Happy Holidays!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!

Hello Everyone! It has been a while. I thought I was going to be back before now but didn't work out and now we are in the last week of the year! I hope you enjoyed the stories from the past and read the cat cozy that I was serializing. I hope to continue that in the new year. Once I finish that I will see what happens. I have plans to publish so will let you know about that. 

But for now I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and the best in 2020! A new decade!

So until the new year, have a safe and joyous time with your family and friends. 

Short stories & Stuff

SWEET TREAT SHOP- CHAPTER 18 & 19

Hello everyone! Today I have two chapters for you to read since I missed last week. Still gardening and holidays. Hope you enjoy and happy reading!

Chapter 18

Mr. Grant slammed his door shut making the officers heads turn toward him. Gingersnap took notice of the dogs whose ears perked up. One of the officers met Mr. Grant half way. Gingersnap crouched low as if he was hiding from Mr. Grant. He did not like the man at all. The police officer appeared to trying to move Mr. Grant away from the scene but Mr. Grant was not having anything to do with it. His arms were now flailing about and now Gingersnap could hear his loud voice from inside the shop.

Another officer joined them. Mr. Grant only got louder. It wasn’t until a third officer came over with one of the dogs that they escorted Mr. Grant back to his truck. He was now considerably less loud, especially with the dog right there. Mr. Grant gladly got in his truck. Gingersnap was glad the dog scared him.

The officers and dog stayed there until Mr. Grant drove off. Gingersnap watched them get back to the scene. He wished he knew why Mr. Grant showed up and the motorcycle rider with the mean looking cat were up to. Where they in this all together?

Gingersnap hopped down and had a drink of water. All this excitement made him thirsty and a bit hungry. The bowl next to his water was empty. James and Sophie were busy in the kitchen so he decided to take a stroll in the front area where patrons had their sweet and drink. He sometimes got tidbits and that was always good even though Sophie and James didn’t approve of it.

As he walked out there was not a lot of people and Gingersnap thought he was not going to get anything. He stopped short and hid behind the front desk where people paid. The cat that was with the rider was in his carrier in the table next to the window. He was having a treat inside while the rider was eating theirs and enjoying a coffee.

Was that Susan? Her back was to him but he was pretty sure it was her. Gingersnap backed up as he didn’t want the mean looking cat to see him.  Jamie the new kid who started working in the shop went over to the table to give her more coffee. The mean cat let out a little growl scaring off Jamie. The rider spoke to the cat and then he purred. Even his purr thought Gingersnap was not friendly. He decided to pad his way back to the kitchen and maybe get something there.

Gingersnap backed up keeping his eye on the mean cat. Everything was quiet until he backed into the chair and made a big noise. That caught the eye of the mean cat whose eyes went wide when he saw Gingersnap. He froze on the spot as they stared at one another for a moment. The rider noticed and glanced back. She smiled.

Gingersnap made a break for it and took off for the kitchen and almost tripped James coming out with a tray of cookies. “Hey boy, what is the rush?”

Gingersnap headed straight for Sophie who was sitting on a chair decorating cookies. She looked down at him. “What’s wrong Gingie?” He let out a weak mew. Sophie stopped and came down to him and petted him. “I guess it’s lunch time for you, huh? Would that make you feel better?”

Gingersnap stayed under the chair not moving. James came back in. “You have a visitor here to see you.”

Sophie got back up. “Oh, who is it?”

The bike rider was standing at the door and she was holding the carrier with the mean cat. “Oh, hi Susan. How are you doing?”

Suddenly Gingersnap was forgotten about. All he could do was hide under the chair. The mean cat spied him watching his every move. Gingersnap didn’t know what to do. Now Susan was coming in to look around at the kitchen bring that cat closer to Gingersnap. As they talked Gingersnap could hear a low growl come from the mean cat.

Gingersnap decided maybe it was time to leave until Susan spied him. “Oh, here is your big orange guy. Look Brutus, here is going to be your neighbor real soon.” She brought the carrier right up to where Gingersnap was sitting. He was glad he was under the chair so the mean cat couldn’t touch him.

He let out a hiss at Gingersnap. “Oh, be nice Brutus. You guys will see each all the time.”

Gingersnap didn’t like that idea one bit. He took one last look at the mean cat before bolting out of the room. He could tell the mean didn’t like the idea either.

 Chapter 19

Gingersnap almost ran into James again. James smiled down at him. “I bet you are looking for food. Maybe that will make you less jumpy. Gingersnap followed him over to where his bowls where and he filled the one up and gave him fresh water.

“Did that other cat make you nervous? I must admit I don’t feel that comfortable around Brutus either. Maybe he isn’t as mean as he looks?” He patted Gingersnap.

Gingersnap started eating his food while keeping one eye on the kitchen waiting for Susan and that mean cat to come out. He was almost down eating when they came out. Gingersnap stayed put hoping that he was wouldn’t get noticed. Brutus didn’t see him and it appeared that Susan was now going to leave.

Ginger snap hid while her and Sophie chatted for a few moments long. Then Susan and Brutus left. Gingersnap almost flopped down with relief that they were gone. Sophie went back to the kitchen so he decided to go there to.

He knew right a way that Sophie was not happy. James could too. “What’s up with Susan?”

