by Patricia Fry
“Yeah, before it turns me into an alcoholic…or worse.”
“Marci, are you drinking?”
She hesitated, then said, “Yeah, probably too much, actually.”
“And is it helping?”
“No.”
“Then why don’t you stop that?”
Marci let out a sigh. “Yeah, I should. I really do want to resolve this.”
“Well, contact the scouting organization. In the meantime, I’ll see what I can learn from our friend Detective Sledge.”
“A detective?” Marci asked.
“Yes. He can probably tell me about some techniques for finding people. We’re on our way home from LA. I’ll call you in a day or two.”
“A day or two?” Marci questioned, sounding frantic.
“Okay, tomorrow. I’ll call you tomorrow. Now try to take it easy, will you?”
****
Savannah and Michael hadn’t been home long when Savannah’s phone rang. She had just finished nursing Teddy and still held him in her arms. Lily sat at her feet playing with one of her doll-houses. “Hi Marci.”
“Hi. Sorry to bother you, but something has happened. I found the family through the Boy Scout organization as you suggested. I talked to someone who actually knows the family and they told me the boy is fine. Everyone’s fine, but his therapy cat is still missing. He has some sort of condition, which is probably why he didn’t speak to me that night and why he has a therapy cat. Savannah, I’m going to find that cat if it’s the last thing I do. I’ll start a campaign, put up flyers, talk to people in the area. I will find that cat.”
“Wow! It sounds like you’ve received a real spurt of energy. So glad to hear that you’re feeling better. Do you know what the cat looks like?”
“No. Not yet. Well, I saw him that night, but I was upset and it was kind of dark. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. How do I go about finding out what the cat looks like?”
“Well, maybe visit the family and let them know that you want to do this. You don’t have to explain why. Take Adam with you—make it a family activity. It would be good for Adam to participate in something this important.”
“Oh. I didn’t think of involving the children. Yeah, I guess I could do that; it’s something we can do together. So you think I should just contact the family and ask for pictures and stuff?”
“That’s what I’d do.”
“What if the boy recognizes me?”
“I don’t know what to say about that. I guess he might. You could do this by phone. Call them and have them email a picture to you.”
“Yeah, I could do that. Okay. You’ve been a big help, Savannah. Thanks again.”
“Sure. Hey, Michael said he made arrangements with you to pick Adam up on Wednesday. Maybe I can help you put up posters or something.”
“Yes. Okay. See you then.”
“What was that all about?” Michael asked, looking up from his newspaper after Savannah ended the call.
She smiled down at Teddy, kissed his head, and held him tightly. “Oh, I’m helping Marci out with a…um…a problem she’s having with a…um…a neighbor.” She put the baby in his portable crib, then eased down onto the floor next to Lily and watched her move furniture around in her dollhouse. “Looks like your baby’s having a nap,” she murmured.
“Baby night-night,” Lily said.
Savannah glanced at Michael and saw that he’d gone back to reading his paper. Just then Gladys walked into the room. She kissed her daughter on top of the head and Savannah responded. “Hi, Mom. The dinner was wonderful.”
She smiled. “So good to have you home, honey.”
“Good to be home,” Savannah said. “I’m just thankful that you were here to take over while I was chasing after my sister.”
“Oh,” Gladys said, “Brianna and Bud are on their way over. She wants to see me and I guess they want to see you and Michael too.”
Before Savannah could respond, there was a knock at the door and Lexie bounded into the room from the kitchen. She barked a couple of times. When Brianna opened the door, however, the Afghan-mix dog began dancing around her.
“Hi, Lexie,” she greeted, leaning over and petting the dog’s silky fur. “I missed you too, girl. You’re such a good girl.”
“Why she loves you so much, I’ll never know,” Savannah said.
“Yeah, she’s always been overly fond of Brianna, hasn’t she?” Michael agreed. He greeted their guests, “So you made it home okay?”
“Yeah,” Bud said, “it was smooth sailing after that wreck on the highway.”
