mom, and the kittens new owners can’t look after her?”
Bailey walked across to the sofa and sat down. “Then she’ll have to find her own forever home.”
“And if she doesn’t?” Shelley knew exactly what would happen, but she couldn’t say the words.
“The animal shelter will do everything they can to find her a new home. But no one knows where she’s gone.”
Shelley tickled the kittens’ tummies. “Look at them, Bailey. They look so happy.”
“You would be too if you’d been living here instead of outside, under an old, cold house.”
“Your logical brain isn’t making this any easier.”
“It isn’t supposed to. Just remember what you said the other day.”
Shelley should have kept her misgivings to herself. Even though she worked full-time, the kittens seemed happy to look after themselves. Especially when there were two of them living together.
“We’re going to Bozeman and won’t be back until tomorrow. You don’t have anyone to look after them.”
Stroking their soft fur, Shelley sighed. “You’re right. I have a busy life. Looking after two kittens would be difficult.”
Bailey walked out of the room and returned with a small crate they’d borrowed from Mila. “Would it be easier if I got them ready for the shelter?”
“No, I can do it. Can you get their little blanket out of the laundry?”
By the time Bailey returned, Shelley was almost okay with taking the kittens to the shelter. Armed with enough kibble to last until Easter, they left the house.
It was just as well they had a long road trip ahead of them. She’d need every minute to get used to not having the kittens around.
While Shelley was getting ready to leave Sapphire Bay, John was already at Caleb’s house, combining two tasks at once.
“Next on the agenda,” he said as he turned the page he was holding. “Is the mystery box we have to deliver to the Hammond family.”
Caleb’s feet sped along the treadmill. “Why is it a mystery?”
“Because no one’s bought their gift, yet.” John wondered if having their Christmas wish meeting in Caleb’s home gym was a good idea. So far, they’d discussed most of the items on the agenda. But moving between the exercise machines, losing his notes off the top of the cross-trainer, and dripping sweat on the paper had made the meeting longer than it needed to be.
Picking up his towel, he searched through the notes Mabel had given him. “The person who donated the money for the Christmas wish wants it to be a surprise. The Hammonds have had a stressful few months.”
Steven returned a set of dumbbells back to the stand. “Is that the family that lives on Winchester Avenue?”
John ran his hand down the column of recipient addresses. “That’s them.”
“I met the Hammonds last month at the Christmas shop. Julia, one of their daughters, is ten years old. She was recovering from her last round of chemotherapy.”
“Is she okay now?” Caleb asked.
Steven sat on the mat and stretched. “I don’t know. But we need to include some fun things their daughters can do.”
John’s chest tightened. Having a serious illness was hard at the best of times. But when you were so young, it didn’t seem fair. “Mila might have some ideas about what their daughters would enjoy. They’re about the same age.”
“I’ll ask her as soon as I get home,” Steven said.
Caleb reduced the speed on the treadmill. “When does the basket need to be delivered?”
“Before next Saturday,” John said. “I’m going to Polson on Wednesday. If we can’t find something in Sapphire Bay, I’ll ask a friend for advice. He owns a gift store.”
Steven wiped the sweat off his face. “You know more people than anyone I’ve met. What’s your secret?”
John grinned. “I enjoy talking to people.”
Instead of being offended, Steven smiled. “I can’t help it if I’m more selective in who I speak to.”
“It comes with John’s job,” Caleb said confidently. “If we had a pastor who didn’t say anything, no one would come to any services and the church would have to close.”
Steven grinned. “That would be worse than saying there’s no trout left in the lake. What else is on the list of things we need to do?”
When John saw the next name, he frowned. “Someone wants to give a Christmas wish to Mabel.”
“She won’t like that. She’ll think there’s someone more deserving.”
Caleb looked over John’s shoulder at the notes Shelley had given him. “Why did someone nominate Mabel to receive a gift?”
“Her mom isn’t well and one of her daughters is going through a rough