by Zoe Tasia
Jessie paced the floor. “Do you think he knows?”
I shrugged. “What do you think?”
“I don’t know!” she wailed.
“Jessie loves Gavin, Jessie loves Gavin,” Tate chanted.
Jessie poked her sister in the arm. “Mom, make her shut up!”
“Tate, quit teasing your sister.” I turned back to Jess. “We’ll go to the ceilidh and find out. Sweetie, keep in mind that—”
“I know, we’re leaving in the fall and this—if there is a this—will be over then.” Jessie turned and walked to her room. She didn’t slam the door, but it was obvious that she thought about it.
Ugh. Why don’t kids come with an instruction pamphlet?
KAY WAS ON TIME. WHEN I let her in, I glanced around. The large, black cat was nowhere to be seen. I wondered if we shared Miss Kiera Kitty with another family. She seemed to spend half of her time with us and then vanished in the evenings. I thought about bringing up the subject with the girls but decided to leave well enough alone. Tate seemed groggy and out of it. She wanted to stay home and sleep, but I didn’t feel right about leaving her by herself with the way she was acting, I’d have to take her to the doctor if she got any worse or didn’t get any better by Monday.
“Hope your shoes are comfy. Fables Cottage isn’t too far away, but the road and path to it isn’t paved and can be rocky,” Kay warned.
Fables Cottage? Did I hear her right?
Tate and I wore sneakers. Jess, however was wearing her heels, the highest ones I’d let her choose. “Jess, change, please.”
“But, Mom, I need to practice walking in them so I won’t fall on my rear at the dance,” she pleaded. “I’ll walk slowly and watch where I put my feet.”
Kay shook her head. “None of the other girls will be wearing such shoes. They’re too high to dance in. You’d spend the dance sitting on the sidelines, bored, or needing to take them off.”
I was grateful for the interjection. Teens seem to take advice better from anyone other than their own mom, and Jessie had confided to me earlier that she thought Kay had interesting taste in clothes. With Jess, interesting meant anything from nose rings—good—to puffed sleeves—bad. In this case, it was good. Jess sighed, slipped off the sandals, and went to her room to choose something more appropriate.
The walk was indeed short, about fifteen minutes, but I was very grateful I had not worn dressier shoes. In fact, I wished I had put on my hiking boots. There was little light to see by, due to the abundance of shade provided by all the trees, and the ground dipped in places. Kay’s pastel pink house was quite close but hidden down a wandering path behind a copse of pines. The roof was thatched and smoke came from the chimney. When she opened the unlocked door, several cats and a litter of kittens greeted her with meows and twined between her feet. “Now, now. You be good. We have company.”
The girls were quickly on their knees, cooing and petting.
In the cottage, paintings—mostly of wildlife—hung on pineapple gold walls. An easel with a canvas hinted that Kay was the artist. A leopard print throw graced a ruby red sofa with mismatched decoupage end tables bracketing it. A stained glass window tinted soft colors over the small loom that occupied one corner. “Wow your place is very—bright.” Great use of your vocabulary, Becca. “I mean, I really like it.”
Kay chuckled. “I’m a bit of a craft addict, and I love vivid colors. It’s a bit much for some.”
I did a quick kitty head count. “Nine cats? Goodness, you have quite the collection,” I remarked as a calico butted my shin with her head.
“I found the mother cat in the village behind the butcher’s, scavenging. She was obviously ready to whelp soon. She’s feral but has calmed down a lot. I’ll have her fixed as I have had my other two cats, Jasper and Fforde.
“Jasper and Fforde?”
“Named after one of my favorite authors.” One of the kittens attempted to climb up her skirt. She bent down and picked it up. It immediately began to purr and snuggle. “I hope to give the kittens away.”
Predictably, Tate cried out, “Can we have one, can we?”
“Please, please, Mom?” Jess begged at my other side. “We take good care of Kiera when she visits.”
“This huge, black cat showed up on our doorstep,” I told Kay. I turned back to the girls. “I allow Kiera because she just visits, but a kitten is a lot of responsibility.”
