by Patricia Fry
"Oh, in the café?" Savannah asked. "You saw some of the food?"
Holly nodded. "Yes, a server walked right past us with two plates of steaming sausage links, beautiful sunny-side-up eggs, and what I think were freshly made potato pancakes. It all looked really yummy, and I'm not even hungry."
"Yeah, we can eat there. Sounds good to me," Savannah agreed. "Let's go see about the aunt's cats, shall we?"
The two women stood on the porch of the log cabin for several moments waiting for someone to answer their knock. Finally Savannah said, "If she's feeding cats, she might be in the back. Come on, let's go see," she suggested, leading the way around the side of the cabin.
Holly pointed. "There she is, out near that foresty area. Look! There are cats all around her."
"Yes," Savannah said. "Gosh, maybe we should wait until she finishes feeding. I don't want to disturb the cats. How many are there, anyway?"
"At least eight, maybe ten. Oh, here comes another one. Yeah, there are a lot of them," Holly agreed.
It wasn't long before the woman saw them. She waved and called, "Hello. Do you want to see me? Ben said you want to talk to me about cats."
"Yes," Savannah said. She smiled. "You have a lot of furry friends there."
"Not as many as there could be," the woman said as Savannah and Holly walked closer. "I'm the TNR specialist in these parts." She explained, "That means trap, neuter, and release."
Savannah nodded. "Bless you."
The woman offered her hand. "I'm LouAnn, by the way."
"I'm Savannah," she said, shaking LouAnn's hand. "This is my sister-in-law, Holly."
LouAnn nodded. "How can I help you ladies?"
"Well, I have a cat with me and he's being accused of getting into trouble at Wolf Camp. I'm certain it's not him and I'm just wondering…"
LouAnn rolled her eyes. "Oh, that's gotta be Dino." She leaned forward to explain, "For Dean Martin." She chuckled. "I name them all for singers. I have Frank Sinatra, of course, Barbara Streisand, Bobby Darren, Nat King Cole, Judy Garland…"
Savannah smiled. "Clever." She looked around. "So he travels all the way from here to cause trouble at Wolf Camp?"
"Oh no," LouAnn said, "he doesn't congregate with the others here in the colony. Dino has his own agenda. In fact he's taken a few of my motley crew with him." She giggled. "He's set up his own harem on the west side there. He's sassy and independent enough that he wants to find his own food and shelter. I guess he doesn't like the rules here."
"Rules?" Holly asked.
"Well yes," LouAnn said. "I insist that the cats mind their manners. There's no squabbling on my watch. Mind you, I make sure there are plates for each cat and plenty for them to eat. Dino marches to his own drummer, and he's not good at sharing." She smiled. "So what's he been doing to get people riled over there? You say you have a cat with you? Is he bothering your cat?"
"No, actually," Savannah said. "At least not so far, but my cat is being unfairly blamed for some damage and thievery that could be Dino's work, I guess."
"Oh, that boy!" LouAnn exclaimed. "He is stealthy and bold. He doesn't mind intruding and he can do damage. If you have time I can show you some of the things he damaged here on my property before he left." She looked into the distance. "I'd really like to get him and his lady friends back where it's safe, and where he isn't liable to get himself into any trouble that he can't get out of."
"So you want him back?" Savannah asked, wide-eyed.
"Oh yes. I haven't been able to get him neutered yet, and that's part of the problem with him."
Savannah glanced at Holly, then asked, "LouAnn, do you have a humane trap?"
"Why yes," she said, "a couple of them."
"Could we borrow one?" Savannah asked. "I'm pretty sure we can trap Dino for you. You could take him in for neutering and vaccines, then turn him loose out here. I see that you have some enclosures where you could keep him for a while if he needs convincing to stick around."
LouAnn looked surprised. "You know how to trap a feral cat, do you?"
"Savannah and her husband are veterinarians," Holly explained.
Savannah nodded. "And I've helped manage a couple of feral cat colonies."
LouAnn raised her eyebrows. "Really? You know, if you could capture Dino, I'm pretty sure Ella Fitzgerald and Peggy Lee would return on their own."
