Cat-Eye Witness (A Klepto Cat Mystery) (28 page)

“Ha, ha,” Savannah said, flashing a sarcastic look in Michael’s direction. She then turned to her aunt. “I could really use some help organizing the details of the wedding. I’ll serve the mocha if you’ll come by in the morning and give me a hand.”

“Sure, Vannie. I’d love to.”

“Great!” she said, clapping her hands and jumping up and down a little in her chair.

Savannah then looked over at Michael. “Let’s retire to the living room—okay with you guys?”

When they were seated on more comfortable furniture, Savannah took Michael’s hand and said to Margaret, “Now, we have something we’d like to ask you.”

Margaret was quick to respond. “Sure, I’ll be matron of honor.”

Savannah’s smile faded. “No, that isn’t what I was going to ask. Brianna will be my maid of honor.”

Margaret wilted in her chair. “Oh,” she said, flatly.

Savannah smiled. “No. I have another job for you.”

“What, pouring punch, usher, coat-check girl?” Margaret said with a deadpan look.

“No,” Savannah said peering into her aunt’s dark brown eyes. “I want you to give me away.”

“What?” Margaret said. “That’s odd, isn’t it? I’m not your father.”

“No, but I have this vision of you and Mom walking me down the aisle. What do you think?”

Margaret sat silent for a moment, looking down at the wine glass she clasped tightly in her fingers.

“Well?” Savannah asked apprehensively, wondering if she had somehow hurt her aunt’s feelings.

“I would like that,” she said, her voice cracking and tears spilling from her eyes and running down her cheeks.

“Oh Auntie, I made you cry. How sweet.” Savannah stood and walked over to hug her aunt.

“I’m just crying ’cause you won’t let me be matron of honor,” she snapped while dabbing at her eyes with a napkin.

“Yeah, right,” Savannah said with a laugh. “But Auntie, that isn’t what I…a…we were going to talk to you about.” She took her seat next to Michael—looked over at him and said, “We’re interested in buying this house.”

“Oh? Really? That’s a surprise,” Margaret said, putting her glass of wine down on the table next to her.

Michael smiled over at Margaret. “It’s a perfect place for raising a family. Savannah wants horses. We love it here.”

“Gosh, I didn’t know you two had that kind of money.”

“Michael has money in the bank and some investments,” Savannah explained. “He’ll have an income from renting his house.” She paused. “I think you know that I got an inheritance when Dad died. He left some to Brianna and me. You knew that, didn’t you?”

“Yes, but I figured you’d spent that by now. You saved it?” she asked, looking surprised.

“Sure I did. I’ve been waiting to use it for something really important.” She looked over at Michael.

“Gosh, I’m stunned and excited to think you might stay next door and raise a family…ooooh goose bumps.” She then became solemn. “Are you sure you want the headaches of an older home like this? Can you afford the upkeep?”

“Auntie, you’ve seen Michael’s home. He built it and you know how well he cares for it. He loves handyman work.”

“You do, Michael? I guess I didn’t know that about you.”

“Yes, I already have some ideas for upgrades to this place.”

“But we will maintain the historic integrity of it,” Savannah added in a serious tone.

“Gosh, you
have
been thinking this over, haven’t you?” Margaret said.

“Yes, and dreaming.”

Margaret looked from one to the other. She raised her hands, slapping them down in her lap and said, “Okay, I’ll talk to my attorney. Let me see what I can do.”

“Cool. But Auntie, I’ll understand if it doesn’t work out. If a buyer comes in with cash, I won’t blame you for selling.”

“Yes, Maggie, we figure we can put down about one-third of the price you’re asking,” Michael added.

“Well, what if I change my price?” Margaret asked playfully.

“Now Maggie…” Michael started.

“Just let me see what I can do. You kids keep the dream in your heart—where there’s a will there’s a way. Okay?”

The room was quiet for a few moments as everyone became lost in their own thoughts. Margaret and Max each took a sip of their wine. Savannah looked over at Rags who was lying next to her on the sofa. She put her hand around one of his paws and gently rubbed the bottom of it. The cat stretched and pulled his paw back. Finally, Max spoke to Margaret. “I wonder if they’ll find it.”

“Oh, they might. It’s bound to show up eventually.”

Savannah and Michael looked at each other and back at Margaret and Max. “Find what?” Savannah asked.

“Um, I didn’t tell you about it?” Margaret asked, a hint of mystery in her demeanor.

