by Patricia Fry
"You're locking the horse pens and stalls now?" Savannah asked.
Bonnie nodded. "New safety measure. Sure hope our decision doesn't backfire on us. If someone loses a key or forgets where the spare is, we could be in a world of hurt." Bonnie slipped easily between the pipe rails and stood in front of Savannah and Michael. She glanced from one to the other. "So you came to see the new kennels?" she asked, smiling.
"Yes," Savannah said.
"Hi Lily," Bonnie said taking the baby's hand and smiling at her as Michael held her in his arms. "She's so cute in her little bonnet," Bonnie said, chuckling.
"Yes, I love her in hats, but she generally yanks them off as soon as I put one on her," Savannah said.
Bonnie leaned toward the baby. "You gotta wear your hats, young lady, and keep the sun off that pretty skin." Then to Savannah and Michael, she said, "Come on, I'll show you the new facility. It's almost finished."
The Iveys followed Bonnie into a well-lighted building that had pens on both sides of a walkway.
"Skylights!" Savannah exclaimed. "Cool. Makes it bright in here. And you have inside and outside areas. Look how large the outdoor areas are, Michael."
"Some of them are for communal activity," Bonnie said. "We have larger pens for cats or small dogs that don't like to be separated. Or we can give them separate inside space that opens out into a communal outside area. There are options, you see."
"And you close off the outdoor areas after dark?" Michael asked.
"Oh yes," she said. "Even though they're built ultra-sturdy, we don't want any predators even gawking at our boarders."
Michael stepped inside one of the pens. He examined the gate. "Do you lock them in?" he asked.
"Yep. The small animals are definitely locked in and everyone here will know where the key is in case of an emergency."
Michael's dour mood seemed to lift along with his concern. "The construction is impressive," he said. He turned to Bonnie. "You've done a good job with this project." He peered through the outside door and said, "I like that the small animals are close to the house."
"Check this out," Bonnie said, pointing to a small object attached near the ceiling. "We can keep an eye on them even from inside the house with these cameras."
Michael raised his eyebrows. "Cameras?"
"Well, it's not particularly sophisticated, but, once they hook them up, we'll be able to see what's going on out here—if they're misbehaving, if they need something…" She looked at Michael and then Savannah. "We're taking this venture seriously, guys, just like we do our large animal businesses." She dropped her head. "That's why we're so upset that someone is ripping off livestock when we take so many precautions. By the way, Raul lives here now. We've set him up in that shed out there, at least temporarily, so we have someone stationed closer to the barn and pasture. We've put in a few cameras out there, too. Maybe we'll be lucky and get a look at the thief before he does any more damage."
Michael took in a deep breath. "Well, honey…and Bonnie…you've convinced me. I like your setup. I think our animals will be very comfortable…and safe here."
Bonnie winked at Savannah. "Oh, by the way," she said, "I can give you the code if you'd like to download the security camera app."
"Huh?" Savannah questioned.
"Then you can peek in on your fur babies while you're traveling," she explained with a big grin. "We'll have that for you when you bring the cats and dog to us."
"You can't ask for more than that," Michael said. "That'd be great, don't you think, hon? Yeah, I want that app."
Savannah chuckled. "I can entertain Lily on the trip by showing her pictures of her brothers and sisters."
"Funny," Bonnie said. "Now, are there any special instructions?" She asked, more seriously.
"No, I guess not," Michael said.
"Yes," Savannah interrupted. "Walter—the black cat—can be by himself—but I'd like him to be able to see Lexie from where he is. Is that possible?"
"Sure," Bonnie said. "And the other two—Rags and Bunnie—what about them?"
"Buffy," Savannah corrected. "Can they be together in that larger pen? I'll bring both of Buffy's pink canopy beds because Rags likes to sleep in hers when he thinks no one's looking."
Michael added, "Buffy and Walter are couch potatoes, but Rags is very athletic, so he'll love the climbing apparatus in this large pen."
"You got it, guys. I'll see you and my new guests, then—what—Friday morning?" Bonnie asked.
