by Patricia Fry
“Good thinking, Son. We thought we’d take a couple of soft cat carriers we can lay across the saddle in front of us. Rags has ridden a horse in one of those before.”
“Did you take them yesterday?”
Michael let out a sigh. “Actually, no. We forgot them. But we figured we could each `xcarry a cat in our arms, or maybe get them to lie across the saddle. If the cats are out there, they’ll be so tired by now they’ll probably ride any old way we put them, don’t you think so?”
Adam lay on his back and stared up at the ceiling, lifting Buffy onto his chest. “Dad, do we need a rope?”
“A rope?” Michael asked, looking confused.
“Yeah, to lasso them little doggies,” Adam said with a twang.
Once Michael and Savannah stopped laughing, she said, “If you guys don’t mind, I think I’ll take Lily over to visit Colbi. I want to spend some time with her and maybe see if I can muster enough hope for both of us.”
“She shouldn’t be sad until she knows there’s something to be sad about,” Adam said thoughtfully, watching Buffy step off him and sit down a few feet away.
“Well, there is something to be sad about. Our cats are missing and we don’t know where they are or if they’re…” Savannah glanced at Adam, then said, “I think she’s just worried.”
“Yeah, but my teacher says there’s nothing to be worried about until something happens.”
“Something has happened, Adam,” Michael said. “Rags and Dolly have disappeared and she misses Dolly very much, just like we miss Rags.”
“Boy, I sure do,” he said, scratching Buffy’s head. “And Buffy misses him and Lexie and even Walter is acting different since he’s been gone.” He rolled over onto his stomach and looked up at Savannah. “Dad misses him. You miss him, too don’t you, Savannah?”
“I sure do, Adam. My heart hurts, I miss him so much.”
He stared up at her for a moment, then said, “We’re going to find him. I know it. Rags doesn’t know how to get lost.”
“That’s an interesting statement,” Michael said. “What makes you say that?”
“Well, when we play hide-and-seek, he always makes sure I find him. You’ve told me about times when he’s been missing before and he always comes home.”
“That’s true. Let’s hope you’re right. But there are a lot of dangers out in the wilderness.”
Adam scrambled to a sitting position and looked down at the Himalayan-mix cat. “I don’t want to talk about that right now, if it’s okay with you.” He ran his hand over the cat’s fur. “I don’t think Buffy does, either. Do you Buffy?”
“Okay, then,” Savannah said slapping her palms against her knees as she stood. “No more negative talk about Rags and Dolly.” She grimaced. “Let’s hope I can maintain that rule when I visit Colbi.”
****
It was four fifteen by the time Savannah arrived at Colbi’s two-story farmhouse. She stood on the front porch with Lily in her arms. “Hi. Glad to catch you at home,” she said when Colbi opened the front door.
Colbi looked expectantly at Savannah. “So what’s up?” Clasping her hands under her chin, she added, “Please tell me you found Dolly.”
Savannah thinned her lips. “I can’t do that—at least not yet. Colbi, this morning we rode out in the area where the carjackers took my aunt.” Her eyes brightened when she said, “We found a piece of Rags’s leash.”
“Oh?”
Savannah stared down at her feet for a moment. “Well, it could mean that the cats were still in the car when it rolled down the hill and they’re out in the brush or…” When Colbi continued to stare at her, she said, “If they’d taken the cats out of the car, they would have put their harnesses and leashes on, wouldn’t they?”
Colbi clenched her teeth. “So we still don’t know if our cats are dead or alive?”
“No, but Michael and I have hope and we want you to.”
Colbi looked at Savannah, her dark-blue eyes rather vacant. “That’s a hard one. I don’t know if I can muster anything resembling hope—not with all that’s going on in my life right now.” She turned and walked into the house.
“What do you mean?” Savannah asked, following her. She placed Lily on the floor and began removing the baby’s sweater. “You have a great fiancé, a wedding coming up, friends…”
“Yeah, what’s that worth if you don’t have your health?”
“You look fine, only maybe a little tired. Are you feeling bad?”