“About what?”

“Well, maybe you don’t want to know. It could be that it’s purely myth, anyway.”

“What are you talking about, Auntie?”

“I probably shouldn’t say anything, you might change your mind.”

“Disclosure, Maggie. There is such a thing as disclosure,” Michael said good-naturedly.

“What? Is the house haunted?” Savannah asked, her eyes widening.

Margaret glanced momentarily at Max, then said, “Can’t say. If you find it, good. If not, it’s just as well you aren’t aware of it.”

“How will we recognize it when or if we find it, if we don’t know what it is?” Michael asked.

A grin spread over Margaret’s face. “Oh, you’ll know when you find it. There’ll be no mistaking it. But if it’s just a rumor, it won’t be there at all.”

“Now, you’re talking in riddles, Auntie. Why didn’t you ever tell me about this before—whatever it is?”

“Very few people know about it. In fact, I’m not sure there’s anyone still alive who does other than Max and me.”

Michael and Savannah stared over at the other couple expectantly.

Finally Margaret said, “I’m sorry kids. I really can’t say anything more right now. We shouldn’t have brought it up. Maybe we’ll talk about it someday. Maybe never. It just depends on what happens. Sometimes ignorance is bliss and I want you two to experience nothing but bliss in this old house.”

One month, two weeks, four days and fifteen hours later, Margaret and Max walked up the wide steps to the large wraparound porch at the old Forster home again—the soon-to-be new Ivey home. “Hello, you two,” Savannah said welcoming her aunt and uncle into the living room.

“Oh, it is lovely, Savannah. You have done a beautiful decorating job.”

Max began a chorus of, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…”

“It’s a fun place to decorate. Iris helped me. She’s so good with challenges like this.”

“There they are,” Michael said as he walked in from the kitchen. “Let me take your coats. Where’s your umbrella? It’s pouring out there.”

“On the porch.” Max motioned in that direction as he took off his coat and handed it to Michael.

“Oh, Rags, hello,” Margaret said, bending down to pet the cat. “Whatcha got there?” She then stood up with something in her hand and asked, “Savannah, is this yours?”

“No, I don’t think so.” She scolded, “Rags, where did you get that? Here, let me take a look.”

After the two women examined the object, they began to laugh.

“What is it, hon?” Michael asked.

“It’s a pill packet. Prempro.”

“What?” Michael and Max asked.

“Hormone replacement. Gosh, whose could it be?”

“Someone whose hormones are taking a dive about now, I would surmise,” Max laughed.

“They aren’t yours are they Auntie?”

Margaret put her hands up in front of her in denial. “Not mine.”

“Iris. She was here today.” Savannah said. “In fact, she left her purse right there on the floor. Darn, I always try to pick up purses and put them on a shelf for this very reason—Rags, you are such a criminal,” she shouted in feigned anger. She then looked down at the packet and cringed a little. “This is rather embarrassing. But I’m going to have to call Iris. She’s probably looking all over for these. Give me a moment—I’ll be right back.” She called over her shoulder, “Michael, do you want to serve the chilled shrimp, please?”

“Was it hers?” Margaret asked eagerly when Savannah returned to the living room.

“Yup. She got a good laugh out of it. Asked if Rags swallowed any of them. I told her I didn’t know—but it doesn’t appear that he did. She said I should check to see if he has boobs and a vagina.”

“Oh my gosh…” Margaret said laughing out loud along with everyone else in the room.

“Who wants wine?” Savannah asked. “We have Gewurztraminer,” she said enticingly. “Or Zinfandel, Merlot—what else, Michael?”

Margaret spoke up first. “I want that sweet one that starts with a G.”

Max nodded. “Me, too.”

“Michael, would you?” she asked.

He stood in place, looked at Savannah and said, “Um, would love it if you’d help me.”

“Now that’s rich.” Max laughed.

“What?” Savannah and Michael wanted to know.

“He gets a honey-do and turns it around so that he doesn’t have to do it alone. It’s classic. And he did it in such a classy way.” He jumped up from his seat and gave Michael a high-five saying, “Michael, my man!!!”

“Oh you two are so hen-pecked,” Margaret said. “Just you never mind how Michael speaks to Savannah. Go on, Vannie, help your helpmate.”

Savannah looked perplexed and followed Michael into the kitchen. She started to grab a bottle of wine when Michael said, “You get the glasses, would you, honey?”

