Free Laurie Cass - Bookmobile Cat 02 - Tailing a Tabby by Laurie Cass

the owner of said restaurant was a good friend of mine.
    “No apology necessary,” I told her. “Matter of fact, there might be a law about that. No apologies required for any behavior incurred during times of extreme emergency.”
    She laughed. “Aren’t you a sweetheart? But as I saidbefore, I should have called right away to thank you for all you did.”
    “Oh. Well.” I shifted around in my seat, trying to find a comfortable way to accept undeserved praise. In a weird way, I felt as if I’d finally been able to help Mr. Herrington, my old boss. It didn’t make sense, but that was the way I felt and I would never share that feeling, ever. “Anyone would have done the same thing. I was just the first person to come along, that’s all.”
    “Actually you were the fourth.” Her tone went a little flat.
    I winced, then nodded at a passing waitress. “But Cade’s still doing well?”
    “Much.” The happiness was back. “He’s been transferred out of the hospital and into Lakeview for a few weeks of rehabilitation therapy.”
    “That’s wonderful!” The Lakeview Medical Care Facility in Chilson was not only a nursing home, but also a long-term and rehabilitation care provider. “So…” I hesitated. “Is he… I mean…”
    Barb was willing to voice the frightening question that I was dancing around. “Is he going to recover enough to paint again? The doctors say yes, with time. Cade figures that means a month at most.” She laughed.
    “Five weeks,” I said confidently, and waved at a pair of not-quite-elderly ladies on their way to be seated.
    She laughed. “Minnie Hamilton, you are just what the doctor ordered. Anytime you want to stop by and see Cade at Lakeview, you go right ahead. He’s in a restricted-access room, but I’ll make sure your name is on the visitor list.”
    A warmth spread through me. “If you think he’d like to see me, I’d be happy to stop by.”
    “Minnie, he wants to
paint
you.”
    Ack.
“Then there’s no way I’ll stop and see him.”
    She laughed again. “That’s the third time you’ve made me laugh in five minutes. I’m not sure I’ve laughed since the stroke except when you’re around. Forget Cade, stop by and see me.”
    “With the bookmobile or without?” I asked, then stood to say hello to the cane-carrying Mr. Goodwin.
    “Minnie,” Barb said, when I sat down. “Do you know everyone in this town?”
    I smiled. “Only the ones who have a library card.”
    The most elegant woman I’d ever met in my life paused at our table. “Good afternoon, Barb. And, Minnie, how are you?”
    Once again, I stood. “Mrs. Grice, it’s nice to see you again.”
    The very wealthy and widowed Caroline Grice smiled. “It wasn’t long ago that you were calling me Caroline. How is it that we’ve regressed so far?”
    “Well, because I’m not that smart. Really I’m not.” Because if I’d had half a brain I would have guessed that Caroline, primary sponsor of Chilson’s Lakeview Art Gallery, would know the McCades.
    Barb laughed. “Don’t believe a word of it, Caroline. Minnie here is one of the brightest young women I’ve met in ages.” The two women exchanged a few more pleasantries; then Caroline moved on.
    “You can’t tell me,” Barb said, “that Caroline Grice has a library card.”
    “Well, no.” She had recently made a nice donation to the library, though.
    “Then you do know everyone in town.” When Istarted shaking my head, she covertly pointed to the front of the room. “How about her?”
    I glanced at the hostess. “Cheryl Stone. She and her sister are trying to start a sheep farm north of town. I don’t know her sister’s name, though.”
    “Still counts. And him?” She gestured to a man at the table nearest to us.
    “One of the county commissioners.”
    Barb solemnly held up her water glass. “To Minnie, the person to call if I ever need an introduction to anyone in town.”
    I snorted out an unladylike noise and tinked my glass