“I’m not sure what is going on but this while investigation is not bothering one minute. She says that they are going to be rapping up real soon and that she will get right on the new shop. She sounds really excited about that but this investigation isn’t bothering in the least.”

“Really, I would be frazzled over what has happened. With getting ready to open a dress shop and everything. Now things must be put on hold.”

“That’s the thing, she thinks that they will get this cleared up real soon and she will have the construction people over to clean up so she can start building the dress ship. She sounded so sure of herself.”

James made a face. “You don’t think she has anything to do with any of this, do you?”

“Susan? I haven’t known her that long, only about three months when she moved here. She doesn’t seem the type but then you never know.”

“We should maybe then keep on our toes when she comes around.”

Sophie nodded. “Yes, that might be a good idea as she is quite anxious to get things moving on the dress shop.”

The buzzard up front rang. “I’ll get that,” said James. “It’s probably a delivery of supplies.”

Off James went leaving Sophie and Gingersnap. Sophie got back to finishing up her cookies. Gingersnap yawned. He had enough excitement for one day. He headed for the upstairs when James came running back in almost taking Gingersnap out. “Guess what I heard?”

“What did you hear?”

The delivery man heard that the new owner of the property is now under suspicion for the murder of Mr. Fifer.”

“That’s crazy, Susan does not give me the impression that she would be capable of such a crime.”

James shook his head. I would have said the same thing when I first met her but now? I don’t know what to think. You know how people can be. We’ve only known her for a short time. Maybe it’s all an act?”

Sophie put down her icing bag. “That’s interesting. We have to be extra careful about her. If it’s true, we can’t be making friends with a murder!”

Gingersnap had curled up on the bed taking his nap when he woke to a tapping outside the window. His sleepy eyes looked to see if it was a bird but he didn’t see any such thing. Gingersnap stretched out and decided to investigate. He hopped onto the night stand and then onto the dresser that was beside the window.

He could see movement through the sheer’s movement and at first, he thought it was Susan and Brutus back but when he took a closer look, it was someone else down there nosing around. He kept watching to see if they would turn so, he could see their face. Finally, they did and he was taken back. It was the police officer who had helped them back into the house. What was he doing out there by himself?

The motor bike came roaring up next. He knew it was Susan. She did not have Brutus with her this time. It wasn’t long when they started to argue. She pushed him and then stormed off on her bike.

The police officer stayed there for a moment and then looked over at their shop. He stared for a bit and then finally turned and left. Gingersnap got the feeling in his tail that whatever they were arguing about involved Sophie and James. 

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SWEET TREAT SHOP-CHAPTER 17

Hello everyone! Hope summer has arrived where you are. Almost here. A little bit late posting. Been busy gardening but here is the latest chapter. Happy reading!

Chapter 17

The dog dropped the found hat on the feet of one of the officers who picked it up with some special tongs and held it up looking at it. Very quickly it went into a bag and was sealed up. They all headed to where the hat was found.

James and Gingersnap watched intently at the crew to see what they would find next. Out of the kitchen came Sophie who came up beside James to see what they were looking at it. “Did they find something more?”

James who was stretching his neck to get a better look said, “They found a hat and you know it looked just like the one Mr. Grant wore when he came in here.”

“Really?” Sophie now stood on her tip toes to try and get a better look. “I wonder if there is another body? I hope not.”

“I hope not either but that hat…”

Suddenly one of the dogs let out a bark starling them. Gingersnap crouched low ready to take cover. James now stood on his tippy toes and pointed. “They found another hat! What is with these hats?”

Sophie shook her head. This is getting stranger by the minute. They watched them place that hat into a plastic bag. Another vehicle arrived at the scene and out came a officer who wasn’t wasting any time getting to the crew who were searching. He was telling them something.

James sighed. “I wish I could hear what they were saying. It must have been important; he didn’t even shut his car door!”

Sophie nodded. “Yes, I noticed that. Something must have come up. Look, they are spreading out now with their dogs. I bet on our cupcakes that they are looking for another body.”

“Oh god,” said James. “This is turning into a nightmare. What if they are looking for Mr. Grant now?”

The front desk chime rang. “Oh, I better go,” said Sophie. “Karen if off today so no one up front to take care of orders but us.”

James looked at her. “I forgot about that. I will get the front desk and you go tend to those cupcakes.”

Off they both went leaving Gingersnap alone on the desk still hiding. He didn’t like those dogs so close by. They scared him when they suddenly barked. He decided to jump down when he heard the sound of a motorbike. He knew it was the one that mean looking cat rode on. He was suspicious of who the driver was.

Gingersnap looked out the window and coming up the back lane was that same motorbike. Sure, enough the cat was riding in the protective basket looking straight ahead. The hairs on the back of Gingersnap’s neck stood up. As they approached the sight they slowed down and almost came to a complete stop. They were very interested in what was going on. They ended up pulling over to the side out of sight and hid in the shadows out of sight of the officers.

Gingersnap now was right up to the window watching them. They stayed still for quite awhile before the rider got off the bike and came a little closer to the sight but still stayed in the shadows away from eyes. The rider looked back at the cat and was saying something. The rider got a little braver and approached the site but still being cautious.

Everything was quite until suddenly the rider whirled around and leaped onto the bike starting it and roaring off the down the back alley. Gingersnap looked all around to see what had scared them off but didn’t see anything until a black truck made an appearance. It stopped right beside the police car that left its door open. Gingersnap crouched low. The truck door opened and out came Mr. Grant.



