PAWSitively Sinister (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 11) by Patricia Fry Read Free Book Online Page B

Savannah watched Mattie walk away. Before reaching the cab, she stopped. “Hey, don’t forget to call. I promised Mims I’d get her some help.”
    The two women waved and nodded.
    Once the cab had disappeared from view, Ruth put her hand on Savannah’s arm. “Thank you so much. I don’t think I could have done it on my own. There is just too much history between us. I resent her for what she did to our parents and I think she is jealous of me—or the way she perceives my life to be.”
    Savannah nodded. “I’m sure she is.” She then said, “You seem a little overwhelmed by her presence.”
    “Overwhelmed?” Ruth said. “Oh yes, that is a good word for it. I do not want to become her… pushover… know what I mean? … her easy touch… ”
    “Yes. You can’t rescue her from herself. She can’t expect you to be her… ”
    “Saving Grace?” Ruth said. “No way, José.” She thought for a moment and said, “But I would love to help her help herself if and when she is ready to get off the streets and become a productive citizen.” She waved her hand in front of her face as the tears welled in her eyes. She cleared her throat and asked, “So, what do you think? Do you want to involve Rochelle? Could she help Mattie’s friend like she helped Artie?”
    Savannah placed Lily back in the stroller and sprinkled a few baby puff snacks in the tray before responding. “All we can do is ask. I don’t think Rochelle has her shingle out in any sort of formal manner, but she seems to like helping in situations where she can.” She thought for a moment and said, “I’ll call her this afternoon. She just might be interested in working with this woman. Sounds like it could be a fascinating case.”
    “Like Artie’s,” Ruth said.
    Savannah nodded slowly. “Yeah, it could actually be similar to his—a blocked memory—something too awful to face.” She looked beyond Ruth. “Hey want to go see what the guys are digging up?”
    Ruth looked at her watch. “I’d better go help Laura, Gail, and the others. I’ve been gone quite a bit this morning. Both women stood and Ruth hugged Savannah. “Thank you again for being here for me. It means a lot.” She pulled back and looked up at Savannah, saying, “You’re a good friend.”
    “You, too, Ruth. Thank you for trusting me to get involved in your family matters.”
    Ruth laughed. “Oh, I do not think I have done you any favors by dragging you in.”
    “Hey,” Savannah said, “anything I can do to help… just call me. I’ll be in touch after I talk to Rochelle.”
    Ruth nodded, then said to Lily, “’Bye, little one,” before walking off toward the mansion.
    “Let’s go see what Daddy’s doing,” Savannah said, making sure Lily was strapped into the stroller.
    “Da-da?” Lily said. “Da-da?”
    “Yes,” Savannah said excitedly, “Da-da.” She stooped over and kissed the baby on the forehead. “You said, Da-da. Now let’s go show Da-da your new word.”
    ****
    When Savannah and Lily arrived at the site, the digging project had been completed and the rented equipment was being loaded onto a trailer.
    “Hi, hon,” Michael greeted, when he saw his wife approaching. He said to the baby, “Whatcha doin’, punkin’?”
    “Tell Daddy what you said, Lily,” Savannah prompted. “Daddy, Daddy,” she repeated.
    Lily looked at Savannah, then reached for her dad.
    “Who is that, Lily?” Savannah asked. “Is that Daddy?”
    But the baby wasn’t going to speak. She just stretched her arms out toward Michael and began to whine.
    “Did she say ‘daddy?’” Michael asked as he unbuckled her from the stroller and lifted her into his arms.
    Savannah nodded. “She said ‘da-da’ just as plain as day.”
    “Awww, did you say da-da? You’re such a smart little girl, aren’t you?” he said, tickling her tummy to make her giggle.
    “So did the digging tool work?” Savannah asked.
    “Yeah,” he said. “Come look how wide the pit is at