Luckily, Ivy took her thoughts away from that dour turn. “So how have you and Kringle been getting along?”
“Much better since we came back from the vet, actually. I mean, aside from his getting into a fight with Nolan’s dog and breaking Gram’s favorite ornament.”
“Oh no! Will she notice?”
Julie raised her eyebrows at her friend. “It’s the one that goes on the top of the tree. She’ll notice.”
Ivy made a sympathetic face. “I have a spare tree topper at home. I know it won’t be the same, but it could do to tide you over for the party.”
“That’s really sweet. Thank you.”
“No problem. Oh! And I forgot. I brought this for Kringle.” Ivy dug into her purse and removed a long stick. Tied to the end with a long piece of string was a colorful ball with a feather sticking out. “I thought it might help him warm up to you.”
“I’m sure he’ll love it.” If he had time to play with it. Julie still intended to drop by the animal shelter to see whether a spot had opened up. “But I think the painkillers really mellowed him out. He even sat on my lap this morning.Andpurred!”
Ivy laughed. “I knew he’d warm up to you. He’s probably just a bit defensive because he’s a stray. You’re a cat person, and it shows.”
Julie shrugged. “I just hope he opens up as easily with the person who adopts him. I’m going to check and see whether Myrtle has an opening at the shelter.”
“Already?” Mouth agape, Ivy looked aghast. “You’re just going to dump him off at a shelter earlier than you have to? You still have a couple days in town.”
Although her words brought guilt surging to the surface, Julie tried not to show it. “I know, but I don’t want him to miss out if there’s an opening. And you know I can’t get attached, Ivy. I can’t keep him.”
“I know, but…”
The door to the café opened. As Julie had been doing on instinct every time it had, she glanced in that direction. This time, she actually recognized the person who was coming inside. It was Myrtle.
“Speak of the devil.” She waved to the older woman.
With a bright smile, Myrtle waved back. She stopped to say something to Lucy then puttered over to Julie’s table. “You look great,” she exclaimed. “The fresh air out here is really doing you some good.”
Since Julie didn’t think she’d changed at all in the week she’d been here, she sidestepped the compliment with a muttered “Thank you.” Then, because small talk was expected, she chatted a bit with Myrtle about her health and about Gram. Finally, when Julie saw an opening, she asked, “So, how’s the situation at the animal shelter? Has a spot opened up for Kringle?”
“Kringle?”
Maybe Julie had neglected to mention that she’d named the cat. Oops.
“That’s what I’m calling the white fluffball I brought in the other day. I’m only here for a couple more days, so he’ll need somewhere to go when I leave town.”
“I’m sorry, we’re still full up. Unless…”
Julie held up her hands. “No, I know. Don’t even say it.” She didn’t want to think about Kringle or any other cat getting euthanized. “Just let me know whether you get a spot for him.” Maybe someone would pick up a shelter cat for a Christmas gift, or Myrtle could find a foster. Worst case, her parents would watch the cat until Myrtle had an opening. They were staying on for a week at the inn.
“I will, I promise. How are the preparations for the party coming along?”
“Almost done,” Julie said with a smile. It felt as though she’d completed a mountain of work in the past week, but it would all be worth it when Gram saw what she’d done.
Clearly, Myrtle was thinking the same thing. The expression on her face turned soft, and she said wistfully, “I can’t wait for Ida to see it. I haven’t seen her in too long.”
“She misses you too.” Gram had never said as much out loud, but Julie knew from the way she talked about her friends in town that Gram missed Pinecone Falls. It was a shame she wouldn’t be able to stay, but they had her situated at a good retirement community right now, somewhere she could be independent but still have access to help if she needed it.
Except, right here in Pinecone Falls there were plenty of folks who would give Gram help if she needed it. But the inn was too much for her to handle on her own. She’d asked Julie to help her run it once… but no, they were past that now. It was being sold, and Julie was interviewing for her dream job. Why had that thought even crept in?
“Do you need any last-minute help?”
Julie exchanged a look with Ivy, who shrugged. “Actually, Ivy is coming over later today after I pick up a few more decorations. Do you want to come put up the finishing touches this afternoon?”
Myrtle beamed. “Absolutely. What time should I be there?”
