“That’s a huge problem. And after the way Cora chewed me out, she might not want you tromping around in her yard.”
“So you want me to go alone?”
“I’ll watch from the back door. If you run into trouble I’ll call the sheriff.”
“What a lughead,” Pansy said. “But I’ll stay here with him just in case Merlin returns.”
“You just don’t want to walk in the snow.”
“That too.”
Petunia called Aunt Maxine and asked her to come over. “I really need to speak with you. Noah’s cat-sitting for me while I go to Cora’s to find Merlin. Noah accidentally let him out the back door and Merlin’s tracks lead there.”
“I’ll be right over after I lock up. Do you think Merlin is chasing the elves?”
“I didn’t have time to look for them yet, but we’ll discuss that when you arrive.”
7
Petunia changed into snow pants and parka.
Noah’s brow shot up. “Are you planning to visit the North Pole?”
“No, but I need to be prepared for anything if I’m going to Cora’s house.”
“Why don’t you wait it out? I bet Merlin will be back soon. He might be on your back porch now.”
Petunia sighed as she opened the back door and took a peek outside. Merlin wasn’t on the porch. Between the snow flurries and wind, his tracks were covered.
The front door opened with a bang and Aunt Maxine proceeded to stomp the snow off her boots on the entranceway rug. She pulled off her snow-covered hat and said, “Aren’t you a little overdressed, Petunia?”
“That’s what I thought,” Noah said.
Aunt Maxine slipped off her shoes and led the way into the kitchen, where she proceeded to fill a teakettle. “I’ll stay here while you young folks go looking for Merlin. He can’t have gone far in this weather.”
Noah’s face dropped. “So much for trying to get out of it.”
“What’s the problem with him?” Pansy asked.
“Do you really think I want to go over there?” Petunia asked Noah, ignoring Pansy for the moment.
Noah frowned and slipped into his jacket. “I suppose we’re in this together. After all, you conjured up my decorations.” He smiled.
“If only it were that easy. We wouldn’t have had to borrow decorations from Aunt Maxine.”
“Are you two planning to go sometime today?” Aunt Maxine asked. “I’m setting up a table at the church bazaar.”
“I don’t think that’s a good thing,” Pansy warned. “There’s no telling what may happen.”
“I’m sure my aunt wouldn’t sell anything magical at a church bazaar.”
“Make that a church bizarre,” Pansy snickered.
“Earth to Petunia,” Noah said as he waved a hand in front of her face.
Petunia wrinkled her nose and sneezed, sending bubbles floating through the room.
“I had no idea that you still created bubbles when you sneeze,” Aunt Maxine said.
“Thanks to your liquid bubbles, yes,” Petunia groaned. “Whenever I get a cold I stay home. It’s easier than explaining where the bubbles come from and denying I’m the cause.”
“We’d better get moving,” Noah said.
“I’ll have hot tea waiting when you return,” Aunt Maxine said.
Petunia forced a smile. “Thanks, Aunt Maxine.” She crossed her fingers, hoping that her aunt located the elves and found a way to send them back to decoration status.
Petunia and Noah walked out the door. Petunia pulled her jacket closer to her neck against the whipping wind.
She stomped her way down the sidewalk alongside Noah who she grinned up at as her heart swelled. Petunia loved spending time with Noah, even if it meant they’d have to face Cora together.
“Can I help you put up your Christmas tree later?” Noah asked. “Yours isn’t up yet.”
“That’s because I don’t have one. I gave my tree away to a single mom down on her luck.”
“Why didn’t you say so when we were at the Christmas store? And you’ve been back there more than once.”
“I wasn’t thinking about that. The first time I bought ornaments to decorate the tree at Mystical Remedies. Later I went to investigate. Christmas has always been a lonely time of year.” Petunia glanced up, and Noah gently removed a snowflake that clung to her lash.
They stopped walking and Noah asked, “Don’t you spend the day with your aunt?”
