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“Look at all these cats!” Zoe Crenshaw glanced around the town hall.
Felines of every color and description sat in cages. Some looked curiously as spectators walked past, oohing and ahhing at the beautiful creatures, while others dozed, not paying any attention at all to the admiring onlookers.
“I know,” her cousin Lauren Crenshaw agreed. She and Zoe ran the local cat café, with her Norwegian Forest Cat, Annie, seating each customer who came in. But on this Saturday, they had closed the café, because Annie, a silver-gray tabby, was taking part in this local cat show.
“Brrt,” Annie agreed with both of them. She sat in her cage, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“It won’t be long now before the judging for your class starts,” Lauren reassured her.
“Brrt.” Good.
“Look, there’s AJ.” Zoe pointed to Annie’s friend, who sat in her cage in the next row. The brown Maine Coon tabby seemed to enjoy the attention of the passersby.
“And there’s Ed,” Lauren added. The big, burly man with monster rolling pins for arms, was their pastry chef and created the most tender, flakiest Danishes anyone had ever tasted. Lauren considered herself to be a good cupcake baker, but she knew she wasn’t in Ed’s league when it came to pastry.
She waved to him, and he waved back.
“Brrt!” Annie called out to her friend, imitating Lauren and raising a paw in greeting.
“Meow!” AJ returned the hello, waving her own paw.
“I think Father Mike’s idea of a cat show to raise money to beautify the local park was a great idea.” Zoe grinned.
“I didn’t think there would be so many competitors, though,” Lauren confessed.
She hoped all the commotion wouldn’t be too much for Annie. This was her first show, and at first Lauren had been reluctant to enter her, but Zoe – and Annie – had persuaded her.
“But I bet Annie will win,” Zoe told her. “She’s so beautiful. Inside and out.”
Annie was four and a half years old. The Norwegian Forest Cat was a large breed, and Annie’s long, furry coat and plumy tail shimmered with health, and the care Lauren had taken to brush her that morning.
The customers at the café loved interacting with her, and their regulars enjoyed their chat with Annie as she sat at the table with them.
“I know,” Lauren replied softly, her heart full of love as she glanced at the feline. Annie seemed to sense her mood, because she gazed back at Lauren, such a sweet, loving look that melted Lauren’s heart even more.
“Let me know if this all gets too much for you, Annie,” Lauren whispered to her. “And we’ll go home.”
“Brrp,” Annie replied, giving a little nod.
“How’s Annie?” Father Mike, the local Episcopalian priest, came up to them.
“Brrt,” Annie told him.
“I think she’s fine,” Lauren told him. “How are you?”
“This is all more involved than I thought it would be,” he admitted, running a hand over his balding head. “But I can’t complain about the turn out.” He looked around at the spectators of all ages and sizes. “And I can’t believe we have so many show cats here. I thought it would just be the locals entering their cats for fun.”
“I know,” Lauren agreed.
“But don’t worry, we have two professional judges,” Father Mike continued. “We were lucky to get them.”
“How did you get them?” Zoe asked, her brown eyes quizzical.
“Once word got around the congregation, someone told me their cousin was a judge and they’d ask her if she could volunteer for this show. Before I knew it, I had a male judge contacting me and asking if he could take part as well.”
“Where are they?” Zoe looked around the hall.
“Over there.” Father Mike gestured to the far side of the room, where a blonde woman in her thirties spoke to one of the church volunteers. She sported a sleek bob and was stylishly dressed. “That’s Dana. And Robert, the other judge, is speaking to a man over there.”
Robert had big, pouchy bags under his eyes, as if he hadn’t had enough sleep, but was dressed soberly in dun slacks and matching jacket. Lauren guessed he was in his late forties.
“Did you know AJ is competing in the cutest household cat division?” Lauren remarked.
“Yes. I saw the entry form.” Father Mike smiled. “It’s a shame she doesn’t have a pedigree, otherwise she could compete in the long-haired class, like Annie.”
“I know.” Zoe nodded. “But I don’t think AJ will mind, do you? She seems to enjoy the attention she’s getting.”
Lauren glanced over at AJ – and Ed. Annie had found AJ as a stray kitten in their rear garden, and had brought her into the café. Ed had taken one look at the little mite and had instantly fallen in love. Today, he guarded AJ’s cage like the proud cat dad he was. AJ was eighteen months old now, and her fawn fur was striped dark brown. In the middle of her forehead was more dark brown fur in the shape of an M.
“Hi.” A dark-haired man in his fifties wearing a red checked shirt gently placed a cage on the bench next to Annie. “Is this the long-haired premier section?”
“Yes.” Lauren smiled at him.
“I’m Zoe, and this is Lauren.” Zoe introduced them. “And this is Father Mike, who organized the show.”
“With a lot of help from the congregation,” the priest said modestly.
“Jerry.” The newcomer shook hands with them. “And this is Toby.” He drew back the gold drapes shielding the wire cage. A large cat with an apricot colored coat dashed with white peeked out at them. His green eyes looked friendly.
“Ohh, he’s beautiful.” Lauren drew in her breath at the sight of the magnificent cat.
“Brrt?” Annie tilted her head as if to peer at the feline next to her.
“Not as beautiful as you, Annie,” Lauren said hastily in a whisper. She didn’t want to hurt Jerry’s – or Toby’s – feelings. Annie would always be the most beautiful cat to her.
