A MEOWvelous Witness (Klepto Cat Mystery Book 17)

by Patricia Fry

  Savannah raised her eyebrows. “Ohhh, I wonder what it is.”

  “I don’t know. I think maybe a piece of furniture. She asked about furnishings for our new place.” Colbi ran her hand over Lily’s soft curls. “You know, she just seems to be such a generous soul. I’ve never known anyone who takes such pleasure in giving. The more she talked about our gift, the happier she became.”

  “She sounds wonderful. Can’t wait to meet her.” As she wheeled the stroller into the mall, Savannah asked, “Now, where’s your list? What do we need?”

  “Let’s go to the party store. I want to pick up plates, napkins, things like that—maybe a few table decorations. I’m so pleased that you and Michael hired Helena and her family to help. Oh my gosh, to have the catering handled is such a burden off us. I remember what a lovely job they did for your wedding.”

  “You’re welcome. They actually enjoy coming together and contributing to a special occasion. It makes them happy.”

  Colbi pointed at someone in the distance. “Hey, there’s…isn’t that your sister?”

  “Oh yeah, it is. Wow, what are the chances?” Savannah said, rushing toward her, calling out, “Hey, you!”

  When she turned, Brianna looked surprised. “Vannie, Colbi, hi! What are you doing here?” she asked as she walked up to them. Before they could respond, Brianna kneeled down and spoke to Lily. “Hi little one. Don’t you look cute today in your little pink sweater?” She kissed the baby’s cheek, then stood to speak to the women. “Vannie, she’s more beautiful every time I see her.”

  Savannah beamed. “She is a cutie-patootie, that’s for sure. And a handful,” she said, noticing the toddler trying to climb out of the stroller. She picked her up and placed her on the floor, where she walked around their legs playing peek-a-boo with Brianna.

  “So what are you doing?” Brianna asked, again.

  “Picking up last-minute wedding supplies,” Colbi said.

  “Yeah. What are you doing here?” Savannah asked. “No patients today?”

  Brianna smiled at Colbi. “I have a wedding to go to this weekend. And Bud and I are going to a concert tonight, so I took a few days off. I’m shopping for a sparkly top to wear tonight, actually.”

  “Any luck?”

  “I just got here.”

  Savannah ran after Lily, who was following a therapy dog in training. “Let’s go look at toys, shall we?” she said enticingly, once she’d grasped hold of her hand.

  “Toy?” Lily said, looking around.

  “See the toys?” Savannah said, leading her to the window of a baby shop.

  “Ba-by,” Lily said, pointing. “Truck. Ki-ki. Wow-Wow.”

  “Boy, she’s really talking up a storm,” Brianna said. “Can you say Aunt Bri?”

  Lily stared at her for a moment. “Auntie?”

  “Aunt Bri,” Brianna repeated.

  “Auntie?” Lily said.

  Brianna picked her up and hugged her. “Well, close enough.” She added, “Hey, I’d better continue on my mission. Bud will be home soon and wonder where I am. Have fun shopping, you two.” She smiled at Colbi. “See you Saturday. Are you excited?”

  Colbi nodded. “Yes. Finally I can say I’m excited and eager to get married and get on with my wonderful life.”

  Savannah smiled at her friend, then hugged her sister and took Lily from her. “’Bye. Happy shopping.”

  ****

  “What a beautiful day,” Colbi said the following Saturday afternoon as she gazed out through her second-story bedroom window.

  Savannah smoothed the back of Colbi’s veil. “Of course it is. It’s your wedding day. How are you feeling?”

  “Great—no, more than great—fabulous!” She became quiet for a moment, then added, “What a difference a day makes. I can’t believe how awful I felt just last week—like my whole world was caving in on me.” She turned to Savannah. “I think I was depressed.”

  “Do ya think?” Savannah quipped.

  Suddenly they heard someone call out, “Knock-knock.”

  “Sounds like Iris. Okay if she sees the bride before the wedding?” Savannah asked.

  “Yes. I’d love to see her. Come in,” she invited. When Iris stepped into the room, Colbi rushed to hug her, then stood back and said, “You look gorgeous!”

