Merriment, Mayhem, and Meows (Klepto Cat Mystery Book 21) Read online

  “Hire some people,” Margaret said calmly.

  Savannah chuckled at her aunt’s simplistic suggestion before asking, “When are your first guests coming, Iris?”

  “I’m holding three rooms for this weekend. But where will I find good employees on such short notice?”

  “Yeah, you probably want to take your time hiring just the right people,” Savannah agreed. “Can you hold off on the reservations—reschedule the guests?”

  “I guess I could, but I’d sure like to accommodate those folks who are eager to book with us…with me, I mean.”

  “I’ll be here to help in any way I can,” Francine offered quietly.

  Iris smiled at her. “Thank you. That means a lot.”

  “Hey, I have an idea.” When Savannah noticed the others listening intently, she continued, “Remember the time we pulled a team of friends together to help June Balcomb when her nephew was causing all that trouble at her estate and she had lost trust in some of her staff?”

  “Yeah,” Iris said, “a bunch of us got together to help her out. That was kind of fun.”

  Savannah smiled. “I think we all enjoyed that gig. Maybe some of our friends would like to come out and play again…at the Kaiser Bed-and-Breakfast.”

  “You mean volunteer?” Francine asked. “Ask friends to volunteer to do the housecleaning and cooking and stuff? You guys actually did that? That’s awesome. I’d like to see that sort of volunteerism in action.”

  After letting the idea sink in slowly, Iris said. “I love it!” She then lowered her brow. “Do you think any of them would do it? I mean, Dora and Edie are kind of busy. Hell, everyone’s busy. What if everyone’s too busy? This could be a lot of work. I’m not sure I want to ask for such a big favor.”

  “Okay, simmer down,” Margaret said, laughing. “You’re going to fret yourself into a frenzy.”

  “Yeah,” Savannah said. “Let’s not shut down the idea before we give it a try, or at least discuss it.”

  While Iris attempted to get used to the concept, Margaret found a tablet and pen on the reservation desk and she and Savannah began listing the names of people they thought would enjoy helping Iris out. With Francine’s and Iris’s help, Margaret logged some of the duties that would be up for grabs.

  ****

  The following Friday afternoon the inn was a-bustle with volunteers eager to greet the first overnight guests.

  “So who’s watching over your shelter cats, Max, while you’re playing chef here this weekend?” Savannah asked.

  “Playing chef?” he groused, good naturedly. “I am the chef.” He put a couple of egg cartons in the refrigerator, then told Savannah, “Several weeks ago we hired Becky to oversee the volunteers. Didn’t you know that?”

  Savannah shook her head.

  “Yeah, she’s been volunteering with us for the last few years and we wanted a little more freedom, so we finally made her a paid employee. She’ll keep an eye on things. Anyway, this gig here at the inn is just on weekends for however long it takes Iris to find a chef, right?”

  “Yes. Craig and Iris are taking over the manager’s quarters. I guess they’ll stay on weekends and sometimes during the week. Iris can do the cooking for the two of them and Francine.”

  Margaret glanced up while unloading one of several grocery bags that Max had helped her carry in. “So will Iris’s teenagers live on their own at their house?”

  “I guess part time. Iris told me the boys want to spend some time here at the inn, too, so I guess they’ll go back and forth to take care of their cat and dog.” Savannah asked Max, “So what are you fixing this weekend?”

  “Iris and I went over the menu. Actually, I’m responsible only for breakfast. But I told her I’d also cook dinner for the staff as well as the guests just for fun. She liked the idea of the added perk for her initial guests and, of course, for the volunteers.” He glanced at her. “So will your family be staying for meals?”

  “It depends on what you’re cooking,” Savannah teased. She smiled. “Yeah, we’ll probably be here. I’m a volunteer, too, you know. I’m in charge of the gardens.”

  “You’re the gardener?” Margaret asked, chuckling. “Who was doing that before?”

  “Michelle.” She shook her head. “I mean, Miguel. Well, I’ll just be doing some pruning, dead-heading, light weeding, watering, and I get to pick and arrange flowers.” She pretended to run out of breath after the long inventory, then continued, “Michael’s helping Damon with the raking, mowing, hedge-trimming, and blowing. They’re the gardeners; I’m their assistant.”

