by Patricia Fry
“I imagine so,” Edwin said. “Is she doing okay now?”
Savannah’s face brightened. “Excellent, as far as we can tell. She was pretty crippled up when we last saw her. Evidently her legs were broken when she was small and never set properly.”
Bea put her hand up to her mouth. “Dear God,” she blurted.
“Yeah, she had a very difficult life.” Savannah smiled. “She just had the final surgery on her legs, and it sounds as though she’s doing remarkably well.”
“And she’s with the only sibling she’s ever been close to,” Margaret said. “When her grandparents took her in, they also invited her foster sister, Erin, to live with them.”
Brianna swooned. “I just love a happy ending.”
Bud chuckled. “She’s not kidding. If things get dicey in a movie we’re watching, she insists we watch it to the bitter end, whether we’re enjoying it or not, so she can make sure everyone gets their just deserts.”
“Well, I want to see the bad guys punished and the good guys rewarded,” Brianna said. “What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing, except when the ending doesn’t fit into your idea of what’s right and wrong, you mope for hours.”
The others laughed. Then Edwin asked, “So Lily will travel with you and your cat?”
Michael responded while he spread beans in a flour tortilla. “Yes, and my son, Adam, will join us as well as Savannah’s mother.”
“That’s quite a bunch of you. Will you get a group rate?” Edwin quipped.
“I don’t know about that,” Michael said. “I just hope we don’t lose anyone.”
“Are Iris’s boys coming with us?” Margaret asked.
Savannah shook her head. She took a swig of water before saying, “I think they’re meeting Iris and Craig in New York.” She caught the detective’s eye. “Right, Craig?”
He nodded.
“So you’re traveling to New York?” Edwin asked.
“No. Now this is where it gets confusing,” Savannah said. “We probably won’t get over to New York. Just Craig, Iris, and her boys are doing a tour there.”
“And Maggie and I are traveling on to Maryland from Massachusetts,” Max said, “to see my boy and his family.” He thinned his lips. “Haven’t seen them since our wedding—what’s that, Maggie—four years ago? Far too long.”
Bea looked at Savannah. “So you’ll be flying home on your own?”
“No,” Savannah said, her eyes bright. “After spending some time with Marissa and Erin, we’re meeting up with Michael’s brother and his family in Connecticut.”
“Holy smokes,” Edwin said, “your family and friends will be spread out all across the eastern seaboard.”
Michael chuckled. “I guess we will.”
“Does your brother live in Connecticut?” he asked.
“No, they live in Colorado, but we were born in Connecticut, so we thought we’d meet there and sort of relive the childhood together that we didn’t have.”
When the Bentons looked puzzled, Savannah explained, “Michael and his twin brother were separated at birth and just reunited after thirty-six years.”
“Oh my,” Bea said, “that will be some reunion.”
“Indeed, it will,” Michael agreed.
“And,” Margaret interjected, “Max and I will meet up with the Iveys in Connecticut so Vannie and I can do a book signing.”
“A book signing?” Bea repeated. “You’re an author, Maggie?”
“No, our cats are…um…well, sort of…” Margaret stuttered.
When the couple looked puzzled, Savannah tried to explain. “Our cats are featured in some children’s books and we sometimes take them to book signings as a way to promote the books.”
“We sell more books when the kids can actually meet the cat stars,” Margaret added.
“So how many cats are you taking with you?” Bea asked.
“Just one.” Savannah looked at Michael. “We hope he’ll be ready to travel by then.”
“He should be fine,” Michael said. “The worst is over. What do we have—a month— before you leave for your mom’s?”
Savannah nodded.
“How does one fly with a cat?” Edwin asked. “Does it have to go below like a dog and come out on the carousel?”
Savannah shook her head slyly. “No. No way would I let this cat out of my sight. We’ll put him in a soft pet travel bag that will fit under the seat.”
“You’ll sneak him in?” Bea asked.
“I hope it doesn’t come to that. According to what I’ve learned, the airline we’ve booked allows pets in the cabin under certain circumstances.”
