by Jinty James
“You mean you didn’t ask Father Mike?” Lauren teased, putting some cans in the pantry.
“You know what I mean. I hope he can deliver the food baskets okay. I don’t think some of the roads around here are on GPS.”
“We might have to write out some directions for him,” Lauren suggested.
The small town dated from the Gold Rush era, and some of the streets didn’t seem to exist on any kind of map. Only a local knew where to go.
“I hope he’ll be able to read my handwriting.” Zoe giggled.
They spent the rest of the day hanging out at the cottage and trying to cheer up Mrs. Snuggle. When they turned off the TV in the afternoon, the Persian wailed as if something truly terrible had happened. Even Annie stared at her with wide green eyes. Lauren hastily turned the television back on, and Mrs. Snuggle settled down to stare at it for the rest of the day.
CHAPTER 2
The next morning, Lauren woke thirty minutes early.
“Brrt?” Annie asked, yawning next to her on the bed.
“We have to greet the priest helping out Father Mike this week,” Lauren told her.
“Brrt!” Annie jumped down and trotted through the open bedroom door.
They’d left Mrs. Snuggle sleeping on the sofa last night, with her favorite blanket around her, courtesy of Father Mike, and with food and water bowls nearby – as well as a litter tray.
“Morning,” Zoe said cheerily when Lauren stumbled into the kitchen. She slathered butter on whole-wheat toast.
“You’re up already?” Lauren stared at her. Sometimes her cousin overslept and dashed around at the last minute.
“I was worried about our guest,” Zoe admitted. “I woke up a couple of times to check on her, but she was sleeping – or pretending to. So I thought I might as well get up early.”
Lauren gave Annie one of her favorite meals – chicken in gravy – and then poured herself a bowl of granola, splashing some milk onto it.
“How is Mrs. Snuggle?”
“Still sleeping.”
“I’d better check on her.” Lauren crunched a mouthful of granola while she headed into the living room.
Mrs. Snuggle lifted her head reluctantly. The food Lauren had put out for her the night before had gone. That was a relief.
“How are you?” Lauren asked softly.
The Persian stared at her for a minute, then let out a sad little sigh. She looked at Lauren with big eyes.
“Father Mike will be back soon. I promise.”
Mrs. Snuggle looked like she didn’t believe her.
“Zoe and I will be in the café today, but Annie can stay here with you. If you want her to.”
Mrs. Snuggle looked undecided.
“Annie could stay part of the day with you, and then you could have the house to yourself for a while,” Lauren suggested. She thought the feline looked marginally happier. “I’ll bring you some breakfast.”
She went back to the kitchen and opened one of the cans Father Mike had provided.
“Brrt?” Annie asked.
“Want to stay with Mrs. Snuggle this morning? And then help out in the café this afternoon?” Lauren proposed.
“Brrt!” Yes!
Lauren gave the Persian her food, then had a quick shower.
“We’d better get going or we’ll be late.” Zoe stood at the back door, ready to leave.
“I’m coming.” Lauren grabbed the car keys and blew Annie a kiss. “We’ll be at the café soon if you need us,” she called out to her fur baby. Since there was a private hallway with a cat flap connecting the two dwellings, Annie would be able to reach them when she needed to.
They drove to the church – from the Victorian era, it had a steeple on one side, stained glass windows, and was painted cream.
“I can’t see him.” Zoe glanced around.
There were a few cars parked outside the church hall.
“Maybe he’s in there?” Lauren suggested.
“Not unless he enjoys scrapbooking.” Zoe pointed to the small sign. “Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons.”
A modest blue car drew up. Zoe nudged her when a tall, good-looking man got out. Dressed in dark trousers and a navy sweater with a white diamond pattern, he looked boyishly preppy – and appealing. His neat dark blonde hair set off his green eyes.
“Lauren and Zoe?” He smiled, his even white teeth completing his attractive look.
“Yes,” Lauren replied. “Gavin?”
“Hi.” He shook both their hands as they introduced themselves. “Father Mike told me you’d let me in to the parsonage and show me around.”
“I’ll get the spare key.” Zoe hurried ahead.
