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Imogene Little let out a contented sigh as she reclined against the back of Kat’s couch. “This is much nicer than meeting outdoors.”
Next to her, Willow Wu tipped her glass in agreement. “You can’t beat ice-cold lemonade and cool air conditioning.”
“And cats,” Imogene added, petting Tom while he endeavored to cover the entire length of her lap with his body.
Matty, on the other hand, was perfectly content to observe this particular Furry Friends Foster Families board meeting from a distance. She had taken refuge on her cat tree as soon as Imogene and Willow had arrived. Now she was busy monitoring the bird activity taking place outside the window. Every few seconds her teeth would chatter in excitement.
Watching her reminded Kat of the last 4F board meeting. Had it really only been a week since that day in the park? So much had happened since then.
“How are Liam and Faith Hagen doing?” Kat asked Imogene from her seat on the sofa opposite her two guests. “Have you talked to Faith since the police arrested the O’Connors?”
“We spoke last night,” Imogene said. “Poor Faith feels terribly guilty for ever suspecting Savannah of stealing from her. I believe that’s what bothers her the most, that she thought the worst of Savannah when she was alive.”
“She can’t blame herself,” Willow said. “Given the information she had available at the time, I would have come to the same conclusion.”
Imogene nodded. “I told her that exact same thing. But it’s still sad how it took Savannah’s death to raise her esteem in Faith’s eyes.”
“At least she learned the truth in the end,” Kat said.
“Yes, although I’m sure that’s little comfort to Liam.” Imogene exhaled. “I don’t imagine he will ever be the same after this. At that age death seems so removed until it happens to one of your peers. And when it comes on the heels of a horrific act of violence . . . well, there’s no doubt in my mind Liam’s world has been turned upside down.”
Kat sagged against the couch, her heart weighing in her chest. She hoped Liam managed to develop some healthy coping mechanisms to deal with his grief. Numbing his pain with alcohol wasn’t a sustainable way to get through life.
Kat wondered if Junie planned to confess her interest in him now that Savannah was no longer in the picture. Of course, Junie might not be the best person for Liam at the moment. She had her own problems to deal with right now. With both of D Place’s owners behind bars, Junie was out of a job. Even more jarring, Junie had to realize how easy it would have been for her and Savannah’s roles to have been reversed. What if Junie had been the one to wander into the O’Connors’ office that Friday? Would she have recognized her friend Kyra’s jewelry in one of those envelopes? Junie had to have considered the possibility, as unsettling as it was.
With a contented grunt, Tom stretched out his front paws and hooked his chin over Imogene’s knee. He seemed blissfully oblivious to the thoughts currently plaguing his human.
“Well, look at that,” Imogene said. She was staring at her cell phone, which she must have pulled from her pocket at some point. Although how she had managed such a feat without disturbing Tom, Kat had no clue.
Willow slanted closer and tried to catch a glimpse of the screen. “What is it?”
“Ladies, we’ve just received our first donation for the 4F end-of-summer fundraiser. And it’s a doozy.” Imogene beamed. “Faith Hagen sent in an online contribution of four hundred dollars.”
“Wow,” Kat said. “That’s really nice of her.”
Imogene set her phone down on top of Tom. “Perhaps this is her way of thanking us for supporting her throughout this whole Savannah ordeal. Knowing Faith, she would want to repay us for clearing her name in Savannah’s murder.”
Willow leaned back and crossed her legs. “And don’t forget how Kat managed to get her stolen memorabilia returned. I’m sure she’s thankful for that, too.”
“It was a miracle the O’Connors hadn’t mailed off any of her things yet.” Imogene shook her head. “And to think I always thought they were hard-working business people.”
“You couldn’t have known what they were up to behind closed doors,” Kat said.
“No, I suppose not. People can be full of surprises.”
Kat thought about Faith Hagen’s charity. “Sometimes people can surprise you in good ways too.”
“Yes,” Imogene agreed. “We can’t discount people’s good sides.”
“Speaking of which,” Willow said, “what’s the final verdict on allowing Junie Tennant to adopt Griffin?”
“Except for her being unemployed—which I’m sure is merely a temporary situation—I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t approve her,” Imogene said. “Do you, Kat?”
“None at all,” Kat replied. “In fact, I think she would be a great pet parent to Griffin. And with any luck, Griffin and Crispy Cat will end up becoming wonderful friends.”
Imogene smiled at Kat as she reached for Willow’s hand. “Like us.”
“Like us,” Willow agreed.
Looking at her fellow board members, Kat thought her heart might burst. When she had first taken the 4F treasurer position, she had been nervous and uncertain of herself. She’d never imagined the role would lead her to these two amazing women, women who would become more like family than friends.
And maybe her treasurer skills weren’t all that bad either. After all, she knew Faith Hagen’s generous contribution would go a long way toward helping the homeless animals of Cherry Hills. And, with any luck, Faith’s donation would only be the first of many to show up in the coming days.
Kat pictured the O’Connors behind bars, marveling over how for every bad person in the world there seemed to be a good one to balance things out. She might even venture to say there were more good people in this world than bad. After all, two of the best were sitting in her living room right now.
And sometimes, two was all it took to change someone’s life for the better.