“Indeed, they are,” Kay pitched in. “Kiera’s an older cat. She’s very large and canny and can take care of herself, but the kittens can’t. My cats are all indoor cats. Leaving a small animal outside is asking for trouble around here. Do it only one time, and chances are you’ll awake to an injured or dead pet, if you find it at all.”
Jess and Tate continued a litany of “pleases” until I hushed them. “I’ll think about it,” I said, including both in my gaze.
“Mom, that almost always means no.” Jess crossed her arms and stood on one leg with a hip jutting out, looking put upon.
“If you cop an attitude, I won’t even think about it.”
“Shhh, Jessie!” Tate said, tugging on her sister’s hand.
“Don’t shush me,” Jess said but allowed herself to be led back to the other kittens.
Kay spoke in a low voice. “If you’re serious, it would be a big help. I want the kittens to go to good homes and a lot of people aren’t keen on keeping cats since they have to stay inside. They hate the idea of a litter box, scratching paws, hair—oh no!” She frowned. “I’ve probably talked you out of it.”
“No, I’ve had pets most of my life. My husband was allergic to animals, so I couldn’t have any after we married. I’d love to have one. I just want time to think it over to make sure one will fit into our lives now.”
Kay pulled out a chair and gestured for me to sit. “How long has it been since your husband passed away?” she asked.
“He died the spring before last. The kids and I were devastated. I thought we needed a change. Family, friends, everyone was supportive. I just felt like...no one knew how to treat us anymore. I was able to get a teaching position overseas, and here we are.” I wondered if Kay had ever been married. The cottage held no clues.
Kay glanced at Jess and Tate. They followed the kittens to a lined box, where I imagined the animals slept, and were giggling as the little ones awkwardly climbed back inside it.
“How did the girls react?” Kay’s voice was low.
“Not well,” I admitted. “I was selfish. I just wasn’t thinking about how much it would affect them and, when I did, I thought they’d be thrilled. They’re adjusting to it slowly.”
“Well, these things take time. No move is without difficulties. There’s no hurry on deciding about a kitten. They aren’t weaned yet, so you can think about it for a while and, like I said, I’m worried I won’t have any takers. The Samms would probably take them and let them live in the barn, but I know some, if not all, would end up dead. Kittens are too curious for their own good. Mrs. Samms would try to keep them in, but cats will find a way.”
“Thanks. I really will think about it.”
Kay walked to the stove and, as she stirred a pot, a delicious aroma filled the air. “The venison’s ready.” She tossed a crocheted hot pad on the table and, with a flourish, set the pot upon it.
“I don’t think the girls have ever had it. A friend of ours hunted and shared some venison sausage with us. My husband liked it, but I found it too gamey. I’ve seen it at the grocery store in Aberdeen but haven’t been brave enough to try it.”
Tate looked up at me. “What’s venison?” she asked.
“Deer meat, like Bambi,” Jess answered, knowing full well how Tate would react.
“Bambi!” The corners of Tate’s mouth turned down.
I gave both a stern look.
“On the island, the deer have become nuisances because they have few natural enemies to cull the population. They tear up gardens and then, when they’re too populous, they starve since
they’ve eaten the entire flora. It’s important to thin out the herds to keep the population healthy,” Kay explained.
“Oh.” Tate’s forehead wrinkled up as she thought about this. “I’m still not sure that I want to eat it.”
“Remember our rule,” I cautioned.
Kay patted my hand and smiled then turned back to the girls. “You’ll like this. It’s my version of a venison Scotch broth, a kind of stew, and I’ve a fresh loaf of baked bread. Simple meal, but tasty.”
The stew had potatoes, carrots, green beans, and leeks in a tomato broth. The venison was cut into bite-sized pieces. I sampled a spoonful. “It’s delicious, Kay.”
I had always insisted that the girls try everything. Not only once, but each time they came across it, because tastes changed over time and perhaps the offending food would taste good cooked differently.