“It’s good of you to help out Father Mike,” Gavin told her as they approached the front door of the parsonage, a white clapboard house next to the church. Zoe was already there, brandishing the key.
“It’s the least we can do,” Lauren replied.
“And you’re looking after his cat?”
“That’s right,” Zoe piped up.
“I volunteered to look after her, but Father Mike said he didn’t want to trouble me.”
“Mrs. Snuggle has a delicate psyche,” Zoe informed him in all seriousness. “She knows us, and Lauren’s cat Annie can keep her company.”
“It seems Father Mike has thought of everything.” Gavin nodded.
Lauren glanced at him from the corner of her eye, but he seemed sincere in his praise.
“Here we are.” Zoe unlocked the door and ushered them all in.
“The food baskets should be in the kitchen.” Lauren led the way.
“Yeah, Father Mike said he left a list for you.” Zoe snatched up a white sheet of paper. “Here it is.” She handed it to him.
Lauren studied the priest while he scanned the list. He seemed totally absorbed in the task.
“Where is Fitzgerald Lane?” he asked. “I haven’t heard of that before.”
“Oh, it’s just around the corner from here,” Zoe replied. “You just have to take a few zig zags.” She took the list from him and drew a little map on the back. “You can’t miss it.”
“Thanks.” He glanced at her drawing and nodded.
“How long have you been a priest?” Zoe asked.
“Not long. Zeke’s Ridge is my first posting. Everyone has been so welcoming.” He looked at the four food baskets, full of canned goods. “Is that it?”
“Yes,” Lauren replied.
“Surely there’s more I can do to help. Everybody speaks so highly of Father Mike.”
“He did mention visiting members of the congregation if they request it,” Lauren said.
“Of course.” He nodded.
“What about scrapbooking?” Zoe’s voice hinted at mischief. “You could say hello to the ladies next door.”
“There might be guys as well,” Lauren spoke.
“The more the merrier.” Gavin picked up the baskets as if they weighed nothing. They followed him out of the house. “I’ll just put these in the car.”
Lauren glanced at her practical white wristwatch. At this rate, they’d be late opening the café, and she hadn’t even baked cupcakes yet! Thank goodness Ed, her pastry chef, who made the most mouthwatering Danishes, was working today.
Gavin closed the car door and rejoined them. “I know you two are busy, so if you’d just introduce me to the scrapbooking group, I’d appreciate it.”
“No worries,” Zoe told him.
They walked up to the church hall, Gavin pushing open the door.
“Well, hello!” Martha grinned at him, and then at Lauren and Zoe. “Who are you, handsome?”
“Martha!” Lauren couldn’t contain her surprise. “What are you doing here?”
“Scrapbooking.” The curly gray-haired senior pointed to a pile of brightly colored cardstock in front of her. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have a café to run?”
“This is Gavin, the priest from Zeke’s Ridge,” Zoe introduced him. “He’s
filling in for Father Mike while he’s away.”
“Maybe I should be a priest so I can go to Miami,” a lady with short white hair joked. “I’m Doris, by the way.”
“I’m Lauren, and this is my cousin Zoe.”
“We run the Norwegian Forest Cat café,” Zoe added.
“Oh yes, I’ve heard about you.” A tall, angular lady who looked a little older than Doris spoke. She pursed her lips. “I didn’t think cats were allowed in food businesses.”
“It’s a certified cat café,” Lauren replied pleasantly. “Annie is allowed in the café section.”
“Don’t be such a stick in the mud, Virginia,” Martha chided. She turned to Lauren and Zoe. “How is my cutie pie?”
They quickly filled her in on cat sitting Mrs. Snuggle.
“I’d say Annie will have her hands full – or should that be paws?” Martha chortled.
The sound of a door slamming echoed faintly.
“I have to get to school.” A girl around twenty-five joined them from a back room. Her brown hair was styled in a neat, angled bob, and she wore dark slacks and a brown coat. She started. “Excuse me. I didn’t realize someone had come in.”
“Gavin is filling in for Father Mike this week, Janice,” Doris told her.