  “And so do you,” Iris said dabbing at one eye. She waved her hand in front of her face. “Oh, I don’t want to cry, I don’t want to cry.”

  “Give it up, Iris,” Savannah said, smiling. “You’ll never make it through the service dry-eyed. Do you have enough tissues in that tiny purse of yours?”

  Iris nodded. “That’s all I have in here.” Her voice cracked. “Well, except for lip liner, lipstick, mascara—you know—in case I need a touch-up.”

  Colbi and Savannah smiled at her.

  “It’s almost time,” Iris said. “Most of the guests are here. The setting is beautiful; Damon and Harrison did such a wonderful job out there.”

  “Yes, didn’t they?” Colbi agreed.

  When the bride started to choke up, Savannah said, “Oh no. Don’t you cry; you’ll smear your makeup.”

  “Who did your makeup?” Iris asked.

  “Savannah,” Colbi said, smiling.

  “It’s really nice. Love your hairdo, too. And that pinky-peachie color is great on you. Good job putting yourself together.” Iris looked into Colbi’s eyes. “But you always look lovely.”

  Just then, Colbi’s bedroom door opened and Harrison stuck his head in. “It’s time,” he said. He smiled at his sister. “Are you ready?”

  “I sure am. Let’s do this,” she quipped.

  “Oh, I’d better take my place,” Savannah said, picking up two bouquets. “Colbi, here are your flowers.” She pressed her cheek against Colbi’s and murmured, “I’m so happy for you.” Savannah then rushed down the stairs and out into the yard, taking her place next to Michael behind the rows of guests, who were seated in white chairs facing a rose arbor. She smiled when she saw Adam hanging out off to the side with Lily, who was sitting in a wagon full of rose petals. Margaret stood near them. “Oh, I hope she got pictures,” Savannah said.

  “I got some,” Michael assured her. “Time to go,” he said, when he heard the processional music begin. He offered her his arm and the two of them walked toward the rose arbor. Once they’d each taken their place, she smiled across at him and he winked at her.

  Then, Damon and his two brothers stepped in from the side and joined Michael. Brett stood next to Michael and motioned for Chris to stand next to him.

  Then all eyes were on the flower girl, as Adam—dressed in slacks, a dress shirt and tie—walked down the aisle, pulling Lily in the wagon. He reached into the wagon for a handful of petals and tossed them, showing Lily that he wanted her to do the same. Everyone laughed when she picked up a petal between her thumb and finger and dropped it outside the wagon, then leaned over the side to see where it had gone. Margaret, who followed behind, rushed to keep the baby from climbing out.

  When Adam encouraged Lily to scoop up more of the petals, she tossed a handful of them in the air, most of them landing in her hair. Savannah and Michael chuckled when they saw guests snapping pictures of the tiny flower girl decorated with rose petals.

  Next came Colbi on Harrison’s arm. She smiled when she saw friends, co-workers, and neighbors standing to watch her last walk as a single woman. When the couple drew closer to the front rows, she acknowledged her cousin, Roberta and her two daughters. She nodded at Leah and blew a kiss in baby Charlie’s direction. On the groom’s side, she smiled at Grandma Ellen and Audrey in the second row and Craig and Iris in the front row. She noticed that Iris was still dabbing at her eyes. Then Colbi looked forward and made eye contact with Damon, who stood next to the minister, smiling broadly. He held out his hand to her. As she took it, Harrison stepped back and sat down with his arm around Leah and little Charlie.

  ****

  “What a
beautiful wedding,” Roberta said to Colbi and Iris as everyone mingled and enjoyed the elegant array of food later that afternoon.

  “I think part of that was the glow,” Iris said.

  “Glow?” Roberta and Colbi repeated.

  “Yeah, I don’t remember ever seeing such a happy bride and groom,” she explained, dabbing at her eyes.

  “Hey, Mom,” Colbi said, “you’d better stop that, or you’ll need a complete makeover.”

  “That did it,” Iris said, her eyes filling with tears again

  “What?” Colbi asked, creasing her brow.

  “You called me…sniff…sniff…Mom.”

  “Hey, babe,” Damon said, approaching his new bride. “Grandma Ellen wants to talk to us.”