“He’s a Siberian Forest Cat,” Jerry said proudly. “He does pretty well at the shows as well. And we’ll be competing at another one in Sacramento next weekend. But that’s not why we do it, is it, boy?” He looked fondly at the cat. “He enjoys the attention.”
“He looks similar to Annie in build, yet a little different. And bigger,” Zoe said thoughtfully as she gazed from Toby to Annie and back again.
“Yeah, Siberian Forests do have some similar characteristics to the Norwegians. For instance, they’re both big cats with long fur, and they have rounded tips on their ears, and big paws. And in the past, both breeds were used as mousers.”
Toby gazed at them, as if realizing they were talking about him – and it was all positive.
“Good luck, Toby,” Father Mike said. “And of course, you too, Annie.”
Someone caught Father Mike’s attention from across the room.
“Oh, dear. It looks like the refreshment table is in need of help.” He said goodbye and hurried over to the woman waving at him.
“How long have you been entering cat shows?” Lauren asked curiously as Jerry gently stroked Toby.
“For the last few years,” Jerry replied. “I retired early and didn’t know what to do with myself, until I saw a cat show on TV. Toby was watching it too, weren’t you, boy?” Toby’s gold eyes gleamed with intelligence as he gave a quiet, chirrupy meow.
“And I thought to myself, Toby would wipe the floor with those cats.” He laughed. “I’m only kidding. But I thought Toby might have a good chance if he competed. So we entered a couple of shows, he placed, and from then on we were hooked.”
“But this is only a small show,” Lauren said.
“Yeah.” Zoe nodded.
“I know.” Jerry shrugged. “But it should be a pleasant day out for both of us and we’re helping to support a good cause. Unlike some of the cats here, he doesn’t suffer from anxiety or travel sickness, so this is fun for him. You want to improve the local park, don’t you?”
“Yes,” Lauren and Zoe chorused.
“So here we are.” Jerry smiled at them.
“Kitty cats!” A little blonde toddler waved her chubby hands as she was pushed along in a stroller by a tall, athletic woman.
“Inside voice, darling,” the woman told her gently. “We don’t want to scare the kitties, do we?”
“No,” the little girl said in a loud whisper.
“Hi, Claire. Hi, Molly.” Lauren smiled at two of her friends – and favorite customers.
“Annie!” Little Molly waved at her, then her eyes rounded as she caught sight of Toby. “’nother cat? Big cat!”
She reached out to Annie’s cage, her fingers touching the wire.
“No, Molly.” Her mother pulled her hand back. “Don’t stick your fingers in the bars. You might scare Annie – and her friend.”
“Wouldn’t scare Annie!” Molly looked shocked at the thought.
“I know, darling, but she might be startled. So might her friend.”
“Sowwy, Annie,” Molly looked upset.
“Brrp,” Annie replied gently, as if accepting her apology.
Lauren and Zoe introduced Claire and her daughter to Jerry – and Toby. Molly’s eyes widened once more as she stared at the Siberian.
“Want cat – like Annie and Toby,” she pleaded.
“Maybe in a few years’ time. When you’re older,” her mother told her. “Lately, all she’s been talking about is how she wants a cat just like Annie.” She turned to Lauren and Zoe.
“I can understand that.” Zoe grinned.
“My husband and I have discussed it and we’ve decided if she still wants one when she’s older, we’d be agreeable.”
“I can give you the details of the breeder I bought Annie from,” Lauren offered.
“That would be great.” Claire smiled.
After chattering to Annie for a few minutes, and then saying hello gently to Toby, Molly spied AJ in the next row.
“AJ!” She called out to the Maine Coon.
AJ didn’t come to the café often – Zoe’s idea of training the brown tabby to be Annie’s assistant hadn’t worked out – but she and Annie remained the best of friends.
“It looks like we’re saying hello to AJ next,” Claire said wryly.
“Is your husband here?” Lauren looked around curiously. Claire’s husband worked in Sacramento.
“Over there.” Claire pointed to a tall, medium-built man talking to Father Mike at the refreshment table, before he scooped up two cups of juice. He turned, spotted Claire, and waved. She waved back.
“Good luck, you two – three,” she amended as she glanced at Annie. “Good luck to Toby, too.” She smiled at Jerry.
“Thanks.” Jerry beamed.
Lauren watched her wheel Molly over to AJ’s cage, where the little girl said something to Ed, which made him laugh gruffly.
The buzz of conversation filled the room as people strolled past the cats.
“I wonder when the judging is going to start?” Zoe tapped her cheek. She glanced at Lauren’s practical white wristwatch. “Chris said he wasn’t working today and he’d come down and hang out with us.”
“You mean hang out with you.” Lauren smiled at her cousin. After some disastrous attempts at internet dating, Zoe had finally found a good guy – and she’d met him in person. Chris worked as a paramedic in Sacramento. Zoe had recently expressed a wish that he would transfer to Gold Leaf Valley, but Lauren wasn’t sure if she’d had the conversation with Chris yet.
“Yeah,” Zoe admitted, her brunette pixie cut shining in the September sunshine streaming in through the windows. “Is Mitch coming?”
“He said he wouldn’t miss it.” Lauren fingered the gold L necklace she wore. Her boyfriend Mitch had given it to her at the beginning of the year. They’d been dating for over twelve months and it was getting serious. He’d met her mom several weeks ago, but she hadn’t met his parents – yet. They’d been travelling around the country but were due home soon.
