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The next morning, Lauren woke thirty minutes early.
“Brrt?” Annie asked, yawning next to her on the bed.
“We have to greet the priest helping out Father Mike this week,” Lauren told her.
“Brrt!” Annie jumped down and trotted through the open bedroom door.
They’d left Mrs. Snuggle sleeping on the sofa last night, with her favorite blanket around her, courtesy of Father Mike, and with food and water bowls nearby – as well as a litter tray.
“Morning,” Zoe said cheerily when Lauren stumbled into the kitchen. She slathered butter on whole-wheat toast.
“You’re up already?” Lauren stared at her. Sometimes her cousin overslept and dashed around at the last minute.
“I was worried about our guest,” Zoe admitted. “I woke up a couple of times to check on her, but she was sleeping – or pretending to. So I thought I might as well get up early.”
Lauren gave Annie one of her favorite meals – chicken in gravy – and then poured herself a bowl of granola, splashing some milk onto it.
“How is Mrs. Snuggle?”
“Still sleeping.”
“I’d better check on her.” Lauren crunched a mouthful of granola while she headed into the living room.
Mrs. Snuggle lifted her head reluctantly. The food Lauren had put out for her the night before had gone. That was a relief.
“How are you?” Lauren asked softly.
The Persian stared at her for a minute, then let out a sad little sigh. She looked at Lauren with big eyes.
“Father Mike will be back soon. I promise.”
Mrs. Snuggle looked like she didn’t believe her.
“Zoe and I will be in the café today, but Annie can stay here with you. If you want her to.”
Mrs. Snuggle looked undecided.
“Annie could stay part of the day with you, and then you could have the house to yourself for a while,” Lauren suggested. She thought the feline looked marginally happier. “I’ll bring you some breakfast.”
She went back to the kitchen and opened one of the cans Father Mike had provided.
“Brrt?” Annie asked.
“Want to stay with Mrs. Snuggle this morning? And then help out in the café this afternoon?” Lauren proposed.
“Brrt!” Yes!
Lauren gave the Persian her food, then had a quick shower.
“We’d better get going or we’ll be late.” Zoe stood at the back door, ready to leave.
“I’m coming.” Lauren grabbed the car keys and blew Annie a kiss. “We’ll be at the café soon if you need us,” she called out to her fur baby. Since there was a private hallway with a cat flap connecting the two dwellings, Annie would be able to reach them when she needed to.
They drove to the church – from the Victorian era, it had a steeple on one side, stained glass windows, and was painted cream.
“I can’t see him.” Zoe glanced around.
There were a few cars parked outside the church hall.
“Maybe he’s in there?” Lauren suggested.
“Not unless he enjoys scrapbooking.” Zoe pointed to the small sign. “Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons.”
A modest blue car drew up. Zoe nudged her when a tall, good-looking man got out. Dressed in dark trousers and a navy sweater with a white diamond pattern, he looked boyishly preppy – and appealing. His neat dark blonde hair set off his green eyes.
“Lauren and Zoe?” He smiled, his even white teeth completing his attractive look.
“Yes,” Lauren replied. “Gavin?”
“Hi.” He shook both their hands as they introduced themselves. “Father Mike told me you’d let me in to the parsonage and show me around.”
“I’ll get the spare key.” Zoe hurried ahead.
“It’s good of you to help out Father Mike,” Gavin told her as they approached the front door of the parsonage, a white clapboard house next to the church. Zoe was already there, brandishing the key.
“It’s the least we can do,” Lauren replied.
“And you’re looking after his cat?”
“That’s right,” Zoe piped up.
“I volunteered to look after her, but Father Mike said he didn’t want to trouble me.”
“Mrs. Snuggle has a delicate psyche,” Zoe informed him in all seriousness. “She knows us, and Lauren’s cat Annie can keep her company.”
“It seems Father Mike has thought of everything.” Gavin nodded.
Lauren glanced at him from the corner of her eye, but he seemed sincere in his praise.
“Here we are.” Zoe unlocked the door and ushered them all in.
“The food baskets should be in the kitchen.” Lauren led the way.
“Yeah, Father Mike said he left a list for you.” Zoe snatched up a white sheet of paper. “Here it is.” She handed it to him.
Lauren studied the priest while he scanned the list. He seemed totally absorbed in the task.