“Hi.” Gavin held out his hand. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you while you’re here.”
“I don’t really go to church,” Janice murmured. She checked her watch. “I’ve got to go, Grandma.”
“Of course.” Doris nodded. “Thank you for helping us bring in all these supplies.”
“I told you we brought far too much.” Virginia tutted. “No one is going to use all these.” She sifted her fingers through some paper embellishments.
“You never know,” Doris replied pleasantly.
Janice hurried out of the building. Lauren detected a faint hint of cigarette smoke when Janice brushed past her.
“Please excuse my great-niece,” Virginia apologized to the priest. “Young people these days.” She shook her head.
“You know she has a class to teach at nine-thirty,” Doris said mildly. “She’s an elementary school teacher.” She turned to Lauren and Zoe.
“That could be a fun job,” Zoe commented.
“Some days,” Doris replied. “But other days she’s buried in paperwork, even teaching children.”
“I can imagine,” Lauren sympathized. She disliked doing the café bookkeeping.
“Would you like a cup of coffee, Gavin?” Doris asked. “It’s just percolated.”
“I’d love one,” Gavin replied. When Doris rose, he added, “No, no, let me get it. Can I get another cup for anyone?” He eyed their mugs on the table.
“I wouldn’t mind.” Martha thrust out her white cup. “It’s not as good as yours, Lauren, but I need some caffeine today. I didn’t sleep well last night.”
“Maybe one of our hot chocolates will fix you up,” Zoe replied.
“With plenty of marshmallows.” Martha winked at them.
“It was nice meeting you, Gavin, but I’m afraid we have to get going.” Lauren glanced at her watch again. It was almost nine-thirty.
Zoe glanced at Lauren’s timepiece. “Why didn’t you say?” she tsked. “We’ve got to skedaddle, everyone.”
“I’ll deliver those food baskets this morning,” Gavin promised as they waved goodbye.
“Thank you.” Lauren smiled at him. “I know Father Mike will appreciate it.”
“SORRY, ED,” LAUREN called out as they rushed into the commercial kitchen.
Ed lifted his auburn head. His monster rolling pins for arms paused in the shaping of cherry pinwheels.
“No problem.” He smiled briefly. “I’ve already finished the apricot Danishes, and honeyed walnuts.”
“Awesome!” Zoe’s eyes lit up. “Especially since we don’t have any cupcakes ready.”
“I don’t know what happened to the time this morning.” Lauren frowned. “I got up early because Mrs. Snuggle is staying with us and—”
Zoe took over, informing Ed about the morning’s events. He nodded in understanding.
“I’d better unstack the chairs,” Zoe said.
“I’ll help you.” Lauren followed her through the swinging kitchen doors to the café space.
The interior walls were pale yellow, and the furniture consisted of pine tables and chairs. A string-art picture of a cupcake with lots of pink frosting decorated one of the walls – evidence of one of Zoe’s former hobbies.
After a few minutes of clunking and scraping on the wooden floorboards, they declared the café ready.
“I haven’t turned on the espresso machine.” Lauren quickly did so while Zoe unbolted the oak and glass entrance door.
“Pooh. No customers after all that rushing around.” Zoe sounded disappointed.
“I’m sure they’ll be along soon. Can you look after things here while I bake some cupcakes?”
“You know I will.” Zoe grinned. “I’ll make myself a mocha while things are quiet. Want one?”
“Maybe later.” Lauren smiled, then hurried into the kitchen.
“I’m going to make lemon meringue cupcakes,” she informed Ed. “I’ll save you one.”
“Thanks.” He lifted his head briefly. “Hey, I was thinking, would Mrs. Snuggle be interested in playing with AJ? I can bring her over this afternoon.”
“That’s an idea,” Lauren replied cautiously.
Annie had found AJ in the backyard as a tiny, abandoned, Maine Coon kitten. She was now a fully grown brown tabby, with a darker brown M on her forehead. Ed and AJ had bonded instantly, turning him into a proud cat papa.
“Let me check with Annie and Mrs. Snuggle. Annie was thinking of coming into the café this afternoon.”