“Maybe we can all go out to dinner tonight,” Zoe proposed. “What about Gary’s Burger Diner? Something close and not too dressy.”
“Great idea.” Lauren’s mouth started watering as she thought of the delicious burgers and fries at the local eatery.
“We’ll tell the guys when they get here.” Zoe paused. “You and Mitch didn’t have any plans for tonight, did you?”
“Nothing in particular.” She’d been busy with the café that week, and grooming Annie every night in preparation for today – she wanted her fur baby to look her best, after all – and hadn’t thought about what they were doing on their date tonight.
“Good.” Zoe grinned.
“Hello, girls.” An elderly lady tapped her way to them. Her gray hair was piled on top of her head in a bun, and wire-rimmed spectacles perched on her nose. “Oh, Annie, don’t you look lovely, dear?”
“Brrt!” Yes, I do!
“Your fur is so fluffy and pretty.”
“Hi, Mrs. Finch,” Lauren greeted their friend. The senior came to the café most days, and was one of Annie’s favorites. Annie always sat with her as they “told” each other their latest news.
“I do hope you win,” Mrs. Finch said to Annie.
“Brrt!” Me too!
“Oh – hello.” Mrs. Finch seemed to notice Jerry with his cat Toby.
Lauren and Zoe introduced them.
“My, he certainly is a big cat,” Mrs. Finch remarked.
“Yes, ma’am. He weighs sixteen pounds and is five years old.” The two of them chatted for a couple of minutes, before Mrs. Finch turned her attention back to the trio.
“I do hope this event raises enough money to beautify the park,” she fretted.
“I’m sure it will,” Zoe told her. “There are so many people here, and Father Mike is running a refreshment stand.”
“It was Zoe’s idea,” Lauren told her.
“The café is closed this morning so I thought it would be a great idea to raise some extra money for the cause.” Zoe grinned. “Although, I don’t think they’re serving coffee. Just juice and bottled water.”
“Would you like something to drink?” Lauren asked their friend. “I can run and get it for you.”
“You girls are too kind.” Mrs. Finch smiled at them, the orange spots of rouge on her cheeks looking like California poppies. “But I’m fine. I’ll just have a little look around and then I think I might go home.”
“Are you okay to walk that far?” Zoe asked.
Mrs. Finch lived in the next block to the café but the town hall was a little further away.
“I’ll be fine,” she assured them. “And if I’m not, the senior center is running a minivan. I’ll be able to get a ride home that way.”
After Mrs. Finch left, Lauren looked around the crowded hall. When would the judging start? She glanced down at Annie, who sat on lavender colored bedding in her cage, looking quite content.
“There’s Brooke and Jeff.” Zoe nudged her.
Lauren glanced toward the opposite side of the room. Brooke, the local hairdresser, and her boyfriend Jeff, were strolling past the short-haired cats in that section.
Brooke looked up and caught Lauren’s eye. She waved, and Lauren waved back. Zoe raised her hand enthusiastically.
“Lots of people have already wished Annie good luck,” Zoe remarked. “Like Brooke and Jeff.”
“And Martha and Iris,” Lauren added. Their friend Martha had stopped by earlier, with their new friend Iris. They’d recently helped Iris acquire some gnomes for her garden.
“Ooh, look.” Zoe tapped Lauren’s arm. Father Mike spoke to the female and male guest judges.
“Maybe the judging is going to start.”
“I hope so.” Zoe grinned.
Father Mike headed toward them.
“The judging for the long-haired cats will start in a few minutes,” he told them – and Jerry. “I wanted to let you know.”
“Thanks, Father,” Jerry said. “Toby’s all ready.”
“So is Annie.” Lauren smiled at her fur baby.
“Brrt,” Annie agreed.
“Wonderful.” Father Mike beamed at all of them. “If this show is successful, maybe we can think about holding it again next year – I’m sure there will be another worthy cause that needs some funds.”
“Great idea,” Zoe told him. “We could make it even bigger! What about advertising it throughout the state? Get tons of people coming and make lots of money?”
“We could certainly think about that,” Father Mike replied cautiously. “But if it’s much larger next year, we might need another place to hold it.” He gazed around the hall, which was nearly full to capacity with the number of exhibitors and spectators. “I never expected such a turn out today.”
“That’s because everyone wants to help make it a success,” Lauren told him. Father Mike was a kind and helpful man, and he seemed to have found his true vocation in the church. It didn’t surprise her that there was such a big crowd.
“Hello.” The female judge approached them. “This is the long-haired premier class, correct?”
“Yes,” Lauren replied.
“I’m Dana and I’ll be judging your cats today. We have a table set up over there.” She gestured toward the front of the hall where two big tables stood in a sectioned off area. “When I call your number, please bring your cat to me.”
Lauren nodded, glancing over at the short-haired cat section. The male judge was talking to a middle-aged woman.
“That’s Robert,” Dana told them. “He’ll be judging the short hairs and the Persians.”
“Do the Persians have their own class?” Zoe asked.
“Yes.” Dana nodded. “We were surprised at how many entries there were for the breed.” She glanced at Annie, and then at Toby, as well as the other cats along that section. “But there weren’t as many entrants for each long-haired breed, which is why the long hairs such as Norwegian Forests, Maine Coons, Siberians, and the others in that class will be judged together, divided into male and female categories.”