“Yes, but that’s not what I meant. I’ve waited a long time to have someone in my life. I’m happy that it’s you, Noah.”
Noah lowered his nose to touch Petunia’s. “I’d have kissed you, but I’m afraid our lips would freeze together in this cold.” He laughed.
That wouldn’t be a problem for Petunia, but she didn’t respond as she began to walk to Cora’s house. Petunia wasn’t willing to acknowledge how she felt about Noah aside from the butterflies that danced inside her whenever he was near. And she certainly didn’t want him to know quite yet.
Cora stood in her front yard flicking a remote control that lit up her Christmas lights, presumably to assure herself that they all worked.
Petunia didn’t want another confrontation, so she ducked alongside Cora’s house to the backyard, where she searched for Merlin. She found him up a tree.
“Oh Merlin, what are you doing up there?” Petunia moaned.
Merlin shivered and Noah said, “We have to get him out of that tree.”
“I could try to coax him down, but that hasn’t worked in the past.”
“Don’t you have a magic wand?”
“No way am I using it. I’d probably set the tree on fire.”
“What’s going on? Why are you in my yard?” Cora demanded as she joined them under the tree. Petunia hadn’t even heard her approach.
“We’re here to get Petunia’s cat,” Noah explained.
Cora pursed her lips “If I see him over here I’m calling Animal Control.”
“That’s not necessary,” Petunia said. “He’s in your tree and we’re here to get him.”
“That’s all I needed to know,” Cora said as she whipped out her cell phone.
Petunia held out her arms to catch Merlin as he jumped from the branch to which he clung. He landed on Cora’s fur hat before then jumping off and into Petunia’s waiting arms.
Cora screamed into the phone, “I need Animal Control over here! I’m being attacked!”
Noah tugged Petunia’s jacket and he lifted both her and the cat safely over the chain-link fence and into his backyard. He then jumped over to join them.
Petunia held Merlin tightly. Her eyes widened as they met Noah’s. “Aren’t you getting carried away? We could have left Cora’s house the way we came.”
“Why risk running into Animal Control? I have a feeling that Sheriff Pinkerton will be over before the day is done.”
“But we’re not in Cora’s yard now.”
“Don’t forget, this is Cora we’re talking about,” Noah reminded Petunia.
When Petunia approached her house, Merlin clawed like crazy to get down. “I don’t think Merlin is ready to go home now.” She winced as a paw swept across her cheek. “I don’t suppose you can take him to your house?”
Noah frowned. “What’s got into that cat?”
“I don’t know, but right now I don’t need to have him run off again. Animal Control will get him for sure then.”
“I’ll take him from you, then,” Noah said. Merlin clung to Noah’s sleeve for dear life. “Bring over what I’ll need for Merlin later. I think I might have to supervise my dog and Merlin to make sure they get along.”
“Whatever you do, don’t feed him any scraps. I’ll bring his food over.”
“You don’t feed him scraps?”
“No, and before you ask, he’s always been a big cat.”
“I almost feel sorry for poor Cora. This behemoth landed right on her head.”
“He probably wouldn’t have if sh
e’d stayed out of the way.”
Noah frowned. “Well, we were on her property.”
“It’s not like it’s a normal occupancy.”
“It’s regular enough, especially since you’re not Cora’s favorite person.”
“Let’s face it, I’m her least favorite person. Thanks again, Noah.”
Noah turned to walk inside, but turned once more and said, “You won’t be alone this Christmas. Not with me as your boyfriend.”
Petunia was tongue tied, but Noah had gone inside before she could thank him … or respond. She would find a way to thank him. She could make a batch of peanut butter fudge and go to him and tell him how special his words made her feel.
Aunt Maxine frowned when Petunia walked in the door. “Where’s Merlin?”
“At Noah’s house. For some reason Merlin didn’t want to come home.”
“That explains a lot. Sassy and Gem have been hiding since I arrived … Pansy too.”
