Claws for a Cause (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 15) (5 page)

“True. Okay, I’ll settle down, if you will. All we can do is keep our pets and kids close.”

****

“Michael, are you sure there have been no legitimate reports of wolves around here?” Savannah asked that evening as she prepared their dinner.

“Not that I know of,” he said. “No calls about injuries, no more poodles being mistaken for wild animals. I think things have calmed down on that front. Why?”

Before Savannah could respond, Rags tore into the kitchen and leaped up onto his windowsill perch. “What now?” she muttered, walking toward the cat. She then called, “Michael! Oh no, there’s a wolf! Michael, he’s heading for Peaches. Oh, my gosh! Do something!”

“What?” he asked, joining her at the window. “Where?”

She pointed. “Out there by the corral.” She took a few steps back. “Go scare him away, Michael!” She watched as he gazed out into the night. He then picked up a flashlight and headed out the door. “Be careful,” she called after him. Still keeping her eye on her husband through the window, she quickly picked up her cell phone and placed a call. “Auntie, did you see it?”

“See what?”

“There’s a wolf in our yard. It looked like he came from your direction.”

“No,” she said sounding a bit panicked. “I’ll ask Max.” Within seconds, she returned to the phone and calmly reported, “He said he saw a dog earlier.”

“Well, this looked more like a wolf than any dog I’ve seen. Oh, Auntie, I’m frightened.”

“Where’s Michael?” Margaret asked. “Is he home?”

“Yes, he’s out there with the wolf.”

Savannah heard Margaret repeat this to Max and the next voice she heard in the earpiece was his. “Hi there, Savannah. You say you have a wolf in your yard?”

“Yeah, Michael went out to get a closer look.”

“Did
you
get a good look at the animal?”

“Well, no, not really. Just a glimpse, actually, why?”

“Is it kind of wooly, about the size of a…well, a wolf, I guess?”

“Yes, did you see it, Max?” she asked, anxiously.

“Yes, I saw it….”

“Wait,” she said, still peering out through the kitchen window, “here comes Michael. Oh my gosh, he’s leading the….”

“The what?” Max asked, chuckling.

“Oh, I guess it’s a dog,” she said more calmly. “Yes, I’ve seen that dog before.”

Max said, “So has Maggie. She saw her in the field along the highway. That’s Lucy. She belongs to the Fentons up the road. Lately, though, the dog seems to have the adventure bug. We see her all over the place. She’s harmless—a friendly dog.”

“Well, they’d better keep her penned or she’s liable to get shot with everyone so jittery about wolves these days.” When Max remained silent, Savannah added, “That dog really looks like a wolf.”

“That’s because she’s supposed to be related to a wolf. Well, all dogs are related to the wolf, but this one more closely. Al Fenton told me her sire was a wolf or part wolf.”

“Wow!” Savannah said.

Just then Michael stepped inside. “It’s the Fentons’ dog. I put her in the truck. I’ll be right back. Better take her home before old man Parsons sees her around here.”

When Michael returned, he said, “She’s really a nice dog.”

Grimacing, Savannah asked, “Did you tell Mr. Fenton how dangerous it is to let his dog run loose? Max said she’s actually part wolf.”

Michael nodded. “Yeah, I gave him a lecture. Unfortunately, he’s one of those who believes a dog should be free-roaming, like his chickens.” Michael ran his hand through his straight dark-brown hair. “He said the dog can take care of herself—she’s been doing it since she was a pup. He says she doesn’t bother livestock and she could handle herself against a wolf, so he sees no danger.”

“Did you tell him about Jack Parsons shooting his own dog?”

Michael grimaced. “Tried to. He didn’t want to listen, so I left.”

Just then Rags jumped down off the perch and walked up to Michael. He began sniffing his shoes and pant legs. “Do you smell Lucy?” Michael asked, petting the cat.

Rags edged out from under Michael’s hand and sniffed his fingers.

“I wonder what stories he’s getting from the scents you brought home,” Savannah said. “They say an animal learns a lot from sniffing another animal.”

“Well, knowing Rags, he’s probably impressed and inspired by the life this ragamuffin dog leads—having the freedom to roam where she wants, when she wants, without restraints and restrictions.” He chuckled as they watched Rags step away, sit down, and stare off into space for a moment.

Savannah laughed. “What are you dreaming of, Ragsie? Hooking up with Lucy and traveling the world?”

“A wolf-dog and a klepto cat,” Michael said, laughing. “Now, they’d make quite the pair, wouldn’t they?”