“Where is Fitzgerald Lane?” he asked. “I haven’t heard of that before.”
“Oh, it’s just around the corner from here,” Zoe replied. “You just have to take a few zig zags.” She took the list from him and drew a little map on the back. “You can’t miss it.”
“Thanks.” He glanced at her drawing and nodded.
“How long have you been a priest?” Zoe asked.
“Not long. Zeke’s Ridge is my first posting. Everyone has been so welcoming.” He looked at the four food baskets, full of canned goods. “Is that it?”
“Yes,” Lauren replied.
“Surely there’s more I can do to help. Everybody speaks so highly of Father Mike.”
“He did mention visiting members of the congregation if they request it,” Lauren said.
“Of course.” He nodded.
“What about scrapbooking?” Zoe’s voice hinted at mischief. “You could say hello to the ladies next door.”
“There might be guys as well,” Lauren spoke.
“The more the merrier.” Gavin picked up the baskets as if they weighed nothing. They followed him out of the house. “I’ll just put these in the car.”
Lauren glanced at her practical white wristwatch. At this rate, they’d be late opening the café, and she hadn’t even baked cupcakes yet! Thank goodness Ed, her pastry chef, who made the most mouthwatering Danishes, was working today.
Gavin closed the car door and rejoined them. “I know you two are busy, so if you’d just introduce me to the scrapbooking group, I’d appreciate it.”
“No worries,” Zoe told him.
They walked up to the church hall, Gavin pushing open the door.
“Well, hello!” Martha grinned at him, and then at Lauren and Zoe. “Who are you, handsome?”
“Martha!” Lauren couldn’t contain her surprise. “What are you doing here?”
“Scrapbooking.” The curly gray-haired senior pointed to a pile of brightly colored cardstock in front of her. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have a café to run?”
“This is Gavin, the priest from Zeke’s Ridge,” Zoe introduced him. “He’s filling in for Father Mike while he’s away.”
“Maybe I should be a priest so I can go to Miami,” a lady with short white hair joked. “I’m Doris, by the way.”
“I’m Lauren, and this is my cousin Zoe.”
“We run the Norwegian Forest Cat café,” Zoe added.
“Oh yes, I’ve heard about you.” A tall, angular lady who looked a little older than Doris spoke. She pursed her lips. “I didn’t think cats were allowed in food businesses.”
“It’s a certified cat café,” Lauren replied pleasantly. “Annie is allowed in the café section.”
“Don’t be such a stick in the mud, Virginia,” Martha chided. She turned to Lauren and Zoe. “How is my cutie pie?”
They quickly filled her in on cat sitting Mrs. Snuggle.
“I’d say Annie will have her hands full – or should that be paws?” Martha chortled.
The sound of a door slamming echoed faintly.
“I have to get to school.” A girl around twenty-five joined them from a back room. Her brown hair was styled in a neat, angled bob, and she wore dark slacks and a brown coat. She started. “Excuse me. I didn’t realize someone had come in.”
“Gavin is filling in for Father Mike this week, Janice,” Doris told her.
“Hi.” Gavin held out his hand. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you while you’re here.”
“I don’t really go to church,” Janice murmured. She checked her watch. “I’ve got to go, Grandma.”
“Of course.” Doris nodded. “Thank you for helping us bring in all these supplies.”
“I told you we brought far too much.” Virginia tutted. “No one is going to use all these.” She sifted her fingers through some paper embellishments.
“You never know,” Doris replied pleasantly.
Janice hurried out of the building. Lauren detected a faint hint of cigarette smoke when Janice brushed past her.
“Please excuse my great-niece,” Virginia apologized to the priest. “Young people these days.” She shook her head.
“You know she has a class to teach at nine-thirty,” Doris said mildly. “She’s an elementary school teacher.” She turned to Lauren and Zoe.
“That could be a fun job,” Zoe commented.
“Some days,” Doris replied. “But other days she’s buried in paperwork, even teaching children.”
“I can imagine,” Lauren sympathized. She disliked doing the café bookkeeping.
“Would you like a cup of coffee, Gavin?” Doris asked. “It’s just percolated.”
“I’d love one,” Gavin replied. When Doris rose, he added, “No, no, let me get it. Can I get another cup for anyone?” He eyed their mugs on the table.
