A MEOWvelous Witness (Klepto Cat Mystery Book 17)

by Patricia Fry

  “Good Lord. What did Damon do? Did you speak to him?”

  “No,” Savannah said. “He drove off and I went on into the newspaper office. What do you think that was all about, Michael?” Before he could respond, she turned toward the side kitchen door. “Sounds like Colbi’s here.” She kissed Michael, then leaned over and hugged Lily. “’Bye-bye, sweetheart. Mommy will see you in the morning,” she said, picking up her purse and coat.

  “Have fun!” Michael called after her.

  ****

  “So are you ready to choose a dress for one of the most important days in your life?” Savannah asked as Colbi drove her small sedan out of the long driveway minutes later.

  “Sure am,” she said, smiling weakly. “Like you said, I need to start crossing things off my list. Instead, it seems like I just keep adding to it.”

  “Anything I can help with?”

  Colbi thought for a moment, then said, “Maybe. I’ll let you know.” She glanced at Savannah as she drove. “Thank you for offering. I think most of it’s stuff I have to do, though. You know, there are a lot of decisions to make.”

  “Well, once you make the decisions, give me a list.” She sat up straighter. “I am the matron of honor, you know.” The two women rode in silence for a few moments, when Savannah asked, “So what kind of dress are you looking for?”

  Colbi let out a sigh. “Wish I knew.”

  “Long? Short? White? Beige? Formal…?” When Colbi didn’t respond, Savannah asked, “What’s Damon wearing?”

  “I guess his suit. He has one suit and it’s brown, so I suppose I should look for something either white, off white, or in brown tones. What do you think?”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  “I don’t particularly look good in a long dress,” Colbi explained. “I’m too small. I look like a little girl playing dress-up. So probably something short or mid-calf.” She glanced at Savannah. “Only Iris says mid-calf is out—it should be short or short-short.”

  “Why didn’t you bring your future mother-in-law shopping tonight? She’s the one with the taste and the ideas.” She laughed. “I’m more casual and my style is all over the place, as you know.”

  “I don’t think of you in that way. You have a nice style—a nice way of dressing.” Colbi laughed. “Actually, you and I have a similar style, only I wear more filmy things than you do.”

  “Filmy?”

  “Well, yeah, soft-flowing skirts and sheer blouses and scarves for accent.”

  “Oh yeah, things you don’t wear around a baby.”

  “Or cats,” Colbi said. When she noticed Savannah staring at her, she added, “Dolly has snagged more than one of my lacy sweaters and scarves. In fact, I usually head right up to my bedroom as soon as I get home from work and change into Dolly-proof clothes—a t-shirt and jeans.” She pulled her car into a parking lot. “Here’s the bridal shop. Ever been here?”

  Savannah shook her head. “No. I think it opened a few months after our wedding.” As she picked up her purse, unlatched her seatbelt, and prepared to exit the car, she noticed Colbi staring ahead. “Anything wrong?” she asked.

  Colbi jumped and took a breath. “No…uh…no. Nothing.”

  “Well, let’s go get your wedding dress, shall we?” Savannah said cheerfully, climbing out of the car. Within seconds, Colbi joined her and they approached the door to the shop. “Wow, big selection. This will either make it super easy to find something you like or it’ll be totally confusing,” Savannah quipped as they entered.

  “Yeah, well, I’m counting on easy.” Colbi stood in place and gazed at the racks and racks of dresses. “Overwhelming,” she said under her breath.

  “Hey, you’re not going to fall in love with anything from this distance.” She took Colbi’s arm. “Come on. Let’s go zero in on that perfect dress, shall we?”

  “Can I help you find something?”

  Colbi and Savannah turned to face a woman of about forty with a sassy short hairdo and wearing a smart black dress that flattered her thin figure. “Uh, where are your size small dresses?” Colbi asked.

  The woman looked from Colbi to Savannah and back again. “For the bride? Are one of you the bride?”

  Colbi nodded. “Yes, I am.”

  “Formal or informal?”

  Colbi hesitated. “I’m not sure.”

  “Can we see both?” Savannah asked.

  “Right this way,” the woman gestured. “I’m Sarah. Shall I start a room for you?”

