Paws for Trouble

by Patricia Fry

  "So you're a tinkerer, are you?" Michael asked, smiling.

  "A what?" the boy asked, confused. "I don't think so, I just like painting and using tools and stuff."

  Michael smiled. "Well, how about this, see that broken table over there?"

  "Oh yes, the one that broke with the cake on it. I saw that happen."

  "Want to help me fix it?"

  "Okay." Joshua jumped to his feet. "What kind of tools do we need? Hammer and nails?"

  "Probably a screwdriver," Michael said. "We might also need a new bracket. Come on let's examine it, shall we?"

  Joshua started to get up, then he slumped. "But I have to watch Belle."

  "Oh, that's right," Michael said. He walked up to Margaret and Iris, who sat close to where the three little girls played. "Hey, are you two going to be sitting here yakking it up for a while?"

  "Yes, probably," Iris said. "Why?"

  "Just wondering if you'd keep an eye on little Belle there. If she needs anything, let her mom know, okay?"

  "Sure," Margaret said. She smiled. "She's a cutie. She and Lily and Rosemary are getting along marvelously." She held out her phone. "Look at this picture I got of them."

  "Cute," Michael said. He waved to the women. "Thanks." He motioned for Joshua to follow and he walked across the yard to where Belinda sat visiting with a group of people. "Hey, Belinda," he said, "I'm borrowing Joshua for a while. Belle's over there playing with Lily and Rosemary. Margaret and Iris are watching them—just check with them if you need Belle for anything."

  "Oh…" Belinda said. She looked at Joshua. "Okay, I guess."

  "Thanks, Mr. Michael," Joshua said as they walked away. "It would be rad if I could hang out with Adam and Misty after this."

  "I'll see what I can do," Michael said, putting an arm across the boy's shoulders.

  ****

  "Tired?" Michael asked when Savannah walked out of the bathroom and slipped into bed with him late that night.

  "It was a long day, wasn't it?" She smiled. "I think everything went okay. I was glad to see Bri brush off those couple of problems that came up." She shook her head. "Having that gorgeous cake crash—that was horrible. I thought Bri would dissolve into a puddle of tears." She laughed. "Until our dear Adam came up with that great idea."

  "Yeah," he said, smiling, "bring on the spoons. That'll solve everything."

  "And it turned out to be a highlight of the day," she said. "The photographer got some great candid shots."

  Michael propped himself up on one elbow. "I think Bud helped keep your sister from allowing the accidents to ruin her day."

  "Bud?" she repeated.

  "Yes, he seems to have developed some good instincts when it comes to your sister's behavior. He has figured out how to settle her down." He laughed. "I even heard him talk her out of getting involved in a squabble with someone."

  "Who?" Savannah asked.

  "I think it was one of her coworkers or colleagues. Bud let Brianna know it wasn't worth it—that this was their happy day. He was pretty impressive, actually."

  Savannah cocked her head. "You're sure you're talking about Bud—our business partner?"

  Michael laughed again. "Yes. Married life seems to be agreeing with him already."

  "Oh, I'll bet Oma—you know, his grandmother—has had her claws in him," Savannah said. "Did you see her? Well, of course you did. She can be flamboyant in those gypsy clothes she wears."

  He nodded. "She brightens up a place—color-wise, anyway."

  "And conversation-wise," Savannah said. "She had a crowd around her at one point, and they were all doing some sort of chanting."

  He shook his head. "Each to his or her own." He added, "But if it's her influence that has changed Bud, I say more power to her. He's going to need some tricks up his sleeve to get along with your sister."

  Savannah started to take offense, then said, "Yeah, you're probably right. She can be a stinker—a stubborn, bull-headed stinker."

  "You didn't have a run-in with her today, did you?" he asked.

  She shook her head. "No. It was a great day. I think everything went well, except for—I mean, what happened to that table? I thought you said you checked all the furniture we'd stored to make sure everything was still in good repair. You always do that."

  "Yes, I do and I did. I knew the cake was going on that table, and cakes can be heavy." He faced her. "Hon, there was nothing wrong with that table when we set it up, but…"

  "But?" she prompted.