Savannah and Holly tittered at the names. Savannah said, "Great. Let's see what we can do to make that happen and maybe exonerate my poor cat." She frowned. "Seriously, I'm afraid that enraged camper's going to put a hit out on Rags."
LouAnn leaned forward, "Are you sure it isn't that animal or whatever or whoever it is doing all that thievery over in Wolf and Raven camps?"
Savannah glanced at Holly, then asked, "What do you mean, LouAnn?"
"Haven't you heard about the thief running loose over there? And from what I hear, it
can't be a cat, because he or she is hauling away some pretty large items."
"I guess we can't be sure," Savannah said, "but it seems to be cat-like damage that's
being done. Jeff is most upset because the cat or whatever keeps walking off with his fish bait."
LouAnn snickered. "Oh yes, Dino is a real rascal when it comes to taking things. When he was with me—well, with the other cats in the trees there, he—at least I'm pretty sure it was him—well, he'd take my laundry. Sometimes I'll dry dishtowels or an apron by tossing them over a shrub in my yard. I can't tell you how many of them vanished. My nephew will sometimes go into the ponderosa area and find those things. Of course I have to launder them again." LouAnn turned away. "Let me show you where that trap is. I'll leave it to you younger gals to cart it off." She stopped. "You will bring it back, won't you?"
"Of course," Savannah said, "and I hope with the cat inside." She asked, "Now is Dino grey and white—mostly grey?"
LouAnn nodded. "Yes, he has a mostly white face and chest."
"We got a picture of a cat last night, but only the back of him. Show her, Holly," Savannah suggested.
"Yup," LouAnn said. "I can't be entirely certain—that's not a great photo—but it sure could be Dino." She smiled. "Yeah, I'd like to have him back here where both he and the campers are safe." She winced. "My sister and brother-in-law probably won't let me stay on if I don't somehow corral that cat. They run the place here, you see, and they don't like getting complaints about the cats. I'd hate to have my cats taken away." She teared up. "I mean, what would happen to them? They'd have to be euthanized, and that would be a tragedy. They're wonderful beings—healthy now and happy in their world. As independent as they are, they still need people or a person to watch over them—you know, take them to the veterinarian when they develop an abscess, keep up with their vaccines as much as possible, and feed them regularly. Yeah, they sure do need me and I have to tell you, they're an important part of my life." She took a breath and said, "Ben and I have even created shelters out among the trees where the cats can get in out of the weather and hide from larger predators."
"What lucky cats," Holly said.
"Yes," LouAnn continued as she led them around to the other side of the house and into a garage, "we make them out of large plastic bins, picnic coolers, wooden pallets…all kinds of things." LouAnn pointed. "There are a couple of traps. Take whichever one you want."
Savannah smiled. "You're doing a wonderful thing here with these cats. Bless you." She and Holly picked up one of the traps and carried it to the car. LouAnn followed them.
"Thank you so much," Savannah called. "Hopefully we'll be back with Mr. Dean Martin tomorrow."
"Well, I wish you luck," LouAnn said. "It's been awfully nice meeting you both." She looked at her watch and said, "I'd better get ready for my shift at the café."
"You work there?" Holly asked.
"Yes, it's my social outlet. I meet so many nice folks that way."
"It looks like they serve some lovely meals," Holly said.
"Oh yes, they have a top-notch
chef, as far as I can tell. Breakfast is his specialty. You must come for breakfast sometime."
"I think we will," Savannah said. She slipped into the car and waved. "Thank you again. See you soon."
Chapter Eight
"Got the trap set?" Michael asked that evening after the children had gone to bed.
"Yup," Savannah said, petting Rags, who was curled up in her lap.
Holly laughed. "I don't know what animal would want to get close to that smelly food you put in there."
"That's the best way to lure a cat," Keith explained. "The food's gotta be disgustingly stinky."
"Hey," Savannah said, facing Michael, "how about we go out for breakfast?"
"Now?" he asked.
"No, silly, in the morning. They have great-looking food at the little camp café."
"Already tired of cooking?" Keith asked, laughing. "I mean, you didn't have to cook tonight. Us guys grilled the steak."
