Cat's Meow

by Zina Abbott

  Catherine crooked her finger at Harold to motion him closer. She reached up and put her lips next to his ear. “Gardening. Especially flowers.”

  Their eyes remained glued on each other as they moved apart, the sparks of mutual attraction flying off of them, evident to all who looked their way. No one in the room, including Minna Alwin and Lizett Millard, had any doubt the two had forged a bond.

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  CHAPTER 11

  ~o0o~

  That morning after breakfast at the Howard Boarding House found Catherine with little to do. They would not meet again with the men until that evening for a formal dinner and community dance at the River Valley Inn. The miners on the day shift worked until two o’clock, and then they needed the rest of the afternoon to take care of their personal business and get ready for the big doin’s at the inn.

  Catherine turned to Andrea whose fidgeting made her nervous. She suspected her friend also was not accustomed to having this much free time. “Do you want to go for a walk? We could take a look at Jubilee Springs on foot.”

  Andrea looked up, fear written on her face. “No, thank you, Cat. I don’t want to risk getting lost. I got the impression yesterday there are parts of this town where it’s not safe to go. Besides…”

  Catherine heard the unspoken worry. She was afraid if her father did track her down and found her wandering around outside alone or with only Catherine beside her, he would make a scene and force her to go back to Kansas with him. “How about just across the street to the bakery? We can buy a cinnamon bun—my treat. If we eat it inside, no one on the street will see us. We won’t be visible except for the few seconds it takes to walk across.”

  Andrea shook her head. She reached for her valise. “I don’t need anything. I think I’ll work on this pillowcase I‘ve been embroidering. You go ahead.”

  Catherine sighed with resignation. She didn’t want to force Andrea, but she wanted to get out of the four walls of their room. Besides, Sunny was becoming a nuisance being cooped up in the room for so long. At least he continued to be mostly house-trained by doing his business on a rag Caroline put on the floor on top of a square of oiled cloth. Still, it would do the kitten good to get out of the room for a little while.

  Catherine scooped up Sunny and a fresh cloth to take in case of emergencies. She held the kitten close to her and hurried out the front door, grateful she had not run into her landlady, Clara Howard. Mrs. Howard behaved graciously, but took a dim view of animals being kept in her rooms. It was only after Catherine had explained that Sunny was housebroken, and what she had set up to protect the boarding house’s floors, that the woman had grudgingly allowed her to keep Sunny in the room for the few days the brides would be there. At least if Sunny has an accident, this room has a braided rug made from scraps, not an oriental rug like Lizett’s house.

  Sunny tucked under her chin, Catherine stepped through the door to DeMiti’s Bakery. She noticed a woman and three children standing up to the counter. The woman behind the counter looked up with a smile which froze in place as she caught sight of Sunny. She excused herself to the family she had been waiting on and hurried over to Catherine.

  “Hello, I’m Teresa DeMitri. Do I assume correctly you are one of the new brides who are moving to town and will be marrying one of our miners?”

  Catherine’s face blossomed with a wide smile. “Yes, I am. My name is Catherine Everett, although I hope to change my last name soon. And this is my kitten, Sunny.”

  Teresa DeMitri assumed an expression of regret. “Unfortunately, I cannot allow any animals in my bakery, not even a cute little pet like your kitten. The food, you see.” She shrugged as if to say, what else can I do?

  “Oh!” Flustered, Catherine blinked not sure what to do. “I didn’t even think of that. I don’t know what to do with the kitten. I don’t dare leave it outside by itself.”

  Catherine felt a tug on her sleeve and looked over to see standing at her side the oldest of the three children who had been with their mother at the counter. “I’ll hold your kitten for you. I’ll stand right outside and won’t go anywhere. I promise.” The girl turned to her mother. “Mama, is it okay if I go outside and hold the kitten?”

  “I want to go outside and hold the kitten too.”

  Catherine looked at the boy who had joined his sister.