“Do you have cats yourself?” Lauren asked.
“Yes.” Dana smiled. “I used to show, then I got interested in the judging side. My cats suffered from anxiety before a show, and I hated putting them through that. I have two Himalayans at home now. Their Persian ancestors were crossed with Siamese.”
“Do you get paid to judge?” Zoe asked curiously.
“Zoe!”
“It’s a fair question.” Dana laughed. “Usually, yes, we get paid plus our travelling expenses, but I’m volunteering for today’s event. When my cousin told me about this show, and how they needed judges, I thought it would be a fun way to help out. I live in Sacramento so it only took me an hour to get here. Robert, the other judge, is also doing it for free.”
“That’s nice of him,” Lauren replied.
“Yes, I was a bit surprised.” Dana flushed. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. I’ll get the judging started.”
“Maybe she doesn’t like him,” Zoe said thoughtfully as they watched Dana walk to the front of the room.
“No one likes Robert much,” Jerry told them.
“Really?” Lauren asked.
“Yeah, his choices are a bit puzzling at times. I thought Toby was a shoo-in to place first in a competition a couple of months ago, but instead another Siberian beat him. And this cat hadn’t been to many of the same shows as us, either.” He shrugged. “He was a nice looking cat, but I thought Toby had the edge. Oh, well. You can’t win every time.”
Before she knew it, Lauren heard their number called. The judge, Dana, inspected Annie from ears to toes, including her long, plumy tail. She dangled a cat toy in front of Annie, who pounced enthusiastically on it.
“She was born to be a show girl,” Zoe said in admiration. “We should enter Annie in all the cat shows!”
“Really?” Lauren wrinkled her brow. Annie had seemed to enjoy all the attention today, but would she really like to spend her weekends sitting in a cage while people oohed and ahhed over her? During the week she worked with them in the café, but Lauren made sure she was never too overwhelmed during their busy times. If Annie competed in cat shows on the weekends, when would she have time just to relax and be a cat?
“We’ll have to see what Annie thinks about it,” she finally said.
“Definitely,” Zoe agreed with a grin.
“What have I missed?” asked a deep, masculine voice.
Lauren turned to see her boyfriend, Detective Mitch Denman. Tall, in his early thirties with short dark hair, he wore a lightweight blue button-down shirt and charcoal slacks.
“Annie’s being judged right now,” she said in a hushed tone.
“She looks beautiful,” Mitch complimented, then whispered in her ear, “So do you.”
“Thanks.” She blushed. She’d taken time to dress appropriately – or what she thought of as appropriate attire for the show – tailored fawn trousers and a short-sleeved plum blouse that brought out the natural golden highlights in her light brown shoulder length hair. After spending the last week grooming Annie in preparation for today, she didn’t want to let her down by appearing scruffy herself.
“My parents said they’re going to stop by today,” he added.
“What?” Lauren’s eyes widened. “Now? Today?”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “I think it’s time you met them.”
Ever since Mitch had brought up the topic a couple of months ago, she’d fretted about it. What if they didn’t like her? What if they hated her? She told herself to take a deep breath. Mitch was in his thirties and an independent adult. Surely he wouldn’t be swayed by his parents’ opinion?
“What’s going on with you two?” Zoe asked.
“My parents,” Mitch replied.
“So Lauren’s finally going to meet them? Awesome.”
“Have you met Chris’s folks?” Mitch asked.
“Um ... no. But we haven’t been dating as long as you and Lauren have.” Zoe glanced around the hall. “Do you know when Chris is getting here?”
“No.” Mitch shook his head. “Maybe he got held up in traffic.” He scanned the room. “There are a lot of people here I don’t recognize.”
“Maybe that’s because they’re law abiding citizens.” Zoe grinned.
Once Dana had finished judging Annie, it was Toby’s turn. Lauren watched as Dana checked him all over, and admired the way he leaped on the dangling toy. But Annie had pounced just as athletically, hadn’t she? Lauren reminded herself that the females and males would be judged in separate classes.
Despite her misgivings about Zoe’s idea of becoming regular show people, she still wanted Annie to win today.
“The results will be posted soon,” Dana announced once Toby had returned to his cage.
“You were amazing, Annie,” Lauren told the feline as they returned to their section of the hall.
“Brrt,” Annie replied, looking pleased. Thank you.
“Yeah, I loved the way you pounced on that toy mouse,” Zoe praised. “It was awesome.”
“Brrt.” Annie sat up straight, as if basking in the compliments.
Toby chirruped to Annie.
“I think he’s wishing her good luck with the results,” Jerry told them.
“Brrp,” Annie replied to Toby.
“Good luck to you too, Toby.” Lauren smiled at the big cat.
“Hey, wouldn’t it be great if Annie and Toby got together and made babies?” Zoe’s brown eyes lit up. “Can you imagine the cute little kittens they’d produce?” She paused. “Oh, but Annie can’t, can she?”
“No.” Lauren’s voice was a little regretful.
“I’m afraid Toby can’t, either.” Jerry said. “He’s a neuter.”
Zoe looked disappointed.
“But they can still be friends,” Lauren said. “If they’d like to be.”
“Brrt!” Annie’s green eyes sparkled with interest.
“Mrrowp.” Toby sounded like he agreed with her.
“Hi.” A woman with short, dark brown wavy hair, dressed in a dusky blue pant suit, approached them. “I’m looking for the Persian section.”
