Sissy stared at that sweet bundle of gray fur. This kitten, with no front feet, was defying all the odds and walking. She had defied all the odds, too. “But if I keep Snickers caged and checked often by you, I could still have the kitten?” she asked.
Jack nodded.
That settled it for Sissy. “Then I’ll adopt him. He’ll have a wonderful home with me.”
With a slump of his shoulders, Jack said, “It may not be that simple. The owners of the kitten may still insist on euthanizing him even if I call them and sing your praises.” He pulled the prescription pad from his pocket and jotted something down before handing it to her. “You can also call them to reassure them that you’ll give the kitten a good home. Their last name is Miller. But be aware that they are, as pet owners go, a little odd. I think they’re way over-the-top about his disability. But ultimately it will be their decision, not mine.”
Sissy gaped up at him. “You mean, even if I want to adopt him, they may still reject me as suitable and have him euthanized?”
“Pretty much, yes.” Jack sighed. “By law, it’s out of my hands. It’s one of the saddest things for me as a vet. Sometimes when I know an animal can be saved, the owners, for whatever reason, decide otherwise.”
Sissy struggled to see through a red haze of anger. “I’ll do the responsible thing for Snickers,” she pushed out. “Now I’ll ask you to do one outrageously responsible thing for this kitten. If I call these people and tell them what a wonderful home I can give this kitty and they reject me as an adoptive owner, can you accidentally leave the back door of your clinic unlocked tonight?”
A stunned expression crossed the vet’s face. Then his Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat as he swallowed. “I do occasionally forget to lock the back door and set the security system.”
Sissy nodded, certain he understood her intentions. It crossed her mind that she was once again trusting a man. Her common sense seemed to have leaked out her ears. “Great. Just in case, be forgetful tonight. Please?”
Sissy knew that she was putting the vet in a horrible position, but if it was within her power, she would not allow that precious kitten to be killed in the morning. She didn’t wait for Jack to agree. That would make him complicit in the execution of a crime she intended to commit. She could only hope he left the clinic unprotected that night. It probably wouldn’t be necessary for her to carry out her backup plan, but if the kitten’s owners proved to be difficult—well, Sissy would intervene.
She turned and ran smack-dab into Ben’s chest. To his credit, he acted perfectly normal, saying farewell to the vet and helping her to collect Snickers and leave the clinic. It wasn’t until they were in the truck that he reacted.
“What the hell? You just asked Jack to leave the clinic unprotected tonight so you can steal that kitten if the owners won’t let you adopt him.”
Sissy, holding Snickers’s cage on her lap, stared with burning eyes out the windshield, seeing almost nothing. “Yep.”
“Are you out of your mind?”
Sissy took a deep breath and slowly released it. “No. I’ve lived under the radar all my life, always keeping my head down. I know you don’t understand. But this is one time, only one time, when I’m going to stand up for what’s right, no matter what. Normally, I don’t commit crimes, but to save that kitten, I will. If I offer to adopt him and his owners still insist on killing him, I’m going in there tonight and stealing him.”
Ben didn’t start the truck. He stared for a long moment at Snickers. Sissy saw emotions she couldn’t read cross his handsome countenance. He swallowed hard, just like the vet had. Then he said, “Well, sweetheart, if we’re going to commit a B and E, we need something more than a half-baked plan.”
Sissy gaped at him. “We? I don’t expect you to do it with me.”
Ben started the engine. “I know. But I’ll be damned if I’ll let you do it alone. I’m in love with you. Any man worth his salt stands by the woman he loves.”
Sissy tried to assimilate that, but none of it computed in her brain. She’d held him at arm’s length. Sometimes she’d even been rude to him.
Ben said, “Don’t overthink it. I’m sorry I told you like that. I guess romantic isn’t my middle name. But damn it, Sissy, I care about you. If you’re dead set on rescuing that kitten, you’re not doing it alone. Too much could go wrong.”
“Your brother is a deputy!” She realized she was shouting and struggled to calm down. “You are a Sterling, not a Bentley. Sterlings don’t commit crimes.”