  “What about Lily?” Max asked, while he put fresh vegetables in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.

  “She’s with Michael right now.” She looked at Margaret. “Auntie will also help with her.”

  Margaret explained. “Yeah, we’re coordinating shifts so one of us will be with her. Speaking of which, I’d better go check to make sure my staff got a sparkle on all the bathroom fixtures and there are no fingerprints on the mirrors.”

  “So you’re in charge of the cleaning crew?” Savannah asked.

  “Yes. I’m the supervisor.” Margaret nodded toward Max. “I’ll help in the kitchen, too.”

  “Who volunteered for housekeeping?” Savannah asked.

  “Let’s see, dear Edie and Dora.” Margaret chuckled. “Brianna’s going to help serve, did you know that?”

  Savannah tilted her head. “No. How did my sister get involved?”

  “I guess Michael talked about Iris’s dilemma at the clinic and Bud told Brianna,” Margaret explained. “Vannie, you know how things get around.”

  “Cool! I understand Colbi’s helping Iris take phone calls and greet guests.”

  “Who else is serving?” Margaret asked. “Last I heard, Iris was short servers for meals and room service.”

  “I think we’ll all be helping with that…Iris, you, me, Colbi, and, I guess, Brianna. How demanding can that job be with only a handful of guests?”

  Suddenly Margaret frowned and stared toward the floor, watching as Rags entered the kitchen. “You brought your cat?”

  “Yeah, he’s on the volunteer staff as an honorary cuddle cat.”

  “Oh, good lord,” Margaret said, shaking her head.

  Just then, Iris stepped quickly into the kitchen. “Our guests will be arriving any time. What’s for supper, Max?”

  “Chicken and dumplings,” he said, looking up from the pot he was stirring.

  “Oh, that’s right. Yum. Can’t wait.”

  “How many will be here for dinner?” he asked.

  “As near as I can figure, maybe seventeen or nineteen.” She chuckled. “Mostly our wonderful volunteer staff, who’ll be served here in the kitchen. Will your dish feed that many?”

  “I believe so. I cooked two whole chickens. I’ll make a chopped veggie salad to go with it,” Max added.

  “Perfect.” She gazed along the kitchen counter. “I hear Edie baked a couple of pies.”

  “Yes, she did; an apple and a berry.” He pointed. “They’re cooling in the pantry.”

  “And for our first breakfast? What did we decide to have tomorrow morning, Max?”

  “Sunny-side-up eggs, crispy bacon sprinkled with pepper, sausage links, and toast with Savannah’s homemade jellies and jams. There’s also a variety of juices and coffee and tea. I’ll put out a bowl of fresh fruit, as well,” he said. “Sunday morning, I’m making the best corned-beef hash and eggs you’ve ever had.”

  “That’s no lie,” Margaret said. “It’s phenomenal.”

  Iris turned up her nose. “I’m not a fan, but I’ll try it. I only had corned-beef hash once and I’m sure it came out of a can.”

  Max winked at her. “If you like well-prepared corned beef, you’re in for a nice surprise.”

  “Iris, they’re here, they’re here!” Colbi announced as she entered the kitchen. She grabbed her mother-in-law’s arm and tugged. “Come with
me to greet them.”

  “Oh dear,” Iris said, pulling back. She stopped to look at her reflection in the glass on a cupboard door, smoothing her hair, and running her hands along the waist of her dress.

  “You look stunning,” Savannah said. She gave her a friendly shove. “Now go.” Once Iris and Colbi had left the room, Savannah looked at Margaret and they both burst out laughing.

  “Do you think she’ll survive this place?” Margaret quipped. Before Savannah could respond, they heard a loud squeal. She gazed at the others who were both staring at the door leading into the dining room. “What was that? Did someone step on a cat’s tail?”

  “Go look,” Savannah suggested.

  “You go look,” Margaret insisted.

  “I’ll go,” Max said, walking past them wearing his apron and carrying a long-handled stirring spoon.

  As he opened the door and peered out, Savannah and Margaret walked up behind him. “What happened?” Margaret asked, trying to see around her husband.

  Just then, they heard Colbi say excitedly, “Ashley, I can’t believe it! This is absolutely surreal.”