“It’s over there.” Zoe gestured to the row to the left of them.
“Thanks.” The woman smiled at them. “I hope I’m not late. There was more traffic than I expected, and then I turned down the wrong street when I was looking for the town hall.”
“I don’t think they’ve started the judging for the Persians,” Lauren told her, taking an instant liking to her.
“That’s good.” The woman sighed in relief.
“Is that your cat?” Zoe bent down to peer at the creature though a gap in the plush green curtains covering the carrier.
Lots of fluffy light gray-brown fur greeted Lauren’s gaze. Copper eyes stared at her curiously.
“Her name’s Brunhilda. She’s a lilac in color,” the newcomer replied. “She gets carsick but she’s okay after she’s had her little pill.”
“She’s adorable. I think I’m going to become a crazy cat lady when I’m older.” Zoe laughed. “So many gorgeous cats!”
“Brrt,” Annie greeted Brunhilda.
“Meow.”
“This is Annie.” Lauren introduced the Norwegian Forest Cat.
“I’m Nina,” the woman told them.
“I’m Lauren, and this is Zoe.” Lauren introduced them. “And this is Mitch.”
Mitch smiled politely.
“I’m Jerry, and this is Toby. I think I’ve seen you at some other shows.”
“I think you’re right.” Recognition flickered over Nina’s face.
“Mrrowp.” Toby greeted Brunhilda.
“Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.” Nina smiled goodbye to them – then froze. “Oh, no.”
“What’s wrong?” Lauren asked, glancing in the same direction as Nina.
“It’s her,” Nina uttered.
“Who?” Zoe stood on tiptoe and craned her neck. “Who is it?”
“Kathleen. If you don’t have a Persian, you mightn’t know her.” Nina shook her head as if to clear it.
Lauren spied a woman with short, layered dark hair wearing bright red lipstick. She wore a loud blue and white striped blouse teamed with an above the knee white skirt.
“Is there a problem?” Mitch asked.
“No problem,” Nina assured him. “I just don’t like that woman.”
“Why not?” Zoe asked.
Nina shrugged. “I don’t think she shows her cats for the right reasons. She likes winning – a lot.”
“Yeah,” Jerry chimed in. “Toby isn’t a Persian, but I’ve noticed Kathleen’s behavior at other shows, and picked up some gossip. She expects to win every single time and if she doesn’t, she gets very upset.”
“I’ve seen her behavior myself,” Nina told him. “You can’t expect to win every time, even if you think your cat is the best.”
“Exactly.” Jerry smiled at her.
Nina inhaled deeply. “Well, I’d better get Brunhilda settled in her section.” She glanced at Annie and Toby. “Have your cats been judged yet? They’re both gorgeous.”
“Thanks,” Lauren replied.
“We’re just waiting for the results,” Jerry explained.
“Good luck to both of you.” Nina walked over to the Persian section, looking unhappy as the only free space was two cats away from Kathleen.
“I didn’t realize there was so much rivalry at cat shows,” Zoe said.
“It’s usually friendly, though,” Jerry told her. “But this woman – Kathleen – can be a little over the top. I’m just glad Toby is a Siberian, so we don’t have to deal with her drama.”
Toby’s chirrup sounded as if he agreed with Jerry.
Dana approached them, ribbons in hand.
“I’ve tallied the results for your classes,” Dana told them. She affixed a blue ribbon to Annie’s cage. “Congratulations, Annie. You’ve won first place in the female long-haired premier class.”
“Woo-hoo!” Zoe high-fived Lauren. “Did you hear that, Annie? You won!”
“Brrt!” Annie’s mouth titled upwards, as if she was smiling.
“I told you she was born to be a show girl.” Zoe grinned at Lauren.
“Congratulations,” Lauren told Annie, gently reaching into the cage and petting her.
“Brrt!” I did it!
“And Jerry, Toby has won in his male class.” Dana affixed a blue ribbon to Toby’s cage.
“Thanks.” Jerry smiled. “I think if you decide to show Annie, you’ll give the other long-haired cats some serious competition,” he told Lauren.
“Did you hear that, Annie?” Zoe’s eyes lit up.
“Brrp.” Annie turned around in a circle and settled down on her bedding, as if ready to take a nap.
“Do you want to go home now, Annie?” Lauren wondered if the excitement of the day was getting too much for her. She’d tried to give Annie a day off yesterday, but the silver-gray tabby had insisted on coming to the café and visiting with her favorite customers.
“Brrt.” Not yet.
“I’ll just inform the other winners, then see what’s happening with the judging.” Dana glanced at her watch. “The Persian class should have started by now.”
Lauren glanced over at the area at the front of the hall where they’d taken Annie to be judged. The two tables were empty.
She saw Nina sipping from a white paper cup as she talked to her cat Brunhilda, who peeked out through the wire bars of her cage.
Kathleen, the Persian show mom who expected to win all the time, was talking to Robert, the other judge, a little distance away from the cats.
Dana walked past Kathleen and Robert, then stopped. She back-tracked and paused again, as if eavesdropping.
“What is Dana doing?” Zoe nudged Lauren.
“I don’t know,” Lauren murmured.
“Listening to their conversation,” Mitch said in a low tone.
They watched as Dana suddenly broke into the conversation, pointing her finger at first Kathleen, then Robert.
“Uh-oh.” Zoe tapped her cheek.
“I’d better get over there.” Mitch started toward them.