“That sure snarled up traffic, didn’t it?” Michael agreed. “Come in and sit down,” he invited.
“Want something to drink?” Savannah asked. “Wine, beer, lemonade…I think I saw a pitcher of lemonade in the fridge.”
“Yes,” Gladys confirmed. “And iced tea.”
“Iced tea sounds good,” Brianna said. “Hey, with a little lemonade in it.”
“An Arnold Palmer.” Bud said.
“Whatever,” Brianna quipped.
Bud nodded. “I’ll have one of those too.”
“I’ll help,” Gladys offered.
Michael approached Gladys and put his hands on her shoulders. “Why don’t you stay here and visit with Bri and Bud? I’ll help her.”
Gladys patted one of his hands and smiled. “Thank you, Michael.”
Once everyone had their beverage, Brianna stood up from where she sat on the floor with Lily. She joined Bud on the sofa, took his hand, and said, “I…uh…we have an announcement.”
“Oh?” Gladys said, wide-eyed.
Savannah grinned. “Really?”
Brianna took a deep breath and exhaled nervously. “Yes. Bud has popped the question—a question I have feared for a long time.” She looked at the others. “Mom, Sis, Michael, I’ve said yes.”
Before the others could respond, Michael asked, a twinkle in his eyes, “What question is that, Bri?”
Brianna smiled playfully at her brother-in-law before answering, “I’m engaged to become a ranch wife and have my own goats and chickens—and maybe an emu.”
“Huh?” Savannah said, teasing her. “Wait a minute. Who are you? What did you do with my sister?”
Bud laughed. “Oh, she’s not going to be a total ranch wife. She’ll have her practice, hopefully right here in Hammond.”
“Oh?” Gladys said, smiling.
“Yeah, I hear that old Doc Stevens is retiring soon and I’m going to talk to him about taking over his practice.”
“But you like the geriatric population,” Savannah pointed out.
“Not as much as I thought I would,” she admitted. “Yeah, I want to work with the old folks, but I’ve found that I’d prefer more variety.” She smiled down at Lily. “I want to see kids and young mothers and farmworkers with sprained ankles, earaches, and allergies, not just the elderly with arthritis and gout.”
“Well, Bri, I think it’s wonderful,” Gladys said, joining her daughter on the sofa and hugging her. She held on tightly. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” She pulled back and looked into Brianna’s eyes. “And if this awful ordeal has taken some of that wanderlust out of you, I’m glad it happened.”
Bud chuckled. “Oh, I don’t think she’s lost her craving for adventure.” When the others looked at him, he said, “She wants to go white-water rafting in Alaska on our honeymoon.” Before the others could respond, he added, “And she wants to take a helicopter over the glaciers.”
Savannah laughed. “Are you up for that, Bud?”
He squeezed Brianna’s hand. “Whatever she wants, even if it means white knuckles for me.”
Brianna kissed him, then looked at the others. “So, what do you think?”
“I think it’s about time,” Savannah said. “It will be great living in the same town with you again, raising our kids together…”
“Whoa,” Brianna said. “Let
’s not rush into anything. I said I would like to have some kid goats—but regular kids—not on my agenda.”
“Well, at least for now,” Bud added. He smiled at Brianna. “We’ve decided to wait, but only for a few years, right?”
Brianna nodded. “That’s right—maybe three or four years. My practice will be established by then. I’ll be in the swing of things around the ranch. And I’ll be a more mature thirty-something years old.”
Gladys visibly relaxed. “So you are planning to have children?”
The couple looked at each other and nodded. “Yes,” Brianna said. “I think we would make beautiful children together, don’t you?”
“Absolutely,” Savannah agreed.
Gladys grinned from ear to ear.
Turning more serious, Savannah couldn’t help but ask, “So Sis, what happened to make you more interested in animals all of a sudden? You said earlier today that you believe those farm animals saved your life.”