As Rags walked quietly out of the room, Savannah said, “Yes, wouldn’t they? I think he’s going to his bed to dream about it now.”

Four days later, while the Iveys finished up the dinner dishes, Savannah said, “Can you believe it, Michael, in three short days we’ll be on our way to Hawaii?”

“Where’s your mother?” he asked.

“Reading Lily a bedtime story.”

“Is Adam with them?”

“Could be,” she said, “but I think he and Rags headed up to take inventory of Rags’s stash.”

Michael laughed. “Those two—what one doesn’t think of the other one does.”

“Add Lexie to the mix and you’ve got a real gang of conspirators there.” Savannah faced Michael. “Adam is such a great kid. I just love having him around, don’t you?”

“Sure do,” Michael said, his voice cracking. “And to think I almost missed out on knowing my son. If my ex-wife hadn’t finally contacted me…”

Savannah interrupted, “…on the eve of our wedding…”

He nodded. “I try not to think about the time I missed with him—his first eight years…”

Savannah gently rubbed Michael’s arm as he wiped a plate dry. “But we’ve sure enjoyed these last nearly three years with him, haven’t we?”

“Yes. We have a lot of fun when he’s around.” He took a deep breath, put the plate away, and asked, while picking up another one to dry, “So are we packed?”

“Yes, in my head.”

“How does that work?” Adam asked as he entered the room, Rags tagging alongside him.

Savannah turned to face the boy. “What?”

“How do you pack in your head?”

She tousled his hair. “By just thinking about what you want to pack. You imagine what you think you might want to pack. When it’s time to get out the suitcase, you have a pretty good idea of what you want to put in there.”

“Oh,” Adam said. “I play basketball in my head.”

“You do?” Michael asked, giving the boy his full attention.

“Yes. I imagine the plays I want to make and practice them over and over in my head. Then during the games, I make them. Our coach taught us how to do visualization.” The boy frowned. “Only…”

“Only what?” Michael asked. “Well, it only works when someone passes you the ball.”

Savannah and Michael chuckled. She then asked Adam, “Hey, what did you guys find in Rags’s stash this time?”

His eyes brightened. He dug into a pocket and pulled out his fist. Opening it, he revealed a variety of items. “I think he’s been…what do you call it...pilfering again.”

Savannah and Michael moved closer as Adam continued to dig things out of his pockets and lay them on the kitchen table. He looked up at them. “I threw away the usual stuff.”

“Usual stuff?” Michael asked.

“Yeah, old tea bags, dried-up bread crust, Lexie’s chewed-up dog bones, empty envelopes...” He yanked something out of a back pocket. “Oh, here’s a letter you might need.”

Savannah took it from him and let out a yelp. “So that’s where the gas bill went. I had to pay it over the phone.” She looked down at the cat, who was sitting at Adam’s feet. “Rags, I wish you’d stop it.”

Adam smiled up at her. “Have you been looking for this, too?”

When she saw what he had in his hand, she grimaced. “Yes. It’s Lily’s slipper.”

“He thought it was his toy, see? It has a little cat face on it. Looks like a stuffed toy, don’t you think? How do you expect him to know the difference?” he said in the cat’s defense.

“What’s this?” Michael asked, picking up a pouch off the tabletop.

“I think that’s a battery charger thing inside. My mom and other dad have one like it for their camera.”

Just then Gladys walked into the room. “Savannah, have you seen my…” When she noticed what Michael held in his hand, she reached for it. “Oh, there it is. Where’d you find it?”

Adam laughed. “Where did you leave it?” he asked. “…’cause Rags found it there.”

She frowned at the cat. “In my overnight bag.” She then studied the other items laid out on the table, and asked, “What else did he take?”

“My watch!” Savannah shouted, picking it up. “I’ve been looking everywhere for this.” She turned toward Rags, who was now standing on a chair, his paws on the table. “You little sneak.”

“Dad says he’s a teacher,” the boy said, a serious look on his face.

Savannah smirked at her husband. “Oh he does, does he? How so, dare I ask?”

“He’s trying to teach us to put our things away.” He glanced at Savannah, then Michael. “I learned not to leave my Legos out. I found three of them in his stash basket.”

“Well, I’d better go lock up my things,” Gladys said, turning to leave the room.

Adam called after her, “And zip your purse, close the drawers…He’s pretty smart, you know.”

“Who do you think this belongs to?” Michael asked, holding up a photograph. “Is it yours, hon?”

