Black Cat and the Accidental Angel (Black Cat Mysteries Book 3) (5 page)

Even the dogs sensed failure, with their tails drooping and heads down. They’d done their best. No dog could find a scent in all that new road oil.
But, how was he going to tell Brett?

The cats were still alive. The dogs had tracked them to the road. Hawks did ride the air currents in that area, hunting small rodents, rabbits, or perhaps a slightly overweight black and white cat and his companion. That was something to worry about.

Fortunately, the cats weren’t hurt in the crash and wandered off somewhere to die. Sam would have found their bodies—or some sign of them. He’d trailed the cats a good two miles straight to the road. They were both in good shape to get this far.

In a worst case scenario, maybe when they got to the road, they were hit by a car and scooped away by the animal control people. Sadly, Brett might never know exactly what happened to Thumper and his little friend.

“No,” Jack shook his head. Thumper wasn’t dead. “I’d feel it if he was dead.” Thumper was one smart cat. Hadn’t he and his ancestors been part of the lodge for over twenty-five years? Thumper would have figured out which way to go on the road. He’d go north because home was north. And, there’d be a day when he’d see him again. Jack was sure of it.

Brett glanced at his watch. It had been over an hour since Jack left with the dogs. He and Amanda had to leave. Kimberlee and Dorian were waiting.

Back at the hospital, he did his best to clarify the situation to Kimberlee and Dorian. He explained how the cats had been left behind and their carrier broken open.

“But Brett…what about—?” Kimberlee protested.

With Amanda at his side, he cast her a warning glance. “Jack and the dogs are following their trail, even as we speak.”

“How is Sam?”

“Now, Dorian, don’t worry about him. He’s just fine. I saw him this morning. Jack will probably be waiting at home with the cats before we get there. You know, Sam has dozens of successful rescues under his collar. He’ll track them down.”

“I’m not worried. I’m just anxious to get home and see Sam.”

The drive home in the rental car was relatively silent. With Amanda in the back seat, the adults could not verbalize their concerns about the accident.

Brett pulled into the driveway. He helped Kimberlee and Dorian into the house. “You gals sit down and rest. I’ll make some coffee and unload the car. Jack should be here any minute with the animals. Amanda, stay here with mommy, in case she needs you to fetch something.”

“Do you think Sam’s going to be alright out there? Are you sure he wasn’t hurt?” Dorian eased her arm onto the edge of the sofa, adjusting her sling. She leaned back against the cushions.

“I told you, Dorian, he’s fine. He’s doing his Rescue doggy thing. He’ll be your hero when he finds the cats. Relax.”

Brett propped pillows behind Kimberlee and left the girls with coffee in hand. He hustled back, carrying the last two suitcases when someone knocked on the door.

“It’s Jack! See? He’s here already. Didn’t I tell you?” He hurried to the door. Wouldn’t Amanda and Kimberlee be pleased? They’d been through a lot over the past twenty-four hours, were bruised and battered, to be sure, but safe at home. Now, with the cats back, they’d put the accident behind them. In a few days, it would all be forgotten.

He opened the door, a smile crinkling the side of his mouth. “Jack!”

Jack shook his head ever so slightly. “Hey, Brett.”

Brett’s smile evaporated.
Jack hadn’t found the cats. What could they tell Amanda?

“Uncle Jack!” Amanda ran to the front door. “Did you find my kitties?” She gazed around the porch and out toward the car. “Where are they? Are they still in the car?”

Jack looked over her head toward Kimberlee, lying on the sofa.

She turned her head and put her hands over her eyes for just a second. “Amanda, sweetie, come here. Mama needs you.”

Brett glanced between Jack and Kimberlee
.

Sam pushed through the door past Jack’s legs and headed straight to Dorian. He wiggled as she stroked his head. “Sam! Here you are. Are you okay?” She rubbed his ears and pulled his head up to her chest. “I’m so happy to see you. I’ve been so worried.” Tears sparkled in her eyes.

Chance followed Jack across the room to the rocking chair and lay beside her master.

Jack held out an inviting hand. “Come here, Amanda. Sit on Uncle Jack’s lap.”

Kimberlee gave Amanda’s hand a squeeze and turned her toward Jack. “Go on.”

Amanda shuffled across the room. She crawled into Jack’s lap and ducked her head onto his shoulder. “Where are my kitties, Uncle Jack? You said you’d bring my kitties home.”

Jack leaned back and closed his eyes.

Brett’s heart wrenched. Amanda’s heart would break when she heard the news.
Give him the right words, Lord.
His throat tightened. He swallowed a lump in his throat.
Remember. We’re all safe. That’s the important thing. They’re just cats
. But, it wasn’t true. Thumper was gone and the place where he lived in Brett’s heart left an empty hole and
just cats
or not, it hurt.

Jack ran his hand over his face, opened his eyes and looked down at Amanda. “Do ya remember the story of the three little kittens what lost their mittens?” He stroked the curls off her forehead.

She nodded. “Mama reads the story sometimes.”

Jack locked eyes with Brett. “Maybe a little help, here?”

Brett stooped beside the rocking chair and took Amanda’s hand. “Uncle Jack and Sam searched for Thumper and Noe-Noe for a long time, sweetheart. Chance helped too, but they couldn’t find them. Your kitties are lost, like those kittens that lost their mittens. But, we’ll keep looking, okay?”

