A MEOWvelous Witness (Klepto Cat Mystery Book 17) (4 page)

Savannah laughed. “Until you have a toddler, then you’d better get that shopping done when you have the chance because the child takes over your life.”

“I can imagine,” Colbi said without much emotion.

“Yeah, I’ve purchased some things I didn’t really want because Lily began fussing in a store or worse…” she said, now exaggerating, “she’d start tearing the place apart. A few days ago I stopped at the nursery to buy tomatoes and squash for Antonio to plant. Doggone if she didn’t start pulling all the little tomatoes and blossoms off the plants I’d picked out. I’d run out of her snacks and we’d left her toys in the car. I wasn’t about to let her run loose in the store. She was much too rambunctious that day. So I had to carry her in one arm while pushing the cart to the checkout stand.” She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, Lily is my biggest determinant when it comes to shopping. I no longer have the luxury of thinking through my purchases. Even at the grocery store, I’ve been known to grab some random item for dinner on my way out the door with a fussy baby.”

Colbi sat staring at Savannah without comment.

“You tuned me out just then, didn’t you? Hon, what is wrong?”

Colbi blinked her eyes and focused briefly on her tablemate. “Nothing. Really. I’m fine. Just tired. I’ve never planned a wedding before, you know?”

“Yeah, I know. That’s why I’m here to help you.” She stared at Colbi for a few moments, then said, “Hey, I have an idea.”

Colbi looked suspicious. “What?”

“When I’m feeling like the world is caving in on me, it helps to get out of Dodge.” She leaned forward. “How would you like to go on a horseback ride over the weekend? The weather’s supposed to be nice.” She clasped her hands together. “Maybe we could get Iris and my aunt to join us!”

At that, Colbi began to laugh. “Maggie on a horse?” She laughed even harder. “Or for that matter, Iris on a horse…oh, that’s a riot.”

“So you’re game? This could be your bachelorette party.” When Colbi appeared unsure, Savannah said, “Well, part of it, then.” She bounced in her seat. “Hey, we could make it a picnic. We can go someplace where my aunt and Iris can drive in, if they don’t want to ride.”

“You only have one horse.”

“Yeah, I know. But I have a friend with horses. Bonnie likes to have them ridden; it lightens her workload and it’s good for the horses.”

Colbi tilted her head. “You know, it does sound like fun.” After thinking about it for a moment, she said, “Okay, if you can get Maggie and my future mother-in-law on a horse, I’m game.”

“That could be a tall order, but I’ll try.” Savannah peered into Colbi’s eyes. “So are you feeling better?”

“Yeah, I think so,” she said as the two women stood to leave. She hugged Savannah. “Thank you, dear friend.”

“Any time.” Suddenly, Savannah stiffened.

“What’s wrong?” Colbi asked, looking in the direction Savannah stared.

“Um, Colbi, do you know that man?”

“Which one?” she asked. “The one wearing glasses or the tall dark one?”

“Yeah, the tall one.” She looked at Colbi. “Do you know him?”

“I don’t think so, why? Do you?”

Savannah studied the stranger.
Sure looks like that guy I saw arguing with Damon this afternoon. It is him. He’s wearing the same faded sweatshirt. Oh, and will you look at that,
she thought.
There’s the woman I saw with him. I wonder who they are and what they want with Damon.

“Savannah,” Colbi whispered, “why are you staring at those people?”

“Colbi, look at that couple. Are you sure you haven’t seen them before?”

“Uh…I don’t think so; have you?”

Savannah shook her head. “No. I guess not, actually. Shall we get home? We have a big day to plan for.”

“The wedding or the horseback ride?” Colbi asked.

Savannah smiled. “Both.”

****

“Get on a horse? Me?” Iris screeched into the phone the following morning.

“Well, why not?” Savannah asked. “You’re fit and limber. You can still stand and touch the floor with your palms, can’t you?”

“Well, yeah, but…”

“You’re still going to the gym, aren’t you?”

“Yes, but…”

“And you like horses.”

“I guess so. I like your horse.”

In a more pleading tone, Savannah said, “And you sure love Colbi. You wouldn’t want to disappoint Colbi, would you?”

All Savannah heard in response was a deep sigh, then a rather lively, “Well, I do have a pair of cowgirl boots I need to break in. They just don’t look right with my new ripped jeans because they’ve never stepped foot on a ranch.”

“What?”

Iris explained, “Western boots aren’t…well…genuine until you authenticate them by walking in manure or sliding them into those foot-holder thingies on the saddle.”

