A Ghost of Brother Johnathan's by Elizabeth Eagan-Cox Read Free Book Online

my thoughts to myself and dutifully followed Marta back through the kitchen and then into another room, a cheerful dining room with a circular table set up at a bay window that overlooked the back garden.
“I’ll be a minute, you make yourself comfortable here.” Marta gestured me to sit at the chair that afforded the best view and then she left. I could hear kitchen noises and suspected that in her own way, she did not need, nor wanted, my assistance.
In November, Marta’s garden, or any garden up here on the chilly Northern California coast, was not much to look at. There were vibrant evergreen hedges, bare fruit trees and a good size juniper-like bush with bright red berries. Marta’s garden was, like her house, well lit. I was grateful for lighting, otherwise I’d not be able to view the backyard at all, the sun had set and darkness enveloped us. I spied movement on the lawn near the juniper bush and leaned closer to the window. Two raccoons had come out from underneath the bush and were sauntering over to Marta’s back porch. I leaned closer into the window to get a better look at the porch. The raccoons had perched on the stoop and were eating out of a large bowl. Imagine that, Marta fed the local raccoons.
“Oh, do you see Hansel and Gretel?” I did not hear Marta enter. She held a tray of food.
“Who?” I asked.
“My two raccoons. I named them Hansel and Gretel. I feed them cat food. Just a little kibble in the evening and then in the morning. I don’t want them to come to rely on my feeding them. Nevertheless, in this cold weather, I take heart and give them a little extra cream with their kibble, just like my cats, they love a saucer of cream. Last year Ozzy helped me catch Hansel and Gretel with a have-a-heart trap and I took them both to be fixed and vaccinated. That way they can’t reproduce and as a couple they do not stray from each other. And they are far less likely to spread, or die of, diseases, especially rabies.”
Marta set the tray to the side, on the buffet table, and then handed me a plate heaped with more food than I could possibly eat.
“Coffee or milk?” She asked.
“Coffee, please, and black.”
“I’ll be right back.”
Marta returned with coffee for both of us. She sat across from me. “Please, Shannon, eat.”
We ate in silence for a few minutes. It was a friendly and casual reverie.
“Marta this dinner is delicious. I’ve had German food before, but nothing as wonderful tasting as this homecooked dinner.”
“I am glad you enjoy it. At first I was not going to prepare a traditional meal, but I should tell you, I spoke with our friend, Rosario, and she said by that by all means you would enjoy it.”
I giggled. “Rosario knows me better than anyone on this planet. How is she?”
Marta shrugged her shoulders, “She’s Rosario. Busy as ever and keeping everything and every person organized like a well-oiled machine. She said there were several guests at the B&B. I know that makes her happy.”
“Yes it does. You know, I live there, at Blackthorne House Inn. I have my own quarters with a fantastic bedroom and a separate office. I love it and though I have mentioned moving out, Rosario always vetoes my idea.”
“Lucky you, and I mean that sincerely. More coffee?” “Yes please. Oh, where are your cats?”
“Blondie, the light colored one, is curled up on the rug underneath the piano in the front parlor. Rufus, the red cat, prefers the kitchen, he has a little rug in the corner by the back door. I imagine he dreams of being let out. Nevertheless, I won’t allow either one of them outside. Too dangerous, what with the vehicle traffic in this neighborhood, and the raccoons.”
“I noticed them in the front window when I arrived. I was a little surprised they don’t have six toes.”
Marta laughed. “Good grief, aren’t there enough sixtoed cats in Eureka? Seems as if every shop owner has one and they stop me and make sure I’m aware that they have a Rupp cat,