Brianna narrowed her eyes and insisted, “I’ve always liked animals.” Before Savannah could respond, she explained, “But you’re right. I do have a greater respect for them. Vannie, they helped me keep my sanity in that place. I was so alone and scared. Just about the only living creatures I saw were the animals.” She laughed. “I must say that, at first, I was grossed out by them. I mean, they pee and poop wherever they please. They lie on the ground. They eat icky things. And they’re dirty.” She smiled. “But they were great company. They made me laugh. They helped me to forget my plight, once in a while. They entertained me and even consoled me. Henny Penny curled up with me a couple of nights. She and some of the other smaller animals could fit through the wooden slats on the window where they kept me, which wasn’t too far above ground level.”
“A chicken curled up?” Bud challenged.
“Well, she snuggled. It was neat,” Brianna said. “And the baby goats—Goathead and Butthead kept me company a lot.” She teared up and looked at the others. “I don’t know what I would have done without them.” She laughed. “Sometimes I think it was a plot by Bud or you, Vannie, to show me how cool animals are and how important they can be.”
Bud shook his head. “Wish I’d thought of it.”
“What?” Brianna scolded.
He put his hands up in defense. “Oh, no. I’d never do that to you.” He relaxed and said sincerely, “I’d never ever hurt you like that.”
She kissed him, murmuring, “I know, babe. I know.” When the room grew quiet, Brianna asked, “So what’s been going on around here? Anything interesting?”
“Always interesting,” Gladys said. “The children are wonderful.”
Brianna stood and approached the portable crib and smiled down at Teddy. “When’s he going to wake up? I haven’t held him yet.”
“Hey, anytime,” Savannah said. “Go ahead and pick him up. Babies like to be held whether they’re awake or asleep.”
“Can I?” Brianna asked, lifting the baby gently and carrying him to where she’d been sitting with Bud. “He’s gorgeous.”
“Looks like his sister,” Bud said.
After a few minutes, Brianna asked, “When’s Adam coming? I haven’t seen that little guy in ages.”
“He’s not so little anymore,” Michael said. “He’s getting tall.”
Brianna grinned. “Yeah, I can imagine he’ll be tall.” She tilted her head. “But his mother’s tiny, as I recall.” She laughed. “Lily and Teddy will probably be taller than Adam since they have two tall parents.”
Michael nodded. “Adam’s coming this week.”
“Yes, it’s our turn to go get him.”
“You take turns?” Bud asked.
Savannah nodded. “One time we pick him up and they come get him. The next time, they bring him and we take him home. We fudge on it sometimes if we need to, but that’s pretty much how it’s been. Actually, we’re supposed to pick him up Wednesday, right Michael?”
“Yes. Can’t wait.”
“He’s out of school already?” Gladys asked. “They aren’t taking him out of school are they?”
“They have an odd schedule there—some version of year-round school,” Savannah explained. She smiled. “This will be Teddy’s first outing, other than for his doctor visit.”
“You’re taking the baby?” Gladys asked.
“Yes, we’re taking both kids. I don’t want to be away from them even for a minute.” Savannah winked at Gladys. “You’re probably ready for a break. Maybe you and Brianna can go shopping for her wedding gown.”
“Hey, let’s not rush into anything,” Brianna said.
Savannah tilted her head. “So you haven’t set a date?”
“Not yet. I need to get used to being engaged before I commit to a wedding date and marriage.”
Gladys and Savannah laughed.
“How long do you think that will take?” Savannah asked.
“You never can tell—maybe weeks, maybe months.”
Bud grinned at his fiancée. “I think we’ll plan a spring or summer wedding—especially if she wants to ride the rapids in Alaska.”
“Oh, so we don’t need to start shopping for our dresses, yet, huh?” Savannah asked.
“Not yet.”
“Vannie, how long will you be gone on Wednesday?” Gladys asked.
“It might be an all-day outing.”
“Why an all-day outing?” Michael asked.
“Uh, well, Marci and I…”
“Yeah,” he said, “what’s up with you and Marci lately? Seems like you two are always scheming together.”