“I wouldn’t mind.” Martha thrust out her white cup. “It’s not as good as yours, Lauren, but I need some caffeine today. I didn’t sleep well last night.”
“Maybe one of our hot chocolates will fix you up,” Zoe replied.
“With plenty of marshmallows.” Martha winked at them.
“It was nice meeting you, Gavin, but I’m afraid we have to get going.” Lauren glanced at her watch again. It was almost nine-thirty.
Zoe glanced at Lauren’s timepiece. “Why didn’t you say?” she tsked. “We’ve got to skedaddle, everyone.”
“I’ll deliver those food baskets this morning,” Gavin promised as they waved goodbye.
“Thank you.” Lauren smiled at him. “I know Father Mike will appreciate it.”
***
“SORRY, ED,” LAUREN called out as they rushed into the commercial kitchen.
Ed lifted his auburn head. His monster rolling pins for arms paused in the shaping of cherry pinwheels.
“No problem.” He smiled briefly. “I’ve already finished the apricot Danishes, and honeyed walnuts.”
“Awesome!” Zoe’s eyes lit up. “Especially since we don’t have any cupcakes ready.”
“I don’t know what happened to the time this morning.” Lauren frowned. “I got up early because Mrs. Snuggle is staying with us and—”
Zoe took over, informing Ed about the morning’s events. He nodded in understanding.
“I’d better unstack the chairs,” Zoe said.
“I’ll help you.” Lauren followed her through the swinging kitchen doors to the café space.
The interior walls were pale yellow, and the furniture consisted of pine tables and chairs. A string-art picture of a cupcake with lots of pink frosting decorated one of the walls – evidence of one of Zoe’s former hobbies.
After a few minutes of clunking and scraping on the wooden floorboards, they declared the café ready.
“I haven’t turned on the espresso machine.” Lauren quickly did so while Zoe unbolted the oak and glass entrance door.
“Pooh. No customers after all that rushing around.” Zoe sounded disappointed.
“I’m sure they’ll be along soon. Can you look after things here while I bake some cupcakes?”
“You know I will.” Zoe grinned. “I’ll make myself a mocha while things are quiet. Want one?”
“Maybe later.” Lauren smiled, then hurried into the kitchen.
“I’m going to make lemon meringue cupcakes,” she informed Ed. “I’ll save you one.”
“Thanks.” He lifted his head briefly. “Hey, I was thinking, would Mrs. Snuggle be interested in playing with AJ? I can bring her over this afternoon.”
“That’s an idea,” Lauren replied cautiously.
Annie had found AJ in the backyard as a tiny, abandoned, Maine Coon kitten. She was now a fully grown brown tabby, with a darker brown M on her forehead. Ed and AJ had bonded instantly, turning him into a proud cat papa.
“Let me check with Annie and Mrs. Snuggle. Annie was thinking of coming into the café this afternoon.”
“Gotcha.” He nodded.
“How are things with Rebecca?” Lauren asked, trying not to be nosy. Rebecca was a volunteer at the animal shelter with Ed, and they’d seemed to hit it off. A few months ago, Ed had thought about asking Rebecca out, but Lauren didn’t know if he had. He was a pretty private person.
“Good.” He hesitated. “We’ve been out a couple of times.”
“How’s her kitten Oliver?”
“He’s great.” Ed smiled. “He’s a cute little thing. AJ’s had a couple of play dates with him and they’ve gotten on okay.”
“That’s good.” Lauren returned to spooning batter into the pans. She wondered if one day the four of them would become a family, then told herself to stop speculating.
Maybe it was because she currently had romance on the brain. She loved Mitch, and knew he loved her. But she didn’t want to become a naggy, nosy girlfriend. Although she yearned to know what he’d been doing at the jewelry store in Sacramento last year, she didn’t want to pry. Whatever it was, she knew she could trust him with her heart – and her life.
Mitch had spoken about marriage with her previously, but in general terms – nothing specific. She just hoped that he would eventually share his innermost thoughts with her.
Time to concentrate on baking. Lauren slid the lemon cupcakes into the oven.
“Lauren!” Zoe called from the café.
“I’ll keep an eye on the cakes,” Ed promised.
“Thanks.”