"Yes, around eight?" Michael suggested.
"Perfect," Bonnie agreed. She put her hand on Savannah's arm. "What did you find out when you made those calls this morning?"
"Calls?" she asked.
"About your mare."
"Oh, nothing, really. But I feel better knowing that there are many eyes watching for her. I sent pictures to several ranchers, veterinarians, auctioneers, riding organization leaders, and so forth. If someone tries to sell her, there's a good chance she will be recognized and returned."
Bonnie smiled. "I'm glad you're spreading the word."
"I want her back," Savannah said, choking up. "I just hope we can find her before…"
Michael put one arm around her. "No one's going to harm her, hon," he said. "She's a good horse. They'd more likely sell her to someone who wants a reliable riding horse. Like you said, someone will recognize her and contact you."
****
Friday morning found the Ivey family cruising along toward Los Angeles in their SUV. Michael put his hand on Savannah's knee. "Our first vacation with our daughter," he said, smiling. "So far, traveling with a baby is a piece of cake."
She chuckled. "Quieter than traveling with Adam. He's a chatterbox—has so many questions…"
Michael smiled. "Yes, he does. He's quite inquisitive, isn't he?"
She nodded. "Definitely one of his charms."
"One of many," Michael agreed. "Sure miss my son. This is the longest we've gone without seeing him since…"
"Yeah, since his mother told you about him. I miss him, too." She rested her head on the back of the seat. "I guess as he gets older, he'll have more activities of his own. Where did you say he is this weekend?"
"Some sort of outdoor school. Next week, he has a couple of birthday parties he wants to attend for some of his classmates or neighborhood kids. One family is taking a group of kids camping and fishing. He sure didn't want to miss that."
"I don't blame him," Savannah said. "But we can stop by and see him on our way home Monday, right?"
"Yes, that's the plan. A quick visit is better than no visit. Plus, Marci and Eric have agreed to let him come up for a couple of weeks this summer. That, I'm really looking forward to."
Savannah glanced into the backseat and strained to see Lily's face. "Looks like she's still sleeping. She's going to miss all the beautiful scenery."
"But she'll be rested up to visit with Grandma." Michael squeezed Savannah's knee and glanced over at her. "It's nice having you up here with me."
"I feel like a grown-up sitting in the front seat," she said with a chuckle. "But I figure she doesn't need me back there when she's napping."
"Plus," Michael said, "if she needs something, there are plenty of turnout zones where we can stop."
"This is so beautiful," Savannah said. "Thanks for agreeing to drive the scenic route; I know it takes longer to get there."
"The fun part is being with my family, so it doesn't matter to me when we get to LA," Michael said.
"We'd better not lollygag too long. My mother is chomping at the bit to hold her only granddaughter and show her off to the neighbors and Bob."
"Is Bob living with her now?" Michael asked.
Savannah narrowed her eyes and stared ahead. "I don't know. I've wondered that myself." Suddenly she glanced into the backseat. "Uh-oh, she's waking up. I see arms waving and feet kicking." She put one hand on Michael's arm. "I saw something in a catalog I want," she said. "Should have bought one for this trip."
"Wh
at?" he asked.
"Let's see, what was it called—a rear-facing-child-seat mirror."
"What's it for?"
"You install it so you can see what the baby's doing when you're driving and while she's facing backwards in her car seat," she explained.
"Way cool," he said. "Yes, we need one of those."
"Let's stop at the next opportunity; she probably needs changing."
"Okay; I think I know a good spot right up the road a ways," Michael said. He then spoke to the baby: "Hang on little darlin', Mama will be back there in a few minutes." When Lily began to fuss, Michael broke into song: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine…"
Savannah stretched so she could see the baby and began laughing. "She's mesmerized. Keep singing."
"Join me," he invited.
"You are my sunshine…" they sang in unison until Michael slowed the car and pulled off the road. Savannah looked around. "Oh, there's the motel we almost stayed in that time and that funky little country store." Once Michael had stopped the car, Savannah got out and opened the back door. "Hi sweetie," she chirped, as she unfastened Lily's restraint and lifted her out of the car-seat.