“This one will.” He flashed her a broad grin. “Actually, I think you’re bringing out my wild side. It sounds kind of fun. Bonnie and Clyde stealing a kitten. Whether you like it or not, you’re not alone anymore. You’ve got me. We could both do time for this, but I’m not going to chicken out at the last minute. Are you?”
Sissy hadn’t actually thought about the serious aspects of what she meant to do. She swallowed hard. Then she thought of that kitten, the victim of two crazy people. She’d been there once. And nobody had been brave enough to rescue her. “No, I’m not going to chicken out. If those people deny me the right to adopt that kitten, I’m going to go get him tonight, with or without you.”
“With me,” he shot back. He sent her a burning look. “I don’t want to make you get all skittish. I know you don’t want me to care about you. But if I can’t control how I feel, you sure as hell can’t.”
Sissy couldn’t bring herself to address his feelings or her own right then. “So, what’s our plan?”
Ben pulled out of the parking lot. Moments later he headed south on North Huckleberry toward town. “Well, if you don’t get the kitten, I think Jack probably makes his night rounds well before ten. So I think we should leave for the clinic at that time.”
Sissy’s stomach knotted. It was scary to think about committing a criminal act, no matter how important it was. “Ten sounds great. I’ll be finished with closing and have breakfast prep done. I think we should wear black so we’ll blend in with the darkness.”
“Good idea. And we shouldn’t be seen together. I won’t come in for dinner tonight.”
She nodded. “Should we meet somewhere, then?”
“I’m afraid someone might see our vehicles together. By ten Main is mostly dark. Meet me at ten sharp in front of the café. Stand against the building in the shadows.”
“Okay,” she agreed. “Douse your headlights as you come onto Main. That way, your truck won’t be as visible. Come to a stop in front of my place, and I’ll run out to get in.” She sighed. “I just hope those stupid people don’t turn me down.”
“Me, too.”
He drove into Sissy’s backyard. She understood why he didn’t offer to exit his truck and go inside. “Set the cage by the stairs and let Finn outside. I’ll call him. He’ll just load up if I have the door open.”
Sissy, cautiously balancing Snickers’s cage, opened her door and slid to the ground. “The owners work, so I’ll let you know what they say sometime after five when they should be home to take my call.”
Ben inclined his head at the cage she embraced. “Don’t forget to visit those websites to read up on pack rats kept in captivity.”
Her heart squeezed. “I won’t. I think I’ll keep the café closed for lunch so I have time to do that. I can also get a head start on breakfast prep for tomorrow. If the kitten’s owners are unreasonable, it may be a really busy night.”
* * *
After finishing dinner prep, Sissy carried Snickers upstairs. The moment she entered the kitchen, she set the live trap on her table, opened the side door, and lifted the rat into her cupped hands.
“Hi, baby.” She giggled when Snickers touched her wristwatch and tipped his head, clearly mesmerized by the shiny crystal. “You already stole one once. No repeat performances.”
Cuddling the rat close, Sissy got out her laptop and sat on
the sofa to boot up her system. While the computer loaded, she ran her fingers over Snickers’s fur. He smelled of flea powder, but she didn’t care.
“We’re going to surf the Internet,” she said. “It’ll be a lot of doom-and-gloom nonsense, mind you, and nothing I read will change my mind. From here on out, we’re going to be friends always, and if the kitten grows up with you, he won’t try to hurt you as he grows larger.”
Within minutes, tears were running down Sissy’s cheeks. She set aside the laptop and returned Snickers to his cage. Then she drew her cell phone from her pocket and dialed Ben’s number.
The familiar sound of his deep voice brought more tears to Sissy’s eyes. “It’s me,” she said, her throat tight. “I visited the websites. They say Snickers may have a shortened life span if I keep him in a cage. And that he needs to hang out with other pack rats to be happy and healthy.”
“I’m sorry, honey. I wish it were different.”