  "Someone sabotaged it. And I'd sure like to know who it was."

  She gasped. "Do you think it was the same person who put the snake in the bouquet?"

  "Most likely," Michael said.

  "So did you talk to him or her—you know, the person you thought was responsible?"

  "I did talk to him. Actually, he helped me to determine that I was right—the table had been vandalized. Savannah, someone purposely backed those screws out to weaken that one leg and that's why, once the cake was positioned and all, the leg soon gave out." Michael grinned. "He helped me fix it."

  "The person you suspected helped you fix it?" she asked.

  "Yeah, but it wasn't him." Michael winced, then admitted, "I thought it was Joshua, but he's been so busy taking care of Belle, and I could tell from his demeanor…naw, it wasn't him."

  "What's the deal with Joshua being the babysitter all the time?" she asked.

  "He said his mom told him this is her party and he was to keep an eye on Belle so Belinda could visit and have fun."

  Savannah frowned. "Well, that's not right. Someone should have a talk with Belinda."

  "I did," Michael said, grinning. "I got her alone later this afternoon and told her I'd noticed that Joshua had a lot of responsibility with Belle, and that it didn't seem fair since there were other children here that he'd probably like to get to know. I think I kind of shamed her into agreeing with me. Things should be different tomorrow. Joshua's a bright boy and willing to please. You can tell he loves his sister. He's very good with her, but he's starting to resent being given such responsibility."

  "I can imagine," Savannah said. "He's just a kid. So you thought he was doing malicious acts around here? Why, to get attention maybe?"

  "That's what I thought. But I'm quite certain Joshua had nothing to do with any of that. We need to consider another prankster."

  "Prankster?" she squealed. "Whoever's doing that stuff is beyond being a prankster. Michael, the horses could have been seriously injured. What if they got out onto the highway? Do you think it's a joke that someone damaged personal property? And in case you've forgotten, someone did get hurt. Bri's friend has a fairly badly sprained ankle. No, what's been going on around here isn't funny. Not one bit. I just hope the spell, or whatever is broken and tomorrow is a new day."

  Chapter Four

  The following morning Savannah and Michael were up early starting breakfast.

  "Can I take Rags and Lexie out?" Adam asked, joining the couple in the kitchen.

  "Good morning to you, too," Michael said, tousling the boy's hair.

  "Mornin' Dad," he said. "Mornin' Savannah."

  "Hi, buddy," Savannah greeted. "Ready for another rip-roaring day with the crazy family?"

  Adam laughed. He reached for Rags's harness. "Can I take him out? I think he wants to go out."

  "Sure," Savannah said. When Adam started to pick up Lexie's leash, she said, "She probably doesn't need that, do you think? She'll stay with you."

  Adam nodded. He picked up Rags's leash. "He does, though,"

  "Oh yes," Savannah agreed. "Want a glass of juice before you go out?"

  "Sure," Adam said, drinking it down in a few gulps.

  Michael teased, "Thirsty?"

  "Not anymore," the boy said, walking out the door into the yard.

  Michael finished making the first pot of coffee, then poured hot water into an electric urn.

  "Is that for tea?" Rose asked, entering the kitchen.

  "Huh?"
Michael said. "Oh, good morning, Rose. No. The tea water is heating there on the stove. I'll pour hot coffee in here when it's finished brewing. I figured it would be easier to keep it hot if the urn starts out hot."

  "Makes sense," Rose said, "but I don't think that twelve-cup pot will make enough coffee for this gang."

  "Probably not," Michael said, "but this urn holds forty cups."

  Rose smiled. "I guess you've fed a crowd before." She turned to Savannah. "And you, too. What's that you have there, an electric pancake griddle?"

  Savannah nodded. "Yes, and I have one for the stovetop, too. All we need are some flapjack flippers."

  "I can do that," Rose offered. "Or let me scramble the eggs."

  "Whatever you'd like to do. I thought we could cook the eggs and keep them warm in the oven until everyone's ready."

  Just then they heard someone shout. Michael opened the door and saw Adam running toward him with Rags. "What happened?"

  "Misty's mom fell," Adam said. "I was just coming to tell you."

