Claws for a Cause (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 15)

by Patricia Fry

  “Shouldn’t leave things lying around,” Adam reminded her. He then peered at the picture, asking, “Who is that?”

  Savannah looked more closely. “I think she said it’s my Uncle John’s third wife, Marvel.”

  “What’s she doing?” he asked. “What’s she throwing at those chickens?”

  “She’s feeding them,” Savannah explained.

  He studied the photo again. “That’s a funny way to feed animals.”

  “They’re free-range chickens,” Michael said. “They run around the yard scratching for seeds, worms, bugs, and things. People also toss them grains and cracked corn to eat.”

  Adam looked at the picture again. “Oh. If I was a chicken, I’d want to catch it in the air before it hit the ground so I wouldn’t have dirt in my food.”

  Play-boxing his son, Michael said, “Aren’t you glad you’re not a chicken?”

  “Sure am.” He thought for a moment and said, “But I wouldn’t mind being a cat. They have a good life.” He laughed. “Hey, you should have seen Rags playing with Lucy earlier when I took him out on his leash.”

  “Oh, did she come to visit again?” Michael asked.

  “Yes, she comes to see Peaches. She and Peaches are friends. They sure like playing together. When Lucy jumps around and nips at her face, she snorts and tosses her head like she’s really happy. Rags likes Lucy, too.” He looked up at his dad. “Why do you think he gets along with dogs? Aren’t cats and dogs supposed to fight like…well, cats and dogs?”

  “Sure, some do,” Michael agreed.

  “Rags seems to like all animals—cats, dogs, horses… But not gophers.”

  Michael smiled. “No? How do you know that, Son?”

  “I saw him trying to catch one once and I could tell he sure didn’t like that gopher.” Adam stared at the cat. “I think he was mad because the gopher outsmarted him. He went in a hole and covered it up so Rags couldn’t see him.” He then said, “Yup, I think it would be awesome to be a cat.”

  “Oh yeah?” Michael challenged. “But cats can’t play basketball and ride a skateboard.” He grinned. “Or beat me at a game of War.”

  Adam smiled. “Yeah, that’s right. Hey, wanna play, Dad, huh?”

  “Sure,” Michael said. “Want to join us, hon?” he asked.

  Savannah shook her head. “I think I’d better make a list of what we need to pack for the trip.”

  “Your head’s getting too full, huh?” Adam asked.

  She laughed. “Yeah. I need to empty it out onto a piece of paper.”

  ****

  Later that evening, Savannah looked up when Michael entered the bedroom. “Everyone bedded down?” she asked.

  “Yes. Adam’s looking forward to going out to breakfast tomorrow before the drive home. He does love those pancakes they serve at the diner.”

  “Good idea planning a special treat for him on his last day here, although, he seems to make the transition from one home to the other fairly easily.”

  Michael yawned and stretched. “Yes, he does.” He then laughed and said, “Guess what he wants us to bring him back from Hawaii?”

  “What?”

  “A conch shell.”

  “One of those great big shells?” she asked. “Why?”

  “So he can learn to blow into it. He saw someone do it on TV once and thought it made a cool sound.”

  “I don’t imagine it’ll be hard to find one of those over there,” she said. “Packing it to bring it home might be another matter, though.”

  “Speaking of packing,” he said, picking up her list, “how’s it going?”

  “I don’t know, Michael. It requires a lot of stuff to travel with a baby. Do you know how much room five days’ worth of diapers takes up?”

  “Can’t we buy diapers on the island?”

  Savannah nodded. “Yes, but there’s extra room in her suitcase, anyway, for the new clothes we’ll buy over there.”

  Michael glanced at the list before asking, “So you had a long phone conversation with Colbi earlier. How’re things going with her brother?”

  “She’s convinced he’s changed. She says he’s been a model guest. She’s even thinking he should get some of the family’s fortune.” She turned to Michael. “You know, they were really close at one time. She’d love to re-establish their relationship, and, even though her father left everything to her, she wants to split it with Harrison.”

  “What did Mr. Stanton have—anything worth dividing? I thought all he had was the house where Colbi lives.”