“Scheming?” she repeated, frowning.
“Yeah. I know you get along okay, but you seem to be talking a lot these days.”
“Are you worried, Michael?” Brianna asked, grinning.
“Huh?”
“Yeah, there’s nothing worse than a wife and an ex-wife talking behind a guy’s back.”
Bud began to laugh. “Dr. Mike, you look like a deer in the headlights.”
Savannah put her hand on Michael’s. “Oh honey, don’t pay any attention to them. Marci…well, she’s going through a rough patch right now and she’s asked me for some help.”
“What?” he asked. “Does it involve Adam? I should know about it if it involves Adam.”
“No, honey. Nothing like that. It…well, it has to do with a cat, actually.”
“A cat?” he asked, looking completely confused.
Chapter 6
“Hi, Marci,” Savannah greeted when the petite woman opened her door for the Iveys Wednesday morning. She looked around and chuckled. “Where’s Adam? He’s usually climbing in our car before we’re even parked.”
“He and Eric are fixing something out in his tree fort. Come in.” Marci turned to Michael, who held baby Teddy in his arms. “Hi Michael.” She smiled. “Oh, let me take a look at this baby.” She ran a finger over Teddy’s cheek and smiled. “So cute.” As she ushered the family in, Marci called, “Rose, come look at the baby. We have a baby visiting us.”
When the child appeared, Michael and Savannah greeted her and Michael leaned over with Teddy so she could see him. Rose smiled and attempted to say, baby.
“My baby,” Lily told her.
Rose stared at Lily.
“Oh, don’t be so stingy with Teddy,” Savannah prompted, laughing.
“My Teddy, Mommy,” Lily insisted.
Marci smiled at Lily. “She’s quite the little mommy, isn’t she?”
“I think I’ll go out and see if I can help with the fort,” Michael said, handing the baby to Savannah.
“Sure,” Marci said. “They’re out back.”
Once the two women were seated in the living room and Lily was engaged in play with Rose, Savannah asked, “How are you, Marci? How’re things going?”
“Pretty good, I guess.” She leaned forward and said, rather excitedly, “Savannah, I believe I’ve found the boy’s cat, but the people who hav
e him won’t let me get him checked—you know, he has a chip. They claim they found him long before the…um…accident. I think they’re lying.” She shook her head. “I don’t know what to do. Is there a law against keeping someone’s cat like that?”
“Hmmm, that’s a good question. There are some rather interesting local laws regarding cats. For example, more and more cities are establishing policies against free-range—you know, free-roaming cats—which means that you can actually own a cat legally. In other jurisdictions they consider cats free agents. Even if one is stolen from you, you might not have the law on your side when it comes to getting it back.”
“Really? Well, I don’t think there are any laws against outdoor cats here. I see cats all over this neighborhood.”
“Where’s the cat that you think belongs to the boy? How did you find him?”
“Well, those people live in a tract about a mile away—close to where the accident happened. One of their neighbors saw my poster and called me.”
“So do they let the cat out?”
“Evidently so,” Marci said.
“Hmmm.”
Marci chuckled. “I do believe I see some devious wheels turning in your head.”
Savannah grinned. “Well, how about we try to get our hands on that cat and take him to a vet to see if they can identify him? If it’s not the boy’s cat, we’ll simply return him.”
“Steal the cat?” Marci shrieked.
“Well, isn’t that what they’ve done—at least presumably?”
Marci’s eyes sparkled. “You’re ruthless, girl. I like your way of thinking.” She giggled. “I haven’t felt this alive in weeks.”
Savannah smiled at Marci and patted her knee. “Let’s see if the guys will watch the kids for a while. Do you have time now?”
“Sure!” Marci grinned. She then confessed, “I actually have a meeting at the church, but I’d rather go adventuring with you any day.”
Savannah laughed. “I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into.” She raised her eyebrows. “Just be glad Rags isn’t with us.”