“Sometimes, yes—just awful. My cousin Roberta says there’s a horrible genetic flaw in my father’s and my uncle’s line. It’s fatal, Savannah—or it usually is.” She started to cry. “I’m so worried. I’m worried that Dolly won’t come home and if she does, I won’t live long enough to care for her. Should I get married and burden Damon with this disease? It’s not fair to expect him to give up his life for an ill wife.”
“Is this the same disease you’ve been researching on the Internet?” Savannah asked.
Colbi looked at Savannah, then eased down onto the floor with the baby and started playing with her. “I guess it’s similar—similar symptoms.”
After sitting quietly for a moment, Savannah asked, “What does Damon say about all this?”
“I haven’t told him,” she murmured.
“You mean you’re suffering with this information alone? Now when’s your doctor’s appointment?”
“Day after tomorrow, remember? No, I’m not suffering alone, Savannah. I have you, Iris, Roberta, and a great group of women online. I also tapped into an online grief group for people who’ve lost pets.” She began sobbing into her hands.
Suddenly, Lily stared at her. She crawled over to Colbi and patted her head a couple of times.
“Oh, you sweet thing,” Colbi said, hugging the baby to her.
“Colbi,” Savannah said sternly, “don’t you think you’re putting the cart before the horse? You have no diagnosis and the cats may be just fine.”
“Then why am I so sad?” she wailed. “Why do I feel so lousy? And Damon’s no help. He has his own problems with his father hounding the family for money.”
“Oh. “Savannah let out a sigh. “So Damon’s been talking to you about that?”
Colbi shook her head. “Not really. He’s told me a little. I think he’s trying to protect me from worry.” She smirked. “And here I am trying to protect him from my pain. Poor Damon, poor me…and you, Savannah…” Colbi sat up straighter. “By the way, how’s Maggie?”
“Seems to be doing okay. She feels terrible about the cats.”
“Yeah, she called. I still don’t know why she took it upon herself to come over here and get Dolly. I may not be able to forgive her for that.”
“Wow, kiddo,” Savannah said. “You are putting yourself under a lot of pressure, aren’t you? Now I don’t mean to sound superior or anything, but honey, I’d love to see you lighten up some. You’re really hurting yourself and you’re liable to hurt some of your relationships.”
“Lighten up—yeah, maybe once my life becomes less burdensome. How can I lighten up when my sweet Dolly’s gone, I’m facing a torturous death, and my fiancé is being stalked by a criminal? Savannah,” she said, her voice a mere squeak, “I don’t know how much more I can take.”
Savannah sat quietly for a moment, then said, “Colbi, do you remember when those cat hoarders took you and held you hostage in that horrible cellar under awful conditions?”
Colbi nodded.
“You thought you might die, didn’t you? You saw no way out, but you had hope. You held onto a slim strand of hope and you made it out. You’re safe. Honey, you’re a strong woman with a wonderful life ahead of you. There is hope. In fact, it seems that what you’re clinging to are the slim possibilities outside of hope, when hope is the stronger element in all this. I wish you’d see it that way. It seems as though you’re giving up without a fight way too soon. Come on, girlfriend, I want to see you
fight.”
Colbi gave Savannah a blank stare. “I’m sorry, Savannah, I’m just not feeling it. What I feel is dread and hopelessness.”
Savannah winced, then asked, “Is Iris taking you to the doctor on Tuesday?”
Colbi nodded. “Yeah, but I can tell you, he’s just going to confirm what I know.”
Savannah hesitated before saying, “Well, I sincerely hope not.” When Colbi didn’t respond, she stood and began picking up the toys Lily had taken out of a small basket. “I’d better get home. We’re going out to look for the cats again tomorrow. I hope to call you real soon with good news. And I hope you’ll have good news for me after you see your doctor. Can you try to keep that thought? Huh? Everything will be okay. I’m sure of it.”
“If you say so.” Colbi opened the front door. “Thanks for coming by, Savannah,” she said, closing the door slowly.
Once Savannah had strapped Lily into her car seat, she eased into the driver’s seat and placed a call. “Iris, I just saw Colbi. She’s a mess.”
“Yeah, I know. Poor thing.”
“What are we going to do?” Savannah asked.