Savannah and Holly exchanged looks, and Savannah said, "And the steaks were delicious. Good job, guys, but who do you suppose made the potato salad, the corn salad, and the blueberry crisp?"
"Oh yeah," Keith said, looking sheepish. He agreed. "Yes, I think we should go to the café for breakfast."
"Sure," Michael said, "it would be something different and give the camp chefs a break." He patted Savannah's leg. "Ready for bed?"
She yawned. "Sure am. Are you ready, Ragsie?" she asked, petting him.
"What does he hear?" Keith asked when he saw the cat prick up his ears.
Savannah listened intently. "I don't know—the frogs and crickets? Wait, there's something rustling around in those trees."
"Probably a raccoon coming out to see what's for dinner," Michael suggested. "Or an old owl just waking up."
"Probably," Savannah said. "Let's put you in your pen all safe and sound, shall we, Ragsie?" To the Pettits, she said, "See you all in the morning."
****
Savannah, carrying Teddy, was first to emerge from their tent the following morning. Michael soon followed, and he took the dog and cat for a walk away from camp. When he returned, he said, "Rags sure doesn't like to soil his litter box if he can help it."
Savannah chuckled. "No, he doesn't. That's probably because it's so close to him there in his pen. Actually, I appreciate it when he holds off until we take him out. Otherwise it could get rather smelly in our tent, even as big as it is."
"Yeah," Michael said, "he and Lexie have their own room. Now that's luxury."
She laughed.
"What's funny so early in the morning?" Keith asked, joining the others. He reached for Teddy, who fell into his uncle's arms. The toddler showed him the pinecone he'd found. "What a treasure, buddy," Keith said. "What are you going to do with that?"
"Ride it in my truck," he said. He turned to Michael. "Where's my truck, Daddy?"
"In the garage," Michael quipped. "I'll go get it."
When Holly joined the others, she yawned and asked, "Did we get him?"
"Oh, the cat!" Savannah exclaimed. "Yes. Didn't you hear the commotion last night? I was afraid we'd wake the entire Wolf Camp."
"No," Holly said, wide-eyed. "What happened? Why didn't you come get me?"
"No need," Michael said. "We handled it." He shook his head. "That guy is one wild bundle of fur. Glad he's not going to be my patient."
"So he's in the trap?" Holly asked, looking toward where they'd set it.
Savannah nodded. "Yes. I think we should move him closer so we can keep an eye on him. We sure don't want anyone to let him out."
Michael snickered. "Yeah, whoever's dumb enough to try that might walk away with a bloody stub where their hand used to be."
Holly cringed. "He's that wild? I wonder if LouAnn knows that."
"She seems to be familiar with him. She probably does," Savannah said. "Or maybe he behaves that way only when he feels trapped. Some cats are like that."
"Keith, want to help me move the beast?" Michael asked.
"Sure," Keith said, standing Teddy on the ground and walking off with his brother.
"I want to see him," Holly said, taking Bethany's hand and following the men.
"Gone," Michael said, looking down at the trap in disbelief.
"What?" Holly said.
"Someone let the cat out and they took our towel, too."
"Towel?" she questioned.
"We covered the trap to help comfort him," Michael explained.
Keith shook his head and muttered, "But who would let him out of there?"
"The cat may have had a convincing story," Michael joked. "The passerby couldn't resist him."
"So why did he take your towel?" Holly asked.
Michael shrugged. "To wrap around his bloody hands after he tried to make friends with the devil cat?" He examined the trap. "All we can do is set it again. Why don't we move it closer to our camp, then maybe no one will mess with it."
"Well, that's disappointing," Savannah said after the others had returned and shared the news. She peered into the trap and chuckled. "Looks like he ate all the food, so maybe we can lure him in there again."
"Ewww," Holly said. "We're going to put that disgusting food right outside our tents?"
"Only if we want to catch the cat," Savannah said, "and I sure do." She asked the others, "What's our plan for today?" When no one responded, she asked, "We're going to breakfast at the little café, right?"
Everyone agreed.