They started out just nibbling at the vegetables, but Tate was too curious not to sample the venison. She fished out the smallest piece of meat she could find and took a miniscule bite then smiled and quickly ate the rest. “Yum!” She gave the dish a thumbs-up and turned to the warm, buttered bread.
Of course, since Tate tried it, the more cautious Jess had to, too.
The cats were well-behaved. They stayed off the table and out from underfoot. “I’m surprised the cats aren’t begging for some meat,” I mentioned.
“Oh, they’ve had their dinner already.”
From the look of the cleaned bowls, and significantly depleted stew pot, everyone approved of the meal. Afterward, Kay brought out shortbread and fruit.
“Would you like a cuppa?” she asked.
“I’d love one,” I answered gratefully.
The girls had glasses of milk with their dessert then sat on the floor and played with the cats.
“Are you going to Mrs. Nivens’s birthday party?” I asked.
“Of course. You too?” Kay bustled about tidying while I started the washing up.
“Should we bring a gift?”
“Oh, no. No need for that. Mornia Nivens would be the first to tell you she already has more than she needs. She’ll enjoy being fussed over and the dancing and the music. The village has a band, and they aren’t half bad. They’ve even been asked to perform in several of the other villages on the mainland.”
“Gavin’s brother, Ian, is in the band,” Jessie offered. He plays the violin.”
“That’s right. Nice lad. Bit of a disappointment to his da and mum, though.”
“Why’s that?”
“He wasn’t interested at all in the farm and left as soon as he could. Luckily, Gavin loves it.”
A black kitten caught my eye when it mewed. It reminded me of our cat visitor. “Since you recognize the enormous black cat, do you by any chance know to whom she belongs? I’ve never seen a cat as big as that one.”
“Call her Kiera, Mom,” Tate interjected.
“The kids love her, but I’d feel bad if her owner is looking for her, and she’s been at our cottage the whole time. I took a photo and the grocer put it up with my number, but I’ve heard nothing.”
“Kiera is a tame stray. She doesn’t have an owner.”
“Is she, safe?” I whispered.
“She’s sweet-natured, generally, but will claw you something fierce if vexed. Your girls seem gentle and kind, so they should be fine. I see her now and again. She’s vaccinated and fixed.”
“Okay. Good to know.”
“Is your daughter feeling any better?”
“Tate seems off. I thought I would take her to the doctor if she doesn’t improve soon.”
“What’s wrong?”
“She’s so pale and often lethargic. She isn’t acting herself. She’s usually full of energy and bright and cheerful. I’m surprised she isn’t chomping at the bit to explore your backyard.”
“Hmmm. I’ll think on it. In the meantime, I also have some herbal tea that may help.”
“How kind of you.”
A howl emanated from outside, startling the girls, which startled the cats. All the four-legged creatures darted for cover. The girls ran to me.
“What was that?” I asked.
“A wolf.” Kay stood and went to the door. “I wonder what’s brought him to this neck of the woods.”
I followed her. “You aren’t going out, are you? That howl sounded like it came from your front yard.”
She opened the door and stepped out onto the porch. A large, gray wolf stood just visible in the porch light. It growled. Kay clapped her hands and made shooing motions. “You! Go on, then. Shoo!”
The wolf howled once more and then slinked off into the darkness.
I tugged Kay back inside and slammed and locked the door. “I don’t understand it. I thought wolves were afraid of people.”
Tate stayed close to my side. I absentmindedly hugged her tight. Jess stared out the window, scanning for signs of the creature.
“Odd that,” Kay said as she brought out a deck of cards from the end table drawer.
She distracted the girls with card tricks, proving to be quite the prestidigitator. Soon Jessie abandoned her post at the sill, and Tate relaxed. I, however, was still on edge and fidgety.
After Kay produced cards from the girls’ ears one last time, we gathered around the table and Kay and I taught the girls how to play Spades.
I happened to glance at the clock over the fireplace. “Oh, I didn’t realize it was getting so late. We need to be going.”
“Let me send some of this bread and the herbal tea for Tate home with you. In fact, I’ll drive you home.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
“I insist. Wild animals tend to shy away from civilization. I don’t like that the Wolf came so close.”