Before he reached them, Dana’s accusations of “bribery” and “corruption” reached Lauren.
“Come on,” Zoe urged Lauren. “I want to know what Dana’s saying!”
Lauren looked at Annie, who now sat up in her cage, her ears pricked.
“You go, and I’ll stay with Annie.”
“Okay.” Zoe zipped over to the developing argument.
But it didn’t matter that Lauren hadn’t joined the others – Dana’s angry words were audible to practically everyone in the hall.
“I knew you were corrupt!” Dana shook her finger at Robert, who seemed shocked at the accusation. “I knew it but I couldn’t prove it – until now!”
“Really?” Kathleen sneered. “I was asking Robert when the judging for the Persians started – that’s all. You didn’t hear anything else.”
“Oh, yes, I did.” Dana looked as if she would erupt. She planted her hands on her hips. “And I’ll swear to it – in any court in the land!”
Mitch held up his hands, appealing for calm, while he spoke in a low tone to Dana, Kathleen, and Robert.
“What’s wrong?” Father Mike hurried over to them.
Lauren glanced around the room. Everyone was watching the drama unfolding.
“Brrp?” Annie asked softly.
“It’s okay,” Lauren assured her softly. “It’s to do with the Persian judging, nothing to do with us.”
“Toby and I might head home soon,” Jerry told her.
She’d been so busy watching the tableaux that she’d forgotten he was there.
“I understand.” She nodded. “It was nice meeting you – and Toby.”
“Same here.” He smiled.
Lauren looked over in the next row where AJ and Ed were. The brown tabby’s ears were pricked and she looked in the direction of the drama. So did Ed.
Mitch continued to speak to the small group. Kathleen’s bright red mouth firmed mutinously. Dana frowned, but Robert scowled – a full-on glower.
Father Mike said something to Mitch, who nodded.
“Folks,” Father Mike called into the crowd. “There will be a slight change to the judging schedule. Dana will do the rest of the judging for today, so things might run a little behind. But I’m sure you’ll all understand. Remember, today is for a good cause – to improve our local park!”
A few ragged cheers rang out.
“This is a farce,” Robert said loudly. “You guys were lucky to have me here today.” He looked pointedly at Father Mike and Mitch. “And this is the respect I get!”
“I caught you red-handed!” Dana yelled. “Kathleen offered you a bribe and you accepted! Now everyone will know why her cat wins most of the time – when it certainly doesn’t deserve to.”
“Hey, Mrs. Snuggle Face Furry Frost is a born winner!” Kathleen glared at Dana.
“I knew it!” Jerry muttered to himself.
“Knew what?” Lauren turned toward him.
“No wonder Kathleen gets upset if her cat doesn’t win – I think she’s been bribing the judges at every show!”
“No way!” Lauren’s mouth parted.
“It explains a lot.” Jerry nodded. “Yes, her cat is show quality, but so are a lot of the other entrants in her class. Yet she wins over and over – or else places highly. Maybe this is why – she bribes her way to the top.”
“Wow. Is that really her cat’s name? Mrs. Snuggle Face Furry Frost?” Lauren glanced at Annie.
“Yeah.” Jerry snickered. “It is a bit outlandish, isn’t it? I’m glad Toby’s name is just Toby. It’s a good name.”
“It certainly is.”
“Just like Annie,” Jerry continued.
“Brrt.” Annie seemed pleased at the compliment.
Toby chirruped in agreement.
Kathleen flounced back to her cat’s cage, pulling her phone out of her purse. She spoke into the device, but Lauren couldn’t make out what she was saying.
Nina was tending to her cat Brunhilda, so didn’t seem to notice at first that Kathleen reached over and swiped her beverage.
Nina swung around, her mouth parted as she watched Kathleen gulp down her drink. Kathleen handed the cup back to her, complete with a red lipstick stain around the rim.
Lauren strained her ears but couldn’t hear what Nina was saying to the woman. But judging by Nina’s unhappy expression, it couldn’t be good.
Then Nina seemed to shrug off the annoyance, turning back to fuss over Brunhilda.
Zoe, Mitch, Father Mike, Dana, and Robert were still in a loose huddle, Robert looking angry and muttering at the others, while Dana continued to shake her finger at him.
Just as Lauren wondered if Mitch had grounds to arrest Robert and Kathleen, Nina walked over to the refreshment table, continually glancing back at Brunhilda’s cage, which Lauren understood completely.
Kathleen pulled her phone out of her purse again – had it rung? Robert strode off toward the back of the hall. Kathleen looked up from her phone, frowned, and started to follow him. She almost bumped into Nina who was returning to Brunhilda and carrying another white paper cup.
“Hey!” Kathleen scowled at her before hurrying after Robert.
Nina sipped her drink, then put it down near Brunhilda’s cage.
Passersby strolled past the Persian section, talking in low voices and pointing at some of the cats.
Kathleen hurried back, past Zoe, Mitch, Father Mike, and Dana, as if not even noticing them, her face tight and pinched.
Had she caught up with Robert? What had he said to her?
Kathleen spoke into the cage containing her Persian, spotted Nina’s white cup and grabbed it, downing the contents. She placed it back on the table, and grabbed the carrier.
Nina just shook her head at her actions and watched her storm off.
“I should have known not to bother with this stupid cat show.” Kathleen stomped toward them, carrying her cat’s cage.