Sissy squeezed her eyes closed. “I can’t keep him, Ben. Why can’t I have just one little friend to love?” She sniffed and wiped her nose on her shirtsleeve. “If I can’t get the kitten for whatever reason, setting Snickers free will leave me alone again.”
“I know. But Jack Palmer says I can ratproof your building so Snickers can’t get back inside if you set him free. Once we know where his nest is, you’ll be able to visit him every day. So you aren’t saying good-bye. You can still have Snickers as your friend.”
“I worry that it may frighten the other rats if I go near their nests.”
Ben laughed. “Well, you may give them a startle the first time you visit. But once they realize you bring gifts, they’ll probably look forward to seeing you.”
Sissy felt a bit better, not quite so sad. “It won’t be the same, though.”
“No,” Ben agreed. “But you won’t have to say good-bye to Snickers and never see him again. And there’s a huge possibility that the Millers will love the idea of you giving their kitten a wonderful home. And if they don’t, we move on to plan B.”
“True. And if something happens so that I can’t steal the kitten, I suppose I could adopt one the ordinary way. I’m sure there are lots of kittens at the no-kill shelter who need good homes.”
“That’s the spirit.”
“But another kitten will never need me as much as the injured one does.”
She heard Ben sigh. “No. His circumstances are unique. And because of his problems, you’ll probably love him more than you might a perfectly healthy cat.”
Sissy appreciated his understanding. Some men might not have.
“So,” he said, “have you decided what the better choice is for Snickers yet?”
She also appreciated that Ben wasn’t pressing her to make the decision he hoped she would. “It’s pretty clear that keeping him in captivity isn’t better for Snickers.” She heard her voice go thin. “I have to turn him loose.”
“It won’t be easy,” Ben warned. “The two of you bonded pretty fast.”
“Doing the right thing is often difficult. Maybe I’ll wait until I have the kitten before I turn Snickers loose.”
“Great idea,” he agreed. “You’ll have the kitten for comfort. And don’t forget that you’ll be able to visit Snickers at his nest if I’m able to find it.”
“Knowing that helps.” Sissy could think of little else to say on that topic. “I’ll try to reach the Millers around five thirty. I’ll call you immediately after I talk to them.”
She heard Ben clear his throat. “Just in case it doesn’t go well, have your cat burglar clothes laid out.”
“Cat burglar clothes?” She pushed aside her sadness over Snickers and laughed. “That’s apropos.”
“Pun intended.” After a moment’s silence, he said, “I’ll be waiting on pins and needles for your call.”
* * *
The Cauldron was packed with diners. All the counter stools were taken. The booths were full. Sissy had people standing by the front door, waiting to eat. Normally she would have been pleased, but tonight all she wanted was to chase everyone out of her café, lock the door, and wait for the Millers to call her back. At five thirty, they hadn’t answered their home phone, so she’d left a message.
“It’s the coach’s fault,” Blackie yelled as she walked by his place at the bar. “Why did he allow that stupid pass? He had to know the other team’s offense might intercept!”
Sissy nodded and pretended to care, but pulling that off while both her arms were laden with plates was nearly impossible. Just as Sissy reached Chris and Kim Peck’s table, her cell phone vibrated. It was the Millers calling. It was almost six. They would have listened to her message by now.
Sissy couldn’t answer the call with both hands full. And she didn’t like talking on her phone while serving customers. Damn and drat! Gritting her teeth to keep from saying those words out loud, she forced her lips to curve into a smile.
“Here you go,” she said, injecting warmth she didn’t feel into her voice. “The shrimp for Kimberly, and the pot roast for Chris.” She set the heaped plates in front of both restaurateurs. “I hope you enjoy your meals, but I’ve got to add that you’re slumming it by eating here. Nothing I serve can compare to the gourmet creations at your place. All my stuff is ordinary.”
Kimberly laughed. A petite natural blonde with gray eyes, she radiated friendliness. “That’s why we’re here. We’re craving ordinary.”