Margaret laughed. “If they knew your cat, they’d be rethinking their policies.”“Speaking of cats,” Savannah said, addressing Harrison, “are you still feeding Colbi’s under-the-porch colony?”
He chuckled. “Sure am. Dr. Mike operated on the last spring litter, so no more kittens from these seven cats.”
“Let’s just hope no others join the gang,” Leah said. “We’re barely able to feed those we have.” She giggled. “Charlie loves the cats. When it’s nice enough to sit on the porch, Scrunchie and Sugar Babe will join us, and Charlie gets the biggest kick out of watching them. The cats keep him entertained while I study or go through the mail or whatever.”
“That’s cool,” Savannah said.
Harrison nodded toward Colbi. “Yeah, I think he’s going to take after his aunt. She was always bringing home strays as a kid.”
Leah grinned at her sister-in-law. “And now we’re taking care of them.”
Colbi shrugged and said lightheartedly, “Just helping you get in practice for when Charlie starts bringing cats home.”
****
A couple of hours later, after the gifts had been opened and the cake had been served, Michael rather impatiently edged his phone out of his pocket. “What’s so darned urgent?” he muttered, looking at the screen.
“You’re not on call, are you?” Savannah asked.
He shook his head. “It’s a text from Pam.” After studying the screen for a moment, he said, “That’s odd.”
“What?”
He frowned. “Well, Pam came by to drop off the carriers she’d borrowed and says she heard one of our cats in the house.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, she says here that one of them is carrying on something fierce.” He let out a sigh. “I’d better go check.” After thinking about it for a moment he suggested, “Why don’t I take Lily home and put her down for a nap? I want to finish sanding the cabinet upstairs anyway. What do you think?”
Savannah looked at their daughter, who was playing with one of Charlie’s toys. “Yes, that’s probably a good idea, if you don’t mind. I’ll stay and help clean up. I can get a ride home with my aunt.” She picked up the toddler and kissed her on the cheek. “Want to go bye-bye with Daddy, punkin?” She turned to Michael. “Let me know what’s going on with the cats. Gosh, I hope Rags isn’t having a problem.”
Michael chuckled. “His problem is probably that he wants out of his pen. He’s been in there for a while. You may have noticed that he wants out more and more often.”
“You’re still keeping him caged?” Margaret asked when she walked up to them.
“Penned,” Savannah corrected, “for his own good. You know, so he won’t get too athletic. We let him out under supervision.” She thinned her lips. “But he must be feeling lots better, because he’s complaining more about being confined.”
“Grumpy old man,” Margaret quipped.
After Michael had said his good-byes, he slipped out the door with Lily.
When Savannah noticed Edwin putting on his jacket, she asked, “Are you leaving too?”
Edwin smiled. “We’re taking Charlie to see Max’s and Maggie’s cats.”
Savannah looked at the baby, who was bouncing in his infant bouncy seat. “Oh, that will be fun. Charlie, are yo
u going to see the kitties?” she crooned. “Look at that smile. Doesn’t he have the most adorable smile?”
“He sure does,” Bea agreed, lifting Charlie out of the seat and putting his jacket on him.
“Do you ladies want to come with us?” Max asked.
“No,” Bea said, handing the baby to her husband. “I’d better help clean up.”
Melissa shook her head. “I’m good.”
“Take my car,” Leah called out. “Car seat’s already in it.” She approached her dad and the baby. “Bye, sweet boy,” she cooed, kissing Charlie and pulling his hood up around his ears. “Drive carefully,” she instructed her father.
A few minutes later, Savannah stepped into the kitchen with her hands full of crumpled gift wrap and dirty paper plates. Was it my imagination, she wondered, or did I interrupt something? When she glanced at Colbi, Harrison, and Leah, she sensed tension. Must be a family issue, she thought. She quickly deposited the trash and returned to the dining area to organize the array of gifts. She looked into the living room, where Bea was showing Iris and Margaret a quilt she was working on. Craig, Bud, and Damon, in the meantime, were sharing some laughs about something on Damon’s cell phone, while Brianna and Melissa were deep in conversation. Savannah heard Colbi raise her voice. “Why didn’t you tell me? You can’t allow this to happen!”