  “Me, too! Me, too!” The mother quickly grabbed the hand of the little one preventing her from joining her older sister and brother. “Yes, you may. But, Hansel, Gretel, you go nowhere but right by the door. If I look out that window, I want to be able to see both of you, ya?”

  “Yes, Mama.” The oldest girl lifted her hands to take the kitten. My name is Gretel and this is my brother, Hansel. Mama told us when we were little that they wrote a very famous book about us. But now I’m older, I know the book was written before we were born.”

  Catherine smiled at the children as she disengaged Sunny’s claws from the shoulder of her dress and handed the kitten to Gretel. “I loved reading that story when I was your age. You two are very fortunate your parents gave you such fine names. My name is Miss Everett, and this is Sunny.”

  “Is Sunny a boy kitty or a girl kitty?”

  Wide-eyed, Catherine looked at Hansel who had asked the question. “Why, I don’t know. Until a month ago, I never had a cat. I don’t know how to determine these things. That is why I gave the kitten a name that will be good for either a boy or a girl.”

  Gretel held Sunny in her arms and reached up with one hand to stroke its head. “We’ll take real good care of Sunny, Miss Everett. Won’t we Hansel?”

  Catherine twisted and watched the children go out the door with Sunny. She pushed down the bereft feeling that came over her, and turned to Teresa DeMitri with a smile. “Please don’t let me keep you from your other customer. I’ll just look around for a few minutes.”

  As Mrs. DeMitri returned to her place behind the counter, Catherine walked up to the mother of the three children. “Thank you so much for allowing your children to watch my kitten.”

  “No. It is I who should thank you. Sometimes it is hard for children that age to stand still while I do my errands, ya? My name is Heide Hackett. My husband and I run the laundry in town. If you need someone to do your laundry, or even just special orders, you remember us, ya? We are on the next block over, on Church Street. Cleanliness is next to Godliness, I tell people. Helps them remember to come to Church Street for clean laundry.”

  Catherine laughed at the clever way Mrs. Hackett helped people remember where to find their place of business. She turned and surveyed the offerings on the shelves. When it was her turn, she bought two cinnamon buns. Seeing that Heide Hackett stood outside with her children while they played with the kitten, she asked for her order to go. She wasn’t sure how she would get the paper-wrapped package of sweets and the kitten up to the room she shared with Andrea, but she would find a way.

  Once Catherine stepped out the door, she watched as the children laughed over Sunny’s antics. Even Mrs. Hackett smiled as she watched her three children with the kitten.

  “Thank you so much for watching Sunny for me. I will be glad when I can get him in his own house. It has been hard for the dear little thing to be cooped up in our room at the boarding house.” Catherine heaved a sigh of regret. Unfortunately, I need to leave the kitten there by itself tonight. The mine owners have invited us to a special dinner, and then there is a community dance afterwards. I’m afraid it is no place for a kitten.”

  “Mama, can we watch the kitten?” Gretel bounced in place, her fingers interlaced under her chin, as she pled with her mother. “Please?”

  Hansel joined his sister. “Please, Mama? We’ll do our chores and take real good care of the kitten.”

  Catherine hesitated. “I don’t know. I think this dance will end too late for me to be walking around town to come get him, especially since I’m not that familiar with Jubilee Springs yet.”

>   “You bring everything for the kitten and we’ll take care of it all night, ya? You can come before church to get the kitten.”

  “Honestly? That would be wonderful. I’ll be sure to have plenty of rags for bedding and bring milk and food.”

  Heidi waved dismissively. “We have milk and food for the kitten. You bring it to the laundry before five o’clock while we are still open. It is good for the children to learn to take care of an animal.”

  “Thank you, I will.” Catherine’s spirits soared as she clutched Sunny and her purchase to her while she crossed the street to the boarding house. It would be so nice to go enjoy the dinner and dance with Harold without worry that Sunny would be lonely or would create a mess that would upset Mrs. Howard.

