Free The Purrfect Lie (Klepto Cat Mystery Book 12) by Patricia Fry Page A

tenth,” Margaret said, glancing at her niece, who seemed to be having a problem forming her thoughts. She said to the woman, “Your little girl looks to be about the same age,” then, to her niece, said, “Look, Vannie, a playmate for Lily.”
    The woman nodded and peered lovingly at the child she held in her arms. “Yes, she just turned a year. We also had a little party with the Hello Kitty theme. She does love kitty cats.” When Savannah continued to stare without responding, the woman took a step back and asked, while covering her mouth, “Do I have spinach in my teeth?”
    “Oh no,” Savannah said. “I’m sorry. It’s just that…well, I thought you were someone I knew.” Just then Lily began to fuss. Savannah shook her head as if to clear it and said, “Excuse me,” as she lifted the baby from the stroller.
    Margaret looked from one to the other of the women. “You know, I think I’ll run over to the hardware store while you visit…and shop. I’ll be back in a flash.”
    “Uh, sure,” Savannah said. She then explained to the woman, “I know I seem to be staring. I’m sorry. You…look a lot like someone I just met…well, you two could be sisters, except your hair is darker red and—wow, curly!” she exclaimed.
    “Yup, that it is,” the woman said, laughing. She put out her hand, “Hi, I’m Mary. This is my daughter Crissy.”
    Savannah shook Mary’s hand, then reached out to the child. “Hi Crissy.” She looked into Mary’s light-green eyes. “I’m Savannah. This is…” she turned and said, “Well, that was my aunt Margaret and this is my daughter Lily. “When was her birthday?” Savannah asked, nodding toward Crissy.
    “Sunday,” Mary said.
    “They’re just about the same size, aren’t they?” Savannah noticed.
    “Ki-ki,” Lily said, pointing.
    Crissy pointed at Lily and said, “Ba-by.”
    Savannah smiled. “Now there’s a word Lily hasn’t tried, yet—but she hasn’t been around any babies, except in the church nursery a couple of times.”
    When Lily squirmed to get down, Savannah placed her on the floor. Immediately, Crissy wanted down and her mother lowered her to the floor. There, the little girls stood looking at each other, Crissy clutching a pink plastic purse. Right away, Lily’s eyes were drawn to the purse, but when she reached out and tried to take it, Crissy pulled away from her, holding stubbornly to the purse.
    Lily stared at the child for a moment, then she retrieved her doll from her stroller. She held it out to Crissy, who promptly dropped the purse and took the doll. Naturally, Lily picked up Crissy’s purse and began examining it.
    “A little negotiator, huh?” Mary said, laughing.
    Savannah cringed. “Oh, that was more like manipulation.”
    Mary smiled and looked down at her daughter. “She doesn’t have many children to play with, either. My husband and I just moved here from Frisco and we don’t know a lot of people yet. Her birthday party consisted of us, our landlord, and her two boys—an eight-year-old and an eight-month-old.”
    Savannah nodded. “Same with Lily. She hasn’t been around kids her age at all. In fact, I’ve been wanting to make some connections for her. Hey, would you be interested in doing a playdate with the girls some time?”
    Mary’s face brightened. “I’d love it. Do you live here?”
    Savannah shook her head. Before she could respond, Lily walked away and Crissy started to follow. Both women headed after their toddlers. Once they’d picked them up, Savannah said, “We live in Hammond. Do you ever get over that way?”
    “Not for a long time. But sure, I can drive over and maybe you could come here sometime. We live near a nice playground with a special area for the little guys.”
    “Sounds great.” Savannah took out her phone. “Want to give me your number?” Once she’d typed it in, she gave her number to Mary. “What’s your schedule like?” Savannah asked.
    Before she could respond,