“We’re not allowing it,” Harrison hissed as he walked into the dining area. “What do you think we are? Of course we aren’t going to hand him over.” When he realized some of their guests were looking in his direction, Harrison nodded toward the doorway. “Let’s take it into the other room, shall we?”
Savannah watched as the three of them huffed past her, nearly colliding with Damon as he walked into the kitchen. He appeared startled and asked her, “What’s up with them?” When Savannah shrugged, he said, “A Stanton family squabble, no doubt.” He opened the refrigerator. “Want a beer?” When Savannah shook her head, Damon glanced at her protruding belly. “Oh, that’s right, no alcohol for the preggy.” He opened a beer, then asked, “When’s the big day, Savannah? …I mean your due date.”
“May twentieth.”
He winced. “Boy, are you going to be busy.”
“I suppose I will,” she said while folding a large piece of wrapping paper and placing it on a stack of gift bags.
Meanwhile, in the back bedroom, Leah explained to Colbi, “We’ve talked to an attorney. He doesn’t think there’s anything to worry about.”
“Nothing to worry about?” Colbi questioned. “That letter I saw in the desk earlier looked to me like a blasted threat! You two need to hide out with him and I mean right now. They said they’re going to take him whether you agree to it or not.” She shook her head in exasperation.
As Harrison comforted Leah, who had started crying, Colbi paced. She stopped and glared at the couple. “I can’t believe you’re not taking this seriously.” When they didn’t respond, she opened the door, stepped out, and said to them over her shoulder, “Let’s see what Craig thinks.”
“Now, Sis…just wait. Sis…” Harrison called. But she’d already left the room.
Colbi returned with Craig to find the newlyweds sitting on the bed, Leah’s head on Harrison’s shoulder. Harrison stood. “Colbi,” he pleaded, “this isn’t necessary. I’m sure that…”
“How can you be sure?” Colbi insisted. “Most likely you’re dealing with gangsters and they’re not going to take no for an answer.” She turned to the detective. “Right, Craig?”
“We should know what’s best for our family,” Harrison spat.
“Wait,” Craig said, putting one hand up. He glanced at those in the room. “What seems to be the problem here?”
Harrison took a deep breath. “Nothing we can’t handle, Craig.”
“How can you say that?” Leah demanded, her voice thick with emotion. “You don’t know those people like I do. They almost killed me when I was pregnant with Charlie, remember?” She turned to Craig. “Kale’s family wants Charlie.” Her voice catching, she continued, “They say he’s one of theirs and he belongs with them on the island.”
She reached out for her husband’s hand. “Harrison is actually as worried about this as I am. We haven’t been sleeping. We’re both terrified they’re going to get to Charlie.” She looked up at Harrison. “Since we saw the attorney, Harrison seems to have relaxed some. But not me.” She burst into tears. “I’m so worried for my baby. Those people usually get what they go after, one way or another, and they want Charlie.”
Craig handed Leah his handkerchief. “Yeah, to carry on his father’s gangster legacy, I imagine. Sometimes I think that’s why they have kids—to continue the family street wars.” He squinted in Leah’s direction. “I thought that gangbanger left some other kids when he died.”
“Yeah, but they’re all girls. Somehow his parents found out I had a boy and that’s when they started harassing me.”
“Harassing you?” Craig asked. “How?”
“It started out Facebook and then the letters showed up here.”
“How did they find out about Charlie?” Colbi asked.
Craig smirked. “Those knuckleheads have their pipelines.”
Leah nodded. She looked down at her hands. “Yeah, I set up a Facebook account so I can share photos of Charlie with my family. I’m pretty sure that’s how they found out about him. Last week the threatening letters started coming. Now I’m getting texts and calls. I didn’t know how they got my cell number until today. My sister just told me that someone called my parents’ house wanting to know how to get in touch with me. Melissa said the woman told her she was a friend of mine from high school. Melissa believed her and gave her my cell phone number.”