“Stirrups?” Savannah said, laughing.

“Yeah, stirrups.” Iris paused. “Can I ride your horse? Peaches won’t let me fall off her, will she?”

“Um, well, I can actually get you a more gentle horse. Even Charlotte rides Wilson safely. I think you’ll love him.”

“Oh, your little friend with Down syndrome? She can ride a horse?”

“Yes, she loves to go riding with me, when she isn’t playing with Rags.”

“What’s your aunt going to ride?” She cackled loudly. “A merry-go-round horse?”

Savannah joined her in laughter. “I really don’t think we’ll get her on a horse.”

“Burro?” Iris said, continuing to laugh. “…donkey? How about a Saint Bernard?”

“I haven’t talked to her yet. But if she wants to ride, I think she’ll do fine on one of Bonnie’s older mares. She has two that are gentled down enough for beginners and children.”

“I’ll be the only one on a boy horse?” Iris asked.

“A gelding. That’s right, unless you want to ride one of the mares.”

After hesitating, Iris said, “I’d like to meet them first; then I’ll decide.”

“Fair enough,” Savannah agreed. “Then let’s meet out at the Teague Stables. You know where that is, right? I’ll probably ride over there with Bonnie when she comes to pick up Peaches.”

“So we’ll go from there rather than from your place?”

“Yes. It makes more sense to haul one horse rather than two or three.”

“Oh yes—I guess only a horsey gal would think of that.”

“So meet us there at nine tomorrow. And why don’t you arrange to pick up

Colbi?”

“Sure. Should be fun, unless…”

“Unless what?”

“Oh, I don’t know; a disturbing thought just popped into my feeble mind.”

“What?” Savannah insisted.

“Well, do you remember our last girls’ outing—when we got together for my birthday up at the cabin?”

“Did you have to bring that up?” Savannah complained. “No, Iris, there will be no monsters in the forest or killers in the walls or nighttime cruises across a lake filled with dead bodies.” Her voice lighter, she said, “We’re just going on a calm trail ride and having a picnic. That’s all. Bring your camera—you’ve been wanting to do a little photography, right?”

“Oh yes. You’re bringing your camera—the one you won that trip to Hawaii with?”

“Sure am.” Sounding a little giddy, Savannah said, “There’s this bush I want to photograph in the area where we’ll be riding. I think it might be flowering now. I’d sure love to get a picture of Rags in front of it.”

“You’re bringing your cat?”

“No. But, if I put my mind to it, maybe I can learn how to superimpose a picture of Rags or maybe Dolly in front of the bush—you know, manipulate the photo.” She then said, “Oops, I hear Lily calling me. I guess naptime’s over.”

“Oh, what time is it, anyway?” Iris asked. She then let out a yelp. “I’m supposed to meet a client in twenty minutes. We just finished remodeling her college student’s bedroom into a guest room. Now she wants my advice on a dining room and living room expansion. Cross your fingers that I get that job.”

“Sure will. Good luck.”

“Thanks. Hug the cherub for me. Otherwise, I’ll see you tomorrow at the stables, partner—with your guarantee that it will be a safe and fun all-girls’ outing.”

“You got it,” Savannah said. “Safe and fun.”

“Iris, you’re wearing those brand-new boots riding?” Colbi asked when the two of them joined Savannah and Bonnie at the Teague Stables on Saturday morning.

“Sure am—need to break them in.”

“To go with her holey jeans,” Savannah teased, while brushing Peaches.

“Here are my two sweetest trail horses,” Bonnie said, tying a bay and an appaloosa to a nearby hitching post.

“Great,” Savannah said. “By the way, Bonnie, these are my friends, Colbi and Iris.”

“Whoa!” Iris shouted, quickly stepping back.

“What?” Savannah asked, turning to see what had caused the outburst.

“Those horses don’t like each other. Did you see that? The brown one tried to bite the freckled one.”

Bonnie winked. “Just a little spat between the girls.” She brushed a black curl from her bronze forehead. “Savannah, I’ll be giving a lesson on Wilson later this morning; these two mares should work out well for you ladies.”

“If you recommend them, I’m sure they’re fine.”

“Can I ride Peaches?” Iris whined.

Savannah smiled. “Not today.” After saddling her mare, she walked toward where Iris and Colbi stood staring at the stable horses.

“Let me introduce them,” Bonnie said, chuckling. “The appy,” she turned to Iris and added, “the freckled one, is Delilah and the bay is Beulah.”

“That figures,” Iris said. “Delilah would be the flashy one. Is she gentle? She won’t buck me off or do a hi-ho Silver number with me, will she?”