 



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SWEET TREAT SHOP-CHAPTER 16

Hi everyone. Hope everyone is great. I have the next chapter up for you. Happy reading!

Chapter 16

Gingersnap rushed up to Sophie and rubbed up against her leg. “Well, who is that we know that they found?”

James cleared his throat. “Mr. Fifer.”

Sophie gasped. “I wonder who did this. This is awful and why are they talking to us. They don’t think we had anything to do with this do they?”

James shook his head. “No, I’m certain that it is just customary to go ask question around to all those close by to see if they possibly saw anything unusual. Remember we were already involved with the recycle bin incident.”

Sophie sighed. “Yes, I forgot about that. Well, we haven’t really much to tell them. Mr. Fifer didn’t have much to do with us. He never came over and bought anything, not even a coffee.”

“That’s true as I think he was a bit of strange fellow, along with Mr. Grant who has simply disappeared again. Maybe him?”

Sophie shrugged. “Maybe but something doesn’t add up. I don’t know what it is but there’s something missing in all this.”

Gingersnap purred loudly. He knew who that was, that strange person on the motorbike with the mean cat. He was guessing they would know something.

James reached out to Sophie, let’s not worry about this now. We have nothing to worry about.”

Sophie smiled weakly at him. “I’m glad I have you through all this. This ordeal is turning into a nightmare. But we I better fill these orders despite all this.”

James smiled. “I’ll be right there helping you.”

Gingersnap looked up at both of them. He was happy Sophie had James for support and glad that he had James for a friend too. He watched them go off to the kitchen talking quietly. Gingersnap padded over to his dish and found a few treats and washed them down with some nice cool water.

He leaped up onto the desk to look out the window. He could see officers going over every morsel of the burn building looking for more clues. There were only a couple of dogs now. But he decided that the best place for him was right where he was. Didn’t need to be around dogs that could chase him.

Instead he went out to the part where the people had their treats and beverage. They were use to him making his way around the room to check things out. Most of the customers smiled at him. Gingersnap made his usual way around and got half way when a scent he caught made him stop in his tracks. He crouched down under an empty table surveying the area for where the scent came from. Up a head was someone sitting and they were wearing a dark jacket with a hood. Very carefully he creeped along to where they were sitting.

They were busy eating a piece of pie. When he came around, he noticed it was Susan who was going to be building the new dress shop. She didn’t look happy and Gingersnap maybe could see why. All this would delay her building of her new shop. He sat beside her for a moment until she looked down and gave him a dirty look.

Gingersnap quickly moved on and went back up to the desk to look out again. He wouldn’t be going in the there until she left. There was something about her that Gingersnap couldn’t pick up on but it wasn’t cat friendly.

James came out of the kitchen with a decorated cake ready to go in its box. As he put it in, he looked over at Gingersnap. “Hey Gingie, make sure you stay in. Those dogs are still out there and we don’t know how long they are going to be staying.”

Gingersnap let out a weak mew in response. James came a petted Gingersnap as he looked out the window. “Anything new going on over there, Gingersnap? I hope they pack up soon and they can get on with the investigation. We have to answer questions which I’m not looking forward too.”

Gingersnap purred to almost say the same thing. He didn’t like Sophie or James being caught up in this mess. Suddenly a dog howled startling them both. One of the dogs had found something. Gingersnap heard noise behind him that was coming from the front. He looked around and at the counter was Susan who quickly paid and went rushing out the door.

Gingersnap watched the officers all run toward the dog who had found something. They all stood around the dog and Gingersnap wondered what they had found now. One of the officers held up an object of clothing. It looked like a hat.

Now He saw Susan out there in the back watching them as well. James noticed too and he started to watch her. But then when she saw the hat she quickly disappeared. “I wonder what that was about?”

Gingersnap let out a low growl when he saw the big mean cat come out of the shadows. He disappeared quickly when one of the dogs came trotting out of the bush with something in its mouth. It was another hat. Gingersnap was wondering what was with the hats. But then he remembered about the night he saw Mr. Fifer and Mr. Grant Loading up hat boxes.

James continued to watch the dog with the hat. “Hey that hat looks familiar. It couldn’t be. That looks like Mr. Grant’s hat. He wore one like that the last time he was here.”





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SWEET SHOP-CHAPTER 15

Hello everyone! Here is the latest chapter. Happy reading!

Chapter 15

James’s jaw hung to the floor as he stared wide eyed at the officer. “There’s a body?”

The police officer slowly nodded. “Well, we haven’t uncovered the body yet but the dogs are never wrong when they find someone.”

“I wonder who it is, the guy who owned the tool shop maybe?”

The police officer shrugged. “We don’t know yet but we should know soon. I better get back to work. Better to keep your kitties in.”

James nodded. “Yes, we will keep them in for sure. Thanks for very much.”

The officer turned and suddenly one of the dogs howled sending the officer flying off the step to go to the site. James watched for a minute but more police cars came and blocked the view. James quickly shut the door and locked it.

He rushed into the kitchen where Sophie was busy decorating a cake. “You won’t believe what just happened. This officer came to the door. They think they now have a murder.”

Sophie froze on the spot holding her icing bag. A drop of icing went plop on the counter. Her eyes went as wide as saucers. “That’s awful.”