Amanda’s eyes sparkled with tears and then she smiled. “I’m not going to cry, Daddy Brett. Mama says the three little kittens found their mittens. We’ll find Thumper. When I say my prayers tonight, I’ll ask God to help them find their way home.”

Chapter Five

H
igh in the late afternoon sky, the sun beat down on their backs. Just ahead, the cats came to a country road.

He looked left and right. Not a car in sight. It would be easier walking on the road, than through fields overrun with weeds and stickers. They stepped onto the pavement. Good. Warm enough to feel good on tired feet, but not too hot to burn. “We’ll follow this road for a while. There’s no traffic and it must lead somewhere. It’s headed the right direction. I think
home
must be just up ahead a little ways.”

The cats traipsed along the pavement for about a half mile.

“Excuse me for bringing this up again, Angel, but I’ve asked several times and you haven’t answered. Why won’t you tell me where we came from and about my
persons?
I can’t remember anything before the accident. I don’t even know my name. Isn’t it about time you answered my questions? What is my name?”

Angel stopped and sat in the middle of the road. “I know it must be hard for you, dear, but there are reasons why I can’t tell you. I can’t explain, but, you’ll just have to trust me. In time, you’ll remember everything. In the meantime, I’ll be here to take care of you. Isn’t that enough? Can you do that? Just trust me for a while? Please?”

He stared at her golden head. She had closed her eyes and lifted her chin, as though she was at prayer. She looked so serene and lovely, he couldn’t find it in his heart to argue. “I…I guess so, but I don’t understand. Are you ready to go on now?”

“My paws hurt.” Angel licked her foot. “I’m so tired. Can we stop soon?”

He scanned the terrain. Off to the right at the end of a winding driveway, a small ranch house was visible through the apple trees.

“Maybe we can find water at that house.” His stomach rumbled.
And food.
How long had it been since they last ate? His macho plan of leading her home had long since been replaced by
fear of failure
and the need for food and water.

Angel rubbed against his shoulder. “Whatever you think, dear. I’m sure you know best.”

They trotted down the driveway. He put up his nose and sniffed. “This way. I smell food.” Around the house they scurried, following the delightful scent of kitty kibble. There! Not ten feet away. A bowl of cat food on the porch! He pranced toward the steps, his mouth tingling and saliva dripping down his chin. “Someone’s breakfast. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind sharing it with us.”

“I’m sure
she
wouldn’t mind sharing with us. After you, my love—” Angel shoved the pink bowl with the name
Rosie
on the side
toward him.

The tantalizing aroma of chicken gizzards and fish entrails drifted up from the bowl. He dove into the kibble, swallowing whole mouthfuls of crunchy morsels, without stopping to chew.
Rmm
…
rum
… He glanced up.

Angel lay nearby, her front paws tucked delicately under her breast, her svelte tail wrapped around her toes.

I’m such a pig. She’s hungry too.
He backed away from the bowl, turned and leaned over the fishpond. His ears warmed. “Please, Angel, you should eat something. I’ve had enough.” He lapped at the water. Thank goodness she couldn’t see his face.

“Thank you, dear.” Angel nibbled delicately at the kibble.

A chilling snarl came from the direction of the house. “What are you doing here? Who are you?”

He lifted his head. Drops of water dribbled down his chin. The biggest Siamese he’d ever seen hunkered on the top porch step.
Busted!

He swallowed a knot in his throat, taking a measure of the threat. Was this Rosie? She looked way too mean to charm and way too big to fight.

The large Siamese oozed down the steps, her dark ears lowered, heading straight for Angel and the food dish.
Her sapphire eyes snapped a warning. Dark smudges streaked her cream-colored forehead like arrows of death pointed toward her sharp teeth.

He bounded across the yard, ears flat, tail bristled like a bottle brush, head cocked to the side. He stopped several feet from the Siamese. “Leave her alone. It’s my fault. If it’s trouble you’re looking for, trouble’s my middle name.”
At least it’s as good as any.

Well, here it was, even sooner than he expected. Nameless, homeless and practically friendless, he’d have to fight for the first meal they came across. If this was any indication of how hard it would be to find their way home, they were in a real patch of
dog doo-doo
. In his weakened condition, the Siamese would likely beat him to a pulp, but he’d give it his best shot. He wasn’t about to let Angel down after she’d taken such good care of him.
Grr
-
wow-wow-wow!
“Bring it on, lady…”

He pulled up short when Angel stepped in front of him, her head lowered. “Rosie? May I call you Rosie? I’m sorry we ate your breakfast. We’re in trouble, you see. We’re lost and hungry. We saw your food dish and hoped you wouldn’t mind sharing. There’s plenty left for you. You wouldn’t turn away two hungry travelers, would you?”

Angel flopped on the ground and rolled, presenting her unguarded tummy to her potential killer…or benefactor…as time would tell.

Now, wasn’t that just like a female? Just when he was about to beat the Siamese to a pulp with one eye shut and one paw tied behind his back, Angel had to go all
Gandhi
on him and offer a peace treaty.

The big Siamese sat and stroked her beige chest with an oversized pink tongue. “There, there, my dear, when you put it that way, of course I’d never turn away a fellow cat in need. Lost, you say? That’s harsh. You poor things! What happened?” She leaned forward and licked her dark front paw. Wasn’t she the epitome of a female? Hard as nails and ready to kill one second and a jelly-donut the next.

Angel’s proffered tummy of friendship had been accepted—terms of surrender proposed and peace declared. Angel had turned a potential enemy into an ally.