Catnapped (A Klepto Cat Mystery)

by Fry, Patricia

  Savannah looked stunned. “What? I never heard this story. According to Auntie Marg, you have no sense of adventure. But marrying behind your parents’ back—now that seems a bit adventurous to me.”

  “Yes, well, you might say that. But my point is, Savannah, I knew I was in love with your father and wanted to spend the rest of my life with him after our second date.”

  “I thought you said you didn’t know. Now I’m confused.”

  “Well, honey, there is the heart knowing and the head knowing. I was clear about what my heart wanted. And I guess it’s what my head wanted, too. But I was still not privy to how life would actually be once we were married and had children. Circumstances can change. Things happen. I can tell you all sorts of stories about people I know who were met by obstacles and made new choices. You’re always at liberty to make new choices, dear.”

  Gladys continued, “For example, when your dad got sick, that wasn’t something I knew would happen. I never even considered it as a possibility. Yeah, yeah, they include it in your wedding vows. But who takes that seriously? We all think it’s not going to happen to us and if it does, love will see us through.” She took a sip of water, cleared her throat and continued, “Well, when he got sick, I had options. It was certainly a new circumstance. Things had changed without my permission. My expectations of a long, healthy and happy life together had been completely thwarted. My choice was to stick by your father and take care of him for as long as I had the opportunity to do so.”

  She looked long and hard at her daughter and then said, “Savannah, don’t allow yourself to miss out on a beautiful life with a wonderful man because you can’t be absolutely sure that the marriage or the man will live up to your every expectation all the time in all ways. There are no absolutes and there are no guarantees.”

  Chapter 16

  When Savannah left her mother’s home that evening and headed toward her apartment, she had a lot to think about. She was surprised that what her mother told her was so much in alignment with what Michael had said to her. I guess I’ve had it all wrong. I’ve been afraid to live—too cautious. I mean, even my mother has taken risks and been glad she did.

  She didn’t call Michael that evening. She turned off her phone and she and Rags went to bed early. Six hours later, she awoke with a start. She was sweating profusely and breathing hard. She looked at the clock. It was 3:00 a.m. And then she remembered her dream. She could see Michael off in the distance. He held his hand out for her. She tried to walk toward him, but each step she took placed her farther away from him. He was disappearing into a crowd of beautiful women. In her last glimpse of him, he was turning away from her, putting his arm around another woman and walking through a tunnel. At that point, she began calling out to him, “Michael, Michael. Don’t leave me.” But it was too late. The window of opportunity had closed for Savannah.

  Suddenly, she knew what she had to do. Although she had made a tentative date with Gwen to ride down to the beach that afternoon, she felt a greater need to take care of something within herself. She got up out of her bed and fed Rags. She showered, threw on some jeans and a sweatshirt and pulled her hair back in a ponytail. She put a few toiletries and clean clothes in her backpack, grabbed a jacket, and jumped in her car. Luckily, she had filled it with gas the day before. She would call Brianna and ask her to feed Rags for the next couple of days.

  Savannah headed north on Highway 101 and drove until it got light. She stopped above Santa Barbara for a bite to eat and then continued north, catching Highway 1 just outside of Morro Bay. It was midday when she reached Big Sur.

  Even Big Sur made her think of Michael. She recalled one glorious evening together when they talked about their favorite places. She was blown away to learn that they actually shared a couple of favorite spots. Both of them had spent brief periods in Alaska and each of them had a strong desire to return. And then there was this cove in Big Sur where Savannah had spent time with her family over the years. Michael thought he knew the spot, as he used to go there when he was in college to get away from the grind, take in the wonders of nature and to think. As she trekked down the rocky path toward the beach, she was glad to see that it was secluded. She bundled her jacket tightly around herself against the wind and began to walk out onto the sand. It was then that she spotted someone standing a distance away. She stopped. Probably a resident out for a walk, she thought.

  She found her favorite brooding/thinking spot and sat down on an old log. She was engrossed in watching the waves rush in and slowly back out. The foam formations appearing and disappearing mesmerized her—she found it almost hypnotic. I’m glad I came, she thought. This place is so beautiful—so peaceful.

  “Savannah?”

  Chapter 17

  What? My God, who’s that? Am I hearing things? she thought as she turned toward the voice.

  “Michael! What are you doing here?”

  “Thinking. The same as you are,” he said. “I thought I would feel closer to you if I was in your favorite place.” He walked around in front of Savannah, took her hands and said, “I miss you.”

  “Oh Michael.” Savannah stood and threw herself into his arms in one quick motion. “I can’t get you out of my mind.” She kissed him over and over.

  “Well, good.”