“One of the dogs howled sending everybody scrambling. I think they may have found the body.”

Sophie wiped her hands. Let’s got see out the window.”

James followed her but they couldn’t see anything. “Let’s go upstairs, we will see up there.”

James was right at Sophie’s heels. They both made it to the window together. As they looked down men were scrambling around the site. Some were digging and others were keeping the dogs back. They were all excited. Sophie stretched out her neck to get a better look. She gasped. “I think they are uncovering the body now.” She clutched her chest waiting.

James squeezed her shoulders. “It will be okay. We are all safe here.”

Sophie sighed. “Thank you.”

There was quite a bit of commotion but finally they came around and they had a body bog and Sophie and James knew that they had someone in it. She looked up at James. “They did find someone.”

James looked like he was holding his breath but let out a breath when they loaded the body. “I guess we will find out who soon enough.”

Sophie shook her head. “Yes, unfortunately yes.”

Both Gingersnap and Molly came into the room. Sophie turned. “It’s a good thing you two are safe. I will have to tell Marley that Molly is here and safe. She went to her cell phone and texted her. It pinged right back. Sophie nodded as she read it. “She is coming to get you Molly.” Both cats sat on the bed looking at them.

James grinned. “You two probably could use a snack after all that excitement. It was like Gingersnap understood him. He let out a quick meow.

“Alright then, let’s go.”

They both hopped down and followed James down the steps. Sophie stayed up for a bit and looked out the window to see if she could see anything more. There was a lot of people around and now they were putting up yellow tape around the scene. She couldn’t believe that this happened in the little town of Pepperlane. She wondered how Susan was taking all this. She would not be putting up her dress shop anytime soon. At the same time, she thought the whole situation was a bit off. What kind of deal did she make with Mr. Fifer? She hadn’t seen her in a while or that Mr. Grant either. Didn’t really want to see him for that matter she thought but still…Something in her mind was playing out some devious plan that had been made by someone. It was just who they found and who has done this.

Sophie sighed and went back down stairs. There was nothing she could do anyway. Sophie heard voices when she got down back to the kitchen. Marley was over and was very happy to see Molly was okay. She looked at Sophie. “So, did you see all that?”

“They found someone. We saw the body bag. We wonder who it is.”

Marley shrugged. “Well, it’s either Mr. Fifer or Mr. Grant. Those two hated each other.”

Sophie nodded. “It could be, but we will see.” Some how she knew there were more players in this scandal than she cared to admit.

Molly went home with Marley and Gingersnap went back up stairs after having a snack and water. Too much excitement for one day.  Just as he hopped up on the bed, he heard the sound of a motorcycle come roaring up. He hopped up on the dresser and onto the nightstand and then on the ledge. He looked down and there was that same motorcycle with that mean looking cat. They got off their bike and the cat followed. There were still police cars there and those dogs were there as well but didn’t appear to bother either one of them. Gingersnap watched closely as they marched up to the site but did get stopped by a police officer who looked down at the cat and then back up at them.

They didn’t get any father and were escorted back to the bike. The mean cat hopped up on the basket. He looked right up at Gingersnap who cowered behind the curtain. The person got on their bike and they both went off. Gingersnap came out then and watched as the police officer went back.

Gingersnap hopped on the bed and it didn’t take long when he fell asleep. It was some time later when the sound of the motorcycle woke him up. He hopped over to the ledge again. There were no cars around but lots of tape. That didn’t stop the black hooded driver and their cat from going over there. Gingersnap could see them looking things over. They didn’t take anything but one thing Gingersnap noticed was that the driver of the motorcycle looked like a girl Gingersnap thought. Who could that be?

The mean cat hopped up on his basket and the driver got on the bike. The started it up and slowly drove to the other side of the property where there was no tape. They disappeared on the other side. Gingersnap looked to see where they went but then he heard the sound of the bike near where they dug. They dug around for a bit Gingersnap could see and then he saw them take a box out of the ground. They took it back to the bike and slowly drove back around to the back lane and then took off.

They came and got what they wanted Gingersnap knew but what and who was that?”

Gingersnap heard James downstairs, so he went down to see what was going on. He heard him talking to Sophie. “The police officer just confirmed to me that they know who it is and that we are not to go anywhere soon. We have to give information on this situation since we knew the person.”

“I see,” said Sophie. “Who did they find?”





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SWEET TREAT SHOP-CHAPTER 14

Hello! Finally got back with the next chapter. I ended up getting a new laptop. The old one was unrepairable. So here we are. Hope you enjoy the latest chapter. Happy reading!

 

Chapter 14

Gingersnap watched the officer hold up the scarf in front of everyone. The dog’s underneath were sniffing it. Gingersnap hid behind the curtain watching never taking his eyes off of the dogs. The piece was placed in a special bag. The two officers were talking to each other in low voices.

They all left back to the site and Gingersnap came out behind the curtain. They all stayed for a while until they got into the police cars and left. Gingersnap then went out his cat door to go exploring. When he got out on the back porch he sent over to where the dogs were digging. He could still smell them.

Something from under the porch came out and there was Molly. She came bounding over to where he was. They both looked at the hole that was left behind. Molly let out a weak mew. Gingersnap got a little closer to the hole and started to pull away the soil to see what more there was. He was getting the feeling that the dogs didn’t find everything that was buried here. Molly was right there. Then she started to dig to and then something shiny came into view. Molly hissed. Gingersnap clawed some more dirt back to real a knife. Very carefully he sniffed it. They both backed up from the hole. Gingersnap could see something red on the knife. They both looked at each other.