“What do you mean? What can we do?”
“I don’t know. But I’m really worried about her. I wonder if she needs to see a psychologist or something.”
Iris was quiet for a moment, then said, “You know, she has her doctor’s appointment this week.”
“Yes, and you’re going with her?”
“Sure am. I want to make certain she follows through. She probably won’t let me go in with her, but Savannah, I’ll find a way to communicate the ugly truth to the doctor, just in case Colbi isn’t forthcoming.” Iris then let out a sigh. “How did our lovely life suddenly turn so sour?”
“Hope, Iris—let’s all believe in hope.” She then said, “Oh, Iris, it occurred to me that I have a couple of pictures that might come in handy if you have to fight this child-support issue in court. I don’t know if I told you, but I saw Damon with the guy who I guess claims to be his father and I snapped a few photos on my cell phone. Would you like me to text those to you?”
“Yeah, I guess that would be a good idea, actually. Sure, let me see what you got.”
“Good. I’ll do that right now. Iris, call me Tuesday. I’ll be eager to hear what the doctor says. I’ve never seen Colbi crawl into such a dark place before. I’m beginning to wonder if she’s dealing with one of those depression illnesses.”
“Could be, I guess. It would help if her cat would come home.” Hesitantly, she asked, “Any luck in finding them?”
“I’m afraid not,” Savannah said. “But we’re going back out tomorrow. Please think good thoughts, will you?”
Before Savannah drove into her driveway a few minutes later, she heard her phone chime. “Mommy’s got a text,” she said in a sing-song manner to Lily. She parked the car and carried the toddler inside.
“Your phone’s chiming,” Michael said.
“Yeah, it’ll have to wait.” Once she’d placed Lily on the floor, removed the baby’s sweater and her own light-weight jacket, she retrieved the phone and stared into the screen. “Oh my gosh,” she said rather dramatically.
“What now?” Michael asked, as if he were preparing for the worst.
“Michael,” she said, her eyes wide, “the guy I saw with Damon the other day—you know, the one who claimed to be his father? Well, he isn’t his father. I sent a picture to Iris and she said she doesn’t know who that man is. She says Eugene Jackson is practically the spitting image of Damon. This man is an imposter. She’s going to show the pictures to Craig and see if they can figure out what’s going on.” She paused, then said, “You know, the more I think about it, the more I believe the man we saw Craig with at
****
The following morning the Iveys and Adam arrived at the Bowmans’ ranch shortly after seven thirty.
“Thanks for feeding, Bob,” Savannah said. “We want to get an early start. Cats are usually active in the morning hours, you know.”
He peered at Savannah from under a worn straw hat. “Cats? You’re looking for cats?”
“Yes, didn’t we tell you?”
“Hey, we’ve got cats—a whole slew of barn cats. In fact, a couple more joined our menagerie overnight—they must have straggled in after dark.” He chuckled. “One of them is particularly fond of your horse, there—the sorrel. I saw him through the kitchen window this morning sitting on the railing as if he was talking to her. She seems to like him, too.”
Savannah gasped. Holding her breath, she asked, “What does this cat look like?”
In the meantime, Michael glanced eagerly around the property, hoping to spot two familiar felines.
“Oh, black and white, I think. He was in the shadows. He’s a big guy.” He pointed toward the barn. “Hey, there’s the other one. She looks like she found herself caught up in a briar patch somewhere. I imagine her coat was pretty at one time.”
“Dolly?” Savannah said, cautiously moving toward the disheveled cat. She rushed to her, calling back to Michael, “It’s Dolly! Oh my gosh, it’s Dolly,” she said, picking up the tabby and hugging the cat to her. Tears ran down her face as she gazed around the ranch. “Where’s Rags, Dolly?” she murmured. “Michael,” she said, handing him the cat, “put her in the car before we lose her again. I’ve got to call Colbi.” Before placing the call, she shouted, “Adam, look for Rags! He must be here someplace.”
“You know that cat?” Heddy asked as she walked up.
“Yes.” Savannah looked eagerly around the property. “Now where’s the other one? Rags!” she called. “Rags, where are you? Here kitty, kitty.”
