Claws for a Cause (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 15) Read Online Free Page A

the time. I don’t want to seem anti-social.” Savannah added, “I’m eager to go on the organized photo shoots. They’ll have one just about every day. We’ll travel to interesting sites by bus or on foot and learn different photography techniques. I’m excited for the educational aspect of the shoots. Rebecca’s the leader. She told me there should be room on the bus if you and Mom want to go on some of the photo excursions. Or we can rent a car and then go off touring on our own afterward.”
    “It all sounds like a lot of fun.”
    “Yes. I’m so looking forward to the warm climate. This has been one cold winter. I can’t wait to climb into my summer clothes.” She thought for a moment before saying, “It’ll be strange to dig my shorts, tank tops, and sandals out of storage so early this year.” She looked at Michael. “And Lily’s things—oh my gosh, I’m sure she’s outgrown all of her summer clothes. Where will I shop for baby beach wear in the dead of winter?”
    “Hawaii,” Michael said, standing and starting to clear his dishes from the table. “I’m sure they sell summer clothes all year round there.”
    “Brilliant!” Savannah said, standing, grabbing him around the neck, and kissing him on the cheek. She wiped Lily’s face and hands with a washcloth, then lifted the baby from the highchair. “Yes, Daddy’s brilliant, isn’t he?”
    “Da-da,” Lily said, pointing. When the baby saw Michael hide behind Savannah, then peek out at her, she laughed and began playing her own game of peekaboo with her little hands over her eyes.
    “Ah yes,” Michael said, “it’ll be great getting away, swimming in the warm waters, drinking those tropical drinks, learning how to do the hula…” He took Lily from Savannah and spun around with her. “…and enjoying it all with my favorite people in the whole world.”
    ****
    Two days later as he prepared to leave for work, Michael said, “I forgot to tell you—that meeting about the wolves is this afternoon. Still want to go?”
    “Today?” she said. “I’d planned to go through our summer clothes.” She thought for a moment. “But yeah, I would like to hear what they have to say. We should know something about our new neighbors.”
    “New neighbors?”
    “The wolves, of course,” she said, smiling. “What time?”
    “Two. I’ll be home for lunch around one. We have the vaccination clinic today, so it will be a long Saturday morning.”
    “Yeah, that’ll work. I’ll put Lily down for her nap early so she’ll be cheerful.”
    Michael laughed. “She’s always cheerful.” He turned to leave. “See you in a little while, then.”
    By one forty-five that afternoon, the Ivey family had arrived at the meeting hall. “Gosh, look at the crowd,” Savannah said. “I hope we can find seats.”
    “It’s a hot topic for ranchers these days, and as you know, we have a lot of livestock in this area. They expect to draw ranchers from miles around, not to mention people like us with a few backyard critters—horses, goats, chickens, rabbits...”
    Savannah pointed. “There’s Auntie and Max. I wonder why they’re here…curiosity?” She turned to Michael. “They aren’t afraid wolves will bother the cats inside their shelter, are they?”
    Michael shook his head. “I doubt it. As you said, they’re probably curious and maybe want to be supportive.”
    “Of the ranchers or the wolves?” Savannah asked.
    In a serious tone, he said, “Let’s hope there isn’t an ‘us and them’ attitude here today. The point is to live in harmony with the wildlife in the area.”
    “Including the scary wolves?” Savannah asked.
    He gave her a sideways glance, then said, “Come on, family, let’s see if we can find seats in there.”
    As the couple made their way into the large auditorium, Lily in Michael’s arms, they saw a hand wave. “It’s Bud and Brianna,” Savannah said. “Look, there are two chairs next to them. Come