Free Karen Anne Golden - The Cats That 05 - The Cats that Watched the Woods by Karen Anne Golden

wouldn’t budge. “Raw,” she screeched.
    Katherine hesitated for a moment, then reached for the door handle. Scout lunged for the door, stood up on her hind legs and grasped the door handle with both paws. Abra hopped back on the duffle bag and lodged her claws in the canvas.
    Elsa tried to grab Scout, but Scout cried an angry, deep throaty growl.
    Katherine sighed, “Elsa, there’s been a change of plans. I’m taking Scout and Abra with me. I can’t leave them when they're clearly in a delirious state.”
    “Ma-waugh,” Scout agreed.
    “Shouldn’t we call the vet?” Elsa asked, concerned.
    “No, this is something my two sealy girls do,” Katherine explained. “Just help me get them in their carrier and load them in the car. I’ve got to gather a few extra things. Then I really need to get going before it gets dark.”
    “Okay, I can do that. Lilac, Abby, Iris and the little ones will be just fine. Don’t worry.”
    “Thanks. I really appreciate it.”
    *              *              *
    Once on the road, Katherine spoke to the cats, which were sitting inside their carrier atop the folded back seat. “That was the best performance I’ve ever seen. You two deserve the Academy Award.”
    Scout and Abra answered by thumping their tails inside the carrier. Thumpity thump thump.
    The feminine GPS voice droned, “Turn left on Highway 41 and follow the highlighted route.”
    “Waugh,” Scout protested. Something about the GPS lady’s voice irritated the sensitive Siamese. Finally, Scout stopped objecting, and the two sisters settled down. When Katherine looked in her rearview mirror to check on them, Abra had her paw draped over Scout’s back. Katherine was thankful they had finally gone to sleep.
    On the front passenger seat was the map Elsa had drawn, as well as the computer printout directions to the cabin from the owner, Leonard Townsend. Townsend’s email instructed Katherine to drive to his house first, which was less than a mile from the cabin, and pick up the key. He explained that he didn’t have a telephone or cell phone, and that he drove to Peace Lake’s library to use one of their computers. He advised that if she needed an answer to email, she’d have to wait twenty-four hours.
    Initially, this lack of communication worried Katherine, but then she thought maybe he was frugal. Although she had been apprehensive, she felt more at ease when she remembered the five-star reviews from satisfied vacationers. Also, she had packed her own five-star protection—her Glock.
    *              *              *
    It was a quarter to seven when the rain started. At first it was a light, steady rain, then it turned into a torrential downpour. The windshield wipers could barely keep up. Katherine leaned forward in her seat and clutched the steering wheel. “I’ve got to find someplace to pull off,” she said, squinting.
    “Waugh,” Scout cried, waking up. The pounding rain on the Subaru’s roof woke up Abra, as well.
    “It’s okay. We’ll be there in a minute. Go back to sleep,” she said in a calm voice. Katherine saw a sign for Ox Bow Trails and quickly pulled into the parking lot. She parked, then yanked her cell out of her bag. Elsa answered right away.
    “Wow, I guess I was wrong about the cell reception. What do you think of the cabin?” the pet sitter asked.
    “Elsa, I’m not there yet. I’m so lost. I’ve been following the GPS directions. I think I’ve gone too far.”
    “What was the last thing you passed?”
    “I’m in the Ox Bow Trails parking lot. The place is desolate. Not a person or vehicle in sight.”
    “Okay, you’ve gone way too far. Turn around and go back about fifteen miles. When you see a sign for Port Logan, turn left. Do you still have my directions?”
    “Yes, I do,” she said guiltily, embarrassed about not following them in the first place.
    “Once you get to Port Logan, follow my instructions.