“Can you show me what they’ve sent you?” Craig asked gently.
Harrison winced. He glanced at Leah, then said, “All right, I’ll get them.”
Before he left the room, Craig said, “Wait.” He studied Leah, then asked, “Okay if Savannah’s in on this?” When Leah hesitated, he explained, “I know she’s a good support for you and I think you could use that right now, don’t you?”
Leah nodded, her eyes filling with tears.
Harrison looked from Craig to Leah. “I’ll get her.”
Seconds later, Harrison appeared in the living room where the women were still gathered around Bea, admiring the patchwork quilt she’d brought for Charlie. Damon sat across from them, cradling Rosemary. “Hey, I think the baby’s getting hungry,” he said. “Is Colbi about finished in there?”
Harrison stopped and looked at his brother-in-law. “How about if I take the baby to her?”
“Uh…okay, I guess,” Damon said.
Damon started to hand the baby over, but Harrison said, “Wait, I have to grab something first.” He tapped Savannah on the shoulder. “Craig wants you to join us in there.”
She tilted her head. “Me?”
Harrison nodded and walked to the desk.
Just then Savannah’s phone chimed. “Oh, it’s Michael.” She stood up. “Harrison, let me take this call, then I’ll join you guys.” She walked into the kitchen. “Hi hon, is everything okay?” she asked hesitantly. “What’s going on with the cats?”
Michael chuckled. “Well, it seems that there was a problem and Rags was trying to solicit a little help.”
“What happened?”
He laughed again. “When Lily and I came in, there he was in the pen, meowing to beat the band. I couldn’t see anything wrong with him. He seemed to be okay, but he wouldn’t stop meowing and pacing. So I opened the pen and he practically flew out of there and trotted down the hallway into our bedroom. I haven’t seen him move that fast since his accident and I was a little concerned. You know we’ve been trying to keep him calm and quiet. But hon, he was sure agitated about something.”
“What, Michael? What happened?”
“Well, Lily and I ran after him and when we went into the bedroom, we saw that he had stopped at the clo
set. He looked at us, then began pawing at the closet door. He’d paw, then look at me. He’d paw and look at me again. That’s when I heard it.”
“Heard what?” Savannah asked.
“Another cat’s meow. I opened the closet and there was Buffy. She’d somehow gotten herself closed inside there. Rags must have heard her meowing and he was trying to get someone to come in and help her.”
“Oh my gosh. Poor Buffy. Was she frantic?”
“No,” he said, sounding surprised. “When I opened the closet, she was just sitting there, patiently waiting for someone to discover her. Rags was sure happy to see her, though. He rushed in and started rubbing against her and sniffing her all over to make sure she was okay.” He laughed. “When she was ready, she stepped out of the closet, swished her tail once, and trotted toward the kitchen. I wasn’t sure if she would visit her food dish or the litter box first. But I could tell she was on a mission.”
“Bless her heart. I’m going to have to leave that closet door open—she loves to explore in there and she’s so quiet I don’t notice when she goes in. This isn’t the first time she’s been closed in there, you know.”
“I know. But this was probably the longest time she’s had to stay in there.”
Savannah agreed. “Do you think this will teach her a lesson?”
“I doubt it. Buffy pretty much marches to her own drummer…like the other cats do.”
“Yes she does. Well, I’m glad everyone’s all right. Did you put Lily down for a nap?”
“Getting ready to do that now.”
“Okay, see you later.” She hesitated, then said more quietly, “Harrison just asked me to join him, Craig, Leah, and Colbi in the back of the house.” She lowered her voice even more. “I don’t know what’s going on, but there appears to be something wrong.” She took a deep breath. “See you later. Auntie and Max will give me a ride home.”
As Savannah returned to the living room and started to head into the hallway, Margaret called out, “Everything okay with the cats?”
