Derby Divas (Zoe Donovan Mystery) Read Online Free PDF

thought about adopting an other dog that wouldn’t need much exercise?”
    Winnie’s eyes lit up. “Do you have a dog like that?”
    I considered the question. Winnie would need a small dog who was well behaved and wouldn’t require vigorous exercise. An older dog would be perfect for the elderly woman, although I wouldn’t want to pair her with a dog so old as to have health issues. I had six dogs under twenty pounds currently at the shelter. Three were super-hyper and two had a tendency to bark at everything that moved. The sixth dog might work, but none seemed quite right.
    “What about a cat?” I asked. “I have a beautiful longhair tabby named Sheba. She ’s sweet and gentle. Her owner recently passed away, and I’ve been looking for just the right placement for her. She likes to sit on your lap and rock away the afternoon but isn’t real tolerant of other animals or small children.”
    “I don’t have other animals or small children,” Winnie offered hopefully. “And I spend a good part of every day in my old rocker.”
    “Can you have a cat in your condo?”
    “I can.”
    “Can what?” Randolph asked as he joined us on the porch. I think he wanted to be sure I was going to leave with the dog.
    “Have a cat,” Winnie s aid.
    At first I thought her son was going to protest the idea , but then he smiled. “A cat would be a perfect solution, but when I suggested it, you said that a cat could never replace Bella.”
    “I did say that,” Winnie admitted, “but that was before I knew there was a cat that needed a human just like me. Can I meet her?” Winnie asked me.
    I glanced at Randolph. He nodded his head in the affirmative.
    “I’ll go and get her. If you like her , you can take her on a trial basis. If it works out, we’ll do the adoption paperwork later.”
    “We ’re leaving in two hours,” Randolph warned me.
    “I’ll be back in less than one. I’ll donate a cat carrier, a litter box, litter, and food so you can get her settled when you get to your new place. I even have some of the special salmon treats she loves. It may take her a few days to adjust to her new situation, but I think the two of you will be perfect together.”
    Winnie was actually smiling as I loaded Bella in the truck, and I felt a whole lot better about taking her than I had when I’d first arrived.
     
    Bella and Charlie got along fabulously, so I decided to leave them at the boathouse while I went to visit my parents. I called Ellie and told her about the newest member of our family, in case she arrived at the boathouse before I did. My parents greeted me at the door of their new home, handed me a glass of wine, and told me they had something important to discuss with me. My heart sank as they led me to the deck and asked me to take a seat. Ever since my mom came back to town and I found out I was going to be a sister, I’ve held a secret fear that eventually Mom would leave—she always does—and take Harper with her.
    “Thanks for coming by,” Mom said nervously. “Your dad and I have something important to discuss with you.”
    “Please don’t leave,” I begged.
    “What?” Mom looked surprised. “I’m not leaving.”
    I let out a long breath. “You aren’t?”
    “Of course not.” Mom sat down next to me and took my hand. “Your dad and I are getting married , and I want you to be my maid of honor.”
    “Married! You’re getting married?” I jumped up and grabbed my mom in an extremely exuberant hug.
    “ Oh my God I am so happy,” I cried.
    “Don’t I get a hug ?” Dad asked.
    I let Mom go long enough to hug my dad and then pulled them both into my arms.
    “When?”
    “Right away,” Mom answered. “We don’t want a big ceremony. Just you and Harper and Pappy.”
    “And Zak , of course,” Dad added.
    “Are you sure? We can do something nice at Zak’s. It doesn’t have to be huge , but you could invite a few friends and have a reception.”
    “It seems a little silly to go to