The Christmas Cat Read Online Free

don’t feel bad about that. Putting you through college and seeing you going off to Africa to help folks there—that was exactly what Lilly wanted for you. And you know what she believed, Garrison, the good Lord will provide . She never worried one minute about money. You shouldn’t either.”
    He forced a smile. For the most part, he agreed with Ruby. But sometimes that “not worrying” thing was easier said than done. As he finished his cocoa, he asked if he could use her bathroom. “I’d like to freshen up and change my clothes before I go to see Gram’s lawyer. I’d do it at Gram’s . . . but those cats.”
    “Of course. You just make yourself at home, Garrison. There are no cats in this house.” She frowned. “But I’ve been growing quite attached to Viola.”
    “Viola?”
    “One of Lilly’s cats.” Her eyes lit up. “She’s a big, beautiful gray cat with the softest coat of fur. I think Lilly said she is a Russian Blue, and I’ve always admired her. I think she’s about twelve years old. My William never wanted a cat in the house. But now that he’s gone . . .” She sighed. “Anyway, if you need to find homes for those cats, I’d like to be the first in line for Viola.”
    “Yes, of course,” he eagerly agreed. “I don’t see any reason you couldn’t have her. For all I care, you can have all of the cats, Ruby.”
    She chuckled. “No sirree. Thank you very much. I used to take care of them for Lilly when she was gone. Not that she was gone much—that many cats tie a body down. Believe you me, I know how much work they can be. Lilly might’ve liked a houseful of cats, but it’s not for me. Besides that, I couldn’t afford all the cat food or vet bills. I probably can’t afford to take in Viola.” Her smile faded a little. “But I sure would enjoy having her for company.”
    “Well, as far as I’m concerned, Viola is all yours, Ruby.”

    Garrison felt a bit more presentable by the time he walked into the law office at two. Mr. Miller firmly shook his hand and once again expressed his sympathy. “Have a seat,” he said, and waved to a black leather chair across from his sleek desk.
    “Thanks for taking time to meet with me,” Garrison said as he sat. “I doubt there’s much estate to deal with, but I want to do things right. And I’m aware that my grandmother had a reverse mortgage on her home. I assume what little equity she had has been eaten up with taxes by now. And besidesher old car, which needs some work, and a few household goods, I doubt there is much to discuss.”
    Mr. Miller didn’t respond to this as he opened a large file folder.
    “Oh . . .” Garrison cringed. “Unless she had debts. I hadn’t really considered that, but I suppose it’s likely. I know my college tuition was costly. And she helped support me in Uganda. I hope she didn’t incur debt as a result. Although I will pay it all back if she did. I mean, I’m currently unemployed, but as soon as I get a—”
    “No, no, don’t worry. Your grandmother had no debt, Garrison.” Mr. Miller looked across his desk. “In fact, she paid back her reverse mortgage about seven years ago.”
    “What?” Garrison was shocked. “How on earth did she manage to do that? She had nothing beyond some skimpy Social Security. You’re probably aware that my grandparents were missionaries. I know for a fact that my grandmother lived as frugally as a church mouse.”
    “That might be so,” Mr. Miller said. “But she had money.”
    Garrison frowned. “How is that possible?”
    “Did Mrs. Brown tell you much about her parents?”
    He tried to remember. “Well, she mentioned that they were opposed to her marriage to my grandfather. They thought she was throwing her life away to become a missionary. So they were kind of estranged. That’s about all I know.”
    “Apparently her parents were fairly well off. Your grandmother’s father was involved in the early days of the airline industry. He passed