The Cat Caper

Chapter Six

Even though I’d barely been out for half an hour, I returned home to find Nan both wide awake and wearing a full face of makeup. She also wore a lace-trimmed blue sundress that hit at the knees, which she’d paired with hot pink tights and big dangling earrings.

“Hey, good morning. What are you all dressed up for?” I asked, eyeing her suspiciously as I clicked the door shut behind me.

“Dressed up?” Nan asked with a small frown as she scratched at her collarbone. “Are you sure? I was worried it makes me look too much like an old fogey.”

I widened my eyes and shook my head. Nothing about Nan’s ensemble aged her in the slightest, but I also knew better than to argue with her when it came to fashion. We both had a special flair for it but tended to prefer very different styles.

“The lace, dear,” Nan explained. “Doesn’t it feel a bit old-fashioned to you?”

“I think you look nice,” I offered with a smile and shrug as I sat to join her. “But I still don’t know why you’re all dressed up.”

“Oh, yes. Well, that nice young man, Brock, called and said he was coming by to do a bit of work.” Nan shimmied her shoulders and giggled—actually giggled.

This was weird. Even for her.

And especially for so early in the morning.

“He prefers to be called Cal now,” I pointed out. “You know, short for Calhoun.”

Nan studied her reflection in the antique mirror that hung near the doorway. “Ah, so he does.”

“But none of this explains why you felt the need to dress all…” I stopped just short of saying flirty and let out a big gasp. Of course. “Nan, you don’t have a new crush, do you?”

She waved her hand and rolled her eyes, but the blush that now painted the apples of her cheeks was unmistakable. “Oh, pish posh. I don’t think it can be categorized as a crush if I never plan on making a move. Besides, silly, I’ve already decided he’s for you.”

“For me?” I shrieked. “You can’t be serious?”

“He’s single. You’re single. You get along. I don’t see what the problem is…” A wicked smile lit up her face. “Unless you maybe have romantic inclinations for another fella?”

Sure, there was no denying that Cal was an attractive man and somebody I got along well with, too. But to think about dating at a time like this? No way. Not until Octo-Cat was back home, safe and sound.

I groaned and cracked my neck to either side. “This is not the 1800s, nor is it the Deep South. We live in twenty-first-century Maine, Nan. And I can find my own boyfriend when I’m ready. Right now, I’m a bit more concerned about finding my missing cat, thank you.”

Nan remained completely unperturbed by my protestations. “Still no reason to pass up a perfectly good opportunity when it just so happens to present itself,” she said. “Besides, you say you can find your own boyfriend, but you haven’t. Let your poor old nan help. By the way, is that what you’re planning to wear?”

“That’s it!” I shouted, throwing both hands in the air and marching right past her. “I’ll meet Cal outside, and you can make yourself scarce. Preferably by continuing the search for Octo-Cat.” Even though I knew it was a touch overdramatic, I slammed the door shut behind me and practically ran straight into the handsome handyman on the other side.

“Oh, sorry,” I murmured as I tried to edge my way past him without losing my footing or brushing up against anything I shouldn’t. I found myself even more aware of his good looks than normal now, thanks to Nan.

Cal’s brow furrowed in sympathy. “Is everything okay?”

“Just peachy,” I said, giving the thumbs-up and tossing him a wink for good measure. Ugh, why was I always embarrassing myself?

Cal stretched his hand across the back of his neck and glanced down toward the porch. “Your nan called me a little bit ago and said you needed help installing a sign for your new business.” He glanced up again and his dark eyes locked with mine. “I didn’t know you were starting up your own business. If you need any advice or anything, I’d be happy to help in whatever way I can.”

Nan had said Cal called himself, but seeing as he had no reason to lie about things, I had to wonder why Nan would have intentionally misled me. What was she playing at, and why now?

“Thanks, Cal. That’s…” I stopped and cleared my throat, otherwise it felt like I might legitimately stop breathing. “That’s really nice of you. I’ll definitely let you know if I need any help.”

He rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet and glanced awkwardly toward the door before finally asking, “So, um, where’s the sign?”

“Oh, just a sec. I’ll go in and grab it real quick. Be right back.” I raced inside, clicking the door shut behind me so that Cal wouldn’t try to follow. The last thing I needed was an added layer of embarrassment from Nan. I was doing a mighty fine job of that myself, thank you. I grabbed the metal sign and stepped back outside, where I handed it to Cal.

He laughed as he studied it. “I’m guessing your nan made this.”

“Yup.” I stared at the door, praying that Nan wasn’t planning on bursting through it anytime soon.

“So you’re opening a… what exactly?”

“A private investigation firm.” I bit my lip while he continued to stare at the sign with a furrowed brow.

“And you’re a pet whisperer now?” His eyes snapped up and locked with mine.

I took a step back and forced a laugh. “It’s just a cute name Nan and my mom came up with.”

“So you don’t talk to animals?” he asked, raising an eyebrow now. He didn’t appear judgmental, just curious. Still. I really would have preferred a different name for my new firm.

I shook my head so hard, I practically got whiplash. “No, ha! Don’t be silly!”

“Too bad,” Cal said after making a gentle clicking noise with his tongue. “I think it would be interesting to hear what they had to say.”

“Yeah,” I said with a laugh. “I’m sure it would be. Especially considering my cat turned up missing yesterday, and I’m worried sick about him.”

“Octavius, right?” he asked. “I remember that guy. Do you need any help searching for him? It should only take me a few minutes to hang this sign, and then I have the rest of the day free.”

I took a deep breath, suddenly feeling much better about Cal’s visit. Nan was only trying to help expand our search team. All the flirty stuff was just her way of adding a bit of dramatic flair, but not really the point. “Thank you, Brock—I mean, Cal. That would be really nice, if you’re sure you don’t mind.”

A curtain rustled in the window, and I saw Nan poke her head into view wearing a giant, naughty grin. I, of course, shot her a death glare. Whether or not her heart was in the right place, sometimes her tongue ran away with her. Sometimes I needed to put my foot down, to remind her that meddling with my life wasn’t an appropriate—or appreciated—hobby.

Less than a minute later, Nan flung the front door open and pushed her way between us on the porch. “Did I hear you’re going to help us search for our sweet missing kitty?” she cooed, batting eyelashes so long I had to wonder if she’d applied fake lashes—or at least several extra coats of mascara.

“Yes, of course,” Cal answered, fixing her with a charming smile. I don’t think I’d ever met a single person who didn’t immediately adore my nan. It was kind of like her own personal superpower.

“Oh, goodie,” she cried. “Angie and I need all the help we can get. We are so worried about our little guy.”

“Think nothing of it. It’s my pleasure,” Cal assured us both just as another vehicle pulled up the driveway and stopped in front of our manor house.

Well, Nan and I were certainly popular this morning. I, of course, recognized the dusty black sedan right away. Sure enough, Charles parked quickly and then lumbered over to join us on the porch.

“Nan,” he cried. “I came as soon as I got your text. Is everything okay?”

Nan floated over to give him a hug hello, smiling at me as she did. Would every eligible bachelor in Blueberry Bay show up at my house this morning? Ugh, I sure hoped not.

Exactly two thoughts flittered through my mind then as the four of us stood awkwardly together on the porch.

One, I definitely regretted teaching my grandmother how to text.

And two, I was going to kill her.