by Patricia Fry
Keith chuckled. "He didn't seem impressed."
"No he didn't," Michael agreed. "I think he was jealous."
"Jealous?" Savannah asked. "Why?"
"Well, he finally met his match—or maybe his superior," Michael said.
"What are you talking about?" Savannah challenged. "Luna has nothing on Rags."
"Actually," Keith said, "neither one of them showed much in the way of skill or talent today. Rags rode most of the way in the pack and so did Luna."
"That's because they're smart," Adam offered. When the others looked at him he said, "If I could fit in Teddy's stroller, I would have rode, too."
Michael nudged the boy playfully and teased, "Yeah, right."
Adam grinned, then asked, "What's for dinner?"
"You just ate," Savannah reminded him.
"That was miles ago," Adam said.
"But you didn't walk those last miles, you rode them on the shuttle," Michael reminded him.
"I walked a bunch of miles today," he said.
"Want a sandwich?" Savannah asked, pulling a small soft-pack cooler from Holly's backpack. "We still have sandwiches."
Adam thought about it for a moment, then asked, "What's for dinner?"
"Considering your options, are you?" Keith asked, laughing
"Huh?" Adam said.
"Don't want to burn any bridges?" Michael said.
Meanwhile, Savannah asked, "Let's see, we're having fish tonight, right? Did anyone catch any fish?"
Adam's eyes grew larger. "No. We didn't even go fishing yet. Do we have time to go fishing?"
"Well, how about fish tomorrow night, then," Savannah said. "We can have limas and ham tonight with cornbread."
Michael frowned. "Do you have time to cook that, hon?"
"It's already cooked," she said. "Holly made it at home and kept it on dry ice. All we have to do is heat up the beans and butter the cornbread."
"I'll have only half sandwich then," Adam decided. "Got peanut butter and jelly?"
Savannah rolled her eyes.
Just then they heard a man's voice. "Your cat got out again."
Savannah turned to see Jeff standing at the edge of their campsite.
"Oh?" she said.
"Yeah, he was in our camp again," Jeff insisted.
"When?" Savannah asked smugly. "Did you actually see him this time?"
He shook his head. "No, but he took another bag of bait and he spilled a carton of cream my wife left out and licked up most of it." Jeff looked around and finally spotted Rags sitting just inside the opening to the Iveys' tent, watching Lily and Bethany play with their dolls. "Look at his face; he probably has traces of cream on his whiskers."
"When did this take place?" Savannah asked.
"Sometime today. We left after lunch and just returned, so within the last three or four hours."
"Well, we just returned too, after being gone all day," Savannah said.
"Then I guess the cat got loose while you were gone," Jeff surmised.
"He was with us," Savannah said.
Jeff smirked. "So you say."
"He found a lost kitty," Cassie said.
"Way up in the mountains," Adam added.
"You took him up into the mountains?" Jeff asked, disbelieving. "Sure you did," he said sarcastically. "Are you trying to say the cat hikes with you, or did you go up in your car?"
"We hiked over to the Deer Lodge," Michael said. He stepped closer to Jeff. "If you need corroboration, I'm sure you can get it from the people over there."
Jeff glanced around, sputtered a little, and asked, "So how long ago did you get back? Maybe he came over to our place when you weren't looking."
"He's been on the leash since we got home," Savannah said. She insisted, "It wasn't our cat."
Jeff looked around at the others and huffed, "Okay, then, I guess I'll have to snap a picture of him in the act before you'll believe me, you stubborn fools."
After watching him walk away, Michael and Keith grinned at each other. "Stubborn fool," Keith mimicked.
Savannah picked up Rags and snuggled with him. "Poor kitty. You're being wrongly accused. That's not right, is it?" She faced the others. "I wonder what makes him think it's a cat that's bothering his things when we're camping amidst probably a lot of wild animals."
"That's city-folks for you," Holly said. She grinned mischievously. "I'd like to catch a picture of whoever or whatever it is and shove it down his…"
"Holly," Keith scolded.
"Well?" she responded indignantly.