“The elves must be hiding here somewhere. At first I thought Merlin was tracking the elves outside, but now I think he was so frightened of them that he ran out in the snow.”
“I’d love to stay and help you, but my table for the church bazaar won’t set itself up.”
“You can’t leave,” Petunia called out, following Aunt Maxine to the door. “I don’t know where an elf would hide.”
“I have every confidence that you’ll be able to find the elves.”
Petunia stared at the closed door when her aunt left and sighed. She walked into the kitchen and grabbed a large flashlight. She then knelt on the living room floor and pulled up the fabric at the bottom of the sofa and looked underneath. Petunia found nothing but dust bunnies.
“Pansy, where are you?” Petunia grumbled. She couldn’t believe that he’d deserted her too. “I wonder how small elves are?” she mused out loud.
“I don’t know, but you’d better get up here and do something,” Pansy said as he padded his way down the stairs. “Gem and Sassy are scared half to death. They’re huddling upstairs in your closet.”
“Why? Did they see something that scared them?”
“They must have, but I can’t communicate with them like I can you.”
“It’s too bad, because that certainly would be helpful now.”
“Where’s fatty … I mean Merlin?”
“At Noah’s house. He refused to come home.”
“He’ll change his tune when that big stupid Melvin slobbers all over him. It’s not pretty, I’ll tell you that.”
“So you didn’t see the elves?”
“No! You think the cats saw the elves … here?” Pansy fretted. “Excuse me, but I’m going back to the closet with Sassy and Gem. I’m sure you can handle the elves.”
“Oh no you don’t! Everyone is deserting me. I need your help … you’re smaller than me and can fit into nooks and crannies.”
Pansy let out a laugh. “If you think I’m going to search for the elves in any small space you’ve lost your mind. I know you haven’t always made the best decisions, but let’s be reasonable here.”
“I really need your help, Pansy! You don’t want elves running loose in the house, do you?”
“Good point, but why don’t you take Sassy and Gem over to Noah’s too so they don’t freak out. They’ll be safer there.”
“I’ll have to run that by Noah. I can’t just come to his door with two more cats.”
But ten minutes later, that’s exactly what Petunia did.
Noah smiled when he opened the door, but it quickly faded as Petunia carried in Gem and Sassy. “I’m so sorry, but I think I have varmints in my house and they’re scaring my cats. I found these two hiding in my closet. Can you cat-sit for a bit?”
“Of course. Bring them in. But where are the um, cats’ unmentionables?”
“It’s piled on my porch. I’ll grab it next,” Petunia said as she set down Gem and Sassy, who pawed Melvin in the face and ran off in the direction of the kitchen.
“They don’t have claws,” Petunia quickly said.
“Merlin clearly has them.”
“Yes, but I don’t have the heart to take his claws from him. He’s a rescue cat and he’s been through enough.”
“And he nearly lost a life today.”
Petunia’s hands slipped to her hips. “It’s a good thing Cora broke his fall.”
“Let’s just hope she didn’t have to go to the emergency room. I think she’s the suing type.”
Noah walked outside and shivered when he carried in the cat box, food and bowls, and litter.
“Where would you like the litter box?” Petunia asked.
“At your house.”
“I have mice, don’t forget … big ones.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, and my cats are too spoiled to chase after them.”
“They wouldn’t be if you fed them a little less.”
Petunia looked to Noah’s pit bull, which was barely able to scramble away from her cats. “Melvin looks like he could eat a little less too.”
“You’re not calling my dog fat, are you?” Noah asked in feigned outrage.
“I’d better get back home. I left Pansy behind.”
“I don’t see him being much help. He’s more spoiled than the rest of your cats.”
“That might be true, but none of my other cats will allow me to put a leash on them and walk them all over town.”
“Or slip in that big black bag of yours.”
“I don’t do that anymore. I don’t want Pansy’s death on my conscience.”