Chris, a tall, slender man with jet-black hair and merry blue eyes, took a bite of roast and moaned as if he’d just tasted ambrosia. “Oh, man. I heard it was fabulous, and it is.”
“Thank you.” Sissy appreciated the compliment, but her phone was vibrating in her pocket again. “Please, enjoy your meal, and if you need anything more, just signal me. I’ll be right over.”
Sissy refused to run in front of her customers, so she speed-walked back to the kitchen and darted into the pantry. She checked her recent calls, and sure enough, the last two had been from the Miller residence. Sissy quickly dialed them back.
A woman answered. “Ah, Ms. Bentley. Irene Miller at this end. I was hoping you’d get back to me quickly. I hated for you to get your hopes up only to have us dash them.”
Sissy stiffened. “Dash them? I’m the perfect person to give your kitten a good home. I live alone. I have no other pets. He’d be so happy with me.”
“Yes, but as we understand it, you own a café and live above your business. Stairs aren’t a good fit for this kitten. Going up and down steps will always be painful for him.”
“But he won’t be on the stairs, and even if he ever were, according to the vet, his stubs will heal and toughen up.”
“I’m sorry,” the woman said. “But my husband and I both agree that stairs are a huge problem. We wish you luck in finding a kitten more suited to your living arrangements.”
Before Sissy could reply, the woman hung up. Sissy immediately dialed Ben.
He answered with “Did you get him?”
“No!” Sissy said, unable to keep the outrage she felt from her tone. “And I’m swamped in here, so I’ll spit it out fast. My living arrangements are unsuitable for their kitten because I have stairs. So we’re on for tonight. Meet me out front at ten sharp.”
“Maybe I can call and ask to adopt him.”
Sissy shook her head even though she knew he couldn’t see her. “You have barn cats and a dog.” Because he’d offered an alternative to meeting her later, she asked, “Are you wanting to back out? There could be serious ramifications for both of us if we’re caught, and I’ll certainly understand if you’ve had second thoughts.”
“No second thoughts. By midnight, you’re going to be a kitten mama.”
Sissy giggled nervously. “From your lips to God’s ear.”
Sissy’s heart was pounding as she returned to the café dining room. She and Ben were
actually going to commit a B and E. It was a crime. If she had any sense, she would stop this nonsense right now. She took a deep breath and thought of the poor kitten, consigned to death. She didn’t have a lick of sense, she guessed, because she intended to do it.
* * *
Sissy stood in the shadows of her building, shivering with cold. West Main was empty of cars. A few upstairs lights glowed through apartment windows, but otherwise, the town had rolled up the carpet. The streetlamps shone in the darkness, illuminating the fog that had descended over the town.
Foggy is good, Sissy told herself. With both of us wearing black, we’ll be harder to spot. From the town center, she heard the clock tower bong the hour. The repetitive sounds seemed eerie tonight, not as soothing as they usually were. Just then she heard a noise and realized it was hard rubber tread grabbing at asphalt. A second later, a long blue shape, almost indiscernible in the darkness, rounded the street corner.
When the truck stopped in the right lane, Sissy dashed from her hiding place and darted into the thoroughfare. As she drew closer to the vehicle, she could barely make out Ben’s hulky silhouette through the driver’s-side window. She circled the front bumper, tucked her frozen fingers under the lift-up door handle, and jumped inside.
“Wow. The lady has springs on her feet tonight.”
Sissy closed the door with as little force as possible and started to buckle up. Safety first, that was her motto. But what they planned to do tonight was far from safe, and if they hoped to succeed in their mission without getting caught, she had to get into the proper frame of mind. “I’m a criminal. Criminals don’t worry about stupid things like seat belts.”
“What?” In the yellow-green glow of the dash lights, Ben, wearing his Stetson, looked like a cowboy with faint firelight casting his features into sharp relief. “You sound pretty nervous.”
Sissy hadn’t realized she’d spoken aloud. “I’m just doing mental prep.”
“Breakfast prep, followed by mental prep. I get you. Only, mental prep for what?”
Mulberry Moon Page 19