She looked at Michael. "Then are you guys going fishing?"
"We might," he said. "Want to go?"
Savannah hesitated, then said, "Well, I was thinking maybe after breakfast we could set the trap and some of us can hang around here to see if he'll walk into it again. This would also be a good time to have a craft party with all the interesting things the kids have found around here."
"I find cone," Teddy squealed, showing it to Savannah.
She picked him up. "You sure did, and it's a beauty." She asked Bethany and Lily, who had just crawled out of their tents, "Want to do crafts this morning after breakfast?"
"Yay!" Bethany cheered.
Lily copied her. "Yay, crafts!"
"Okay then, we'll set the trap later this morning." Savannah frowned. "I'm determined to get a good picture of the cat to show to that stubborn man. Then maybe he'll believe that Rags isn't doing anything."
Michael clapped his hands together. "Shall we trot on down to the café and have some of that delicious breakfast?"
"Let me get the kids dressed," Savannah said, leading the younger children into their tent.
"No campfire?" Adam asked, joining them. "No apple-cinnamon pancakes or fried cornbread?"
"No, buddy," Michael said. "The gals want the morning off. Can you imagine that?"
Savannah removed her phone from her pocket. "A text from Sondra." She read, "‘Col. Bowls's attorney has submitted a bunch of papers explaining their argument for Rags being his cat. I'm afraid his documents look awfully similar to yours when it comes to showing the cat's history. Same mother, same trajectory to being adopted. Savannah, it's not looking good for us at this point. Is it possible that you adopted Rags after he was stolen from Mr. Bowls?'"
Savannah slumped into a chair and stared down at her phone. She continued reading, "‘But what the law is on a situation like this, I don't know yet. My concern is the colonel's determination and persistence. Today I plan to study similar cases, if I can find any. I hope you are enjoying your vacation. Don't worry. We'll do everything we can.'"
"Oh, is that the guy you told us about who's suing you because he thinks Rags is his cat?" Holly asked. "Could he actually take him from you after all this time?"
Michael winced. "Cat ownership is a grey area, although the old belief that cats are free agents and can't be owned has been relaxed quite a bit in most states." He shook his head. "The man could make life difficult for us if he wanted to, I guess." When he saw that Savannah was weeping, he walked up behind where she sat, put hi
s hands on her shoulders, and kissed the top of her head. "I'm sure it'll be okay, hon."
She turned in her chair and faced him. "Michael, that scammer read my book. That's where he got all that information about the shelter and the pet store and Angel." She became more excited. "I didn't name the shelter or the pet store. That's going to be our saving grace," she insisted. "If he can't identify those details correctly, he won't have a case, right?"
"Could be, I guess," Michael said. "So you think he made up his story based on what he read in your book? He wants Rags that badly?"
She said more sternly, "Michael, you know how many people have come out of the woodwork trying to get their hands on Rags. Sure, I believe someone would do something like that." She slapped her hands against her thighs, stood up, and started pacing. "Oh, that makes me so mad." She turned and grinned at the others. "But if his only evidence is what he found in my book, we've got him. Yes, if that's all he has, he has no case," she said. "Hey, now let's go get breakfast, shall we?"
"What is it, Savannah?" Holly asked a little while later as the two families sat around a large table at the camp café making plans for the day.
"Huh?" Savannah muttered. "Oh, um, I don't know."
Holly looked across the room. "You were staring at that man over there. Do you know him?"
Savannah frowned. "I don't think so. It's just that…"
"What, hon?" Michael asked.
Savannah glanced at the man again, then leaned toward the others. "I'm pretty sure I saw him sneaking around the campsites last night. After we got the trapped cat settled, I got up with Teddy. I think he had a tummy ache…"
"He did?" Michael asked. "Why didn't you wake me?"
"Oh, he was okay. I just held him until he felt better. But while we were lying together on the lounge chair outside, we heard something." She chuckled and patted Teddy's hand. "He thought it was a fox. He had it in his mind that a fox was going to eat the food we left for the wild critters." She looked at Adam. "I believe he got that idea from you."
Adam grinned and took another bite of his biscuit.