Karen Anne Golden - The Cats That 03 - The Cats That Told a Fortune by Karen Anne Golden Page A

arms.  “I want to thank you for a wonderful day.  Let’s make this a tradition.”  He kissed her on the forehead.
    Katherine said, “I’m game.”
    *              *              *
    A few minutes after Jake left, Katherine was heading for the atrium to go upstairs when the front doorbell clanged noisily.  She rushed to open it.  Margie was standing outside, holding a box.
    “Come in,” Katherine said smiling, holding the door open.
    “Hey, kiddo.  The oops man left this by accident at the yellow brick house.”
    “Oh, yay!  I was worried it wouldn’t come.  Just set it down any old place.”
    Margie put the large box on the atrium floor. 
    “Why do you call the delivery guy the oops man?” Katherine asked curiously.
    “Because he’s always delivering to the wrong address.   The joke is he’s been doing this run for twenty years, but I think he’s developed cataracts.  He’s a good soul, so nobody complains.  I’ve got a box cutter.  Want me to open it?”  Margie offered.
    “Yes, please.  And, thanks for bringing it over.”
    Margie slit the tape and tugged the box open.  Inside were more Halloween decorations, with a twelve piece serving set of black dishes, cups and saucers.
    Katherine clapped.  She carefully removed the carton of dishes and opened it.  Examining the plate, she handed it to Margie.  “I thought it was cool the way it has a cobweb design etched in white.”
    “Rather ghoulish!” Margie laughed.
    “I’ll have to eat off these dishes for a while,” Katherine lamented.
    “Why’s that?” Margie asked.
    “My cats opened the cabinet with the dinner plates and hurled them out.  Once they hit the cer amic floor, they broke into smithereens.”
    “Eek!” Margie grimaced.  “Spitfire has never done anything like that.”
    “They were expensive, too.  Tiffany.  Waterford.”
    Margie asked, “Were they antiques?”
    “No, they’re new patterns.  When I moved here, I thought it was strange that practically everything in the house was brand new, from the dinnerware to the cleaning equipment.  It’s like the housekeeper had a field day buying new stuff.  Or my gr eat aunt did.  It’s a mystery,” Katherine said, throwing her hands up.  “I’ll just add the broken dishes to the growing list of cat disasters.  My dear estate lawyer asked me to keep track.”
    “I hope it’s a short list,” Margie teased.
    “Sort of,” Katherine smirked.
    Margie chuckled.  “It won’t be too long before you don’t have to put up with him.  What is it?  Five months?” Margie asked.
    Katherine answered, “Four months.  I’ll replace them, or try.  Or not.  In a few months a few broken dishes won’t matter.  I’ll buy whatever I want.” 
    Margie said, “I better get going.  I need to grab a few things at the brick house, then head on home to start dinner.  I gave strict orders to Tommy and Shelly to not open the door to anyone unless it’s me or their dad.  This psycho running loose on a murder spree has everyone on edge.”
    “I met Deputy Daryl today at the festival.  He talked a little bit about it.  Oh, and I finally met Jake’s mom and dad.”
    “Interesting.” Margie gave an understanding, knowing look.  “How did that go?”
    Katherine threw her head back and laughed.  “My worst nightmare.  Jake’s dad seems really nice, but his mom was as cold as ice.”
    Margie said, “It can’t be as bad as that.  Cora takes some getting used to.  I’ve lived next door to her for years, and we still ain’t friends.  She was like that in high school.  Got her nose stuck up so high, I’m surprised she doesn’t fall over backwards.”
    Katherine appreciated the moral support.  “These facts are good to know.”
    “Okay, kiddo.  Gotta go.  Take care now.”  Margie left.  Katherine shut the door behind her and locked it.  She picked up the box and hauled it to the kitchen, where she placed it on the