she did try to be sensible with her eating – most of the time, anyway.

  “And this can of soup – roasted vegetables in chicken bone broth. Veggies are good for us, and it’s definitely soup weather. It’s winter!”

  “We can have the soup tonight,” Lauren suggested. That way it wouldn’t languish in the pantry – and she hadn’t yet thought about what to fix for dinner. Zoe’s idea of cooking was ordering pizza – or making it herself with a prepared base. Last year she’d won a local pizza competition doing just that – with a little help from Annie.

  “Genius idea.” Zoe grinned. “How’s—” she lowered her voice “—Mrs. Snuggle?”

  “Watching TV with Annie – at least, I think so.” Lauren tiptoed into the living room to check. Yes, both cats were curled up on the sofa, their eyes glued to the television, although they weren’t nestled together. A medium amount of space separated them.

  “Oh, good.” Zoe unpacked the groceries. “I wonder what this new priest is like. Is he young, old, tall, short, fat, thin—”