Black Cat and the Accidental Angel (Black Cat Mysteries Book 3) by Elaine Faber Page A

to meet my end of the bargain. Now, leave before I forget myself and do something you’ll regret!” He yanked open the front door.
    Mr. Adams grabbed his briefcase. “I’m sorry you feel that way, but, don’t for a minute, think this is over…” He scurried out, looking back over his shoulder.
    Black Cat leaped to the top of the sofa and peered out the window.
    Mr. Adams jumped in his car, slammed the door and started the engine. Gravel spewed from beneath his wheels as his car barreled down the driveway. He turned onto the county road and roared out of sight. Mr. Adams was gone, but, without a doubt—he’d be back.

Chapter Eight
    N ot a bird twittered. Not even a hint of breeze stirred the leaves as Black Cat’s gaze followed Mr. Adams down the driveway. He shivered, chilled to the bone. Mr. Adams’s threat of eviction seeped through the room like a damp fog.
    John slammed the front door, picked up the overturned chair and sat at the kitchen table. His shoulders slumped. He pounded one fist into the other.
    Angel lowered her ears and skittered from beneath the table to the blanket beside the stove.
    Black Cat hurried to her side. “Did they scare you, dear-heart?”
    “Did you see the look on John’s face? I thought he was going to punch the banker.” She glanced wide-eyed toward John, sitting with his head in his hands.
    “Any man might react the same way. He’s lived here all his life. He can’t lose his home without being upset, no matter whose fault it is. Where would he and Cindy go?”
    “I don’t understand how Mr. Adams can take away the ranch.” She tapped the blanket with her golden paw.
    “It’s not really like—”
    The door of Cindy’s room inched open and she peeked out. She crept to her father and patted his hand. He looked more like the child and she, the parent, comforting him. “Don’t worry, Daddy. Everything will be okay.”
    John slid his arm around her shoulder. He nodded, but his smile was grim and forced.
    “Angel, let’s get out of here. I hate seeing them so sad.” Black Cat tiptoed to the front door, reached up and scratched at the handle. Meow!
    Angel ambled toward the door, her back to the couch. “Let’s stare at the door. Do you think they’ll understand? Living with a properly trained person makes life so much easier.” She sat beside Black Cat, her eyes riveted at the doorknob.
    Cindy jumped up from the sofa and opened the door. “Do you guys need to go out, Black Cat? Now, don’t get lost again.”
    Good. The child was learning fast. Too bad they wouldn’t be here long enough to fully train John, but no time. They had to get home. Maybe tomorrow?
    Black Cat scooted onto the porch with Angel close behind. Just outside, he stopped short and sniffed. The hair on his neck stood on end. A peculiar scent drifted through the trees and circled the porch rails. He sniffed again. “Intriguing. What is that?”
    Angel tipped up her nose. “Exotic aroma, rich but evocative, with a palate-pleasing bouquet… Shall we?”
    They stole across the yard, one hesitant step at a time, toward the shed. The scent grew stronger. Beyond the outbuilding, an eight-foot high chain link enclosure rose skyward, where huge long-necked creatures covered with coarse feathers milled around inside.
    Black Cat crouched, muscles taunt, hair atop his neck doing the cucaracha . Yikes! These creatures couldn’t be the birds Cindy mentioned. Birds weren’t six feet tall. Birds were black or blue or light tan, preferably with red heads and…and…little.
    Angel dropped to the ground, her tail bushed out like a porcupine. She shook her head. “I don’t think those things are chickens.”
    Black Cat stared at the creatures beyond the fence. “Do ya think?”
    He scanned the enclosure from left to right and then crept toward the wire. Two Emus approached the fence, emitting a deep-throated drumming sound. Yark … Yark … Yonk … Yonk! The mamas!
    One of the six-foot tall critters danced