Uncovering Secrets: The Third Novel in the Rosemont Series by Barbara Hinske Page A

returned with the carrier. She extracted
the kitten, claw by claw, from her sweater and placed him, protesting mightily,
into the carrier.
    “Thank
you,” Sam and Joan said in unison.
    Maggie
smiled. “I’m thrilled he’s going to a loving home.”
    They
exited the laundry room without allowing any additional escapees, and Maggie
walked them to the door. “I’ve got some projects here that I’ll need help
with,” she said to Sam. “Can you stop by next Saturday?”
    “Whatever
you need,” he replied. “See you then.”
    Maggie
was closing the front door when she glimpsed another car approaching through
the trees that lined the long, winding driveway up the hill to Rosemont. She
paused in her doorway as Glenn Vaughn’s old Cadillac came into view. She waived
as it pulled to a stop and Glenn got out and went around to the passenger side
to open the door for Gloria. Maggie smiled. It was heartwarming to see the
old-fashioned chivalry of these newlyweds.
    “What
in the world are you doing, standing around in the cold?” Gloria fussed as they
climbed the steps to the entryway.
    “Sam
and Joan just left with their kitten,” Maggie replied. “I was closing the door
when I saw you.”
    “Busy
afternoon for you,” Glenn remarked.
    “I’m
happy to get some of these guys adopted out,” Maggie replied. “They’re very
cute, and I’ve had lots of fun with them, but six cats is a lot.”
    “Too
many,” Gloria agreed.
    “But
you don’t have to take one,” Maggie hastily added. “Only if you find one that
you’d really like to have.”
    She
retraced her steps to the laundry room and abandoned all hope of getting the
elderly couple to quickly slide through the doorway. This time, however, it wasn’t
necessary. The kittens were occupied dismantling a stack of paper grocery bags
and paid no attention to the new visitors.
    Glenn
and Gloria stood quietly and watched the inquisitive group. A tiny white kitten
with gray tips on her fur finally broke away from her siblings and cautiously
approached Gloria. She wound around Gloria’s feet in the familiar figure-eight
pattern that cats favor and allowed Gloria to pick her up. Gloria cradled her
gently, stroking her between the ears and along her back. She began to purr and
Gloria nodded to Glenn.
    “Whatever
you think, my dear,” he said quietly.
    Gloria
turned to Maggie. “I’ve always thought that cats pick their owners, not the
other way around.”
    Maggie
nodded. “There’s some truth to that.”
    “This
little gal has picked me, so I think we’re all set. How much is she?”
    “Nothing,
of course,” Maggie replied. “I’m just thrilled you’re adopting her. Let me get
you a cardboard box to take her home in.”
    Gloria
shook her head and held up the large canvas satchel she carried on her arm.
“Not necessary. This will do fine.”
    She
placed the cat in her bag, and she and Glenn turned to leave. “We’ve got to
run. We’re going to the dance at four,” Glenn said. “As I remember, you’re a
very good dancer. Why don’t you and John join us?”
    Maggie
smiled. “Joan was just asking, too. Things have been a bit crazy lately,” she
said, gesturing to the kittens. “How’s it going? Is attendance good?”
    “Terrific,”
Glenn replied. “Westbury West Coast Swing Society has renewed their lease for another
year, and we even raised their rent.” He proceeded down the front steps to open
Gloria’s door.
    “Thank
you for our cat, dear,” Gloria said, patting Maggie’s arm. “We’ll be a very
happy family.”

Chapter 24
    Maggie and John were both visibly relieved when Judy
Young closed up her laptop and announced she had to get going. “I’ll tidy up
this list tonight and email it to you. Give it to your insurance agent first
thing tomorrow, before you go to Town Hall,” she said, peering at Maggie over
her glasses.
    “I
promise,” Maggie assured her. “And I can’t thank you enough for all your hard
work and expertise. I had