  “Oh yes, I want to thank her so much for being here,” she said as the two of them walked arm-in-arm to the table where Ellen and Audrey sat, a glass of punch and an empty plate in front of each of them. As the newlyweds approached, Helena moved in stealthily and scooped up the empty plates. “Thank you,” Colbi said, smiling at her. “Everything is just wonderful, Helena.” Colbi then hugged Ellen and Audrey and sat down across from them. Damon sat next to her and held tightly to her hand. “We’re so glad you could be here,” Colbi said. She glanced at her new husband. “It means a lot to both of us.”

  “Us, too,” Ellen said. “Audrey and I have been everywhere and we’ve done a lot of things worth talking about, but I’ve always felt there was something missing. I knew what it was—my son. My beautiful baby boy. We lost him when he was in his teens. Something happened.” She shook her head and dabbed at her eyes. “Burying him was rather anti-climatic, you know, because he’s been dead to us for over forty years.”

  She reached for Damon’s hand. “But to reconnect with you and to see what a wonderful young man you’ve become and to be a part of this beautiful day in your life—the day you took a bride—well, it has done a lot to heal an old and painful wound.”

  “Thank you,” Damon said. “I wish I remembered you from when I was a kid. My mother says you were a really good grandmother.”

  “I certainly enjoyed being your grandma. You were one smart little boy. And fun. You always made me laugh.” She looked sternly into his eyes. “You know how important laughter is, don’t you?”

  Damon nodded.

  “But when I got so ill and thought I was at death’s door, my focus changed. I didn’t want to visit my problems on you. It was a long recovery with a lot of setbacks, but when I felt well enough to resume our relationship, your mother—well, she discouraged me from seeing you.”

  Damon dropped his head. “Yeah, I was going through my own…uh…illness then and I guess she didn’t want you to see me that way.” He shook his head. “I’m glad she made that decision. It’s better this way.”

  “Yeah, we’re both healed,” Ellen said.

  Just then several of Damon’s and Colbi’s co-workers stepped up and hugged them both from behind. “Gotta go,” one of them said. “Just wanted to congratulate you both again. What a great couple you make.”

  A woman said, “See you at work when you get back from your honeymoon.”

  One of the men grinned and slapped Damon on the back. “Yeah, have fun.”

  Once the co-workers had walked away, Damon grimaced and squeezed Colbi’s hand. “Honeymoon,” he said. “Wish we could afford one.”

  Colbi shoulder-bumped him gently. “Hey, just being together is honeymoon enough for me. At least we get to take time off work and just bum around. It’ll be fun.”

  “But I wanted more for you,” he said.

  Suddenly Ellen leaned toward the newly married couple. “Kids, I have something I want to tell you and I’d better do it before we get interrupted again. She pulled an envelope from her purse. “You are going on a honeymoon. You’re leaving tomorrow evening for ten days in the Hawaiian Islands.”

  Colbi’s eyes widened and Damon sat back, a puzzled look on his face. “What?” he asked.

  Ellen nodded toward her daughter, who was smiling broadly. “Please accept our gift. It makes us happy to give it.”

  The couple looked from Ellen to Audrey, agape. “Oh my gosh, this is such a surprise,” Colbi said. “It’s so over-the-top generous.”

  “Yeah, what can we say?” Damon asked.

  “Say thank you,” Ellen said, smiling. “And then go have yourself a lovely honeymoon and a wonderful life.”

  At that, the couple stood, walked around the table, and hugged both Ellen and Audrey again. “Thank you so much,” Damon said.

  Colbi fought back emotion. “Yes, thank you.”

  Ellen took one of Damon’s hands in hers, then reached for Colbi’s. “Kids, that’s not all.”

  They looked at each other, obviously puzzled.

  “My husband left me—you might say—well-heeled. Audrey and I have lived well. You, my dear grandson, were born into this family, and you were cheated out of what is rightfully yours.”

  “What do you mean?” he asked.

  “Your father didn’t provide for you.” She clenched her jaw. “I hate what he became and I hate that he didn’t treasure the one thing in this world he ever produced that was good.” She looked into his eyes. “Damon, I aim to make up for his neglect in every way possible.”

  “Oh, now, that’s not necessary…” Damon started.