  “What’s surreal?” Margaret asked, pushing her way under Max’s arm and through the door. Max moved back, allowing Savannah to follow Margaret, then he returned to the stove. The two of them watched as Colbi and the woman named Ashley hugged and danced around with one another for a few moments.

  “Who is that?” Margaret asked quietly.

  Savanna shrugged. “Must be a college roommate or something.”

  “Or a long-lost sister,” Margaret whispered.

  “Iris,” Colbi said excitedly, “I want you to meet my very best friend in the whole world, Ashley Baxter.” She smiled. “We were cheerleaders together in high school.”

  “Martinez,” Ashley corrected. “I married Robert Martinez.”

  “Really?”

  Ashley nodded. “Yes. Do you remember him?”

  “Sure do,” Colbi said. “He was quarterback the year we won the championship.” When she noticed Iris still standing by, she turned to her. “Oh, sorry. Ashley,” she said brightly, “this is my mother-in-law, Iris Sledge.” She made a sweeping motion with her arm. “She owns all this. Isn’t it wonderful?”

  “It sure is,” Ashley said, scanning the lobby area. She looked at Iris. “I used to ride my horse out here when I was a kid. It had already been abandoned for a bunch of years.” She rolled her eyes. “The things my brother and I used to find around this place!” she paused and looked at Iris. “You’ve really done a lot of work here.”

  “Yes, we have,” Iris said. She put her hand out. “Nice to meet you. So glad you could join us this weekend.”

  When Colbi saw Margaret and Savannah standing off to the side, she rushed to them, taking their arms and pulling them toward Ashley. “Savannah, Maggie, this is Ashley.” She faced her school chum. “These two ladies, along with my mother-in-law, are also some of my best friends in the whole world.”

  “Super to meet you,” Ashley said, shaking hands with them both.

  “So how did you know about the opening?” Iris asked. “Do you live in the area?”

  “No, I’m in southern Oregon, but I still have connections here.” She gazed at Colbi. “I didn’t know you’d come back.”

  “Yes, to take care of my dad before he died. I stayed in the family home until this year. My brother and his family live there now. And you moved to Oregon? To do what?”

  “Robert and I run an upscale motorcycle shop.”

  “No kidding!” Colbi laughed. “So you traded in your horse for a hog?”

  “Something like that,” Ashley said, also laughing.

  Iris glanced toward the front door. “Where’s your mom, Ashley? Don’t we have a reservation for the two of you?”

  “Letting her service dog stretch her legs. We took a drive around the countryside before coming here and Chantelle was ready for a break.” When she saw the look on Iris’s and Colbi’s face and noticed Margaret raise her eyebrows toward Iris, Ashley asked, “You do accommodate service dogs, don’t you?”

  “Uh…well…” Iris stalled. She glanced around at the others. “I hadn’t thought about that.” She thinned her lips. “You know…we have cats.”

  “Oh, no problem, really. Chantelle loves cats. Mom has a few of those, too.” She grinned. “We left them at home.” She looked around the lobby. “Oh, I guess you do have cats. Look at all of these kitty-cat perches. Interesting. I meant to check out your website, but didn’t get the chance. Sorry. Is there a problem with the dog?”

  “I…I guess not, maybe,” Iris stuttered, looking to Margaret and Savannah for help.

  “We don’t know how the cuddle cats might respond to a dog,” Savannah said.

  “Cuddle cats?” Ashley repeated, tilting her head inquisitively.

  Margaret chimed in, “Yeah, you can request cats like you can room service. It’s a perk for guests who like cats.”

  Just then Rags joined the women in the lobby. He rubbed against Savannah’s legs, then moved toward Ashley.

  “Isn’t he sweet?” she said when he began wrapping himself around her ankles. She glanced toward the door and said quietly, “I actually prefer cats to dogs, but this dog is a sweetheart. You’ll see.”

  “What’s your mom’s reason for needing a service dog?” Savannah asked.

  “Anxiety,” Ashley said matter-of-factly. “Oh, here she is. Come in, Mom, you’re not going to believe who I found here.”

  “Who?” the fifty-something woman, who was wearing a mid-calf skirt and oversized, lightweight sweater, asked. She glanced around at the women in the room, quickly focusing on Colbi. Smiling broadly, she reached out to her. “Little Colbi Kewpie. Isn’t this a surprise?”