Keith turned his attention to Michael again. He glanced at Adam. "Hey, we have a little daylight left, shall we wet our lines?"
"Wet on our lines?" Adam questioned.
"Drop them in the water," Keith said. "See if we can catch a trout or two for tomorrow's breakfast."
"Let's do it," Michael said. "Who wants to go?"
"Go where?" Cassie asked, looking up from a book she was reading.
"Fishing," Keith said.
She looked at Adam. "Are you going?"
"Yeah," he said, picking up his pole. "Do we have bait?"
"I go?" Teddy said, running to Michael.
"Oh," Savannah said, "how about you and I take a little nap out here in the lounge chair under the umbrella?"
"No nap!" Teddy insisted.
Keith looked into the tent where the younger girls were playing. "Looks like they're aptly entertained."
Holly smiled and nodded. She smoothed Cassie's hair from her forehead. "You had a big day. Why don't you stay here and keep me company?"
Cassie snuggled against her mother and nodded. "I'm tired."
Keith grinned. "Maybe tomorrow, huh, Cassie-girl? You and me tomorrow."
The child nodded and picked up her book.
When Rags walked up to Keith and meowed, he laughed. "You want to catch a fish, boy?"
"Yeah, well," Michael said, "I think he'll do best staying behind."
"I agree," Savannah said. "He's had a big day, too." To the cat she crooned, "You stay here with us, Ragsie. We'll rest with Teddy."
"Okay, three of us then," Michael said, picking up his tackle box. "Let's go, men."
"We aren't there yet?" Keith quipped, following behind Michael and Adam.
****
Later that evening as the campfire began to flicker and the children began to yawn, Savannah announced, "I'm ready for bed."
"Yeah," Holly said. "Can you believe how worn out you can get after a day of camping?"
"No," Savannah said, "but I'm sure looking forward to snuggling in my little bed in there." She stood up. "See you all in the morning."
"Wait," Holly said, pointing. "What's that?"
"What?" Savannah asked.
"I don't know," Holly said, creeping toward Savannah. "I saw something moving around down there at Jeff's camp. "What is it?" She gasped. "It's not Rags, is it?"
Savannah turned quickly toward their tent. She shook her head. "No, Rags is still in his pen all settled down for the night. See him there?"
"I do. So what is it? Is it a cat?" Holly asked.
Savannah grabbed Holly's arm. "Let's get a light and go see, shall we?"
"Okay," Holly said, although with reservations.
"What are you girls whispering about?" Keith asked.
Holly pointed. "There's something walking around down at Jeff's campsite. I think they're already in bed. Their tent's all closed up and their campfire's just smoldering. We're going down to see what it is."
"Got your phone?" Savannah asked. "We want to get a picture."
"Sure," Holly said, pulling it out of her pocket.
The women had just made their way to Jeff's campsite when they heard a sound. "There," Savannah hissed. "What is that?" she asked, trying to catch it in the light. "Take a picture. Take a picture."
"I can't see it," Holly whispered. "It's too dark. Where'd it go?"
"Just aim and snap. You're bound to catch it."
"Shine the light over
there," Holly instructed, pushing Savannah's arm to the right.
"There it is," Savannah said. "Take the picture."
"I think I got it," Holly said. "Let's scram."
When the women turned to leave, however, Savannah felt her shin hit up against something. She tried to walk forward, but she tripped and fell, landing on a lawn chair, which collapsed and caused an awful racket. "Oh no," she whimpered.
"Are you okay?" Holly asked, panic in her voice.
"I think so," Savannah said. "Let's get out of here."
Before she could pull herself together, they heard a gruff voice shout, "Who's there?"
The tent flap opened and Jeff stuck out his head. He shined a light in the women's direction. "What in the hell?" Obviously angered, he stepped outside, stood rigid, and spat, "Looking for your cat?"
"No," Savannah said, attempting to get her footing. She used her light to see what had tripped her up. A trap, she thought. "You booby-trapped your campsite?" she challenged. "Why did you do that? Are you trying to hurt someone?"
Jeff laughed. "Well, I caught you in the act, didn't I?" He looked around. "So where's your cat? I want to see evidence that it's your cat that's been bothering things over here."
