Catnapped (A Klepto Cat Mystery) (23 page)

“Oh no you don’t,” Savannah was quick to say. She looked over and noticed Michael still standing there with Sally. “I’ll be there in a quick minute, Michael. We have a whole lot of cats to examine and none of them sound very happy.”

“So what time did you get home last night, Vannie?” Margaret asked as her niece strolled into the kitchen in search of a cup of coffee.

“Late—oh my gosh, it was late. We called Edie around two this morning to tell her the good news about Sally.”

“Good news?” Margaret asked, excitement in her voice.

“Yes, she’s going to be okay—for now. This was an awful setback for her. She probably would not have lived through the night. We found an abscess. Probably some of the other cats were picking on her. And she was severely dehydrated. But when I left this morning around three-thirty, Sally was up on all fours, lapping up a little ‘kitty pablum,’ as Michael calls it.”

“I’m so happy for Edie. She must be beside herself with joy,” Margaret said.

“Yes, we also found Samantha and Rascal. But, so far, there is no sign of Buster or Brillo. I think Max and Michael are going back up there today to see if we missed any cats. It’s very likely. We may have to set out humane traps to catch those that are too scared by now.” And then she changed the subject. “Did you make an appointment to have your foot x-rayed? At the very least, they’ll want to change that filthy cast,” Savannah said.

“Yes, we go in a few hours. I wanted to let you sleep. The sheriff suggested we both get checked out after our ordeal. Do you mind seeing my doctor? He said he would see us both.”

“Oh, well, I guess so. Sure. Probably a good idea.”

Margaret’s voice took on a serious tone. “He didn’t…you know—hurt you…?” Margaret started.

“No. It got pretty ugly there for a while,” Savannah said choking up. “But our rescuers got there in time, thank heavens.”

***

“That’s a nasty bruise, Savannah,” Max said as he peered at her from across the small table on Margaret’s expansive wrap-around porch. “Did you see that, Michael?” he asked.

“Yes, it’s ugly. It must hurt like heck.” He took his free hand and touched Savannah’s face ever so gently. She held tight to his other hand.

“Yeah, it’s tender,” she responded. “And that’s not the only one.” She looked over at Margaret. “Auntie and I both have camouflage bodies,” she said with a forced laugh.

“Yes, we’re mottled like torties,” Margaret added.

The foursome sipped lemonade late on Monday—the day after their ordeal.

“I’m glad the doc checked you ladies out,” Max said. “Things could have been so much worse.” He choked up. No one said anything for a few moments. Finally, Max looked over at Margaret and remarked, “Your new cast is quite…interesting.”

Margaret lifted her multi-colored, mostly purple and pink cast up for everyone to admire. “Yeah, if I have to wear the thing for another four weeks, I figured I might as well make it festive.”

Michael leaned over and studied the cast. “How in the world did you get the doctor to make it striped? I’ve never seen that done before.”

“Oh, he had never done anything like this before, either, but he was willing to have a little fun with it—to cheer me up, I think.” And then she changed the subject. “What did you guys find out at the Bray place this afternoon?”

“Not much. Some of the cats will never be recovered—not with the predators in those hills hungry for cats. We found Brillo, but we couldn’t get him,” Max said with disappointment in his voice. “We left a couple of traps there. I’m sure it won’t take long to trap him. There was no food or water anywhere around for the cats. They may have been drinking out of the horse trough, which we noticed was clean and filled today. I understand that the two troughs were virtually empty except for a little muddy water in the bottom, when the raid took place last night.”

Margaret stared off into space. “Seems so long ago,” she said.

No one spoke for a few moments. And then Savannah broke the ice, “When can Sally go home?”

Michael smiled. “She’s home with Edie now. She’s fairly alert, eating a little and what better prescription could I offer her than the comfort and safety of her home? That’s where the real healing will take place.”

“What a satisfying experience,” Max said. “It is so heartening to be a part of something so worthwhile, don’t you think, Maggie?” he asked as he squeezed her knee.

“Absolutely,” she said. “Oh, Max, you said you talked to the board—when’s our next meeting? We really do need to acknowledge those who were instrumental in the success of this rescue and get back to the business at hand—organizing our rescue groups so we’re more effective.”