I could hear the capitalization of the word in the way she said it. I hadn’t expected to be walking home in the dark. I thought we would be leaving before it got so late. I anticipated the girls not wanting to stay, but since our visit lasted so long, and with a giant wolf outside, a car ride back sounded wonderful. After the girls gave the kittens one last cuddle, Kay loaded us up in her tiny Dacia Sandero hatchback.
Later that evening, as I tucked the girls into bed, I heard another howl.
“Did the wolf follow us home?” Tate asked.
“Maybe so, but we’re safe inside. Wolves can’t open doors.”
Tate tugged the covers up to her chin. “What about Kiera?”
“She’s been here a long, long time and is still alive. I’m sure she’ll be fine and knows to stay clear of a wolf or climb a tree. Sometimes she visits Kay. Maybe she went there after we left.”
Before I went to bed, I looked out the window and could just make out a wolf standing in the shadows at the edge of the tree line. As I watched, a man in a kilt came out of the forest near the edge of the house. It had to be the same dark-haired Scot I’d met before. When the wolf saw him, the fur on its back raised and, stiff-legged, it approached the man. I cracked open the window to yell and warn him, but before I could, the man growled then threw back his head and howled. The wolf stopped.
Taking a menacing step forward, the man shouted, his voice deep and commanding, “Get back to where you belong!”
The wolf, to my surprise, slinked off into the night. The man turned toward me. I ducked my head, but through the sheer curtains, I saw him tip his cap at me. Then he turned and disappeared back into the forest.
The next morning, after letting Kiera in, I found the wolf’s paw prints ranging around the cottage. It made me nervous. I hoped that the man had scared it off for good. I knew Kay said it wouldn’t bother us, but she didn’t have children. The girls both seemed unnerved by the howls, and I wanted to sit down with them and remind them about not approaching wild animals.
Chapter 4
FRIDAY COULDN’T COME soon enough for Jessie. I managed to convince her that she didn’t need new clothes since everything she had was “new” to everyone here. I worried about Tate. She seemed so listless
and she spent much of the day dozing. She might be depressed. Jess found someone to occupy her time and mind, but Tate hadn’t found a friend. Hopefully, she would meet someone at the party. I had one daughter tugging on me and begging me to hurry up already and one who moved at the speed of a turtle missing a leg. I thought that Jess was going to hit Tate if she didn’t get a move on. I finally sent Jessie to pick out some clothes for Tate. I made Tate a PBJ and talked to her while she ate.
“Your sis is really looking forward to tonight. I know you aren’t as keen, but please don’t make the night miserable for her because you aren’t happy. You know, there will be other children there too.”
The small snack seemed to revive Tate. “I know, Mom,” she said as she brushed the crumbs off her mouth with a napkin. “I’ll hurry. Won’t take me long to get ready, especially since I don’t spend an hour trying on outfits and frowning at myself in the mirror.” She grinned and dodged the palm I meant to spank her butt with.
True to her word, Tate was ready in record time. Sunset in the summer here wasn’t until about ten, so, the road was well lit. I wore my black espadrilles, black trousers instead of my usual jeans, and a sleeveless, yellow blouse that I got for sale at the Galleria. I bought the shirt right before we left Houston, whimsically choosing the color to remind me of Houston’s heat. I had never worn it because the color seemed too bright and cheery for a widow, but something told me to pack it when we left for the island. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring much in the way of jewelry, so my gold hoop earrings would have to do. I guess I was as self-conscious as Jess in a way, but I didn’t want to show up and look like a hausfrau, especially since the village wasn’t likely to have many opportunities to see me in a pseudo-dressy outfit. Despite having been told no, Conall waited at the end of the drive. He must have decided to grow a beard because the length now surpassed the five o’clock shadow he sported the other day. Even his hair seemed longer and thicker. Perhaps he just washed it. He seemed full of nervous energy and was pacing like a lion in a den. He practically danced on his toes like an excited puppy when he noticed us round the corner.