A Picture-Purrfect Christmas (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 13) by Patricia Fry Page B

“Kittens can never get too much attention. Marissa would be helping to socialize them by playing with them, right, Auntie?”
    “Absolutely,” Margaret said.
    Max nodded and smiled. “We are always grateful for any help we can get around here.”
    Marissa stared solemnly into the pen at the kittens. “I’d like to just scoop them up and take them all home—to my forever home. But I can’t have pets where I am and my forever home is still just a dream.”
    Margaret winced, then cleared her throat. “Come on, let’s go play with the kittens.”
    Once Marissa was settled in the pen with three rambunctious kittens rolling, crawling, and playing around her, she asked, “Where’s their mother?”
    “We couldn’t find her. She may have been picked up by someone else and that person didn’t know about the kittens. Or it was time for her to move on and she left the kittens to be on their own.”
    “Tough love,” Marissa said under her breath.
    Everyone chuckled.
    After a few minutes, Marissa said, panic in her voice, “Hey, this white kitten’s hurt; something’s wrong with its leg!”
    Max nodded. He stepped into the pen with Marissa, knelt next to her, and picked up the kitten. “Yes, she was born with a crooked leg or it was damaged and not repaired. We’re not sure what happened.” He glanced at Michael. “Dr. Mike and I are keeping an eye on her to decide whether or not to do surgery.”
    Marissa looked up at Michael. “Oh yeah, you’re an animal doctor.”
    He smiled and nodded. “So is Savannah.”
    Marissa peered at Savannah. “You are? I thought you were a mommy.”
    Savannah chuckled. “Well, that, too. But my profession…when I’m working…is veterinarian.”
    “Ohhh,” she said. “Nice.” She reached out for the kitten, placed her on her lap, and stared down at her. She then ran her hand over the kitten’s crooked leg while tears rolled down her cheeks.
    “Marissa, are you okay?” Savannah asked gently.
    “Yes, I’m just sad for her. She may have to go through her whole life…different from all the other cats…deformed…a freak.” She raised her face and looked at Savannah and the others. “…like me.” She took a ragged breath. “She’s just like me.” She laughed a little. “It’s even the same leg as mine…look at that. Well, both of mine are crooked, but one more than the other.”
    She held the kitten close to her face and whispered to her.
    ****
    An hour later, Max helped Marissa climb into the stroller for the ride back to the Iveys’.
    “Thank you,” she said to Max. “And thank you for letting me play with your kitties. I just love them all.”
    “You are so welcome,” Margaret said. “We appreciate you taking time to be kind to them. They need all the kindness they can get.”
    Marissa was quiet on their way home, until suddenly she said, “Ms. Savannah, do you want to know what I told Angel?”
    “Angel?” she questioned.
    “The crippled kitten. I named her Angel in my heart.”
    “Oh,” Savannah said. “Yes, I would like to know what you said to her.”
    “I told her that she is beautiful just the way she is and that I will pray for just the right forever home with a very special person who will care for her forever and ever.” She looked up at Savannah. “Do you think my prayer will come true?”
    “I’m sure of it, Marissa. Just keep those pure thoughts in your heart. Keep believing.”

Chapter 4
 

     
“How long is he going to sit there like that?” Michael asked, gesturing toward Rags with a dishtowel. “He’s been perched on the kitty shelf peering out that window ever since you left to take Marissa home.”
    “Good question,” Savannah said, handing him another dish to dry. “Remember, he did that last time Marissa visited, too. It’s like he’s waiting for her to come back.” She smiled. “She sure is a delight, isn’t she? She’s so happy and interested in the things around her.”
    He nodded. “Yes, a great