“Let me see it,” she said, taking it from him. “No. Not mine.” She turned it over and looked at the back of it. “It’s old.”

“Yeah, probably taken in the 1930s.”

“Oh wait,” she said. “Auntie brought over some old pictures she found a while back. I’ll bet this is one of them.” She thinned her lips. “Rags,” she scolded.

“Shouldn’t leave things lying around,” Adam reminded her. He then peered at the picture, asking, “Who is that?”

Savannah looked more closely. “I think she said it’s my Uncle John’s third wife, Marvel.”

“What’s she doing?” he asked. “What’s she throwing at those chickens?”

“She’s feeding them,” Savannah explained.

He studied the photo again. “That’s a funny way to feed animals.”

“They’re free-range chickens,” Michael said. “They run around the yard scratching for seeds, worms, bugs, and things. People also toss them grains and cracked corn to eat.”

Adam looked at the picture again. “Oh. If I was a chicken, I’d want to catch it in the air before it hit the ground so I wouldn’t have dirt in my food.”

Play-boxing his son, Michael said, “Aren’t you glad you’re not a chicken?”

“Sure am.” He thought for a moment and said, “But I wouldn’t mind being a cat. They have a good life.” He laughed. “Hey, you should have seen Rags playing with Lucy earlier when I took him out on his leash.”

“Oh, did she come to visit again?” Michael asked.

“Yes, she comes to see Peaches. She and Peaches are friends. They sure like playing together. When Lucy jumps around and nips at her face, she snorts and tosses her head like she’s really happy. Rags likes Lucy, too.” He looked up at his dad. “Why do you think he gets along with dogs? Aren’t cats and dogs supposed to fight like…well, cats and dogs?”

“Sure, some do,” Michael agreed.

“Rags seems to like all animals—cats, dogs, horses… But not gophers.”

Michael smiled. “No? How do you know that, Son?”

“I saw him trying to catch one once and I could tell he sure didn’t like that gopher.” Adam stared at the cat. “I think he was mad because the gopher outsmarted him. He went in a hole and covered it up so Rags couldn’t see him.” He then said, “Yup, I think it would be awesome to be a cat.”

“Oh yeah?” Michael challenged. “But cats can’t play basketball and ride a skateboard.” He grinned. “Or beat me at a game of War.”

Adam smiled. “Yeah, that’s right. Hey, wanna play, Dad, huh?”

“Sure,” Michael said. “Want to join us, hon?” he asked.

Savannah shook her head. “I think I’d better make a list of what we need to pack for the trip.”

“Your head’s getting too full, huh?” Adam asked.

She laughed. “Yeah. I need to empty it out onto a piece of paper.”

****

Later that evening, Savannah looked up when Michael entered the bedroom. “Everyone bedded down?” she asked.

“Yes. Adam’s looking forward to going out to breakfast tomorrow before the drive home. He does love those pancakes they serve at the diner.”

“Good idea planning a special treat for him on his last day here, although, he seems to make the transition from one home to the other fairly easily.”

Michael yawned and stretched. “Yes, he does.” He then laughed and said, “Guess what he wants us to bring him back from Hawaii?”

“What?”

“A conch shell.”

“One of those great big shells?” she asked. “Why?”

“So he can learn to blow into it. He saw someone do it on TV once and thought it made a cool sound.”

“I don’t imagine it’ll be hard to find one of those over there,” she said. “Packing it to bring it home might be another matter, though.”

“Speaking of packing,” he said, picking up her list, “how’s it going?”

“I don’t know, Michael. It requires a lot of stuff to travel with a baby. Do you know how much room five days’ worth of diapers takes up?”

“Can’t we buy diapers on the island?”

Savannah nodded. “Yes, but there’s extra room in her suitcase, anyway, for the new clothes we’ll buy over there.”

Michael glanced at the list before asking, “So you had a long phone conversation with Colbi earlier. How’re things going with her brother?”

“She’s convinced he’s changed. She says he’s been a model guest. She’s even thinking he should get some of the family’s fortune.” She turned to Michael. “You know, they were really close at one time. She’d love to re-establish their relationship, and, even though her father left everything to her, she wants to split it with Harrison.”

“What did Mr. Stanton have—anything worth dividing? I thought all he had was the house where Colbi lives.”

“I guess there was a bank account that Colbi hasn’t touched, except to bury her dad. And she wants to give her brother half the value of the property. She’s been talking to attorneys and accountants.”

“And he’s keeping his nose clean, is he?”