  “Well, maybe not, but it’s going to happen anyway, so just relax and enjoy it, will you?” she said, a sparkle in her eyes. She continued, “You are included in the will, of course; everything will be split between you and Audrey.” She ignored the look of shock on his face. “But you should also have what was rightfully yours while you were growing up, and what better time than right now? Here’s a check for $300,000 to help you start out on your journey as a married couple.”

  Stunned, Damon eased down onto the chair next to his grandmother and grinned at her. “You sure know how to knock a guy off his feet.” He looked at the check. “I don’t think you should feel like you owe this to me…” he started.

  “And that’s one reason why you’re getting it, young man,” Ellen said firmly. “Damon, I like who you have become. I’m pleased with the life decisions you’re making. You are part of our family and I want you to benefit as we have. I just hope that we can become close in the time I have left.”

  Damon wiped at his eyes, then hugged his grandmother again. He stood and edged toward Audrey with a hug for her. “Damon,” she said, “I agree completely with Mother.”

  “Thank you,” Damon said quietly. He stepped back and put his arm around Colbi, who couldn’t hold back her tears of joy. “We both thank you from the bottom of our heart.”

  Ellen nodded. “You make me very happy.” She turned to Audrey. “We’d better get back to the hotel. It’s time for my nap. I want to rest up for our trip home. I’m sure Daisy is missing us.”

  “Daisy?” Colbi questioned, still dabbing at her eyes.

  “Our cat. She loves our cat-sitter, but she can get a little cranky if we’re gone for too long.” She looked at Colbi as she stood. “You really must come over to the coast and meet Daisy. She loves having company.”

  “We would enjoy that…a lot,” Colbi said.

  “Definitely,” Damon agreed.

  “And bring your cute tabby twins. Our home is large enough to accommodate three cats even if they decide they don’t want to be cordial.”

  After ushering Ellen and Audrey to their car, the newlyweds returned to where the Iveys sat talking to Leah and Harrison. Colbi laughed when she saw Savannah holding Charlie in her arms. “I’m surprised my brother let you hold the baby. He’s been quite the baby-hog, you know.”

  “Well, I took him from Leah when he left to get some punch.” Savannah looked down at the baby. “He’s even more beautiful than the last time I saw him.”

  “Handsome,” Harrison corrected, smiling. He ran one finger over the baby’s cheek. “I sure have missed him and his mommy.”

  Leah
took Harrison’s arm and hugged against him. “It’s been hard being apart, that’s for sure. But we both have things to finish up before we can be together.” She looked at him. “Right?”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “So when will you be finished with culinary school?” Michael asked.

  “With the opportunity to work in the restaurant as part of my classes, just another few weeks.”

  “Will you come out then?” Savannah asked Leah

  “I’m thinking about it.” She sighed. “But my parents don’t want me to make the move until Harrison and I are ready to be married.” She crinkled her nose. “They’re old-fashioned, you know. And since I broke their heart once by disappearing like I did, I feel strongly that I should do things their way this time.”

  Savannah and Michael looked at Harrison, who said, “I have no problem whatsoever with that. I’ll fly out to the east coast and marry her in a heartbeat.” He offered Charlie his finger and smiled when the baby gripped it. “I mean marry them.”

  Leah smiled. “When the time is right.”

  “Now what does that mean?” he asked.

  “When we’ve known each other long enough to be sure,” she explained.

  Harrison scowled. “I’m sure.”

  “I’m sure, too,” she said. “But…”

  “But what?” he asked. “I just don’t understand why we can’t set a date in late April or May—even June.”

  Suddenly Savannah looked beyond the couple. “Oh, here comes Craig.”

  “Hi, stepfather of the bride,” she called.

  He walked up to them, grinning. “Yeah, how’d I do?”

  “How’d you do with what?”

  “In my role as stepfather of the bride?”

  Savannah patted his arm. “Oh, wonderful.” She turned to the others. “Didn’t he do a good job today?”

  “He sure did,” Michael said. “I saw him handing Iris tissues like crazy. Good job, old man,”

  After greeting Harrison and Leah and baby-talking little Charlie for a minute, he looked around then asked Savannah, “Where’s your little one?”