Suddenly more police cars came and this time a van with them. Molly and Gingersnap hid underneath the porch while more dogs came out of this van. They had special vests wrapped around their bellies. One had a large red scarf and appeared to be the leader. Two officers and two of the dogs went around the burn sight sniffing. The rest of the dog unit were allowed to roam and sniff about.

Suddenly one of the dogs caught a scent and were looking over in their direction. The hair went up on the back of Gingersnaps neck. He was wondering he smelled them but then the dog came scampering over to the hole that they had been digging in. Gingersnap knew that he could smell their tracks. Molly froze and so did Gingersnap. They both jumped when the dog barked to let them know what he found. Another dog came to investigate and instantly barked as well. That sent two officers to investigate.

Gingersnap was wishing he was still inside and he knew Molly wished the same thing. Maybe they could escape but then more dogs came over. They were trapped. The two police officers shouted out to the others who came rushing over. They were now all standing around looking in the hole. One of them took out what looked like tongs out of his bag and picked up the knife and held it up in front of them all.

They all shared a look. Then one of them gave orders to the others and off they went with the dogs to hunt for more. Another officer came over with a shovel that he had taken out of the van and started to dig some more. Gingersnap wanted a way so he nudged Molly to the back where there was a small opening at the end of the porch where they could sneak up and get through the pet door. Quietly they made it to the back until Molly got up on the porch and mewed at Gingersnap.

The officer heard her and came up the stairs. Molly crouched down to make herself even smaller. “Hey kitty, is this where you live?”

Gingersnap squeezed himself through the opening up onto the porch and made his way over to Molly. The police officer smiled. “There is two of you. Let me get you back inside then. We have a lot of dogs here.”

He knocked on the door. Gingersnap looked at Molly. Her didn’t know if he should push her through the pet door or what but the door opened and there was James who was caught by surprise.

“Hello, just letting your cats inside. We have dogs all over the place now so thought these two would be safer inside.”

James nodded quickly. “Thank you very much. Come on in you two.”

Both of them scampered in past James’s feet and into the kitchen.

“So, did you guys find something to bring all these dogs in?”

“Yes, we have, we believe firmly now we have murder case.”

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EASTER SURPRISE-flash fiction

Hello. Today I'm giving you a little cat flash fiction. My word program on the laptop quit working so I have to get it fixed. Hopefully by next weekend, I will have it back up. In mean time since it's Easter weekend, here is a little cat Easter flash fiction. Happy Easter!

 

 

Easter Surprise

 

cat flash fiction

 

 

It was Spring finally! Little kitten Maggie was excited to go out and explore.

The green grass and flowers smelled good and she even nibbled on the fresh grass.

As she went along she noticed something small moving in the grass. Two long ears stuck out and they wiggled. Maggie sniffed and this one did not smell like another cat.

Very quietly she crouched down and made her way over to the strange one.

As she got closer the one she was sneaking up on quit eating the flowers and looked up.

Maggie froze on the spot and so did the one she was looking at.

For a moment Maggie didn't know if she should turn around and make a run for it.

"Who are you?"

Maggie looked. "I'm Maggie, the new kitten. "Who are you? I've never seen long ears like that before."

"That's because I'm a rabbit. We have long ears."

"Really? You look small like me."

"That's because I'm new like you and this is my first time out and these grass and flowers are yummy."

"I like the grass," quipped Maggie.

"My name is Ree. Do you know what time of the year it is?"

Maggie giggled. "It's Spring!"

"Yeah I know that but it's special for us rabbits."

"It is? Why?"

"It's called Easter and some of us rabbits leave presents behind for the human children."

"Oh, can I do it to?"

Ree thought for a moment. "Maybe. You're not a rabbit but maybe you can help me. My mom is letting me leave a few presents. Maybe you could help me."

"I would like that," said Maggie excitedly.

"Let's go then."

They both went back to where Ree's mom was and she eyed up Maggie when they got there. Ree told her who Maggie was and what they were going to do."

Ree's mom said that would be okay.

They each took a small basket and headed back to the house where Maggie lived. When they set the baskets down, Maggie said. "This is my human, can I leave my basket for the little girl who cares for me?"

"Oh, yes," said Ree. "That would make her happy."

They hid the baskets and then Ree had to go back to her Mom. Maggie went through the pet door right to the little girl Sarah who picked her up.

They slept together that night and the next morning Sarah had to hunt for her basket. Maggie was bouncing around excited for Sarah to find her basket.

She finally found it and beside the basket was a little gift. Sarah picked it up and on the tag read Maggie. Sarah smiled down at Maggie. "This one is for you." Sarah set it down in front of Maggie who peered into the small basket. Inside were some cat treats. Maggie was very surprised.

They both sat down and enjoyed their treats.

Maggie to herself wished Ree a Happy Easter.

Happy Easter!!

 

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SWEET SHOP-CHAPTER 13

Hello and hope all is well with everyone. Here is the latest chapter of our cozy. Enjoy!

 

Chapter 13

 

Gingersnap and Sophie were keeping an eye out for what was happening next door. Things were getting crazier by the minute. First the police show up and wrap the place in yellow tape and road blocks to prevent people from coming down the back alley.