“She believes he is.” She snapped her fingers. “Oh, that reminds me. She wants me to bring Rags over tomorrow afternoon to play with Dolly. They haven’t had a playdate in ages. She says Dolly’s kind of upset since her brother moved in. But he’s out of town for a few days and Colbi wants to give Dolly a treat.”

“Rags is a treat?”

“To Dolly, he is. Remember how much fun they had when Colbi and that adorable little tabby stayed here after Colbi was injured in that fire?”

Michael smiled. “She was a cute kitten. She’s the one who taught Damon that cats are kind of cool, isn’t she?”

“Yes she is,” Savannah said. “But who can blame him for hating cats, after Rags was responsible for having him convicted.”

“Hey, Damon did the deed. Rags just happened to be an eyewitness and found a way to squeal,” Michael reminded her. “I think we all know how Damon feels about Rags now—he considers the cat his savior. Look at how Damon has cleaned up his act. He’s a model citizen. No wonder Colbi believes so wholeheartedly that her brother can change. Damon made it look easy.”

“To Colbi, maybe. But she didn’t know Damon until he had turned the corner. She didn’t know him through all those years he lived in the gutter.”

****

Late the next morning, Savannah knocked on the door of Colbi’s old two-story farmhouse, with Lily in her arms and holding Rags’s leash. “Hi,” she said when Colbi opened the door and ushered her inside.

Colbi took Lily’s little hand. “Hi.” When the baby buried her face against Savannah, she said, “Oh, you’re going to play shy with Aunt Colbi, are you? Well, Rags isn’t shy.” She knelt down and greeted the large grey-and-white cat. “Hey there, Rags, old boy. Dolly’s going to be so excited to see you. I hope you’ve had your vitamins, because she’s been pretty energetic lately.” Colbi glanced up at Savannah. “Can I take his harness off him?”

“Sure.” She sat down and pulled off Lily’s jacket. “Well, hello Dolly,” she said when she spotted the fluffy tabby peering at her from behind an overstuffed chair. “I brought you a playmate.”

Both women laughed when Dolly trotted across the room and began sniffing Rags suspiciously, her tail bushed up twice its normal size. Once Colbi removed the harness, however, the tabby seemed to relax and the two cats raced up the narrow staircase.

Suddenly, the women heard a man’s voice. “Whoa, what was that?”

Taken aback, Savannah looked up at the staircase landing and gasped.
Whew, that’s a blast from the past
.

There, standing tall in cowboy boots, was Harrison Lee, dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt. Savannah watched as he waited for the whirlwind of cats to scamper past him. Then, laughing, he took the stairs two at a time until reaching the bottom. “Hey Sis, got any grub—maybe a donut or something? My ride’ll be here in a hot minute, then I’m off to the big city.”

“Um, well, I think there’s a cinnamon roll left from yesterday. Help yourself. Take a banana if you want, or an apple.”

“Blah, fruit? I don’t think so. Where’s my travel mug? I’ll fill it with coffee. Got coffee made?”

“Sure. You might have to warm it up,” Colbi said. She lowered her brow. “Uh, Harrison, I thought you left yesterday.”

“Oh yeah,” he called from the kitchen, “stayed out late. Decided I needed my sleep. We’re leaving this afternoon.” He peered into the living room. “That’s okay with you, isn’t it, warden?” Snickering, he disappeared into the kitchen again, then quickly returned and stared in Savannah’s direction. Narrowing his eyes, he stepped into the room and walked closer to her. “Well, Savannah-Anna-Banana,” he said. “Is that you or am I seeing things?”

“Yes, it’s me,” she said, standing to greet him.

Smiling broadly, he grabbed her and hugged her tightly. “How the hell are you, lady?” he asked, stepping back and drinking her in with his eyes. “Man, you look great!”

“I’m doing well; how about you, Harrison?” she asked.

He looked at his sister, then back at Savannah, pointing from one to the other. “How do you two…? I didn’t know you lived up here…” He shook his head, his sun-bleached blond hair brushing against the hood of his sweatshirt as it folded around his neck.

“So you two really do know each other?” Colbi asked. “That’s just…I mean…how…” she stammered.

Savannah, feeling a little uncomfortable standing so close to Harrison, stepped back. She then noticed Lily running toward the kitchen and hurried to pick her up and carry her back to the living room. “It was a long time ago,” she said, in response to Colbi’s questions.

“Yeah, but it seems like yesterday,” Harrison said, still grinning. He cocked his head inquisitively. “Yours?” he asked, gesturing toward Lily.