"Are you getting hungry?" Michael asked Savannah, as he climbed out of the car. "I thought we'd stop at that restaurant with all the cats. It's not too far from here."
"Oh yes, good idea. We can get our cat fix," she said, laughing. "Lily does need changing. And she may want the rest of that bottle."
"Okay," he said. "I think I'll go look around in the store and see if I can find something to munch on."
She shook her head and smiled at her husband. "Daddy has a sweet tooth," she said to Lily as she bounced the baby in her arms.
Mew
Savannah glanced in the direction of the sound. "What's that?"
"What are you looking for?" Michael asked, stepping up onto the porch.
"I thought I heard a kitten," she said, continuing to look around.
"A kitten? Oh Savannah, you're too much. You're hearing cats in your…awake."
She scrunched up her face. "In my awake?" She laughed.
"As opposed to in your sleep," he explained.
"Wait, there it is—it is a kitten," she said walking toward the porch steps.
Then they heard another voice. "Yeah, it's been hanging around here for a while."
Savannah and Michael looked up and saw a plump woman of about fifty standing in the doorway of the little store. She was dressed in sweats and a mismatched sweatshirt. "I think someone dropped it off here or they left it when they checked out of the motel." she said, tucking strands of her straggly dull-blond hair behind one ear.
Michael knelt down to get a better look at the kitten. "How long has it been here?"
"Oh, I'd say four or five days. It's a wonder it don't get hit on that highway."
Michael reached under the porch and the kitten walked up to his hand. He was able to touch the kitten. "Has someone been feeding it?" he asked.
The woman shrugged. "Not that I know of."
He glanced at the woman, shook his head, and then wrapped one hand around the kitten and brought it out from under the porch step. "It needs something to eat," he said firmly. "Do you have any cat food in there? Kitten food would be preferable."
"Yeah, you gonna buy it?" the woman asked.
"Yes, I'm going to buy it," Michael said sarcastically. He stood and started toward the store door with the kitten in his hands. "Let me see what brands you have."
"Animals aren't allowed in here," the woman said, moving to block his passage.
Michael scowled. "Well, hell." He turned to Savannah. "Hon, would you go in and get some food and a bowl of some kind so we can give it some water?"
Savannah shot an irritated glance at the woman and stepped into the small store with the baby.
"The poor little thing," Savannah said, when she returned with two cans of cat food, a package of small paper plates, and a shallow metal bowl. "You can open those cans with your knife, can't you, Michael?"
"Yes," he said digging into his pocket.
"What is it, about nine or ten weeks?" she asked.
"If that," Michael said, holding the kitten up and quickly examining it. "Looks like a little girl and boy is she dirty," he said. "Let's get some food into her and see if she'll drink water. Then I'll try to clean her up a bit. If she doesn't take the water, we may need an eyedropper."
"Look at her go," Savannah said once Michael had dropped tiny dollops of cat food on a paper plate and placed it near the kitten. He poured a little bottled water into the bowl. Once the kitten had devoured the small portion of food, he encouraged her to drink some of the water. She was so eager to take it in that she stepped into the bowl with both front feet and began to drink thirstily.
"I guess we don't need an eyedropper," Michael said with a laugh. He gave the kitten another small portion of the cat food and said, "I think that's enough for now. You can have more in a little while."
"What? Are we taking her with us?" Savannah asked.
Michael glanced back at the country store and said, "I'm not leaving her here. Can we spare one of Lily's light blankets to make her a bed? Maybe she'll lie on the seat."
Savannah spotted an empty box next to the porch. "I'll ask if we can have that box," she said. "She'll feel more secure."
When Savannah returned from inside the store, she grabbed the box with one hand and placed it on the floor in the front seat of the car. She pulled a blanket from the diaper bag and scrunched it up inside the box. Michael placed the kitten in the small cardboard box and began petting her. Within a few seconds, Michael said, "She's purring." He glanced up at Savannah. "Looks like we have a project."
She grinned weakly and shook her head.