Lauren squeezed next to the long table to give the woman room to get past. She didn’t want to engage with her.
But Kathleen stopped, as if she’d suddenly noticed Lauren and Jerry.
“I don’t need to bribe anyone for my precious baby to win, do I, Mrs. Snuggle?” She peered into the cat carrier. “And we’ve got a waiting list for your next litter, haven’t we?”
A large, white fluffy cat with blue eyes peered back at her, meowing grumpily.
Kathleen swayed as she straightened and blinked, as if refocusing on Lauren and Jerry. “It’s all lies. Dana has always been jealous of me.”
“Why?” Jerry asked.
“Because I’m sure I’ve won more shows than she ever has, and now she’s a judge. Well, lah-di-dah! I could be a judge too, if I wanted.” She clapped a hand to her head. “Why do I feel dizzy?”
“Are you okay?” Lauren felt compelled to ask.
Kathleen shook herself. “I’m fine. It must be the stress of being unfairly accused.” She narrowed her eyes. “I’ve decided I’m going to be a judge. So watch out! I’ll low score any cat connected to my accusers.”
She swept off, stumbling slightly as she rounded the corner, the cat carrier banging against her leg. Her cat uttered an annoyed meow.
“I don’t think Kathleen becoming a judge is going to happen,” Jerry remarked. “The judges get checked out before they’re appointed, because this sort of thing—” he pointed to where Mitch, Father Mike, Zoe, and Dana stood in a group “—isn’t supposed to happen.”
“But it looks like it did,” Lauren observed.
“Yeah,” Jerry replied glumly.
There was a short silence.
Jerry cleared his throat. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but could you keep an eye on Toby while I go to the bathroom?”
“Of course.” Lauren nodded.
“I’ll be quick,” he promised.
“It’s at the rear of the building.”
Jerry smiled his thanks and hurried toward the back.
“He’ll be coming back soon,” she murmured to Toby, who peered out of his cage. “I’ll stay here until he does.”
“Mrrowp.”
She smiled at the handsome cat, then turned her attention to Annie as well, not wanting her fur baby to feel left out.
After a few minutes, she saw Jerry striding toward their section.
“Thanks.” His voice was a little breathless. “That was a bit of a hike.”
“You’re welcome.” Lauren smiled.
A minute later, Zoe and Mitch returned. Father Mike and Dana headed toward the refreshment stand.
“Did you hear all that?” Zoe asked, her brown eyes sparking.
“I certainly did,” Lauren replied. “The first part with the shouting, anyway.” She quickly told them of the byplay she’d observed between Kathleen and Nina.
“Wow.” Zoe looked intrigued.
“I persuaded Robert it would be in his best interests not to judge any more classes today. He walked away,” Mitch told her. “Dana is going to make an official complaint to the administrators in charge of the regular cat shows on the circuit – not that this is one of them – about what went down. I told her she might have a hard time proving Robert took kickbacks previously – I don’t think anyone’s going to admit they bribed him so their cat could win a competition.”
“Kathleen is disqualified,” Zoe informed her.
“Really?” Jerry leaned into the conversation.
“Yeah,” Zoe said with satisfaction. “I didn’t see where she went, though, did you?”
“She hurried after Robert at first and then she came back and stormed past us.” Lauren glanced at Jerry.
“Telling us she planned to become a judge next.” He shook his head in disbelief.
“She looked a little unwell, though,” Lauren added. “She said she felt dizzy.”
“True,” Jerry confirmed.
“And Dana definitely overheard Kathleen bribing Robert just now?” Lauren clarified.
“That’s what she said,” Mitch told her. “Apparently she’s suspected Robert of being corrupt for a while but didn’t have any evidence.”
“It’s a shame she didn’t record Kathleen offering Robert money, though,” Zoe said regretfully.
“We just have her word for it,” Mitch remarked. “Dana also said she’ll do whatever it takes to have Robert disqualified as a judge.”
“Yeah, I don’t think Dana likes Robert,” Zoe put in. “Or Kathleen, for that matter.”
“I don’t think anyone likes Kathleen,” Jerry told them.
“Has AJ been judged yet?” Zoe turned to a happier topic.
“I don’t think so,” Lauren replied.
“Probably not, because if she did, I’m sure she’d have a winner’s ribbon on her cage. Just like Annie.” Zoe grinned.
Father Mike’s voice was suddenly heard over the buzz of conversation throughout the hall.
“Folks, I’m happy to announce that the cutest household cat class will be judged next. And then ...” he hesitated “... the Persians.”
“Let’s go and watch AJ,” Zoe suggested.
“Brrt!” Annie agreed.
“Okay.” Lauren picked up Annie’s cage. “But I’ll have to carry you like this.”
She wasn’t sure what the rules were for taking a cat out of its cage during this show, and she didn’t want to be jostled while carrying Annie in her arms.
“Brrp,” Annie agreed reluctantly.
“I’ll carry her,” Mitch offered, reaching out to grab the handle of the cage.
“Would you like that, Annie?” Lauren asked. Although she’d been dating Mitch for over a year, and he and Annie seemed to like each other, he’d been the first to admit early on that he didn’t have any experience with cats. He usually saw Annie in the café or at home, relaxing on the sofa or playing with her toys.
Annie looked at Mitch, tilting her head as if considering the question.
“Brrt,” she finally agreed.
“I think that’s a yes,” Lauren told him.