Just then they heard a woman's voice. "What's going on, Jeff?"
"Nothing," he growled. "Go back to sleep."
But she had already walked out into the open. "Hi," she said, "can we help you?"
"Hi," Savannah said.
Holly waved weakly.
"I'm Savannah; this is Holly. We saw something moving around over here and we just wanted to find out what it was." She looked at Jeff. "I know you're eager to catch the critter that's been damaging your things. We…um…well, we thought we could help."
"By breaking into our campsite?" he complained.
"Oh, Jeff, simmer down," his wife said. She nodded and smiled at the women. "I'm Lacy, by the way. Nice to meet you."
"It's their cat that's causing all the trouble over here," Jeff told his wife. "I'm sure of it." He glanced around using the light. "Where is he?" When Jeff didn't see the cat or any other critter, he said, "He must have run home already." He looked at Savannah. "Now why don't you do the same?"
Meanwhile, Holly tapped her phone screen. "Wait," she said. "I may have gotten a picture of it. Yeah, here's one." She squinted. "Well, it's kind of dark, but maybe I can lighten it. Savannah can you give me some light?"
"There," she said, looking at her phone. She started to show it to Jeff, then looked again and said, "Uh-oh." She dropped the phone to her side.
"What?" Savannah asked, picking up Holly's hand and looking at the phone. She frowned and looked back at their campsite. "No way," she said. "That can't be…"
"So it is a picture of your cat, isn't it? I knew it!" Jeff hooted.
"It's not my cat, I tell you," Savannah insisted.
"Yeah, yeah. Listen," Jeff grumped, "why don't you go back to your place and let us get some sleep."
"Nice meeting you," Lacy said sweetly as the two women turned to walk away.
"Thank you," Savannah said, waving a hand.
"I want to see that in a good light," Savannah said, once they'd returned to their campsite. "It shows part of what looks like a cat, and darn if it isn't the same color as Rags." She looked at the pen and saw that Rags was still inside sleeping. "But there he is. It couldn't be him. What are we dealing with here, anyway—a Rags lookalike?"
"Now that would be weird, wouldn't it?" Holly said. "What would be the odds?"
"There's no figuring the odds when Rags is involved." Savannah moaned. "You should know that by now." She let out a sigh. "Oh, this is just plain embarrassing. Holly, we have to catch that cat."
"How?" Holly asked.
"I'm not sure, but let me think about it. I'm certain we can figure out something. I absolutely must exonerate poor Rags."
****
"What are you girls scheming there?" Michael asked the following morning after the two families had enjoyed a pancake breakfast at their campsite.
"Oh, well," Savannah stalled. "We saw something at Jeff's camp last night and we walked over there to see what it was. Holly took a picture to prove to Jeff that Rags wasn't the one bothering his stuff, but there's a bit of a problem."
"What?" Keith asked, amused.
Holly held out her phone. "Look at the picture we got."
"Mind you," Savannah added, "Rags was in his pen sleeping when we left here and when we returned."
Keith took the phone, stared into the screen, then handed it to Michael, saying, "Looks mighty suspicious to me."
"Yeah," Michael said. "It's not a very clear picture, but dang, it sure could be Rags."
"But it's not," Savannah insisted. "It's some intruder trying to frame him."
Keith chuckled. "Good one, Savannah."
"Okay," Savannah said, "Holly, I think what we discussed last night is going to be our best chance if we're to exonerate Rags."
"Uh-oh," Michael complained. "What are you two planning now? Is it legal?"
"Yes, it's legal. Michael, I'll just bet there's a feral cat colony out here someplace, or maybe the camp host or the people who live in that cabin at the entrance have a cat that happens to be the same color as Rags."
"All we can see in this picture is his hind end," Holly said. "We need to get a look at that cat's face."
Savannah nodded. "So we have to catch him."
"Catch him?" Keith asked.
"Yes," Savannah said. "If we show that weirdo Jeff both cats together, he has to believe us."