  She pulled away from him, looked hard into his face and then kissed him so passionately both of them were weak-kneed for a few moments. “Michael,” she said as she nuzzled into his neck, “I want us to be together.”

  He held her away from him and stared into her face expectantly. “Do you mean…?”

  “Yes…er…no, well, I mean…”

  “What Savannah? A man can only take so much. What are you thinking? What do you want?” he asked while sitting down on the log and pulling her gently down with him.

  “Michael, I came here to think about us, my life, my goals, my stupid expectations and to try to figure out what to do. When I saw you just now, it all became quite clear to me. If you will agree, this is what I’d like to do.”

  “Yes?” Michael waited trying not to let his boyish impatience show.

  “I’d like to spend time with you in some sort of normal dating situation. Does this sound hokey to you or like I’m afraid to face how we feel about each other?”

  “No,” he said hesitantly. “No, I guess not, really. I want you to be as ready for marriage with me as I am ready to marry you, Savannah and I’m willing to do whatever it takes. If you need more time, then let’s take more time.”

  “But I want us to spend that time together as much as possible,” she said.

  He looked over at her. “Do you want to move up to Hammond now?”

  “I’m thinking about it,” she said. “I’ve realized that I don’t have anything in LA to hold me. There’s my mom and my sister and a few friends. But I’m not attached to the job. I’m not interested in going clubbing and my married friends are too busy to bother with me at this point in their lives. Brianna is off to medical school most of the year in Cleveland and my mother, it so happens, has carved out a fairly nice life for herself. She even took Aunt Marg’s advice and joined a singles group. Wait until I tell Auntie!”

  She took in a deep breath, massaged Michael’s hands with her own, and said, “I’m ready to move on, Michael. Sight unseen, no crystal ball, and with no guarantees, I’m ready to commit to you, if you don’t mind that we take baby steps,” she added, just as he was ready to comment.

  “Baby steps, giant leaps…it doesn’t matter, as long as we can be together, my love.” He wrapped both arms around her and they sat quietly for a while watching the ocean waves and listening to the wind whistle through the twisted cypress trees on the cliff above them.

  Finally, Michael whispered in Savannah’s ear, “Where do we start?”

  She looked over at him. “I’d like to take you up on your offer of a veterinary position whenever you want me to begin.”

  “Yesterday.”

  “Funny boy,” she la
ughed. “I think it’s too soon to involve lawyers and get something in writing, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, I guess. But you can come to work for me. I have a proposal and wage schedule already worked up. Come home with me now and we’ll talk about it,” he said in a husky voice into her neck.

  “Nice try,” she said. “No, I’m going home to LA tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?” he asked pulling back—a look of expectancy on his face.

  “Yes, I thought I’d stay for the weekend since I’m here.” She watched him, as if waiting for him to make the next move.

  “I packed my overnight bag, too.” He searched her eyes for a sign of what might come of the weekend. “I know a cozy little motel off the beaten path with a great view of the ocean and nothing distracting like TV,” he said hopefully. And then he added, “We can share a room. But the rooms have only one bed.”

  “It sounds lovely, Michael,” she said as she rubbed her hand softly over his.

  ***

  “I’ll be there next weekend,” Savannah said into the phone.

  “Oh Vannie, I’m thrilled that you’re coming. You can help me pick out a wedding dress.” Margaret sounded almost giddy. “And you can help me plan my honeymoon. Max wants me to choose the place and I don’t know where we should go. I can’t even decide what flavor cake to order. But guess what? I’ll have my cast off for the wedding. In fact, it comes off a week before, so I can practice my dance steps,” she said, laughing.

  “Well, I’ll help where I can, but I’ll be working at Michael’s clinic starting next Monday. I have rotating days off and we’re both off on Sunday. I sure appreciate you letting me stay with you while I look for an apartment.”

  “You don’t need to look for an apartment. Just stay here. I’ll be moving in over at Max’s anyway. I’m selling the place. But not right away. You’ll probably be staying a lot of nights at Michael’s right?”

  “Oh, I don’t think so, Auntie. We’ve decided to go slow, so there will be no premature living together,” Savannah said. “Thank you for the offer of your place. I’ve become quite attached to my room upstairs. Rags and I would love to come back there. I’ll pay you rent while I’m there.”

  “You’ll do no such thing—at least not until after the wedding.”

  Chapter 18

  “It’s your wedding day, Auntie,” Savannah said as she stood behind Margaret, smiling at her through the mirror on her dressing table. “Are you ready?”

  “Oh, I guess as ready as I’ll ever be.”

  “You have only an hour. The family should be here any time. What are you going to do with your hair?”

  Margaret held something up for Savannah to see. “I bought this foo-foo hairdo thingy—otherwise I’ll wear it like I always do. How can you change a do that is cut to be a bob?”