After about an hour, an emergency vehicle showed up but no action on what they were doing there. Just a lot of people combing the area and then a dog unit shows up. Gingersnap almost hid behind the curtain when the barking hounds came bounding out of the van. Sophie kept stretching her neck to see what was going on.

James came up. “Keeping an eye on what is going on out there?”

Without looking back, she said. “Yup, they brought the dogs in now so we will see what they find.”

James came rushing over to see. “The dogs are here now? Maybe they will find a body after all?”

Sophie looked at him. “I hope not as we might know who they were.”

James made a face. “Yeah, your right but I hope they come up with something.”

Gingersnap eyed every move those dogs made. One who appeared to be the leader was wearing a red bandana around its neck. He kept looking over at the back of the bakery and that made Gingersnap nervous. Maybe they were looking in the wrong area and that so called body was on their side. The hair on the back of his neck stood up.

Finally on of the other dogs caught a scent and it led him over to their side and he barked. That made everyone jump including Gingersnap who let out a little growl. Sophie petted him. “It’s okay Gingersnap, those puppies can’t get near you.”

She kept petting him but Gingersnap couldn’t relax until the dogs were back over on the other side. One of the police officers came over to see what the dog had found. He called over to another fellow who came over with his dog.

“That dog is digging on our side!”

James was stretching over to see. Sophie even got up on a chair to see what was going on. “I see the officer hovering over the dog digging. He’s pulling up something. It’s a piece of clothing. The officer has it now. Hey, it looks like some kind of hat.”

She looked down at James. “A red cap and it looks like it’s a bit beat up.”

“Isn’t that what Mr. Fifer used to wear in the tool shop,” asked James.

Sophie’s eyes went wide. “I think you are right. But what’s it doing on our side buried?”

James shrugged. “Maybe a dog found it over there and buried it. You know how dogs like to bury things.”

“That’s true but this for some reason doesn’t feel like that.”

The back door buzzard rang.

Sophie got down off the chair and answered the back door. Standing there were two police officers and the dog. The police officer held up the bedraggled red cap. Sophie instantly recognized the red cap. Mr. Fifer wore that thing all the time in the shop. A funny feeling settled in Sophie. What happened to Mr. Fifer?

“As you can see,” said the officer as he was holding up the red cap. “It has grease stains on it so we are guessing it came from the shop. Have you seen this cap before by chance?”

James was now standing beside Sophie looking at the red cap. Sophie cleared her throat. “Yes, we have. It belongs to Mr. Fifer, who had the tool shop. Have you found him?”

The officer shook his head. “No, we haven’t and as we understand Mr. Fifer sold his property but things are not adding up. The new owner of the property is nowhere to be found. But we will continue to hunt for both of them. But we were wondering if you would know why Mr. Fifer’s cap would be found on your property?”

Sophie suddenly didn’t like the tone of the officer’s voice. What was he implying thought Sophie? “I have no idea what it was doing here. We certainly did not put it there.”

The sharpness in Sophie’s voice pushed the officer back a bit. He nodded. “Well, if you hear anything, do let us know.”

Sophie shut the door and looked up at James. “Did you hear that? He thought we might have put it there?”

James shrugged. “I guess they had to ask. It’s their job.”

Sophie nodded. “Well. We better get some orders done up.”

Gingersnap came out and sat on the windowsill to get a good view of across the road. The dogs were at one end for some reason and then something caught Gingersnap’s attention. Something wearing black streaked across the alley to their side. Gingersnap sat up ready to howl. Then he lost sight of the black thing. The next thing he sees is someone bending over digging in another area on their side. Gingersnap had to almost stand up on his hind legs to see them. They were burying something else.

Suddenly one of the dogs barked and started charging over to their side. The person in black ran for it and Gingersnap could hear a motor bike start up and take off. It sounded like it was just around the corner of the bake shop.

The other dogs now came too along with the two police officers. They found the spot where they were digging. But it appeared that whatever they were about to bury, they didn’t do it because of the dogs.

Gingersnap huddled close behind the curtain so the dogs wouldn’t see him. One of the officers bent over and did pick up something. It was a woman’s scarf. Gingersnap knew that scarf, it belonged to Susan, the new dress shop owner.

 

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SWEET SHOP-CHAPTER 12

Hello, hope everyone is doing great! Here is the next chapter of our cozy, enjoy! And if you would like to help me get started on Patreon, please check it out. It's on pause right now but I would like to get it off the ground, so if you are interested. Come check it out.
Happy Reading!

Chapter 12

 

For two whole days there were no more events with black hooded strangers who owned a scary cat named Brutus. Gingersnap was quite happy to have the peace and quiet. He was now napping on his favorite quilt that was made just for him when he heard a yowl outside the window. His tail fluffed. They yowled again and this time he jumped from the bed to the window sill. He knew it was Molly but fortunately Marley came shouting out and the other cat took off while Marley scooped up the frightened Molly and took her back inside.

Gingersnap was still watching the black lane swishing his tail. Then out from the garbage cans came the large cat again. He was sniffing around the place and then darted over to the burnt old tool building. Gingersnap’s tail snapped back against the wall. There was something bad about that cat thought Gingersnap.