  “I guess there was a bank account that Colbi hasn’t touched, except to bury her dad. And she wants to give her brother half the value of the property. She’s been talking to attorneys and accountants.”

  “And he’s keeping his nose clean, is he?”

  “She believes he is.” She snapped her fingers. “Oh, that reminds me. She wants me to bring Rags over tomorrow afternoon to play with Dolly. They haven’t had a playdate in ages. She says Dolly’s kind of upset since her brother moved in. But he’s out of town for a few days and Colbi wants to give Dolly a treat.”

  “Rags is a treat?”

  “To Dolly, he is. Remember how much fun they had when Colbi and that adorable little tabby stayed here after Colbi was injured in that fire?”

  Michael smiled. “She was a cute kitten. She’s the one who taught Damon that cats are kind of cool, isn’t she?”

  “Yes she is,” Savannah said. “But who can blame him for hating cats, after Rags was responsible for having him convicted.”

  “Hey, Damon did the deed. Rags just happened to be an eyewitness and found a way to squeal,” Michael reminded her. “I think we all know how Damon feels about Rags now—he considers the cat his savior. Look at how Damon has cleaned up his act. He’s a model citizen. No wonder Colbi believes so wholeheartedly that her brother can change. Damon made it look easy.”

  “To Colbi, maybe. But she didn’t know Damon until he had turned the corner. She didn’t know him through all those years he lived in the gutter.”

  ****

  Late the next morning, Savannah knocked on the door of Colbi’s old two-story farmhouse, with Lily in her arms and holding Rags’s leash. “Hi,” she said when Colbi opened the door and ushered her inside.

  Colbi took Lily’s little hand. “Hi.” When the baby buried her face against Savannah, she said, “Oh, you’re going to play shy with Aunt Colbi, are you? Well, Rags isn’t shy.” She knelt down and greeted the large grey-and-white cat. “Hey there, Rags, old boy. Dolly’s going to be so excited to see you. I hope you’ve had your vitamins, because she’s been pretty energetic lately.” Colbi glanced up at Savannah. “Can I take his harness off him?”

  “Sure.” She sat down and pulled off Lily’s jacket. “Well, hello Dolly,” she said when she spotted the fluffy tabby peering at her from behind an overstuffed chair. “I brought you a playmate.”

  Both women laughed when Dolly trotted across the room and began sniffing Rags suspiciously, her tail bushed up twice its normal size. Once Colbi removed the harness, however, the tabby seemed to relax and the two cats raced up the narrow staircase.

  Suddenly, the women heard a man’s voice. “Whoa, what was that?”

  Taken aback, Savannah looked up at the staircase landing and gasped. Whew, that’s a blast from the past.

  There, standing tall in cowboy boots, was Harrison Lee, dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt. Savannah watched as he waited for the whirlwind of cats to scamper past him. Then, laughing, he took the stairs two at a time until reaching the bottom. “Hey Sis, got any grub—maybe a donut or something? My ride’ll be here in a hot minute, then I’m off to the big city.”

  “Um, well, I think there’s a cinnamon roll left from yesterday. Help yourself. Take a banana if you want, or an apple.”

  “Blah, fruit? I don’t think so. Where’s my travel mug? I’ll fill it with coffee. Got coffee made?”

  “Sure. You might have to warm it
up,” Colbi said. She lowered her brow. “Uh, Harrison, I thought you left yesterday.”

  “Oh yeah,” he called from the kitchen, “stayed out late. Decided I needed my sleep. We’re leaving this afternoon.” He peered into the living room. “That’s okay with you, isn’t it, warden?” Snickering, he disappeared into the kitchen again, then quickly returned and stared in Savannah’s direction. Narrowing his eyes, he stepped into the room and walked closer to her. “Well, Savannah-Anna-Banana,” he said. “Is that you or am I seeing things?”

  “Yes, it’s me,” she said, standing to greet him.

  Smiling broadly, he grabbed her and hugged her tightly. “How the hell are you, lady?” he asked, stepping back and drinking her in with his eyes. “Man, you look great!”

  “I’m doing well; how about you, Harrison?” she asked.

  He looked at his sister, then back at Savannah, pointing from one to the other. “How do you two…? I didn’t know you lived up here…” He shook his head, his sun-bleached blond hair brushing against the hood of his sweatshirt as it folded around his neck.