Back at Petunia’s house, Pansy was nowhere to be found. Petunia began to search, calling out, “Pansy, where are you?”
There was no response so she walked upstairs. Pansy wasn’t in the closet. She secured the door when something snagged her pant leg. She glanced down and saw Pansy’s sticking out from under the dirty clothes in the laundry basket.
“What are you doing in there?” Petunia asked as she uncovered Pansy.
“What does it look like? I’m hiding.”
“From what?” Petunia asked as she glanced around. “Did you see an elf in here?”
“No. They’re downstairs; at least I hope that’s where they still are.” Pansy trembled. “You don’t think they followed me here, do you?”
“I have no idea. We don’t have time to search for elves that I still have a difficult time believing came to life. There has to be a reasonable explanation.”
“But I thought you were the one convinced elves put Noah’s Christmas decorations up.”
“I know, but that was before the elves came into my house, or I think they did.”
“You’re a witch. You must have some way to find them.”
“I’m thinking. Are you positive you saw the elves?”
“Okay, so I might not have seen them exactly, but I did hear them snickering at me!”
Petunia walked back downstairs and into the kitchen. Two small cups of hot chocolate were on the table. She felt the cups, which were still quite warm. But how were the elves able to make hot chocolate?
At the stove, a pan of milk still bubbled on the burner. Petunia picked the pan up and rinsed the milk down the drain.
She whirled when she felt a slight breeze that she knew didn’t come from the heating duct. The door was open and tiny wet footprints led out onto the porch and to the fence that separated Cora’s property from Petunia’s.
Petunia laughed as she shut and locked the door.
8
Petunia finally was able to peel off her extra outerwear. She nearly tripped over a boot on the way to answer the door before she had the chance to search for Pansy. She peeked out the curtain and sighed as she opened the door to Sheriff Pinkerton.
“I was hoping I wouldn’t see you today,” Petunia said.
“Me either.” He shuffled his feet. “But Cora called me and tried to file a complaint against you. I understand one of your cats was in her yard.”
�
��Come in please, sheriff. It’s too cold out there.”
Pinkerton nodded and shook the snow off his hat before he entered and glanced around in curiosity.
“Thank you, Petunia. I don’t see your cats around. I hope they’re not at Cora’s. Animal Control didn’t arrive at her place until after I arrived. It really was a mess.”
“Merlin climbed her tree and Noah and I went over there to retrieve him before he froze to death. He fell on Cora when he jumped down.”
Pinkerton chuckled. “How horrible. For Cora, I mean. Is your cat okay?”
“Yes. He’s at Noah’s now. I have a few pests to take care of before I bring him back.”
“Pests?” Pinkerton said. “You know, I had an infestation of mice one time and I could show you what to do. I have a stock load of rat poison in my shed.”
“Is that really something you should be telling me?” Petunia laughed nervously. “I’ll take care of the pests after I get back home, but I prefer to set live traps.” Live rat traps, perfect! “I’m heading to the store right now to pick them up.”
“I’d hate to keep you, but please avoid Cora if you can. I don’t know why she has it out for you, but it doesn’t help if your cats go over there. You know she hates your cats. Next time Animal Control might get there before you.”
“So Cora won’t be filing a report against me?”
“Oh, she tried, but I told her it wasn’t illegal that your cat accidentally came on her property. It didn’t settle her down, and I have a feeling I won’t be getting a box full of Christmas cookies from her this year.”
“And if you do, you might not want to eat them.”
Pinkerton swallowed hard. “On another note, I dropped by Lucy’s house and met her granddaughter. Lucy can’t think of any reason someone would be masquerading as her granddaughter.”
“I’ll tell you if I learn anything pertinent to your case,” Petunia said. “Did you ever get the name of the missing woman?”
“Nope. Only a description.”
“And no information to that extent was mentioned in the report?”
Meows, Magic & Elves Page 6