  “I love your foo-foo hairdo thingy,” Savannah said with a laugh. She looked more closely at her aunt’s hair. “I can help you put it in.” She pulled Margaret’s hair back off her face on one side. “How about we put it here for a dramatic look…like this?”

  “Ohhhh, I like it. Good idea,” Margaret said. Then she looked up at Savannah. “Can you help me with makeup? You do such a good job with your own. I want to look like you.”

  She smiled. “I think your new husband would rather you look like you, Auntie. But sure, let’s give your face a little color.”

  In the meantime, Helena and Martha were in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on the hors d’oeuvres trays for the reception that would follow the nuptials. Antonio and Juan had built an arbor out in Margaret’s backyard over which they wove two climbing rose bushes. Lavender. Margaret wanted lavender roses and Esperanza shopped until she found a shade as close to lavender as possible. The party-rental people had set up the tables for the reception and the chairs for the service.

  ***

  It was a lovely service. Michael, Max’s son, and a college friend stood up with the groom and both of Margaret’s sisters and Savannah stood up with Margaret. Her brother walked her down the aisle and Brianna was in charge of the guest book. Max’s two grandsons carried the ring. Charlotte, still proudly wearing her medal, was the flower girl.

  After the wedding, the happy couple would stay home and spend a few days with the family that had travelled to share in their happiness. And then they were heading to the beach communities of California. Savannah had made reservations for them at the secluded motel in Big Sur where she and Michael had stayed weeks earlier.

  “Oh there you are Savannah. Sorry we didn’t get to visit before the service—talk about a grand entrance. Rose and I almost missed the whole thing.”

  “Hi, Mom. I saw you come in just in time to line up with us. What happened?”

  “Stuck in traffic—you know how it goes…but we got here. I’m so glad to see you. You look lovely.”

  “You, too, Mom,” she said as she reached out for a hug. “Hi Sis,” she said hugging Brianna hard. “Good to see you Sis Doc.”

  “You, too, Sis Vet.”

  Both girls giggled.

  “Who’s this?” Brianna asked her sister.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. This, my dear mother, is your future son-in-law. Brianna, meet your new brother,” she quipped. “This is Michael Ivey, my fiancé.”

  “Really!!?” all three of them said at the same time.

  She turned to Michael and said, “Yes, my darling. Yes.”

  Watch for more books in the Klepto Cat Mystery Series.

  Coming October 2013.

  Book Two—Cat-Eye Witness

  The second book in the series, Cat-Eye Witness follows Savannah and Michael as they work together in his veterinary practice and, in the midst of a murder investigation, plan their wedding. Since Margaret moved into Max’s home after their marriage, Savannah is caretaking her aunt’s large, old, two-story home next door until they find a buyer. With Margaret’s blessings, Savannah opens the home to a fundraiser to help the abused horses rescued from the same people who were stealing cats. And, before the afternoon is over, the funds collected go missing and someone is murdered in an upstairs bedroom.

  Suspicion surrounds Iris, a local waitress, Margaret’s former classmate and Savannah’s new best friend. The only witness to the murder is Rags, Savannah’s cat. With the assistance of a cat psychic and Rags’s good friend, Charlotte (the young girl with Downs), the cat helps to “paw” the killer…but not before an attempt is made on his life. The case is solved only after Rags comes face-to-face with the killer.

  Detective Craig Sledge is new to this book as is Damon, Iris’s errant son. Sledge finds this to be one of the muddiest, most confusing cases he has ever worked, with inconsistent clues and no apparent motive. He’s constantly surprised, perplexed and impressed by the cat’s uncanny ability to come up with clues he and his men have missed.

  In this story, one of the rescued horses needs help foaling and a there’s a night of high drama at the ole corral. This causes Savannah to renew her deep interest in horses and riding, which ultimately serves to help her bond with a very important surprise character who finds his way into hers and Michael’s life just as they prepare to repeat their wedding vows.

  Some say this is a love story with a mystery in the background.

  Coming March 2014

  Book Three—Sleight of Paw

  Michael Ivey, the local veterinarian and Savannah’s new husband, is violently attacked by an enraged client and then later accused of the man’s murder. The clues quickly stack up against Michael. Coinciding with the details of this challenge is the discovery that the old house, which the couple purchased from her aunt, is cursed. Is this why the couple has not been blessed with a child?

  Savannah’s sister Brianna comes for a visit. She teams up with the Iveys’ vet tech, Bud, to discover how to break the gypsy spell and they fall hard for each other. Of course Rags (the cat) is involved in solving the crime of many twists and turns.

  Craig Sledge is working this case, too. And he h
as also become embedded in Iris’s family. He’s dating Iris and helping with Damon’s rehabilitation in prison.