  "She fell?" Michael asked, trotting down the steps and around the corner toward Melanie's and Ron's RV.

  "Yes," Adam said. "I think she hurt herself."

  "Good lord," Michael muttered.

  Meanwhile, Savannah shut off the stovetop burner and ran out to join the others.

  "What's going on?" Brianna asked, climbing out of her car just after Bud had parked it.

  Savannah grabbed her sister's arm. "Adam said Mel fell. Come on, you're the doctor."

  "If only I'd listened to that cat," Melanie said, sitting on the ground rubbing her foot.

  "What?" Bud asked, catching up to the others. "Rags said something to you?"

  "Yes," Melanie wailed. "He said, 'don't go out there, don't do it.' But I did it and down I went."

  Michael looked at the RV. "Well your steps aren't in place."

  "I know that now," Melanie moaned. "I guess that's what the cat was trying to tell me." She faced the others and insisted, "I didn't retract them, Ron said he didn't. The kids can't manage those steps." She looked into the faces of those around her. "Guys, someone did this on purpose. They tucked our steps back up inside there so someone would get hurt."

  "Now, Mel," Savannah soothed, "who would do something like that?"

  Melanie snapped, "Who would put a snake in Bri's bouquet? Who would paint Roxy's dress? People, there's a sneaky and mean practical joker among us, and I'm not one bit happy about it."

  "Can you stand?" Michael asked, reaching out to help her.

  "I think so," she said, standing up with Michael's and Ron's help.

  "So how did Rags warn you?" Savannah asked, petting the cat.

  "Adam came up with the cat and the dog," she said. "He was talking to us through the door, when the cat just hopped up inside the RV. Adam said you were fixing breakfast, and I was dressed, so I thought I'd come help you. Well, I started to step out, but Rags began walking across in front of me. I had no idea he was trying to keep me from that big drop." She took a few steps, shook her head, and said, "Should have listened to the cat."

  "Yeah, sometimes he seems to know what he's talking about," Michael agreed. He helped Ron pull the steps out from under the RV, then stood back. "That was a big drop. Whoever caused that to happen meant to hurt someone."

  Ron looked around. "Do you have any neighbors with a vendetta against you?"

  This took Michael by surprise. He shook his head. "Not that I know of."

  "Well, I'd better get back to the kitchen," Savannah said. "Come on, Mel, you might want to put some ice on your ankle. Is it your ankle?"

  "Kind of. I landed all lopsidoodle on one knee and I somehow twisted my foot."

  "It looked like you twisted your foot then fell on your knee," Adam said.

  Melanie grinned at him. "You saw all that and didn't even catch me?"

  Adam blushed. "I didn't have time. I didn't know you were going to fall."

  "Let me see it," Brianna, suggested. "Sit here and I'll take a look." After a minute or two, she said, "Yeah, I don't think you've broken anything, but if it doesn't feel better within a couple of days, I'd see a doctor and maybe get an x-ray. Ice is a good idea. Let's go inside and Vannie will fix you up."

  "Thanks, Doc," Melanie said, standing up with help.

  Just then Adam caught up with Savannah. "Rags found this out by the horses."

  "What is it?" Savannah asked, not wanting to touch it.

  "A torn piece of cloth from something. Since Rags wanted it, I thought it might be important. Maybe this is a clue from whoever let the horses out that night. Rags is good at finding clues."

  "Yes he is," Savannah said. She looked more closely at the fabric and asked, "Does this look familiar to you?"

  Adam shook his head.

  She glanced around the yard and thought for a moment. "Well, hold onto it, would you? Put it someplace and keep an eye out for a piece of material that matches that. Maybe Joshua and Misty can help you," she said as the two children walked up.

  "Help do what?" Joshua asked.

  Adam held up the swatch. "See this? We need to find out where it came from. Rags found it by the corrals." He said to Savannah, "I filled the horses' water tubs."

  "Thank you," Savannah said. "Want to feed them?"

  "Okay, I was going to ask you if I could. I'll put Rags away first. He can be…"

  "I know," she said, taking the cat's leash and leading him back into the house.

  "Come on, guys," Adam called to his cousins. "I'll show you how to feed a horse."