“Not unless you use spurs on her. She doesn’t like spurs.”

“Oh no, no spurs here. No whips. I want a nice, quiet ride.”

Bonnie smiled. “I think you’ll like either one of them. They’re both good girls on the trail.”

“I like the brown one,” Colbi said. “But her back’s so far from the ground.”

Bonnie, who stood about the same height as Colbi, said, “Yeah, that’s why I use a mounting stool. Once we have her saddled, we’ll move it closer and you can climb up on it.”

“Cool.” All of a sudden, Colbi said, “Uh-oh.”

“What?” Savannah asked.

“What about on the trail? I’ll have to eat my lunch from the saddle. How will I get back up there if I get off?”

“We’ll find a rock you can climb on,” Savannah explained. “Or we’ll give you a boost. Not a problem.”

“Easy for you to say, Ms. Mommy Long-legs.” She looked at Iris. “You, too.”

“Well, some of us have legs and some of us have…” Iris began.

“What?” Colbi challenged, hands on hips.

Iris glanced at the others, then said, “Gorgeous blue eyes, for one.”

“Good save,” Savannah said, laughing.

Bonnie grinned, then pointed out a bucket of grooming tools. “Grab brushes, gals, and clean off the horses’ backs so there are no burrs under the saddle.”

“Sure,” Colbi said, reaching for a brush and running it over Beulah’s back.

Savannah watched for a moment, then gazed at something off in the distance. “Here comes my aunt. I wonder if she’s going to ride after all.”

“What was she going to do, walk?” Colbi asked.

“No, she planned to drive up to the campground and meet us there with the food.” She called out, “Hi, Auntie, change your mind?”

“About what?”

“About riding with us. Do you want Bonnie to find you a horse?”

“Or a donkey?” Iris said, giggling.

Margaret shook her head, her dark-brown bobbed hair swinging from side to side. “No, no. I just came to watch the circus—or should I say the
rodeo
.”

Colbi stopped brushing her horse. “What do you mean?”

“You two greenhorns trying to get up on those horses.” She laughed. “Iris, aren’t you afraid you’ll break a nail?”

“Awww, you had to go and say that, didn’t you, Maggie? Now I’ll be worried all day about my new nail job. Thanks a lot,” she grumbled.

“Just kidding. Your nails are like steel. You’ll be fine.” She pointed. “You should be more concerned about getting those shiny boots dirty.”

“Well, that’s the reason of the ride—I want to season my boots so they…”

“…look more authentic…” both Colbi and Savannah mimicked.

Margaret rolled her eyes, then addressed Savannah. “So how long will it take you to ride to the campground? I think I can drive up there in about forty minutes.”

“It should take us an hour and a half—more if we stop to take pictures along the way. Let’s say two hours.”

“Oh, you have your camera?”

“Yeah,” Iris said. “She wants to take a picture of Rags in front of a bush.”

“Rags?” Margaret looked around. “You brought your cat?”

“No,” Savannah said, laughing. “I can just envision him sitting in front of this bush when it’s all bloomed out in yellow. But no, we didn’t bring him. I told Iris I might learn a photo- manipulation program and create the picture myself.”

“Tricky,” Margaret said. She held her phone up and snapped a few pictures as Bonnie and Savannah began to saddle the two stable mares.

“Ready?” Savannah asked after slipping Beulah’s bridle over her ears.

“As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess,” Colbi said hesitantly. “Bonnie, where’s that ladder you told me about?”

“Here,” she said, placing a mounting stool next to the bay mare. “Now, step on up there and put your left foot in the stirrup.” Once Colbi was in the saddle, Bonnie adjusted her stirrups, then turned to Iris. “Want to climb up on Delilah and I’ll check yours?”

“Now turn that thing off, Maggie. I don’t want you taking any pictures of me trying to get up on this beast,” Iris complained.

“It’s not a picture,” Margaret said, laughing. “It’s a video—for YouTube. You’re going viral, girl.” She laughed harder as she watched Iris struggle to climb up onto the mare.

“Maggie, turn that thing off, “Iris snapped. Once she was in the saddle and Bonnie had lengthened her stirrups, Iris took hold of the reins and asked, “Now what?”

In the meantime, Margaret said, “Stand your horses all together and I’ll take a picture. When she noticed Iris’s and Colbi’s horses taking them away from where Peaches stood, she hollered, “Hey, over here. Bring them over here.”

“She won’t turn,” Colbi complained. “Where’s the steering wheel, anyway?”