Lauren rushed out to the café. A line of customers waited for Zoe to take their orders at the counter.
“Where’s Annie?” she heard a matronly lady grumble. “I like seeing her.”
“I’m sorry,” Lauren replied to everyone. “Annie is keeping Mrs. Snuggle company at the moment.”
“Oh yes, that’s right.” Another woman nodded. “Father Mike has gone away for the week.”
The murmurings subsided, everyone looking cheerier when they gave Zoe their orders. Lauren started making their cappuccinos and lattes right away.
“There’ll be lemon meringue cupcakes later today,” Lauren told them, feeling guilty they weren’t already temptingly arrayed in the glass case, waiting to be snapped up.
“Oh, I might come again this afternoon,” the matronly lady commented. “Meanwhile, I’ll have one of Ed’s honeyed walnuts.”
“Phew,” Zoe whispered once everyone had found a table and had gotten their orders. “I thought they were going to start rioting when they discovered there weren’t any cupcakes – or Annie.”
“I should have gotten up earlier and baked them first thing this morning,” Lauren muttered.
“You can’t be a perfect baker all the time.” Zoe touched her arm. “You always do an amazing job.”
“Thanks.” Her cousin’s support warmed her. “So do you.” Zoe was her biggest cheerleader. She hoped she was Zoe’s.
The rest of the morning ran smoothly, and Lauren managed to complete the lemon meringues.
Lauren smiled when two of their favorite customers and friends, tall, athletic Claire, and her daughter Molly, came in.
“Where Annie?” Molly pouted when the silver-gray tabby didn’t scamper up to her.
The blonde toddler held onto her mother’s hand, swinging her head around this way and that, as if she would spy Annie any second.
“Is Annie okay?” Claire asked.
“She’s fine.” Lauren explained about Mrs. Snuggle.
“Ooh, two kitties!” Molly’s blue eyes rounded. “Molly play with them?”
“I don’t think Mrs. Snuggle is up to visitors,” Lauren told her gently.
“Yeah, she’s sad that Father Mike has gone to Florida this week. For work,” Zoe told her. “I think he’s missing Mrs. Snuggle just as much as she’s missing him.”
“Why did he go?” Molly frowned.
“I’m sure he had to go just like Daddy has to go to work every day,” Claire told her.
Molly thought about that for a few seconds, her brow furrowing, then clearing. “Daddy comes home.” She beamed. “Cino?” she asked hopefully a second later.
“Of course.” Claire smiled.
“How’s your Kitty going?” Lauren asked. “Do you have any new photos for us?”
“Yeah!”
Recently, the café had hosted a cat adoption day. Molly had fallen in love with a gray and white kitten who looked a little similar to Annie. It had been a perfect match, and she’d decided to name her new fur baby Kitty.
Claire showed them recent photos of Kitty and Molly curled up together, playing together, and watching TV together.
“Love her,” Molly sighed happily. “Love Annie too.”
“I know you do.” Lauren’s heart melted at Molly’s earnestness.
“Why don’t I show you to a table today, instead of Annie?” Zoe winked at Molly.
“Yeah!” Molly trotted after Zoe.
“Thank you,” Claire murmured to Lauren. “You and Zoe are so good with Molly.”
“She’s a joy,” Lauren replied, wondering if one day she and Mitch would have a little girl. Then told herself not to go there.
Claire ordered her usual large latte and a lemon meringue.
“Ooh!” Molly’s eyes widened as Lauren brought over her new creation. “Molly have?” She turned to her mother.
“A little.” Claire smiled.
“Already anticipated it.” Zoe was right behind Lauren, carrying an extra plate and teaspoon. She placed them in front of Molly.
“And here’s your babycino.” Lauren put the espresso cup in front of the toddler, full of milk froth, mini pink and white marshmallows, and sprinkled with chocolate powder.
“Cino!” Molly’s eyes lit up, then she switched her gaze to the small piece of lemon meringue cupcake her mother had served her. “Merwang!” She spooned the fluffy white yumminess into her mouth, managing to smear some on her top lip.
“We brought some extra napkins.” Lauren handed them to Claire, along with her latte with a swan design. The advanced latte art course they’d taken a while ago had really paid off.
“It looks too good to eat.” Claire gazed at the cupcake. The base was a lemon cake crumb that melted in the mouth, topped with a generous layer of tangy lemon curd, with a high, billowy meringue top.
