Here Comes Trouble by Kathy Carmichael Page A

the yard until he could find another home for
him. The problem was, who?
    No, that wasn't the real problem. Instead of
who, the problem was how. How best to convince
Stella she wanted to be a mother?

As soon as her mom left, Stella headed back to
her garden, only to be constantly interrupted. Mrs.
Maplethorp brought over a casserole, saying she'd
made double by accident. Another neighbor
brought cookies. Neither woman had wanted to
come in, instead they were after gossip.
    Stella wished she'd never heard of Quin. At the
rate she was going, she'd never get her seedlings
into the ground. When Cait came around the corner of her house, Stella decided it was time to
throw in the trowel.
    "If you want to know where Quin is this morning, I don't know," she announced, hoping to head
off the endless questions she'd already fenced that
morning.

    "Quin's in the park playing with his mongrel,
dear," replied Cait matter of factly, shifting a paper
bag and a plastic wrapped plate of cookies. "I'm
here to see you."
    "Won't you please come in?" Stella led her into
the kitchen.
    Cait laid down her things on the kitchen table.
"I hope you'll enjoy the cookies."
    "Would you like something to drink?"
    "No. I can't stay." She opened a paper sack on
the table and pulled out a book. "This is for you.
I've heard it's a best seller."
    Stella glanced at the book. The title was written
in screaming orange lettering against a navy background. Man Hunting: How to Trap a Husband.
    Good heavens. First her own mother and now
this. Evidently, they overestimated Quin'scharms. Or perhaps they were worried about her
ability to attract a man? Come to think of it, they
might be right. It was a depressing thought, and
even more lowering was that they apparently believed she needed a man in order to find happiness.
    Stella swallowed, not sure quite what to say.
Good manners required she thank Cait. "I appreciate your thoughtfulness."
    "If a thing is done, it's best done right."
    Stella wondered if the pun had been deliberate
as Cait gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
    "I'd better run now," Cait said, gathering up her belongings since her mission had evidently been
accomplished. "Have to make it to the Ladies
Auxiliary booth before they close."

    Stella walked her to the front door. Someone
was knocking as they arrived.
    Cait said, "Oh, it's Mrs. Burnstein, I'd know
that knock anywhere. Don't let her fluster you,
dear."
    During the next hour, Stella had no time to
make it back outside. Visitor after visitor arrived,
including Janice Smith, Quin's mother, and even
the minister's wife. Finally, Stella left her front
door ajar and kept the coffee pot set on brew.
    She'd just been about to stick some of the casseroles and baked goods in the freezer when she
heard Miss Tipplemouse knock timidly at the open
door. "Stella?"
    Stella, arms filled with plastic freezer containers, stepped to the hallway where she could see
Miss Tipplemouse at the door. "Please come on
in."
    "Your door is open. Shall I close it behind me?"
    "No point in it. I've had lots of visitors this
morning."
    "You've always been popular," said Miss Tipplemouse as she joined Stella in the kitchen. "I've
brought you some coffee cake. Oh dear. I see
you've already got some."
    Stella tried not to snicker. Got some was truly an understatement. She had enough cakes, cookies,
and casseroles to feed the entire Littlemouth High
School Senior Class after a hard day of conjugating verbs. Probably enough for the Junior and
Sophomore class too. "Your cake has cherry filling, though, doesn't it?"

    Miss Tipplemouse nodded.
    "That's my favorite. Please have a seat and we
can each have a slice. Would you like some coffee
or tea?"
    "Tea, please." Miss Tipplemouse clutched a
shopping bag tightly in her hands.
    Stella put all the food back on the counter beside the refrigerator. As she immersed the tea bag
into a mug of hot water, Miss Tipplemouse said,
"There's something