A MEOWvelous Witness (Klepto Cat Mystery Book 17) by Patricia Fry Read Free Book Online

Liberty—or any number of other ordinary cars.”
    “Ordinary cars?” Iris questioned.
    “Well, they don’t appear to be over-sized tires from a big truck or tiny tires from one of those little Smart cars.” Savannah stared toward the road again, hoping to see her aunt’s car appear from around the bend.
    “Glad we brought water,” Colbi said, taking a swig.
    “Yeah, but I’m hungry,” Iris griped.
    “I’m sure she’ll be along—she may have gotten lost.” Savannah pulled her phone out of her pocket. “Hey, a missed call from her,” she noticed. But when she listened to the voicemail, all she heard was mumbling and a click. “That’s weird.”
    “What?”
    “Listen,” she said, putting the phone on speaker and playing it back two or three times.
    “She probably pocket-dialed you,” Colbi suggested.
    “Well, I’ll call and see where she is.” After a few moments Savannah stared down at her phone, saying, “She’s not answering.”
    “Hey, where’s the pretty bush?” Iris asked, looking around.
    Savannah glanced up the road once more, then said, “Down that way.” She motioned to the others. “Come on.”
    “Don’t go too fast,” Colbi said, “my legs are still creaky.”
    “How far is it?” Iris asked after they’d walked for a few minutes.
    “Not too far. We should have ridden down here. We need to take the horses to the river, anyway.”
    “For a bath?” Iris asked.
    “For a drink,” Savannah explained.
    “Oh yeah.” Iris then let out a squeal. “Oh no!”
    “What?” Colbi asked, grabbing hold of Savannah.
    “My boots!” she cried. “They’re dirty.”
    Savannah smirked playfully at her. “Well, that’s why you wore them out here—to get them dirty, right?”
    “Not this dirty,” she grumbled.
    “Oh, they’re fine.” Savannah looped her arm in Iris’s. “Come on. Got your camera?”
    “Yes, in my pocket,” she said, pulling it out.
    “Oh, isn’t it pretty,” Colbi said when they reached the meadow where the yellow bush was starting to bloom.
    Iris focused her camera on it. “Gorgeous.”
    “And it’s not even in full bloom, yet,” Savannah said. “Here, let’s all huddle in front of it and get selfies with our cells.”
    After the three of them had snapped a few pictures, Colbi peered at her phone screen, “Oh, that’s a great shot. I’ll have to bring Damon out here for our pre-wedding photos.”
    “They take pre-wedding photos now?” Iris asked.
    “Yeah, either that or engagement photos. Since we didn’t have engagement photos taken, we could do pre-wedding photos and get one blown up to put on a stand at the reception.” She began to brood. “But when will we have time? Oh my gosh, time is so limited.”
    “You could take a picture of the bush and superimpose a photo of you two,” Savannah suggested.
    “I don’t have time to learn how to do that,” she snapped. She lowered her head. “I don’t even have a dress, and we haven’t decided where we’re going after the wedding, if anywhere.”
    “Oh, your honeymoon,” Iris swooned. “I’d go to Carmel or Reno.”
    Colbi pushed a stone around with the toe of her boot and watched it roll. “Yeah, like we could afford it.”
    “How about Big Sur?” Savannah suggested. “It’s quiet there this time of year. Great for honeymooners.”
    “Still not cheap. Anyway, who has time to plan a trip? Not me, that’s for sure.” Colbi looked up at the others. “I’m sorry for being bitchy. I just haven’t been the most pleasant person to be around, lately.”
    “Geez, I’ve heard of Bridezilla,” Iris said. “But I sure didn’t expect my daughter-in-law to be one.”
    “Take it easy, Iris,” Savanna warned. “Our Colbi’s having a rough time.”
    Colbi sighed deeply. “Yes, I am, and I don’t know why.” She started to cry. “This should be the happiest time in my life and look at me; I’m a blubbering mess.”
    Savannah put her arm across Colbi’s shoulders. “Why