"Do you really think that will make a difference?" Michael asked. "Guys like him never back down. There's probably no way in heck that you can convince him something different than what he wants to believe, even if you're able to show him absolute undeniable proof."
"Yeah, I've known guys like that," Keith said. "Difficult, that's all I can say."
"Yet he has the sweetest wife," Savannah said.
"You met her?" Michael asked.
Savannah nodded. "Yes, Lacy. Really nice gal."
"Oh, she has problems," Keith cranked.
"What do you mean?" Holly asked. "Have you met her?"
"No, but if she lives with that nincompoop, something must be wrong with her," Keith explained.
Savannah and Holly refrained from responding. Instead, Holly asked, "So, Savannah, what do you have in mind? Sit up all night and try to get a better picture of the offending cat?"
"Or go in search of a feral cat colony?" Keith asked in jest.
Savannah pointed a finger at Keith. "Now there's a good idea."
"Thanks a lot, buddy," Michael complained.
Keith grinned and joked, "Well, it would keep them busy and out of our hair."
"And who watches the kids while they're doing that?" Michael asked.
Keith winced. "Oh, good point."
"Well, I think we should start by asking around," Savannah said, "you know, to see if anyone else has seen any cats."
"Okay," Holly agreed. "That ought to be fairly safe and straightforward."
Savannah continued, "Maybe we can find a humane trap somewhere in the area. We'll set it near Jeff's and Lacy's camp and catch the culprit."
"Good thinking," Holly agreed.
"Okay, then, let's get started," Savannah urged. She asked, "So Michael, what are your plans for this morning?"
"Well, I guess I'm going to keep an eye on the kids for a while," he said.
Savannah kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks, hon. We shouldn't be gone long."
"I'm going with you?" Holly asked.
"Well yes, you don't expect me to go by myself, do you?"
Holly looked at Keith.
"Go on," Keith said. "This would be a good time for us to take the kids on a nature hike. We'll help them collect stuff, and maybe you gals can come up with ideas for making things—you know, crafting with nature."
Holly smiled. "Sounds like a good idea. See you in a bit." She started to speak t
o Cassie when Savannah grabbed her sweatshirt sleeve. "Come on, let's go."
"Do we have a plan?" Holly asked once they'd scrambled into the car.
"Kind of. I thought we'd speak to the folks at the camp café and bait shop. They might know who we should talk to and even possibly whether there's a feral cat colony in the area."
When Savannah pulled up in front of the small café, Holly said, "We didn't have to drive here. We could have walked." She stared at the building for a moment. "I wonder how the food is in there. It's kind of a cute place, isn't it—rustic." She looked at Savannah again. "So why did we bring the car?"
"Because we don't know how far this trek will take us, and if we can find a trap…" Savannah started.
"Yeah, we don't want to schlep it all over the campground." Holly winked. "Good thinking as usual."
Savannah grinned at her. "Hello," she said to the young man at the counter upon entering the camp store and café.
"Hi," he said. "What can I get for you?"
"We're after information. I'm wondering if there's a feral cat colony here at the park someplace."
"A what?" the young man asked.
"Are there any wild cats or stray cats around here that you know of?"
"I see a cat now and then, why?" he asked.
Savannah looked around the store. "Is there anyone here who might know something about the stray cats?"
"Um…well, my aunt feeds cats in her yard," he said.
"Oh!" Savannah said encouraged. "Is she here? Could I talk to her?"
"She isn't here yet." He chuckled. "She's probably feeding the cats."
"Where does she live?" Savannah prodded. "I'd sure like to talk to her."
"Are you staying here?" the young man asked.
"Yes," she said. "We're at Wolf Camp."
"Did you see that cabin off to the side when you drove into the park?"
Savannah nodded.
He smiled. "That's where my aunt lives. The cats just come out of the ponderosas behind her place. Yeah, if you want to see cats, this is probably a good time to visit." He picked up his phone. "Shall I tell her you're coming? What exactly is your business, anyway?"
"Um…I think we'll just take our chances, if it's okay. Thanks."
As the two women left the café, Holly said, "Their food looks really good. I think we should to eat in there some time before we leave."
