The Purrfect Lie (Klepto Cat Mystery Book 12) by Patricia Fry Page A

to explore.”
    “Oh no,” Savannah said. “Don’t let my aunt hear you say that. She’d insist she takes after me.”
    When her comment was met with blank stares, Savannah waved a hand in front of her face. “It’s just that I’ve had some…interesting adventures, lately.”
    “Really?” Jenna said, grinning. “You must tell me about them sometime.”
    Savannah cringed a little, then smiled at Barbara, asking, “So, you learned all that about Lily in just an hour?”
    “Yes. Although if you bring her again, I might have a whole different set of phrases to describe her. She and Bradley are still forming so many of their traits.” She thought for a moment and said, “I hope you will bring her again.”
    “I’d love to. Can you give me some information about your program—the fees and so forth?”
    “Certainly,” Barbara said, leaving the room.
    Savannah turned to Jenna. “I so enjoyed spending time with you. It’s been fun and…enlightening,” she said with a wink.
    Jenna smiled. “Enlightening? Do you mean my spiel about some of the bad parenting I’ve seen? Sorry about that. I hope I didn’t overstep my bounds.”
    “No, no,” Savannah insisted. “You gave me some great insight about this age group.”
    Jenna placed her hand on Savannah’s arm. “And you gave me some things to think about with regard to those poor wild cats in my neighborhood.” She pulled back, smiling. “I appreciate the invitation to the Cat Alliance meeting. I just might show up.”
    “Great,” Savannah said, reaching out and hugging Jenna. Once Barbara had returned with the information, Savannah thanked her and Allan, then scooped up her daughter and headed for the door. Before she reached the exit, she stopped and looked at Lily, who pushed against her, trying to squirm out of her arms. “I guess she doesn’t want to leave,” she said, grinning sheepishly at Barbara and Allan. “Never had that happen before.” She then nodded. “Yup, I think she likes it here. We will be back.”
    ****
    That evening at dinner, Savannah bubbled over with stories of their day at the day-care center and her chat with Jenna.
    “It sounds as though you found yourself a new playmate, too,” Michael said, chuckling.
    Savannah nodded and laughed. “Yes, I really like Jenna. It was fun connecting with a mother of a same-age child. It was so relevant.” She thought for a moment, then said, “It’s just not quite the same when I try to discuss potty training, appropriate shoes for a toddler, or educational toys with older women who are past all that or single women who haven’t experienced it.” She took a sip of iced tea. “Jenna and I hope to get together with the kids soon.”
    “So did Lily like Bradley?” he asked. “How did the children get along?”
    “Actually, Michael…” She hesitated. “…our daughter is a little aggressive. The first thing she did was bowl the little boy over and take away his toy.”
    “Bowled him over?”
    “Yeah, sort of like she does Lexie when she’s in Lily’s way.”
    “She’s a bully?”
    “No, she’s just learning how to play. Oh, Michael, guess what her favorite toy was.”
    “I don’t know,” Michael said, obviously amused by Savannah’s excitement.
    “A plastic truck.”
    “Really?” he said.
    “Yeah, I think she’s going to be a tomboy.”
    Michael looked at their daughter, who was chewing on a teething biscuit. “So shall we get her some boy toys for her birthday?”
    “I guess we could, only…”
    “Only what?” Michael asked.
    “I think she was attracted to that toy because it was something she’s not used to seeing. If she had one of her own, it wouldn’t be a novelty for her when she visits the day-care center again.”
    “So you’re going to take her back there, huh?” he asked.
    Savannah nodded. “I’m considering it. I think it would be good for her. You should go with me next time. It’s really cute watching her play with Bradley.”
    He