  Colbi looked around the shop and noticed there was just one other clerk, who seemed to be working on a computer. There were no other customers. “Okay. I hope I find something to try on.”

  “I’m sure you will. We have many lovely dresses in your size. Here are the formal wedding gowns.” She motioned toward a rack against a wall. “We do tailoring right here on the premises. If you plan to lose or gain weight, we recommend you bring the garment to us for your final fitting ten days before the wedding. We’ll do any necessary alternations then.”

  Colbi nodded, her eyes scanning the array of dresses before her.

  Sarah then walked across the shop, Savannah and Colbi following behind, and she pointed out another rack of dresses. “Here are our cocktail and party dresses, perfect for a less formal occasion.”

  The vast array of dresses held Savannah’s and Colbi’s attention for the next hour, during which time Colbi tried on several that garnered compliments from Savannah and both clerks. As she stepped out of the dressing room wearing a fitted sea-green number with a lacey bodice, she suddenly turned somber. Before Savannah could comment, Colbi covered her face with her hands and rushed back into the dressing room in tears.

  “What happened?” Sarah asked.

  Savannah frowned. “I don’t know.”

  “Oh, it’s probably wedding jitters,” the second clerk—a middle-aged bespectacled woman with shoulder-length auburn hair said. “I see it often with first-time brides.” She looked at Savannah. “This is her first, right?”

  “Yes,” she said, keeping her eye on the dressing-room. After a few moments, she knocked on the door and asked quietly, “Colbi, are you all right?” She waited for another several minutes before Colbi appeared, a forced smile on her lips. “I just can’t decide,” she said, moving with determination toward the exit. “Savannah, can we just go? I guess I’m not in a shopping mood tonight.” She flashed a quick look at the clerks. “I’m sorry. I’ll be back…on a better day.”“Hey, there’s a coffee shop up the street. How about I buy you a cinnamon latte,” Savannah offered, after they’d stepped out to the sidewalk.

  Colbi hesitated, then agreed, “Okay.”

  “Feel better?” Savannah asked, once they were seated at a small table away from the hustle-bustle of customer placing their orders at the counter.

  “I guess.” She looked across the table at her friend. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened in there. I…I guess…I…” she stammered. “I’m so distracted.” She put her hands alongside her face. “There’s so much to do and I feel so…so…scattered. I can’t make a decision.”

  Savannah leaned forward. “Kiddo, I’ve never known you to be like this. What’s wrong?” When Colbi didn’t respond, Savannah asked, quietly, “You aren’t having second thoughts about marrying Damon, are you?”

  “Oh no,” Colbi insisted. “There’s just so much to do, that’s all. I’m on stress overload.”

  Savannah frowned. “Come on, I’ve seen you handle more details than this without getting frazzled. Is there something going on at work that’s adding to your stress?”

  Colbi stared into the latte she held in her hands. “Yeah, things are kinda hectic at work.” She peered over her coffee mug at Savannah, then put it down on the table. “Today…”

  “What?” Savannah asked. “What happened today?”

  She waved her hand in front of her face, her eyes welling with tears. “Nothing. Nothing important. I’m fine
,” she said, “…really. Just a bit overwrought. I’ll be ready to pick out a dress in a day or two. The timing just isn’t right. You know how shopping is.” Savannah noticed Colbi’s lips curl into a smile, but her eyes remained rather dark, as she said, “Either you’re in the mood or you’re not, right?”

  Savannah laughed. “Until you have a toddler, then you’d better get that shopping done when you have the chance because the child takes over your life.”

  “I can imagine,” Colbi said without much emotion.

  “Yeah, I’ve purchased some things I didn’t really want because Lily began fussing in a store or worse…” she said, now exaggerating, “she’d start tearing the place apart. A few days ago I stopped at the nursery to buy tomatoes and squash for Antonio to plant. Doggone if she didn’t start pulling all the little tomatoes and blossoms off the plants I’d picked out. I’d run out of her snacks and we’d left her toys in the car. I wasn’t about to let her run loose in the store. She was much too rambunctious that day. So I had to carry her in one arm while pushing the cart to the checkout stand.” She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, Lily is my biggest determinant when it comes to shopping. I no longer have the luxury of thinking through my purchases. Even at the grocery store, I’ve been known to grab some random item for dinner on my way out the door with a fussy baby.”