  “Hi, Mrs. Baxter,” Colbi greeted. “Good to see you. You don’t look a day older than you did when Ashley and I were having sleepovers and keeping your household awake all night.”

  “Oh yes, I certainly remember those days.” She stood back from Colbi and looked her up and down. “You’re expecting?”

  “Yes, around the first of November.”

  “Good, then you’ll find out what you put your mother through,” she said, chuckling. She stepped back and eased into one of the overstuffed chairs. “Whew! It’s warm out there and Chantelle had to sniff every bush, bee, and bug.”

  Iris creased her brow. “Where is your dog? You didn’t leave her out there by herself did you?”

  “Oh no,” Mrs. Baxter said. Just then she noticed Rags coming toward her. “Well hi, pretty boy.” She looked up at the women. “He is a boy, isn’t he?”

  Savannah nodded.

  “He has a male quality about him.” She laughed. “Sort of a swagger. He’s strong-willed, isn’t he? …a know-it-all. He’s curious and confident and probably finds himself in trouble sometimes.”

  Margaret snickered shamefully. “You got that right.”

  “Oh stop,” Savannah insisted.

  Everyone watched as Rags threw his body against Mrs. Baxter’s shins, slid down to the floor, and rolled over onto his back.

  “What’s his name?” Mrs. Baxter asked, gently petting the cat’s belly.

  “Rags,” Savannah said.

  Suddenly, Rags jumped to his feet and looked up at the woman. He sniffed the air around her, then put his paws on her knees and began sniffing her sweater.

  “Oh, do you want to meet Chantelle?” Mrs. Baxter asked, smiling. She reached into her oversized pocket and lifted a five-pound teacup Pomeranian from it.

  “Oh, how cute is that?” Colbi cooed, reaching out to touch the tiny pooch.

  “Awww,” Savannah murmured. “Adorable.” She turned to Margaret. “Wait until Lily sees that. She’ll think it’s one of her stuffed toys.”

  Everyone laughed when Rags spotted the small dog. At first, he stepped back. Then he moved closer to get a good whiff. Before long, Rags was up in Mrs. Baxter’s lap rubbing against Chantelle.

  “Oops, be ca
reful there Rags, we don’t want to knock Chantelle over,” the woman warned.

  Iris smiled. “Well, I guess one of our cats likes dogs.” She offered Mrs. Baxter her hand. “By the way, I’m Iris Sledge, manager of the Kaiser Bed-and-Breakfast Inn.”

  “Oh Iris, yes,” the woman said, shaking her hand. “I remember you from the diner in town. You were a great waitress.” She looked into Iris’s eyes. “Do you still work there?”

  Iris shook her head. “No. I finally broke loose. Now I spend my time and energy here.”

  “It’s certainly beautiful,” Mrs. Baxter said. “Oh, by the way, I’m Sheila.”

  “Nice to meet you, Sheila,” Iris said graciously. She nodded toward the others. “This is Savannah Ivey and Maggie Sheridan. They’re helping out here this weekend. Are you ready to see your room?”

  “Can’t wait,” Ashley said. “I’ve always wondered what it was like inside this mansion. I’ll go get our things.”

  Iris stopped her. “Wait. I believe my husband’s in our quarters; I’ll ask him to help you.”

  ****

  “Is everyone tucked in?” Savannah asked Iris and Colbi later that evening after dinner as they and some of the other volunteers relaxed around the kitchen table.

  “Yes,” Iris said. “The Baxter-Martinez women are quite enamored with their room and Rags. He seems to adore their little doggie. Isn’t she the cutest thing?”

  “What about the other cats?” Margaret asked. “How did they behave around the dog?”

  “I don’t think they’ve seen Chantelle. When she isn’t in Sheila Baxter’s pocket or being carried, she’s resting in their room.”

  “Are any of the cuddle cats working this evening?” Savannah asked.

  “The Boggs couple and the Swanson family each requested cuddle cats.” Iris laughed. “Francine said the family wanted Rags, but after taking him into their room for a while, they called her and asked for a replacement.”

  Margaret let out a guffaw. “Vannie, did you hear that? They rejected your cat.”

  “Why?” Savannah asked, exaggerating a pout. “Why didn’t they want him?”

  “They said he kept taking the children’s toys and hiding them under the bed.”