  Savannah smiled and walked back into the house, where several of the women and a few men had an assembly line going in the Iveys' large farm kitchen. They mixed, poured, and cooked pancakes; stirred a large pan of scrambled eggs; cut fresh fruit into a bowl; and set out plates, utensils and condiments. They continued the process until nearly all of the hungry family members had filled their plates.

  Savannah was just about the last one to be served. She sat down next to her aunt Rose and across from Margaret and Gladys. "How are you ladies today?" she asked. "Did you have a good time at the wedding?"

  "Sure did," Rose said. "It was very nice. I love the simple, more natural weddings like we used to have."

  "I know what you mean," Gladys said. "I've attended weddings that must have cost more than the couple's first house. What a ridiculous way to spend money."

  "It's the party," Margaret said. "Weddings for the young people today are all about the party."

  "Well, we had a nice party here, didn't we?" Savannah said. "At least I had a good time."

  "Me too," Rose said. "Thank you for including us."

  When Savannah saw Rose squinting toward the display of condiments in the middle of the table, she asked, "Is there something I can get for you? We have molasses, if you'd rather have that on your pancakes."

  "No," Rose said, "I was just trying to read the labels. My doctor prefers I use the low-sugar kind of syrup."

  "Where are your glasses?" Savannah asked. "Did you leave them in your room? Want me to go up and get them?"

  Rose shook her head. "No, I can't find them. I told your mother, I swear I put them on the side table like I do every night, but I might have left them in the bathroom at the end of the hall. I visited there before I went to bed. I looked in both places this morning; I can't imagine where they got off to."

  "Did you look under the table and under the bed?" Margaret asked. "Oh, maybe you can't see well enough. I can go up there and look around if you'd like."

  "No need," Gladys said. "Those glasses are gone. I got down and looked everywhere with my little flashlight."

  When Savannah gasped, the others looked at her.

  "What?" Rose asked, suspiciously.

  "Oh," Savannah groaned, "I hope to heck that Rags didn't sneak in there and take them."

  "Rags!" Margaret yelped. "Of course. When there's something missing around here, the culprit is usually that kleptomaniac cat."

  "Eyeglasses?" Rose qu
estioned. "A cat would run off with a pair of eyeglasses?"

  "Oh yes," Savannah said. "He's done that before. I'm so sorry, Aunt Rose. I'll go see if I can figure out what he might have done with them."

  "Thank you," Rose said. She put her hand on her niece's arm. "But not now, Vannie. Finish your breakfast. I'll help you look after we clean up the kitchen."

  Margaret laughed.

  "What's funny?" Rose asked, frowning.

  "How are you going to help find them?" she asked. "You can't see a thing without them. She picked up one of the syrup bottles. "Here, this one's sugar free."

  "Thank you," Rose said, pouring a little over her pancakes.

  ****

  The third day of the cousin reunion was in full swing by mid-morning as some of the women and children picked fruit in the orchard, and the men and the older boys played a hot game of horseshoes.

  Savannah glanced back at the porch, where Melanie sat with Gladys and the younger children. "I'll fill a bag for Mel," she said. "Roxy, what does her family like?"

  "Hell if I know," Roxy spat. "She doesn't invite me to her house."

  "Oh, that's not true," Rose said. "You just don't like going over there because she doesn't let Nate play with anything."

  Savannah frowned. "You two aren't getting along? What happened? Did you have a squabble yesterday?"

  "No," Roxy said. "It's just that she's kind of a mean witch sometimes, and I'd rather not be around her when she's in a mood."

  "My mom?" Misty asked. "Are you talking about my mom?"

  "Uh…no, someone else," Roxy said.

  "She talks about you," Misty said.

  Roxy gave the child her full attention. "Oh? What does she say, pray tell?"

  Rose put her hand on Misty's shoulder. "Let's not create anymore discord than we've already had here, shall we?"

  "We've had discord?" Savannah asked.

  "Yeah," Brianna said with interest, "what's been going on?"

  "Well, if you must know," Roxy said, "Jake told me some things yesterday that really put the nail in the coffin where my sister's concerned."