  Colbi sat staring at Savannah without comment.

  “You tuned me out just then, didn’t you? Hon, what is wrong?”

  Colbi blinked her eyes and focused briefly on her tablemate. “Nothing. Really. I’m fine. Just tired. I’ve never planned a wedding before, you know?”

  “Yeah, I know. That’s why I’m here to help you.” She stared at Colbi for a few moments, then said, “Hey, I have an idea.”

  Colbi looked suspicious. “What?”

  “When I’m feeling like the world is caving in on me, it helps to get out of Dodge.” She leaned forward. “How would you like to go on a horseback ride over the weekend? The weather’s supposed to be nice.” She clasped her hands together. “Maybe we could get Iris and my aunt to join us!”

  At that, Colbi began to laugh. “Maggie on a horse?” She laughed even harder. “Or for that matter, Iris on a horse…oh, that’s a riot.”

  “So you’re game? This could be your bachelorette party.” When Colbi appeared unsure, Savannah said, “Well, part of it, then.” She bounced in her seat. “Hey, we could make it a picnic. We can go someplace where my aunt and Iris can drive in, if they don’t want to ride.”

  “You only have one horse.”

  “Yeah, I know. But I have a friend with horses. Bonnie likes to have them ridden; it lightens her workload and it’s good for the horses.”

  Colbi tilted her head. “You know, it does sound like fun.” After thinking about it for a moment, she said, “Okay, if you can get Maggie and my future mother-in-law on a horse, I’m game.”

  “That could be a tall order, but I’ll try.” Savannah peered into Colbi’s eyes. “So are you feeling better?”

  “Yeah, I think so,” she said as the two women stood to leave. She hugged Savannah. “Thank you, dear friend.”

  “Any time.” Suddenly, Savannah stiffened.

  “What’s wrong?” Colbi asked, looking in the direction Savannah stared.

  “Um, Colbi, do you know that man?”

  “Which one?” she asked. “The one wearing glasses or the tall dark one?”

  “Yeah, the tall one.” She looked at Colbi. “Do you know him?”

  “I don’t think so, why? Do you?”

  Savannah studied the stranger. Sure looks like that guy I saw arguing with Damon this afternoon. It is him. He’s wearing the same faded sweatshirt. Oh, and will you look at that, she thought. There’s the woman I saw with him. I wonder who they are and what they want with Damon.

  “Savannah,” Colbi whispered, “why are you staring at those people?”

  “Colbi, look at that couple. Are you sure you haven’t seen them before?”

  “Uh…I don’t think so; have you?”

  Savannah shook her head. “No. I guess not, actually. Shall we get home? We have a big day to plan for.”

  “The wedding or the horseback ride?” Colbi asked.

  Savannah smiled. “Both.”

  ****

  “Get on a horse? Me?” Iris screeched into the phone the following morning.

  “Well, why not?” Savannah asked. “You’re fit and limber. You can still stand and touch the floor with your palms, can’t you?”

  “Well, yeah, but…”

  “You’re still going to the gym, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, but…”

  “And you like horses.”

  “I guess so. I like your horse.”

  In a more pleading tone, Savannah said, “And you sure love Colbi. You wouldn’t want to disappoint Colbi, would you?”

  All Savannah heard in response was a deep sigh, then a rather lively, “Well, I do have a pair of cowgirl boots I need to break in. They just don’t look right with my new ripped jeans because they’ve never stepped foot on a ranch.”

  “What?”

  Iris explained, “Western boots aren’t…well…genuine until you authenticate them by walking in manure or sliding them into those foot-holder thingies on the saddle.”

  “Stirrups?” Savannah said, laughing.

  “Yeah, stirrups.” Iris paused. “Can I ride your horse? Peaches won’t let me fall off her, will she?”

  “Um, well, I can actually get you a more gentle horse. Even Charlotte rides Wilson safely. I think you’ll love him.”