“Molly have more?” The little girl stared longingly at her mother’s piece.
Claire gave a start as she noticed her daughter’s empty plate. “You’ve eaten yours already?”
“Yum!” Molly smacked her lips, spreading traces of sticky white meringue all over them.
“Drink your cino first,” Claire urged her. She forked up a mouthful, and closed her eyes. A wide smile spread across her face. “This is amazing.”
“Thanks.” Lauren appreciated the compliment, especially after the unusual start to the morning.
“You did save us some, didn’t you?” Zoe whispered in her ear.
Lauren nodded, glad that she did. It looked like she’d be baking a lot more of them tomorrow.
Lauren and Zoe chatted with the duo for a couple of minutes, then returned to the counter to serve new customers who had just walked in.
“Hello, girls.” An hour later, Mrs. Finch tapped her way into the café with her walking stick.
“Hi, Mrs. Finch!” Zoe grinned.
The senior ordered a latte and a lemon meringue.
“I can’t wait to try it.” She beamed at them, then slowly made her way to a small table near the counter.
Lauren and Zoe brought her order over to her, giving her a progress update on Mrs. Snuggle, and filled her in about meeting the supply priest, Gavin.
“I heard there was a scrapbooking group that Virginia was involved in.” Her hand wobbled as she picked up her latte boasting a peacock design. “But I thought it might be too fiddly for me, with all that cutting out and gluing or whatever you do.”
“Maybe Martha can tell you all about it,” Zoe suggested. “She was there today.”
“I’ll look forward to it.” Mrs. Finch smiled.
“Oh, there’s Ms. Tobin.” Lauren nudged her cousin.
Zoe’s eyes lit up. “Maybe she could sit with Mrs. Finch and keep her company.”
Lauren noticed their elderly friend seemed a little wistful, and put it down to missing Annie. She knew Mrs. Finch always enjoyed her “chats” with the Norwegian Forest Cat.
“Good idea. We’ll see what Ms. Tobin thinks.”
Tall, slim, and fifty-something, Ms. Tobin used to be their prickliest customer until Lauren and Zoe had saved her from an internet scammer. Now she had mellowed, and was one of their most loyal patrons.
“Hello, girls,” Ms. Tobin greeted them. Today she wore a fawn sweater with a warm, matching skirt. “Where’s Annie?” She glanced around the café.
They explained about Annie’s cat sitting duties.
“Oh, poor Mrs. Snuggle.” Ms. Tobin shook her head in sympathy. “I do hope she will be all right.”
“How’s your kitten, Miranda?” Lauren asked.
“She is just the dearest little girl.” Ms. Tobin’s face lit up. “So sweet, and so good. Please let Annie know how happy I am with her.”
“I will,” Lauren promised. Annie had matched the two of them up at the recent adoption day, and her instincts had been correct.
They took her order of a large latte and lemon meringue.
“These new cupcakes do look delicious,” she praised, gazing at them through the glass case.
“Thank you,” Lauren replied. Although Ms. Tobin had mellowed, she still wasn’t known for handing out unnecessary compliments.
“How did your visit with your childhood friend Miranda go?” Zoe asked, while Lauren began steaming the milk.
“We had such a good time catching up.” Ms. Tobin smiled in remembrance. She’d named her kitten in honor of her childhood friend, and had tracked her down, since they hadn’t seen each other since they were seven years old, when Miranda’s family moved to Cincinnati.
“It was lovely having a visitor to stay for a few days. And now we call each other every week with our news. We’ve vowed not to fall out of touch again.”
“That’s wonderful.” Lauren was glad for her. She wasn’t sure if Ms. Tobin had many close friends.
Ms. Tobin was amenable to sharing a table with Mrs. Finch. Their friend’s face lit up when they asked her if she’d like to chat with the other lady. Lauren and Zoe left the two of them discussing Father Mike’s work conference in Miami.
“Let’s hope the rest of the day goes smoothly,” Lauren murmured to her cousin.
“I miss Annie, and it’s only been a few hours.” Zoe shook her head, her brunette pixie bangs swaying slightly.
“I know. I just hope everything is okay at home.”