“Gotcha.” He nodded.
“How are things with Rebecca?” Lauren asked, trying not to be nosy. Rebecca was a volunteer at the animal shelter with Ed, and they’d seemed to hit it off. A few months ago, Ed had thought about asking Rebecca out, but Lauren didn’t know if he had. He was a pretty private person.
“Good.” He hesitated. “We’ve been out a couple of times.”
“How’s her kitten Oliver?”
“He’s great.” Ed smiled. “He’s a cute little thing. AJ’s had a couple of play dates with him and they’ve gotten on okay.”
“That’s good.” Lauren returned to spooning batter into the pans. She wondered if one day the four of them would become a family, then told herself to stop speculating.
Maybe it was because she currently had romance on the brain. She loved Mitch, and knew he loved her. But she didn’t want to become a naggy, nosy girlfriend. Although she yearned to know what he’d been doing at the jewelry store in Sacramento last year, she didn’t want to pry. Whatever it was, she knew she could trust him with her heart – and her life.
Mitch had spoken about marriage with her previously, but in general terms – nothing specific. She just hoped that he would eventually share his innermost thoughts with her.
Time to concentrate on baking. Lauren slid the lemon cupcakes into the oven.
“Lauren!” Zoe called from the café.
“I’ll keep an eye on the cakes,” Ed promised.
“Thanks.”
Lauren rushed out to the café. A line of customers waited for Zoe to take their orders at the counter.
“Where’s Annie?” she heard a matronly lady grumble. “I like seeing her.”
“I’m sorry,” Lauren replied to everyone. “Annie is keeping Mrs. Snuggle company at the moment.”
“Oh yes, that’s right.” Another woman nodded. “Father Mike has gone away for the week.”
The murmurings subsided, everyone looking cheerier when they gave Zoe their orders. Lauren started making their cappuccinos and lattes right away.
“There’ll be lemon meringue cupcakes later today,” Lauren told them, feeling guilty they weren’t already temptingly arrayed in the glass case, waiting to be snapped up
.
“Oh, I might come again this afternoon,” the matronly lady commented. “Meanwhile, I’ll have one of Ed’s honeyed walnuts.”
“Phew,” Zoe whispered once everyone had found a table and had gotten their orders. “I thought they were going to start rioting when they discovered there weren’t any cupcakes – or Annie.”
“I should have gotten up earlier and baked them first thing this morning,” Lauren muttered.
“You can’t be a perfect baker all the time.” Zoe touched her arm. “You always do an amazing job.”
“Thanks.” Her cousin’s support warmed her. “So do you.” Zoe was her biggest cheerleader. She hoped she was Zoe’s.
The rest of the morning ran smoothly, and Lauren managed to complete the lemon meringues.
Lauren smiled when two of their favorite customers and friends, tall, athletic Claire, and her daughter Molly, came in.
“Where Annie?” Molly pouted when the silver-gray tabby didn’t scamper up to her.
The blonde toddler held onto her mother’s hand, swinging her head around this way and that, as if she would spy Annie any second.
“Is Annie okay?” Claire asked.
“She’s fine.” Lauren explained about Mrs. Snuggle.
“Ooh, two kitties!” Molly’s blue eyes rounded. “Molly play with them?”
“I don’t think Mrs. Snuggle is up to visitors,” Lauren told her gently.
“Yeah, she’s sad that Father Mike has gone to Florida this week. For work,” Zoe told her. “I think he’s missing Mrs. Snuggle just as much as she’s missing him.”
“Why did he go?” Molly frowned.
“I’m sure he had to go just like Daddy has to go to work every day,” Claire told her.
Molly thought about that for a few seconds, her brow furrowing, then clearing. “Daddy comes home.” She beamed. “Cino?” she asked hopefully a second later.
“Of course.” Claire smiled.
“How’s your Kitty going?” Lauren asked. “Do you have any new photos for us?”
“Yeah!”
Recently, the café had hosted a cat adoption day. Molly had fallen in love with a gray and white kitten who looked a little similar to Annie. It had been a perfect match, and she’d decided to name her new fur baby Kitty.