“But how did they…?” Heddy began.
Just then, Colbi answered. “Hi Savannah. What’s up? Did you…?”
“Yes, Colbi. We have Dolly with us.”
“Where? Oh, my God, Savannah. Really? Can I come get her?”
“We just arrived here at the Bowmans’ place. We’re looking for Rags now. They saw him earlier. Oh, Colbi, I’m so happy. I can’t wait to bring you your girl, only…”
“Only what?” Colbi asked in a panic. “Is she okay?”
Savannah began to laugh. “Yes, she’s fine—only that beautiful fur of hers is kind of a mess.” She chuckled. “I don’t think she’s much of a tomboy. You’ll want to take her to the spa for a makeover before you allow her back in your house.”
“Oh, Savannah, I’ll take her anyway I can get her. Thank you! Thank you so much for finding her.”
“Actually, it seems that the cats found us—well, they wandered into the Bowmans’ place and found Peaches.”
“When can you be here?”
Before she could answer, Savannah heard Adam shout, “There he is, Dad! Rags! Come here, Rags!” he said, rushing toward the cat.
“Just a minute, Colbi. Oh good. We just found Rags. I’ll call you back, okay?”
“Here he is, Savannah,” Adam said, struggling to carry the large cat. He handed Rags to her.
“Oh Ragsie,” she said, cradling him in her arms and kissing him on top of the head.
“He’s kind of banged up there,” Michael said. “Let me take a look at him.” He glanced around the property. “Set him on that table over there, will you?”
While Savannah, the Bowmans, and Adam watched, Michael poked, prodded, and eyeballed the fairly lethargic cat, saying, “A few contusions…”
Adam made a face. “Ewww, stickers. Here, I’ll pull them out.”
“His paw pads are raw in spots. They must have walked a long way,” Michael said.
“Maybe he burned them in the fire,” Adam suggested.
“Could be, Son. Could be.” He then said, “He’s a little dehydrated. I think I’ll give them both some fluids.”
“You came prepared, did you, Doctor?” Heddy quipped.
“Yeah, I didn’t know what we’d find.” He grimaced. “But I didn’t bring anything for these sore pads.”
“H
ey, I have some ointment that might help,” Bob said. “You prescribed it for the goats’ udders. It should be safe for a cat’s paws, wouldn’t you say?”
Michael nodded. He then stepped toward the car. “I want to check Dolly; she might need treatment, too.”
Once the cats were treated and waiting comfortably in the car, Bob squinted toward the Iveys. “How did the cats get out here, anyway? You didn’t take them on your horseback ride on Friday, did you?”
“No,” Savannah said, chuckling. “They were with my aunt in her car when she was carjacked.” When she noticed both Bob and Heddy staring at her, she explained, “It was my aunt’s car that burned the other night. The cats were with her when those kids took it.”
Heddy shook her head. “Those must be some tough cats to survive even one night in the wilds, up here with all the coyotes and owls.”
“For a doggone house pet, Rags is pretty wise,” Michael said, smiling.
“Dad,” Adam said pulling on Michael’s jacket sleeve, “does this mean we aren’t going riding?” When Michael looked down at him, the boy said, “I mean, I’m real glad to get Rags back, Dad. But I sure was looking forward to riding a horse today.”
The Iveys exchanged looks, then Michael asked Bob, “I hate to do this, but could we ask you for one more favor? Do you have a secure place where we could board the cats until we get back from our trail ride?”
“Oh, they wouldn’t go nowhere, do you think?” Bob said. “They’re safe here.”
Savannah shook her head. “I’m not taking any chances.”
When Bob saw her eyes begin to tear up, he quickly said, “Sure—how about a rabbit hutch?”
“That should do,” Michael said. “Let me take a look at it. Adam,” he called, “would you get the cat food out of my bag there and see if you can find a water spigot and fill that bowl for them.”
Adam jumped up and down, shouting, “Yay! We get to go riding.”
Once the cats were safely confined in the rabbit hutch with fresh water, food, and a large blanket for their comfort, Michael said, “You know, hon, we could ride the horses back to the Teagues this morning.”