***
“BRRT?” ANNIE RAN TO greet Lauren when she entered the cottage kitchen during her lunch break. She’d left Zoe in charge while there was a lull.
“How’s Mrs. Snuggle?” she asked her fur baby.
“Brrp,” Annie replied, trotting toward the living room, then looking back over her shoulder, as if to check that Lauren was following.
“I’m coming.” Lauren stopped in the doorway.
Mrs. Snuggle reposed on the pink sofa, looking as if she hadn’t moved at all since breakfast. Her gaze flickered toward the TV, showing a castle.
“How are you, Mrs. Snuggle?” she asked softly.
“Meow.” The Persian still sounded grumpy.
“Want some lunch?” Lauren took away the empty food bowl, washed it, and spooned in some canned liver and chicken from the stash Father Mike had given her.
“How about this?” She entered the living room again and placed it near the sofa.
“Brrp?” Annie asked her, after glancing at the enticing lunch.
“I’ll give you yours in the kitchen, like usual.”
“Brrt!” Annie scampered after her.
“All the customers missed you this morning,” Lauren told her, spooning chicken in gravy, one of Annie’s favorites, into her lilac bowl. “But they understood you were looking after Mrs. Snuggle.”
“Brrp.” Annie sniffed her food, her little pink tongue darting out to taste-test it, then started eating.
While Annie enjoyed her meal, Lauren heated some soup left over from last night. She was glad Zoe bought it on her grocery run yesterday – it was delicious.
“Want to come to the café this afternoon?” Lauren sat at the old pine table. Annie jumped onto the chair next to her and bunted her arm.
“Brrt!” Yes!
“We’ll leave the TV on for Mrs. Snuggle.”
“Brrp.” Good idea.
After her quick lunch, she said goodbye to Mrs. Snuggle. The fluffy white cat had eaten while Lauren and Annie were in the kitchen.
“I’m glad your appetite’s not affected,” Lauren said softly. “Annie is going to help me in the café this afternoon, so you’ll have the house to yourself.”
Mrs. Snuggle’s ear flickered, while she pretended not to take any notice of Lauren.
“When we finish at the café, we’ll give you dinner.”
“Brrp,” Annie spoke to her. See you in a few hours.
Mrs. Snuggle gave a little grunt, and returned her gaze to the television, and a show about nature.
Annie scampered down the private hallway to the café, her plumy tail waving in the air.
The customers turned in their chairs, smiles on their faces when they realized Annie had joined them.
“I’m starving! How’s Mrs. Snuggle?” Zoe asked.
Lauren filled her in.
“Maybe I’ll just grab a panini and sit outside in the back garden, so I don’t disturb her.”
“It won’t be too cold?” Lauren asked.
“I’m sure I’ll be okay. It’s not like it’s snowing or anything, and there’s a bit of sun.”
Zoe dragged a chair through the commercial kitchen in one hand, and carried a brown bag in the other.
Two customers came in and stood at the Please Wait to be Seated sign. Annie trotted to greet them, and led them to a table.
Lauren and Zoe spent a pleasant afternoon serving customers. The lemon meringues sold out, as did Ed’s Danishes.
“Can’t wait until I have my cupcake for dessert tonight,” Zoe whispered to her an hour before they were due to close.
“Me too,” Lauren answered. Her mouth watered at the thought. “But first, AJ is coming over to play with Mrs. Snuggle. Oops, I forgot to check if Annie thinks it’s a good idea.”
She headed over to the pink basket where Annie took her breaks, and bent down to her. The silver-gray tabby was curled up, but her green eyes were alert, as if on the lookout for any new customers. Lauren told her about Ed’s play date suggestion.
“Brrp,” Annie said agreeably.
“Okay, I’ll let Ed know.” Lauren stroked her fur baby, then straightened up.
Ed was doing the dishes in the kitchen. He started early and finished early.
“How about I bring AJ over around six?” he suggested. “She could stay for half an hour, and we can see how it goes.”
“That would be great. I don’t know if Mrs. Snuggle’s had any play dates since Father Mike adopted her.” But based on her cattitude, Lauren suspected she hadn’t.
When five o’clock came around, Zoe quickly stacked the pine chairs on top of the tables. Their last customer had departed a few minutes ago.
“I hope Annie enjoys playing with AJ and Mrs. Snuggle,” Zoe enthused. “I know I’ll have fun watching them.”