Down the back alley Gingersnap heard a bike come up, it was that stranger again. This time they were dressed in dark navy. Gingersnap never took his eyes off them. They were looking the place over. Why? Sophie’s friend had bought the place for a dress shop. Susan had not been around to pick up the dresses that were stuffed in the recycle chute. He thought that a bit odd but maybe she was busy.

In any case it looked like this stranger was casing out the lot. Finally the stranger scooped up Brutus and put him carefully in his special protective basket. Then off they went back down the alley. Very strange.

Gingersnap headed down stairs to see what was going on. Sophie and James were busy making cookies for a client. It was a large order by all the boxes Gingersnap could see. When these days were going on, Gingersnap stayed out of the way. His water dish was full and there were a few treats in his bowl. Gingersnap purred. It was James who did these things for Sophie. He like James.

After his treat and drink he decided to go out to the back porch and watch what was going on. Hopefully that stranger would not be back. But if they did he could make a quick exit right through this cat door.

The sun had come around a warmed his fur. He closed his eyes and soon he was snoozing. Gingersnap startled and almost fell off the railing when he heard some scratching. He hadn’t woke up enough to know where it was coming from. He looked down and it sounded like it was underneath. Gingersnap hopped down and started sniffing around. He couldn’t pick up the scent. Suddenly a bird flew up startling him. He let out a huff.

He hopped back up on his ledge where he was sunning himself. Once again he closed his eyes. He was soon dozing again. This time he woke to a low growl. He opened one eye and all he could see was this dark blob. When he opened his other eye, it was Brutus who was sitting in the middle of the back alley staring at him. Gingersnap’s tail instantly fluffed out. Brutus started to come closer to Gingersnap. But before he could leap to the door the hooded one came out and shouted out to Brutus who backed down and started back to the one who called him.

This time Gingersnap got a closer look at this hooded one. He wasn’t sure but this stranger looked like a lady. And as they turned away from Gingersnap, he caught something. Her shirt stuck out from under her hoodie. It was pink.

Hmm thought Gingersnap. This lady appears to be familiar. He watched them take off again on the bike. He saw the license on the back of the bike. It read Fancy.

He wasn’t sure but he thought Sophie’s friend’s dress shop was going to be called just that. He hopped down and went back inside. James was busy boxing up the cookies and getting ready for them to be picked up. He looked down at Gingersnap. “Are you having a good day orange boy?”

Gingersnap mewed rather loudly. “Oh boy, that sounds like you had some excitement. I hope that mean cat was not back.”

Gingersnap rubbed up against his leg. James petted him. “Well, you better stay in for a bit then. Don’t want you getting into no fur fight with that guy.”

James went back into the kitchen. Gingersnap ate the last treat and hopped on the desk to look out the window. He had no plans of going out in case they came back but he was certainly going to keep an eye out for this stranger.

He dozed off and suddenly he felt himself being lifted up. It was Sophie taking him upstairs. “Sorry Gingie but there is trouble outside and I want you safe upstairs.”

Sophie laid Gingersnap on the bed. She sat with him. Trouble has come again I’m afraid and this time far more serious. There might be a dead body in the old tool building.”

 

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SWEET SHOP-CHAPTER 11

Hope your Spring has sprung where you are. We are still waiting. Here is the next chapter, hope you enjoy!

Chapter 11

 

 

There was no door peep hole to look through. Sophie opened the door as far as the chain would open. She peeked out and there stood a tall thing man wearing black hoodie and black jeans. His hood was down and Sophie tried to figure out if that was the same one running down the back alley.

“Your recycle bin is stuck and I can’t retrieve the recycles. You will have to remove them yourself and take them to your nearest depot.”

“Oh,” Sophie coughed out. “I thought that it was almost empty as…”

The thin man just stared at her getting annoyed. Sophie sighed. “Thank you for telling me, I will take it in myself and next time it won’t be stuck.”

He nodded and backed away and turned around leaving Sophie standing there. She watched him disappear around the corner hearing him opening up the flower shop’s bin’ She closed the door but there was something that was not quite right there. Gingersnap was sniffing around the bottom of the door now.

“What do you smell boy? Is that man says who he is?”

Sophie decided to go out the front door and look around where all the bins are and see if there is the truck. She hurried out to the front and stopped short when the old recycle truck came limbering around the corner. Two men wearing their uniforms hung onto the side of the truck. Sophie knew there was something wrong. He wasn’t wearing any uniform like they were. She rushed back in and through to the back door. Gingersnap was still sniffing at the door. Sophie opened it and out jumped Gingersnap still sniffing where the tall thin man was and continued to follow the trail around to where the recycle bin was.

Sophie was right behind him. When she got to where the bin was, she noticed that it looked over stuffed. Someone had out more in and it wasn’t her. She marched right up to the bin and there were three extra bags full of plastics shoved in tight. Sophie had a hard time freeing them but they finally gave with the final one ripping spilling plastics in the alley. Of course that’s when a breeze decides to get up and the first thing Sophie sees is plastic bottles being taken down the alley far from her. She had to run after them to retrieve them.

Sophie had to go back and get more bags to shove all of these fallen one in. Finally she got the last of the plastics put into another bag. Now she could take a look in the bin. When she looked. Sophie had to take a second look. “Is that what I think it is?” She reached in and pulled out a large bag. Sophie opened it and it was indeed what she thought it was. Dresses!