"Did you feed the baby?" Michael asked as they started to climb back into the car.
"She wasn't interested," Savannah said. "She seemed more concerned about the baby kitty."
He climbed behind the wheel. "Okay then, is everyone buckled in—ready to go?"
"Just about," Savannah said. She murmured to the baby, "Tell Daddy to hold his horsies."
Within twenty minutes they pulled into their favorite restaurant along that stretch of road. It was also one of the few restaurants. "Come on baby girl," Michael said, unbuckling Lily, "let's go see all the kitties. Yeah, kitties," he repeated when she kicked her legs. "Shall we take her car seat?" Michael asked.
"I'll take her highchair snuggie."
"I doubt they have a highchair in there," Michael said.
"Well, let's go find out, shall we?" Before closing the car door, she asked, "What about the kitten?"
"I'll ask Bernice if we can bring her in," Michael said. "It's cool out and we're parked in the shade. She'll be okay for a few minutes."
The couple was greeted by a thin woman of sixty-something wearing black denim slacks and a red-and-black-print peasant blouse. "Michael! Savannah!" the diminutive Italian woman shouted when she saw them enter the rustic café. "And who is this?" she asked, tweaking one of Lily's feet. "Look at her," she said, probably too loudly. "She is adorable." The woman stepped back and motioned toward the couple. "But why wouldn't she be, having you two for parents?" She looked at them with admiration. "What a beautiful family," she said.
"Thank you, Bernice," Michael said. "How're things going?"
She held out one hand and tilted it from side to side indicating things were so-so. She then asked, "Are you here to eat or to show off the baby?"
"Both," Michael said, chuckling. "We also have a question." He glanced around, noticing several cats moving throughout the café. "They still haven't shut you down for allowing cats in here, huh?" he asked jokingly.
Bernice scowled, peered over her granny glasses, and said, "Don't even say it."'
"You have more than you did last year, don't you, Bernice?" Savannah asked. "Cats, I mean."
"No," the café owner said, looking around the room. "There are still eight cats—no more and no less. I lose
one, another one comes," she said. "There are always eight." She pointed across the room at a black-and-white cat lolling on a window sill. "That one's new. Showed up a few days ago, just weeks after Bobo left us." She made the sign of the cross. "Bless his sweet soul."
"Bernice," Michael said. "Do you have room for a small cat—a kitten?"
She put up her hands in defense. "Oh no. Don't bring me any more cats. They find me; I don't go looking for them. That's the way of the universe," she said looking skyward. She put her hand on Michael's arm and leaned toward him, asking, "Do you have a kitten?"
"Yes," he said. "We found her a few miles back. She appears to have been abandoned."
"Let me see," Bernice begged, hands clasped under her chin.
Savannah and Michael smiled at one another. "I'll go get her," Savannah said.
"She needs a bath," Michael said. "I was hoping you'd let me wash her up a little."
"Sure, there's a washtub out back. You can use it." Bernice turned toward Savannah when she saw her return with a box in her hands. "Let me see, let me see," she said. She lifted the lid and looked in. "Oh, it is a dirty little thing," she said, frowning. She poked at the kitten. "Where did you get so dirty? What has happened to you?" She looked up at Michael and Savannah. "You know, I really don't like having kittens here." As if confiding in the couple, she said, "They're too much trouble, you know." She addressed Michael: "You go wash the kitten. I will feed you and the kitten, if you want. Then you take it with you. Let the baby play with it. You can't leave it here. No," she said shaking her head. "That would not be a good thing."
Michael and Savannah looked at each other. He said, "Here hon, get Lily situated. I'll go see if I can clean the little one up a bit. Then we'll have breakfast." Before he walked away, he asked Savannah, "Do you think your mother would like a cat?"
Savannah rolled her eyes. "Gosh, I don't know. She might, I guess."
Fifteen minutes later, Michael appeared with the kitten wrapped in a towel. "She's marked like Rags," he said, laughing. "She could be his daughter. I swear I didn't even see a hint of white on her before I dunked her in the soapy water. Look at her now, Savannah."