  “So you two really do know each other?” Colbi asked. “That’s just…I mean…how…” she stammered.

  Savannah, feeling a little uncomfortable standing so close to Harrison, stepped back. She then noticed Lily running toward the kitchen and hurried to pick her up and carry her back to the living room. “It was a long time ago,” she said, in response to Colbi’s questions.

  “Yeah, but it seems like yesterday,” Harrison said, still grinning. He cocked his head inquisitively. “Yours?” he asked, gesturing toward Lily.

  Savannah nodded.

  “Oh, are you married?” he asked rather flatly.

  Placing Lily on the floor with a toy from her tote bag, she said, “Well, yes.”

  “Plan to get divorced anytime soon?” he asked, sounding hopeful.

  “Harrison,” Colbi warned.

  “Well, it can’t hurt to ask,” he said in his defense. “Savannah-Anna’s the hottest chick I’ve seen in this one-horse town, yet.”

  “No, Harrison,” Savannah said, rather impatiently, “I’m not planning to get divorced anytime soon, or ever.”

  He slumped a little. “Well, let me know if you change your mind.” With a wink, he disappeared again into the kitchen and soon walked out carrying a travel mug and the cinnamon roll. Before reaching the front door, he stopped and gazed at Savannah, muttering, “Married, huh? Just my luck.” He then called out to Colbi, “See you later, Sis.”

  Colbi nodded and the two women watched as Harrison sauntered out the door.

  “I still can’t believe you two know each other,” Colbi said.

  Savannah shook her head. “I still can’t believe he’s your brother and that he’s here in Hammond.” She stared at the front door. “Gads, he’s pretty.”

  “Pretty?” Colbi said, laughing a little.

  “Oh, you know,” she said, waving her hand in front of her face, “good looking. Great-looking guy.” She shook her head. “But not as hot as my husband.” Savannah looked at Colbi.

  “So you thought he was out of town?”

  “Yeah, got home in the middle of the night, I guess. I don’t know where he goes and I don’t ask.” She then said, “Hey, how about some coffee, tea, lemonade?”

  “Is there any coffee left?” Savannah asked. “He had an awfully big mug there.”

  Colbi nodded. “I made a full pot this morning. Black, right?”

  “Yes,” Savannah said, pulling more toys out of the bag and engaging Lily with some of them. Picking up a vase of roses from the coffee table and placing it on the mantle, she called out to Colbi, “Did someone bring you flowers?”

  “Yes,” she said, returning to the living room with two cups of coffee. “Damon brought those last night.”

  “They’re beautiful.” She took a sip of the coffee and looked at Colbi. “Any special occasion? I mean, it’s not your birthday. Are they make-up flowers?”

  “Kinda-sorta,” Colbi said. “He’s been rather cranky since Harrison arrived. I’m not sure if he’s jealous or worried.” When Savannah didn’t speak, she added, “He’s in courting mode, you know.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes, he’s decided we should get married.”

  “Yeah, you told me that last time I saw you. I think it’s wonderful,” she said, lifting Lily onto her lap. When she saw Colbi frown, she asked, “You’re still saying no?”

  “Oh, I don’t know, Savannah. I just don’t know.” Suddenly, she jumped. “Look out,” she called, as a blur of cat fur appeared from the staircase and tore through the living room and into the dining area where Rags stopped and Dolly jumped over the top of him. Dolly then stood on her haunches and batted playfully at the much larger cat trying to entice a reaction. Instead, Rags laid down, stretched out, and rolled over.

  “Can’t keep up with her anymore, huh, Ragsie?” Savannah said.

  Just then, Rags leaped up and took off into the kitchen with Dolly on his tail. Within seconds, Dolly appeared at high speed and rushed up the stairs with Rags chasing after her. Both women laughed.

  “Ki-ki,” Lily chirped, pointing. “Ki-ki.”

  “Yes, there go those kitties,” Savannah said, kissing the toddler as she squirmed to get down. When the baby headed for the stairs, Savannah went after her. “No-no, little one. No stairs for you. Come play with your toys. Want to color?”

  “She colors?” Colbi asked.