  “Oh, your little friend with Down syndrome? She can ride a horse?”

  “Yes, she loves to go riding with me, when she isn’t playing with Rags.”

  “What’s your aunt going to ride?” She cackled loudly. “A merry-go-round horse?”

  Savannah joined her in laughter. “I really don’t think we’ll get her on a horse.”

  “Burro?” Iris said, continuing to laugh. “…donkey? How about a Saint Bernard?”

  “I haven’t talked to her yet. But if she wants to ride, I think she’ll do fine on one of Bonnie’s older mares. She has two that are gentled down enough for beginners and children.”

  “I’ll be the only one on a boy horse?” Iris asked.

  “A gelding. That’s right, unless you want to ride one of the mares.”

  After hesitating, Iris said, “I’d like to meet them first; then I’ll decide.”

  “Fair enough,” Savannah agreed. “Then let’s meet out at the Teague Stables. You know where that is, right? I’ll probably ride over there with Bonnie when she comes to pick up Peaches.”

  “So we’ll go from there rather than from your place?”

  “Yes. It makes more sense to haul one horse rather than two or three.”

  “Oh yes—I guess only a horsey gal would think of that.”

  “So meet us there at nine tomorrow. And why don’t you arrange to pick up

  Colbi?”

  “Sure. Should be fun, unless…”

  “Unless what?”

  “Oh, I don’t know; a disturbing thought just popped into my feeble mind.”

  “What?” Savannah insisted.

  “Well, do you remember our last girls’ outing—when we got together for my birthday up at the cabin?”

  “Did you have to bring that up?” Savannah complained. “No, Iris, there will be no monsters in the forest or killers in the walls or nighttime cruises across a lake filled with dead bodies.” Her voice lighter, she said, “We’re just going on a calm trail ride and having a picnic. That’s all. Bring your camera—you’ve been wanting to do a little photography, right?”

  “Oh yes. You’re bringing your camera—the one you won that trip to Hawaii with?”

  “Sure am.” Sounding a little giddy, Savannah said, “There’s this bush I want to photograph in the area where we’ll be riding. I think it might be flowering now. I�
��d sure love to get a picture of Rags in front of it.”

  “You’re bringing your cat?”

  “No. But, if I put my mind to it, maybe I can learn how to superimpose a picture of Rags or maybe Dolly in front of the bush—you know, manipulate the photo.” She then said, “Oops, I hear Lily calling me. I guess naptime’s over.”

  “Oh, what time is it, anyway?” Iris asked. She then let out a yelp. “I’m supposed to meet a client in twenty minutes. We just finished remodeling her college student’s bedroom into a guest room. Now she wants my advice on a dining room and living room expansion. Cross your fingers that I get that job.”

  “Sure will. Good luck.”

  “Thanks. Hug the cherub for me. Otherwise, I’ll see you tomorrow at the stables, partner—with your guarantee that it will be a safe and fun all-girls’ outing.”

  “You got it,” Savannah said. “Safe and fun.”

  Chapter 2

  “Iris, you’re wearing those brand-new boots riding?” Colbi asked when the two of them joined Savannah and Bonnie at the Teague Stables on Saturday morning.

  “Sure am—need to break them in.”

  “To go with her holey jeans,” Savannah teased, while brushing Peaches.

  “Here are my two sweetest trail horses,” Bonnie said, tying a bay and an appaloosa to a nearby hitching post.

  “Great,” Savannah said. “By the way, Bonnie, these are my friends, Colbi and Iris.”

  “Whoa!” Iris shouted, quickly stepping back.

  “What?” Savannah asked, turning to see what had caused the outburst.

  “Those horses don’t like each other. Did you see that? The brown one tried to bite the freckled one.”

  Bonnie winked. “Just a little spat between the girls.” She brushed a black curl from her bronze forehead. “Savannah, I’ll be giving a lesson on Wilson later this morning; these two mares should work out well for you ladies.”

  “If you recommend them, I’m sure they’re fine.”

  “Can I ride Peaches?” Iris whined.

  Savannah smiled. “Not today.” After saddling her mare, she walked toward where Iris and Colbi stood staring at the stable horses.