“Is Wednesday okay with you? Will you feel up to having the meeting here?”

“Sure. We don’t have anything going Wednesday, do we Vannie?”

Savannah flashed a quick look at Michael. “Um, I’m thinking about going home this week, Auntie.”

“What?” Michael appeared stunned. He straightened his posture and looked into Savannah’s face.

She tried to avoid eye contact. “I have to go,” she said. “We’ll talk about it later, okay?”

In order to break the uncomfortable silence, Margaret said, “Wednesday’s fine. I’d like to invite Dora and Charlotte.” She looked over at Max and said, “I think we should award a special hero medal to Charlotte, don’t you?”

“What a great idea!”

“Yes!”

“Wonderful!” the trio said in unison.

Margaret was just settling down into the overstuffed print chair, when Savannah stepped back into the house after walking Michael to his truck. “Now what’s this about you leaving this week?” she asked

“I need to get back, but I won’t leave until you feel okay on your own. You have so many friends. And there’s Max and Helena. Since things have calmed down, don’t you think you’ll be all right here by yourself?”

“I would have done okay by myself this whole time,” she responded with a bit of drama. And then she softened her tone and said, “I have really enjoyed having you here.”

“You would not!” Savannah snapped.

“Would not what?”

“Get along okay by yourself.”

Margaret gave her a sheepish grin and said, “Well, maybe not. But it has been a blast, hasn’t it, Vannie?”

“Um…” She hesitated and then frowned a little. “Sure, if you want to call it that.”

“Come on, when have you ever had more fun?”

“Maybe that day I got the root canal or the time I was attacked by angry bees and got all stung up…and then there was the time that pit bull I was working on…”

“Oh stop it!” Margaret laughed. “You needed a little excitement in your life—admit it! Besides, if you’d stayed at home doing your boring routine, you wouldn’t have met Michael, right?”

“Michael.” She sighed. And then she smiled. “You’re right. I have really enjoyed myself…except for…”

“We’re not talking about that. It’s over. We’re okay,” Margaret reassured her. “I want to hear about what’s going on with you and Michael. Do I sense apprehension? What’s wrong, Vannie?”

Savannah plopped down on the ottoman where her aunt rested her broken foot. She looked down at her hands as she fought back tears. “I just don’t know, Auntie. I think he’s great. He really knocked me off my feet and I guess I’m trying to get my balance so I can make a good decision.” She looked up and stared into Margaret’s face. “Women can’t just go around making choices based on emotion, now can they?”

“Why the hell not?”

Savannah cocked her head, a puzzled look on her face. “Um, well…is that how you make decisions? By the seat of your pants—depending on how you feel at the time?”

“Sometimes I do,” Margaret said—a hint of smugness in her tone.

“And it works for you?”

“Do you see me complaining? Is my life so far off-track, Vannie? Really, now, is it?”

“Well, maybe it works for some people. But for me…”

“Are you sure you know what works for you? Is your life actually working the way you would like? What are your goals, anyway, Savannah?” Margaret stared intently at her niece for a moment and then spoke on, “You went to veterinary school. That’s something to be mighty proud of. And it sounds like you did well. You’ve had some serious relationships. But you’re not married, you have no children and you aren’t even working as a veterinarian. It just seems to me that if you followed your passion more—let your emotions lead at least to some degree—you would be living with more purpose instead of living life from the outside looking in.”

“Wow!” Savannah said after sitting with her thoughts for a good while. “All I can say, Auntie, is Wow! You’ve given me some things to think about, definitely. Could it be that I have it all wrong? That my clear-thinking, cautious way of approaching the important things in my life are keeping me from living it? Fascinating…” she said obviously caught up in her own thoughts.

And then she looked at her aunt and said, “Do you mind if I go for a walk? I’d like to get some exercise. I think it might help to work some of the soreness out, too.”

“Sure, kiddo. I’m in the middle of a good book. Don’t worry about me.”

Michael picked Savannah up at 7:00 p.m. sharp, although she’d noticed him sitting in his truck in the driveway for several minutes before coming up the porch steps.

“Ready?” he asked when she opened the door to greet him. He looked around behind her and said, “Well, there’s that famous hero cat. Hi Rags! Have you appeared on any talk shows, lately?” He took a closer look and asked Savannah, “What’s that he has?”