She hesitated before opening the cupboard. And then she gasped. “Oh no! Auntie’s antique glasses are gone. What happened?”

“I guess you’ll have to use the other ones, tonight. I forgot to tell you, your aunt needed them back. She came and got them yesterday when I was here washing down the porch furniture.”

“Oh darn,” Savannah said, staring at the empty shelf. “Oh well, they were only on loan, anyway,” she said, reaching into the shelf above and removing four plain wine glasses.

As the couple carried the wine into the living room, Margaret asked—an almost sinister smile taking over her face, “What’s wrong, Vannie?”

“Oh nothing.”
Does my disappointment really show?
she wondered.
I will miss using those pretty glasses. But, hey, they were never mine. No big deal.

After the foursome exchanged small talk for a while, Margaret stood and walked over to where she’d left her purse. She picked up a large gift bag and carried it back to her chair. “Just remembered, I brought you something and I want you to open it.” She glanced at Max and then back at Savannah. “It’s your wedding gift from us.”

“Oh nice. Thank you.” Savannah reached into the bag and lifted out a box. “What pretty paper,” she said, admiring the large white roses on a soft lime background. Everyone watched as she slowly began tearing into it. At one point, Max ambled over with his pocketknife and cut the tape on the box and Savannah opened the flap. She looked down and saw several items each individually wrapped in lime green tissue. Her eyes lit up. “Is it…?” She furrowed her brow. “Could it be?”

“Just open it, will ya?” Margaret ordered.

Savannah carefully unwrapped one of the items and promptly began squealing with delight, “Auntie!!!! It’s the wine glasses. For me…er, us?”

Margaret nodded with a smile on her face. “Of course.”

Savannah set the box and the glass down on the table next to her, then rushed over and hugged her aunt. “Thank you, Auntie, I love them.”

“Yes, how did you know?” Michael asked in jest.

“How did I know?” Margaret mimicked. “I figured she’d never speak to me again if I didn’t give her those damn glasses.”

Savannah began excitedly picking up everyone’s wine glasses, saying, “Here, let me pour your wine in my new glasses. We have a lot to celebrate and I want to do it in style.”

“Boy do we ever have stuff to celebrate—a wedding tomorrow,” Margaret said smiling at her niece.

“In the rain…” Michael said shaking his head.

“Rain is good luck for weddings,” Max insisted.

Margaret pulled back and looked at her husband suspiciously. “Now where did you pick up that bit of trivia?” she asked.

“Just made it up,” Max admitted, sheepishly.

When Savannah returned to the room, Margaret glanced at her and then at Michael before saying, “The papers are ready to sign. You can do it anytime after tomorrow. Could do it today, but you want to wait until you can sign them Savannah Ivey, right?”

“Yup,” Savannah said. She leaned toward her aunt and added, “Auntie, we so appreciate you dropping the price of the house for us.” She looked over at Michael, who was staring into his wine glass. “Don’t we, hon? Michael?” she said, putting her hand on his arm. “Honey, what’s wrong? You seem a million miles away tonight.”

“Huh?” Michael shook his head and glanced up at Savannah. “Nothing.” He laughed. “I’m the happiest guy in town—nothing’s wrong in my world.”

Everyone joined in laughter with Michael—everyone but Savannah.
Something’s wrong. I’ve sensed it all evening. What could it be?
she wondered. “Michael, I was just thanking Auntie for dropping the price of the house for us.”

“Yes, Maggie, that was beyond generous of you,” he said.

“Happy wedding, kids. Happy life,” Margaret said, choking up. She then cleared her throat. “So are you ready for your big day?”

“Yes,” Savannah said.

“What about you, Michael?”

“I think so.”

“You think so?” Margaret asked. “You aren’t getting cold feet, are you?” She laughed out loud.

“Of course not,” he said.

Well, that was a strange thing for him to say,
Savannah thought.
What has happened to his unbridled excitement about our marriage?

Margaret challenged, “So Michael, do you have a case of the wedding-day jitters? I’ve had it three times, you know.”

“No,” he said. “I’m just tired. Been a long week at work.”

Savannah stared over at Michael.
I don’t believe this. I’ve never seen him act this way, especially when it comes to our wedding.

Margaret slapped her hands on her knees, “Well honey bunch, we should get home. We have a big day tomorrow. I’ll be giving my niece away, you know,” she said with a chuckle.