  The supper the Prosperity Mine sponsored at the River View Inn that evening was a formal affair. Catherine was grateful her Aunt Sophie had made a point to instruct both her and Caroline how to conduct themselves at a formal dinner with china plates and polished silver. Although Catherine had not partaken of much wine in her life in spite of Manfred’s efforts on occasion to coax her to drink several glasses, she had on those occasions firmly refused him. Now at this dinner with the man she hoped would be her future husband at her side, she enjoyed sipping the fruity drink from the crystal stemware. There were almost twice as many men as women, so each woman found herself with a man on either side of her. She sat between Harold and Aaron Brinks.

  While Catherine made a point to greet Aaron Brinks politely, she couldn’t help but devote most of her attention to Harold. Harold didn’t wear a formal suit like Aaron did, but he did wear a nice vest and string tie. It appeared to her that he had taken a bath and shaved after he got off work for the day. The fact that he went to as much effort as he had, and she was the focus of his attention, lightened her spirits.

  The only thing that concerned her was once again, after he leaned in close to her for any length of time, his nose got stuffy, his voice raspy and his eyes began to water. It was only being near her that seemed to affect him that way. She decided that in spite of his assurances to the contrary, she would not wear her rosewater scent to church the next day. She would willingly go without if it meant they could lean their heads close to each other without him getting sick.

  While Harold went outside to clear his head so he could breathe again, she watched Andrea. Stanley Turner seemed like a nice man. He had been seated next to Andrea during dinner. She wondered if Andrea would end up with him. Then again, she noticed Aaron Brinks kept watching her, too,

  After the dinner, the ladies waited outside in the lovely back grounds the inn provided. The wraparound veranda and back yard was lit with Chinese lanterns, adding a magical touch to an already special event.

  Once the dance started, Harold, with a territorial look in his eyes and a teasing grin, asked her to dance. Catherine had glided into his arms that felt to her like they had been made to embrace her. She knew the attraction she felt for this man revealed itself in her eyes as she gazed at it face, but she didn’t care. She wanted nothing more than to claim this man, and have him claim her for his wife.

  The only thing that concerned Catherine was that the longer they danced, the further away from him Harold held her. He swallowed and gulped for air as if struggling to breathe. Tears came to his eyes. She didn’t know a woman could have such a strong effect on a man.

  “Achoo!”

  Catherine’s heart sank in dismay. Why did being around her make her Harold sick? After the dance ended, Harold guided her towards where the brides were seated and excused himself.

  Stanley Tucker had asked Andrea to dance with him, which didn’t surprise Catherine. He had danced attention on Andrea since the beginning of the evening. While she danced in Harold’s arms, she couldn’t help but be concerned about her friend. Poor Andrea looked frazzled as Stanley returned her to a chair at the edge of the room. Aurelia sat on one side of Andrea. Catherine hurried over and slid into the chair on the other side. Stanley left, but promised to come back.

  Catherine tapped Andrea on her wrist and waited for her friend to turn towards her. “Andrea, do think Sunny is all right? I met the little Hackett girl, Gretel, when she came with her mother to the bakery earlier today. They’re the people who own the laundry in town. She saw Sunny and asked to hold her. Her mother said she could watch the kitten tonight while we came to the dinner and the dance. I took the kitten over while you were taking your bath, but I can’t keep from worrying.”

  “How old is this girl?”

  “I think she said she’s eleven.”

  Confused, Andrea studied her friend before she answered. “I know you’re attached to that kitten, Cat, but I’m sure it’s all right. I was twelve when my ma died and my sister and I took care of the house all by ourselves. I’m sure at eleven Gretel can take care of the kitty, especially if her mother is there to help.”

  Catherine sighed with relief. “I’m sure you’re probably right. I shouldn’t worry.” Catherine looked around to see if she could locate Aaron Brinks. She supposed out of politeness she should accept at least one dance from the man, although she much preferred to be with Harold. She felt relieved when she didn’t see him.

  Catherine caught sight of the man of her dreams. “Oh, look. Harold is walking back this way.” Catherine turned to face her friend again, her forehead creased with worry. “Andrea, are you all right?”