  “Yes, we went out to dinner the other night when my mom arrived and Lily was particularly antsy, so Michael found her a crayon and some paper and showed her how to color. She loved it. She sat quietly doing artwork until her dinner came.”

  “Wow, she seems awfully young to be interested in art.”

  “Yes, watch this,” Savannah said, placing a coloring book on the floor and handing Lily a crayon.

  “Incredible,” Colbi said, watching Lily move the crayon across the page with concentrated deliberation. “She really gets into her art, doesn’t she?” She chuckled. “She has such a serious look on her little face.” She pulled out her cell phone and snapped a few pictures. “That’s so cute.”

  Savannah smiled down at her daughter, then looked at Colbi. “So tell me more about this marriage thing—why won’t you say yes? You said you love Damon.”

  Colbi nodded. “Yes. And maybe that’s why I’m holding back.”

  “What? That doesn’t make sense.”

  “I don’t want to enter into something as committed as a marriage until…”

  “Until what? Do you have wild oats to sow?”

  Colbi shook her head.

  “Do you have a deep, dark secret?” Savannah asked playfully.

  “No.”

  “Are you commitment-phobic?”

  “What?”

  “You know, afraid of commitment.”

  “No. It’s just that…well, it’s Harrison. Damon and I are not on the same page about him at all. And I can’t see us getting married when we disagree so strongly on such an important issue.”

  Savannah cocked her head. “I guess I don’t understand.” She put up her hand. “But, hey, it’s your decision and none of my business. So don’t feel you have to explain yourself to me. That’s between you and Damon.”

  “It’s not that, Savannah. You’re my best friend in the whole world and I have no secrets from you.” She looked sheepish. “Well, I guess I did kinda keep Harrison a secret, didn’t I?” She looked at Savannah. “But so did you. You kept your relationship with my brother a secret, too.”

  “Yeah, Colbi,” Savannah said, furrowing her brow, “but my relationship with him was fleeting and has been over for years. He’s your blood, girlfriend…your brother.”

  “A brother I denied for many years. Anyway, you’re right. I did keep him a secret—even from Damon. But not on purpose. Like I said, he hasn’t been a part of my life or my thoughts for a long time. I never expected to
see him again, so saw no reason to mention him.” She looked at Savannah. “Damon feels betrayed. And now he’s not happy that I’ve taken Harrison in before he has proven that he’s changed. I can’t marry Damon with such a large unresolved issue between us. Know what I mean?”

  “I guess,” Savannah said, hesitantly.

  “Yes, I want to marry Damon and have his children—the whole schmear. But I feel an obligation to help Harrison get on his feet before I involve Damon in this whole mess.”

  “Mess? I thought you said he’s doing okay—he’s changed his ways.”

  Colbi cringed. She took a deep breath. “Well, I don’t think we’ll know that for sure until we see Harrison standing on his own two feet. He’s either been homeless—living on the streets—or in jail these past several years. Now he’s sponging off me. He has no job and no prospects. He disappears for days at a time. I’m not all that naïve. I’m pretty sure his old ties aren’t completely severed.” She grimaced. “I don’t think he’s getting into trouble, but he still isn’t taking responsibility. I want him to be self-sufficient before I move on with my life. Does that make sense?”

  Savannah handed Lily her sippy cup as she responded. “Kiddo, if it makes sense to you, that’s all that matters. It’s your life.”

  Colbi peered at Savannah suspiciously. “Cop-out…that was a cop-out, girlfriend.” She laughed. “I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t want to get involved in this either, if it wasn’t my problem.” She thought for a moment. “Savannah, I feel an obligation to Harrison and to my parents.”

  Savannah thinned her lips. “I was going to say, it sounds like you’re dealing with a child—sort of taking on the parenting role with him.”

  “Yeah, I realize that.”

  “It’s something you really need to tackle, isn’t it?” Savannah said.

  Colbi nodded.

  “Then I can’t say it’s wrong.”

  “However…?” Colbi prompted.

  Savannah squinted her eyes. “What?”

  “I sense that you have more to say.”

  “Well, I’d just say to you…”

  Colbi cocked her head. “Yes? I really do want your input…please.”