“Me too,” Lauren replied. “If it goes well.”
On the dot of six, Ed rang the front door bell.
“I didn’t know whether I should come around the back or the front,” he greeted them.
“Either is fine,” Lauren replied, then she greeted AJ in the carrier. “Are you ready to play with Annie and Mrs. Snuggle?”
“Mew!” AJ pawed at the wire bars of the cage.
“I don’t know if Mrs. Snuggle will be in a playful mood,” she warned both of them as they followed her into the living room.
Mrs. Snuggle still reposed on the pink sofa. Annie sat next to her, taking her cat-sitting duties seriously. She jumped off the couch to greet her friend.
AJ hopped out of the carrier.
Jingle.
The two of them chased an orange ball around the room.
“Maybe Mrs. Snuggle would like to join you,” Lauren suggested.
Ed stood near the sofa, looking amused.
“Would you like something to drink?” Zoe asked him. “We’ve got juice, milk, soda, water, or coffee, of course.”
“No, I’m fine.” He smiled briefly. “But thanks.”
Annie held the ball in her mouth. She jumped onto the sofa and dropped it in front of Mrs. Snuggle.
“Brrt?” Want to play?
Mrs. Snuggle looked at the ball as if she didn’t know what it was. She pushed it tentatively with her paw.
Jingle.
She pushed it again. The orange ball rolled off the sofa and landed on the carpet.
Jingle.
Annie jumped after it, but Mrs. Snuggle stayed on the sofa, watching the two felines with alert blue eyes.
“Maybe Mrs. Snuggle is more of an observer than a joiner,” Zoe mused.
“You could be right. Father Mike said sometimes she plays with toys at home, but when he catches her enjoying herself, she pretends it hadn’t happened.”
“I guess it will take her some time to adjust to living a normal cat life.” Ed spoke.
The rest of the play date was a success for Annie and AJ, but Lauren wasn’t sure about Mrs. Snuggle. After her brief experiment with pushing the ball, she remained on the sofa, seemingly content to gaze at the other two. At least she was taking part in watching them, and not pretending the whole situation didn’t exist.
At times, AJ meowed at her, as if asking why she didn’t want to join in, but Mrs. Snuggle didn’t answer, just continued to observe.
After thirty minutes, Ed rounded up AJ. “We should get going.”
“Are you volunteering at the shelter tonight?” Lauren asked.
“No. But tomorrow Rebecca and I will both be on duty.”
“Does she take her kitten Oliver with her, like you do with AJ?” Zoe wanted to know.
“Nope.” He shook his head. “She said she doesn’t want to confuse him, since he was brought in there as a stray.”
“That makes sense.” Zoe nodded.
They said goodbye to Ed and AJ.
“Phew!” Zoe flopped onto the pink sofa next to Mrs. Snuggle, who looked at her askance. “Now I’m ready for my lemon meringue cupcake.”
“You’re having dessert first?”
“Why not? It’s been that sort of day.”
“True.”
Lauren grabbed plates in the kitchen and carefully unboxed the treats.
Zoe joined her, and they dug into the delectable baked goodness. Lauren felt slightly guilty at eating the best part of dinner first, but not guilty enough to stop.
After dinner, Mitch called. Lauren settled into the older couch, now covered with a pink slip cover to match the new sofa, not wanting to disturb the two cats, who sat side by side.
She updated Mitch about Mrs. Snuggle, and he filled her in on a case he’d been given, involving counterfeit money. He promised to stop by the café tomorrow if he had time, and invited her out to dinner the following night.
Afterwards, the four of them watched a crime drama that Zoe had picked. Lauren didn’t think Mrs. Snuggle enjoyed it, because she curled up in a ball on the sofa, and ignored all of them – and the TV.
“Sorry, Mrs. Snuggle,” Zoe sounded apologetic when the show finished. “You can choose tomorrow night.”
“I’m having dinner with Mitch,” Lauren reminded her.
“Oh.” Zoe looked panicked for a second.
“Annie will help you look after Mrs. Snuggle.”
“I know.”
“Brrp.” Annie nudged Zoe’s arm.
“Maybe I should leave Annie in charge tomorrow night.”
“I think that’s a great idea.” Zoe nodded.