“Oh, it’s the cat from the meeting—Meowster. It has become his favorite contraband. He carries it around with him a lot and likes to sleep near it in the afternoon. I’m not sure he’ll give it back to Ida. We may have to get her a new one,” she said with a slight grimace.

Once the couple was seated in the cab of the truck, Michael reached over and took Savannah’s hand. She welcomed his touch. “I’ve missed you,” he said.

“We just saw each other a couple of hours ago,” Savannah quipped.

“You know what I mean. And now I can’t even hold you tightly because of your bruises.”

“Says who?” Savannah asked playfully.

He smiled and pulled her close for a passionate kiss, which they both enjoyed immensely.

“Where are we going tonight?” he asked while nuzzling her neck.

“Well, I’m hungry—maybe that diner in town? I had breakfast there with Auntie one day.” She paused for a few moments and then said, “Seems like years ago.” She sat with her thoughts for a few seconds and then asked, “Do they serve a good dinner?”

“Yes, they do. But I’m afraid the atmosphere isn’t all that great.”

“That’s okay. After dinner,” she said while running her fingers slowly along his neck, “I’d like to talk. Maybe we can go back to your place for a little dessert.”

“I don’t have anything for dessert…” Michael started in a serious tone. And then he noticed the look on Savannah’s face and said, “Ohhhhh. Yes, dessert. Sure. I’d like that.” He kissed her again and then started the truck, letting it run while they both got situated in their seatbelts.

***

“Hello Iris,” Michael said when she walked up to their booth with menus and two glasses of water.

“Oh hi, Dr. Mike.” She pointed the eraser end of a pencil toward Savannah and said, “… Margaret’s niece—Savannah Jordan.”

“Yes. Hello Iris.”

“Wow, I see all kinds of hookups (if you pardon the expression) here in this place, but I never thought I’d see the two of you together,” she said. And then as if catching herself making a stupid statement, she attempted to explain, “I mean, Dr. Mike, I rarely see you with a girl…er…a…that’s not what I meant to say.”

Iris blinked a couple of times, took a breath and said, “You know, you two make a gorgeous couple.” And she hurriedly walked away.

“What was that about?” Savannah asked.

“I have no idea. I think poor Iris is just a tad overworked. She has a couple of teenagers still at home and she supports them by herself. She cleans offices at night. Mine included.”

“But isn’t she my aunt’s age? She must have gotten a late start having children if she has teenagers,” Savannah said.

“Actually, one is hers and I guess he isn’t a teenager anymore, but he lives off her as if he is. I think he’s into drugs. And then she took on the responsibility of her last husband’s kids when he ran off with a younger woman. Their mother is out of the picture. Iris is all they have and she treats them as if they were her own. They have a dog and I sometimes work a trade with her when the dog needs vaccines or food.”

“Oh bartering. I believe in it, too. I’m afraid my current boss is pretty hard-nosed when it comes to people paying. He wants cash money and he’d rather pay cash money for services and stuff rather than fool around with any sort of bartering system. Do you barter your services often?”

“Just occasionally, depending on what the individual has for trade.”

“Makes sense. You can’t be giving away free services and products in exchange for things you can’t use—crocheted baby booties, for example,” Savannah said rather flippantly.

Michael looked across at Savannah for a few seconds and then said, “Crocheted booties? Where did that come from? I may very well want some crocheted booties at some point. In fact, I hope…”

“Have you decided?” Iris asked as she approached their table.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I haven’t even looked at the menu,” Savannah apologized.

“I recommend the Special tonight,” Michael said. “They make a pretty good fish and chips. And their cole slaw is excellent.”

“Sounds good,” Savannah agreed.

“And two draft beers?” Michael gave Savannah a questioning look.

She nodded.

Iris collected the menus. “I’ll be right back with those beers.”

Michael stared at Savannah and then said, “Don’t you want to be married someday?”

“Sure, I think so.” She thought about the question for a few minutes. “But you’ve been married. It doesn’t sound like it was a fun ride for you. Why would you want to do it again?”

“Because I believe that marriage can be the most beautiful relationship ever with the right person. Don’t you?”