“Good to know.” Mitch smiled – at both of them.
“Let’s go!” Zoe charged toward the section set aside for judging.
AJ was the first contestant on display, standing patiently while judge Dana checked her features, and then demonstrating her agility by pouncing on the dangly toy.
“I think she’s showing off a little,” Ed told them as he watched on proudly. He noticed Annie’s blue ribbon affixed to her carrier. “Congratulations, Annie.”
“Brrt.” Thank you.
Several other cats were considered in this category, but although they seemed healthy, attractive cats, Lauren didn’t think they were quite as good-looking as AJ, or so enthusiastic in their pouncing.
“The results will be announced shortly,” Dana called out, writing on a clipboard after looking at the last entrant.
“Meow.” AJ poked a paw through the metal bars of her cage, as if congratulating Annie, her eyes wide as she stared at the ribbon on Annie’s cage.
“Brrt!” I hope you win, too.
“I can’t believe that woman tried to bribe the male judge.” Ed shook his head as they walked back to their sections.
“I guess everyone overheard,” Lauren remarked.
“That sort of stuff makes me glad AJ doesn’t have a pedigree.” Ed looked conflicted. “But I also hope AJ wins today.”
“That’s understandable,” Lauren told him.
“Totally,” Zoe agreed.
They said goodbye to Ed and AJ, and returned to their own section.
Mitch gently placed Annie’s cage back on the long table.
“Brrt.” Thank you.
Mitch smiled at the feline.
“Did Lauren and I tell you about our dinner plans for tonight?” Zoe asked him.
“No,” Mitch replied.
“We’re going to Gary’s Burger Diner,” Zoe informed him.
“Does Chris know?” Mitch asked.
“Not yet.” Zoe grinned.
“Is that okay with you?” Lauren asked Mitch.
“No worries,” he assured her. “They have great burgers.”
“We thought it would be nice if we could just hang out and relax tonight,” Lauren told him.
He nodded, wrapping his arm around her.
“Have I missed much?” A tall guy in his late twenties with even, attractive features strode up to them.
“Just about everything!” Zoe’s eyes lit up as she saw him.
“Fill me in.” He smiled.
Zoe proceeded to do so, after introducing him to Jerry and Toby.
“I can’t believe all that.” Chris shook his head as he absorbed the information.
“And we’re having dinner at Gary’s Burger Diner tonight,” Mitch added.
“Perfect.” Chris dropped a kiss onto Zoe’s hair.
Lauren thought her cousin blushed just the tiniest bit.
They chatted for a few more minutes, then Lauren noticed Dana walking over to AJ’s cage and speaking to Ed.
“Look.”
“AJ won!” Zoe nudged Chris. “She’s got a blue ribbon on her cage, just like Annie’s.”
“Brrt?” Annie glanced at them.
“AJ won, too,” Lauren told her.
“Brrt.” Good.
“Liebchen, you have won.” A dapper man in his sixties with gray hair ambled over to them.
“Yes, she did.” Lauren smiled at one of their favorite customers.
“AJ won, too!” Zoe pointed to AJ’s cage in the next row.
“I am sorry I could not get here sooner, to wish Annie luck before the competition,” Hans apologized.
“Brrp.” I understand.
Not only was Hans one of Lauren’s favorite customers, she knew he was one of Annie’s, too. Annie kept him company as he enjoyed his coffee and sweet treats, telling him about her day – and he told her about his.
“Lots of our friends wished her luck this morning,” Zoe told him. “Little Molly and her mom Claire, Brooke and Jeff, Martha and Iris—”
“And now it looks like Ms. Tobin is coming over.” Lauren waved to the tall, thin woman in her fifties, dressed in an amber skirt and cream blouse.
“Hi, Ms. Tobin,” Zoe called out cheerfully.
At one time, the older woman had been their prickliest customer, and Zoe confessed to being a little afraid of her. But after they had stopped her from being scammed online, Ms. Tobin had mellowed – not only with them, but with Annie, too. Before, she only wished for Annie to lead her to a table in the café – now, she seemed to enjoy her company for a little while as well.
“Have I missed the judging?” Ms. Tobin enquired, her gaze alighting on the blue ribbon adorning Annie’s cage. “Oh, it seems that I have.”
“She won,” Lauren informed her.
“Congratulations, Annie, dear.” Ms. Tobin smiled at the feline.
“AJ won, too,” Zoe informed her, gesturing to AJ’s section of the hall. “Cutest cat.”
“Ed must be proud as well.” Ms. Tobin glanced over at AJ, lying on her back and poking her claws through the metal squares of her cage.
“Everyone, the Persian judging is about to start.” Father Mike’s voice sounded over the crowd.
There was a small silence, as if everybody in the hall remembered the altercation that had taken place half an hour ago, then people started talking to each other again, as if nothing untoward had taken place.
Lauren watched Nina carry Brunhilda in her carrier to the judging bench.
“I wonder who will win now that Kathleen’s disqualified?” Zoe mused.
“I hope Brunhilda does,” Lauren replied. “She seems like a nice cat.”
“Brrt,” Annie agreed.
Jerry had produced a folding chair from his duffel bag, and was reading the newspaper next to his cat Toby.
“What should we do now?” Zoe asked the four of them. Ms. Tobin had announced she would congratulate AJ as well.
Mitch turned, scanned the entrance, and spoke.
“It looks like Lauren will be meeting my folks.”