The Cats that Surfed the Web Read Online Free PDF Page A

I've ever seen,” Katherine added.
    “Ms. Kendall,” Mark said, interrupting the reverie.
    “Oh, I'm sorry,” Katherine said, waking from her reverie. “What were you saying?”
    “When did you decide to name her ‘Scout?’”
    “A few days after I got her. At night she patrols my apartment like she’s on a reconnaissance mission. She’s prowled so much, she’s developed calluses on her paws.”
    “What other tricks does Scout do, besides answering phones?”
    “When you say Abracadabra, she arches her back and dances like a Halloween cat.”
    “You're kidding,” Mark said.
    “I don't say it very often because it seems to upset her.”
    “Maybe it brings back a sad memory.”
    “I also have a seal-point named Iris, and she’s my resident cat burglar. She steals my cosmetic brushes and stashes them under my bed. Lilac, my two-year-old lilac-point, fetches a three-inch, stuffed toy bear.”
    “Cats don't fetch,” he said skeptically.
    “Lilac does. She fetches until she drops in exhaustion. I have to put the bear away.”
    “You really like your cats,” he said. “I really like mine, too.”
    “You have a cat,” she asked, surprised.
    “I have a Maine Coon,” he answered proudly. “He's about four-years-old.”
    “Iris is four.”
    Mark said slyly, “He's been fixed.”
    “Iris has been spayed, but she loves to flirt.”
    “Is there any way we can convince you to stay longer than a weekend?” Mark asked, changing the subject.
    “I’ll be here two full days. My plane leaves at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.”
    “That doesn’t give us very much time.”
    “I think it’s enough time. I’m prepared to give you my answer in forty-eight hours or less,” she said. “What’s on the agenda for me? Where will I be staying? When do I get to meet Abigail?”
    “Dinner with me tonight. You’ll be staying in Erie’s only bed and breakfast, the Little Tomato.”
    “Little Tomato,” Katherine interrupted. “What kind of a name is that?”
    “Indiana is known for its tomatoes. Have you ever had one?”
    “No, I’m afraid not, but I could have eaten one and not known it,” she snickered.
    “It’s possible,” he chuckled. “Back to the bed and breakfast . . . The building is over a hundred-years-old and is listed on the National Register.”
    “Does it have electricity?”
    “Yes. And heat and hot water,” he quipped, “The owner of the Little Tomato is a friend of mine. She also owns one of the antique stores downtown. If you think the name of her B&B is funny, wait until I tell you her name.”
    “What’s her name?”
    “Carol Lombard.”
    “Like the movie actress?”
    “Yes. Doesn’t every town have one?”
    “Does the B & B have Wi-Fi? I brought my laptop so I can check my email.”
    “I think so, but don’t know how strong the signal will be. It varies.”
    “I guess I’ll find out,” she answered. “When do I meet Abigail?”
    “Tomorrow morning around nine. I’ll pick you up at a quarter ‘til, and we’ll drive out to the vet’s office so you can meet the little charmer. The vet’s name is Sonny Hunter, but everyone calls him Dr. Sonny.”
    “Why doesn’t he go by ‘Dr. Hunter’?”
    “Because his father is also a vet, and he goes by ‘Dr. Hunter’,” he answered. “After you meet Abigail, I’ll give you a tour of your great aunt’s house and introduce you to the two employees who are taking care of her—”
    “Her? My great aunt's house is a ‘she’?”
    “Orvenia called her house ‘Vicky’.”
    “Ah, for Victorian. What are the names of the two employees?”
    “Vivian Marston and Cokey Cokenberger. Vivian is the housekeeper, and Cokey is the handyman. Mr. Cokenberger also has his own general contracting business.  He’s employed by the estate to maintain the house. He’s undertaking a major project right now, repairing masonry in the basement.”
    “I’m very anxious to meet Abigail and to see the house, but afterward can we visit my great