The Disappearance of Emily: Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Series Book 2 by Elizabeth Pantley (best books under 200 pages .txt) 📗

I carefully scooped up the little bundle of black fur. The kitten was trembling.

“You poor little baby,” I said. The kitten seemed to melt into the warmth and security of my arms. I carried her to the front porch and fed her bits of tuna from my sandwich. She seemed ravenous. I wondered how long she’d been hiding in the bushes.

“Do you mind if I take this little bundle home with me?” I asked Olivia. “I already have cat supplies, plus two furry companions.”

“That’s a lovely idea,” she agreed.

13

No one was home to see me sneak upstairs with my tiny little bundle of black fur. I was glad, as I wasn’t sure if this was going to be okay with the family. I mean, everyone seemed to welcome Latifa into the house, but would they also accept a new kitten?

I hoped that Latifa and Chanel would be okay with a new feline addition to the household. I figured Latifa would be since she was cool with new adventures. I didn’t know Chanel all that well, and there was none of that telepathic communication between us. Latifa had translated everything I knew about her, it wasn’t firsthand. This house had been Chanel’s domain, and she was accustomed to being the Big Cat on Campus. I suspect that she accepted Latifa so easily because they were two of a kind. Smart, sassy movie buffs with a love of sneaking out to the great outdoors and napping on silk pillows in the sunshine. They were clearly meant to be and their connection had been immediate. But would Chanel accept a new kitten into her home?

The cats were not in my bedroom, so they were likely snoozing in the sunshine or sneaking around the garden. That was good. I could get this little furball set up before the big reveal. I planned to let the cats help me name the kitten, which Olivia and I determined was a female. (Thank you, Google.)

I made a soft blanket nest in the middle of the bed and settled the little one into it. I laid down next to her, stroked her soft fur, and listened to her tiny little purr. She tipped over onto her side and began kneading the blanket while she enjoyed being snuggled.

I heard a commotion in my closet (which clearly was a clue to the cats’ secret doorway system). A minute later, the two sauntered into the bedroom. They saw me on the bed and jumped up next to me.

“A kitten!?” Latifa gasped. “It’s a kitten! Why do you have a kitten?!”

“Hercules found her today, in Olivia’s backyard. She was hidden in the bushes. Clearly starving and frightened.”

The kitten softly mewed and looked up intently at the two big cats, her bright, emerald green eyes taking measure of these creatures.

The two cats crowded into my space, effectively pushing me aside with their substantial backsides. They were rubbing their faces on her cheeks, mewing and licking her soft fur.

I enjoyed watching the two of them instantly turn into mamas right there in front of me.

“I figured you two could help me name her,” I said.

“Lola,” said Latifa.

“Hmm. I like that. It’s a good possibility.” I nodded.

“No, Ace. Not asking your opinion. Her name is Lola.”

“How do you know?” The kitten had no collar or tag.

“She just told us,” said Latifa.

I quietly watched while Latifa and Chanel got to know our sweet little Lola. After a while, Chanel picked her up by the scruff and the three of them jumped off the bed and moved to the private cat alcove that was near my closet. Clearly, I had just helped create a lovely new family.

I left the cats alone and used the rest of the evening to catch up on my work and to e-mail Luna, Nana, and Granana. I snuck into the yoga room three times to peek in the teardrop mirror, but only saw the yoga room reflected back at me. I would keep checking. I knew the mirror was a key to connecting with my family back home. I just needed to be patient and let it unfold.

My phone pinged and I smiled when I saw a text from Axel.

You up for breakfast with

Jax & me at Vessie’s

tomorrow at 7?

Yes! Would love that

: )

Busy day, so we’ll have to drive

Sounds good. See you

in the morning

I was feeling hungry and thought I’d trek downstairs for a sandwich. I opened my door to the hallway to find a gloriously full food cart with an assortment of dinner items. Bless this house. Or Cleobella. Or whoever or however the food appeared. It tickled me to see a tiny cat toy resting in a small ceramic bowl that said ‘Welcome’ across the front. Clearly, that was for our new arrival.

As I was getting ready for bed, I heard Latifa’s voice coming from the cat alcove. She was crooning a sweet-sounding lullaby. My hands went to my heart and I felt a surge of love for my suddenly maternal pet.

I snuck a little closer and put my ear to the opening, and then I heard what she was singing:

“Well, I’m not the world’s most passionate guy

But when I looked in her eyes,

Well, I almost fell for my Lola

L-O-L-A. Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola . . .

She . . . umm. Somethin’ Somethin’ champagne.

Like Coca Cola…. C-O-L-A Cola. Lo lo lo lo Lola….”

14

For the first time, in a long time, I woke up without my furry companion squashed up next to me or sprawled over the top of me. Instead, I had three furry companions curled up in a heap a foot away from me on the bed. Since they were snuggled up in their own little pile, I had a blissful few inches of space all to myself.

What a colorful blend of softness they made—the rich chocolate points of my Himalayan,