  Andrea nodded in response. “This is a lot harder than I expected. I wish I could go back to our room.”

  Catherine patted Andrea’s knee with one hand as Harold claimed the other and pulled her onto the dance floor. “You’ll be all right. In two days, it will be all over and we’ll have our husbands.”

  Harold started to pull her tight into his arms for a waltz, but quickly shifted her until he held her at arm’s length. Catherine felt a bit miffed over the distance between them. She may have to wait for two days to get married, but she had hoped she and Harold could get close enough to share a kiss that night.

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  CHAPTER 12

  ~o0o~

  As the brides left the boarding house on Sunday morning to walk to church, Catherine was pleased to see that Harold, dressed as he had been the night before, waited on the corner of Main Street and Schoolhouse Road. As soon as she came close enough, he fell in place next to her. Stanley Turner also waited for Andrea and walked with her.

  As they entered the sanctuary, Harold leaned over to speak to Catherine. “I usually try to find a seat on the edge next to the wall. I’m so big I block people’s view of the pastor if I sit towards the middle.”

  Catherine smiled as he shared his concern. It told her two important traits about the man she sincerely hoped would soon be her husband. First, he did come to church; he wasn’t attending that Sunday only to impress her. Second, he was considerate of others.

  Catherine shared her hymnal she had brought from home with Harold when it was time to sing. She noted his voice wasn’t exceptional, but it was adequate. At least he sang rather than merely mouthed the words. Then again, maybe his voice sounded better when he didn’t need to keep clearing his throat throughout the song.

  The one issue that concerned Catherine was, in spite of her having used an unscented soap to wash up that morning and not using the rosewater scent, something about her still caused Harold’s head to stuff up and his eyes to water. She wracked her brain in an effort to figure out what could be causing his distress. She wore a dress she hadn’t put on since before she came to Jubilee Springs. Her best dress she hoped to wear when she married she had worn the night before at the dinner and dance. The only place she had been since she dressed that morning was to go to Hackett’s in order to collect Sunny and bring him back to the room at the boarding house. She began to wonder if Harold was allergic to her.

  After church, Catherine moved out of doors with the others. She took the time to greet townspeople she had already met in just the two
days since she arrived with Lizett. With Harold at her side making several introductions, she also shared greetings with those who were still new to her. She knew it would take several weeks before she would be able to put the correct name with each face, but already she felt she was among a large group of friends. What also pleased her was that many of the congregation knew Harold. He talked to several and seemed to be on friendly terms with them.

  Finally Harold offered Catherine his arm. She was happy that now they were out of doors, it appeared his head had cleared. He leaned in to speak in her ear, sharing his words with no one but her. “Let’s go find us a spot on one of the benches the Bainbridges had built for this weekend and get us some dinner. I understand they contracted with several businesses in town to provide us the food, so it should be quite a spread.”

  “Oh, that was thoughtful. With us being new in town, most of us don’t have a blanket to spread for a picnic and I’m sure Mrs. Howard wouldn’t want us using…”

  “Achoo!”

  Catherine’s mouth hung open with dismay as Harold began another sneezing fit. She helplessly looked on as he released her arm and reached for his bandanna. He used both hands to hold the cloth with which he wiped his nose. He then lifted his head and wiped his forehead. “Whew! Whatever there is about you that affects me this way, it’s something else. But, you’re worth it.”

  Dismayed, Catherine commiserated. “Harold, I don’t know what else to do. I deliberately didn’t wear any of my scent today. Even though you told me my rosewater doesn’t bother you, I didn’t want to take the chance. And still being close to me makes you sick.”

  “I’m fine now. Let’s go get something to eat.”

  The two found the plates provided for the brides and their potential grooms and dished up what they wanted to eat that day. They found, though, for Harold to be able to eat without having to stop and blow his nose or wipe his watery eyes every minute or so, they needed to sit at least three feet apart.