“Did that man put them there? But why?” There was a tag on so Sophie looked and it was her friend’s tags. It was Susan’s! The new owner of the property across from her. What was her dresses doing in her recycle bin? Sophie looked down at Ginger. “I think someone is out to sabotage Susan’s shop.” Gingersnap let out a faint mew. He liked Susan and didn’t want to see anyone harm her.

“I will have to phone Susan and tell her what happened and she can pick up these dresses.”

They both went back in. James met them covered in flower. Sophie knew why. “Did those dough hooks act up again?”

“Don’t worry, I got strong hands and did it by hand. There’s nothing like a good dough kneading.”

He looked at them. “Why are you two out here? I thought today you were presenting some new cupcakes out front.”

Sophie gasped. “I forgot all about that. I had an issue with someone pretending to be a recycle man and he wasn’t.” She proceeded to tell him the rest. All James could do was shake his head. “This is getting more and more complicated all the time.”

Sophie agreed and then quickly made her way out to the front. James fed Gingersnap quickly before heading back into the kitchen. Gingersnap decided to go back outside and do some more sniffing. Maybe Molly would be out to help.

There was some noise around the corner of the shop and it sounded like another cat thought Gingersnap. When he got there however, Molly was there but was being challenged by another large tom cat who didn’t look so friendly. Molly let out a yell and that brought Gingersnap out in view and the large tom cat hissed at him. Out of the dark the same black hooded dressed thin man came out of the shadows. “Get a way you two and leave Brutus alone.” He scooped him up and took him over to his bike where he placed Brutus in a protective basket and took off down the alley.

Molly came over to Gingersnap and they touched noses. They both looked down the alley where they had taken off. Gingersnap looked over at Molly. “We have trouble.”

Molly let out a weak mew. She agreed with him.

 

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SWEET SHOP-CHAPTER 10

Here we are with the latest chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 10

 

Gingersnap went over to where the noise was. They were still there and making quite the noise. Gingersnap thought that they were trying to crawl right inside he thought and would come through the wall. He sniffed around the wall and paced back and forth like there was a mouse on the other side.

Finally he heard a huff that a human would make. Then there was no noise. Gingersnap sat there staring at the wall for a moment. He went to the window and peeked out but couldn’t see anything. He wondered if they were still there or not. Thoughts of going to get Sophie nudged him to move back up the stairs. When he got back up he went straight to the dresser and onto the window ledge. The noise from down stairs started again. Gingersnap flew down and over to the window that faced the same side as the recycle bin. Only thing the roof jutted out too far to see anything. They continued to make noise and then a loud thump sound echoed. That woke up Sophie who jolted up and looked over at Gingersnap. “What is it?”

Gingersnap mewed out sending Sophie out of the bed to the window. She got up on a stool to look out the window. “I can’t see anything. I have to go downstairs.”

Sophie grabbed her phone dialing for help on her way down the stairs. She quickly unlocked the door and went flying out around the corner, just in time to see whoever it was running down the back alley. They were wearing all black and could run pretty fast. Sophie stood there with her phone in her hand watching them disappear.

The police arrived and looked everywhere with their dogs but turned up empty handed. “Well, whoever it was, knew that money was in there hiding and how did they know to come early to get it?”

Sophie let out a sigh. “They obviously figured it out when the money wasn’t taken right away. Now they will probably not be seen.”

The officer tapped his chin. “Not if he thinks that there is more that has been left behind.”

Sophie gave him a scrunched up look. “What? Are you going to print more money or something?”

“Not quite but we will give them the impression that they didn’t get it all. This is going to take some doing.”

The officer went back to his car to talk to some others leaving Sophie. She went back inside closing up the shop. It was starting to come daylight and with all the excitement, Sophie couldn’t go back to get some more sleep. In two hours James would be coming in to start on the breads. Instead she made some coffee and fed Gingersnap who purred now. “I know Gingie, it’s scary what is happening. I don’t like that the police are going to use my shop for bait.” She scratched the top of his orange head. “So, you have to stay in okay? I don’t want you being taken or anything.”

Gingersnap let out a loud purr and laid on her lap. She laid back in the big chair with Gingersnap curled up. Soon they were both a sleep. The sound of James coming into the office startled Sophie awake. He looked at her. “What are you doing down here?”

Sophie told him what happened. James blew out a breath. “Better make a fresh batch of coffee for this story.”

They all sat around in the kitchen. James didn’t like the idea either about setting up a bait for the thief to come back. “But maybe this time, they will get him,” James said.

Sophie sighed. “I hope so but I think I will keep my own eye out for anyone coming in today that might look suspicious.”

James grinned trying to make her feel better. “So you’re going to look over every little ole lade that comes in for her cookie today?”

Sophie stuck out her tongue at him. “I’ll try not to give the old ladies a hard time.”

James popped out of his chair. “The bread awaits for no man.” Before Sophie could retort he dashed off to the kitchen ovens.

Sophie sighed. “Well, Gingie, it’s time for me to get to work. We have a cookies to make and a thief to catch. Could be an interesting day.”

There was a knock on the back door. Sophie frowned. “No one comes through there. Must be a new delivery man.” Sophie got up and headed to the door. Gingersnap raced ahead and leaped up onto the desk and along to the window ledge. He looked out to see who it was. The way he looked at Sophie made her stop in her tracks.

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