A Dreadful Meow-ment (MEOW FOR MURDER Book 2), стр. 25
I head over to where Tilly sits with her mini-me, Jessie.
The mother-daughter duo shares the same dark hair and blonde chunky highlights, same light eyes and sassy disposition.
“Whatcha working on?” I say as I peer over their shoulders.
Tilly holds up a fat yellow pen. “I’m trying my hand at diamond painting. It’s basically these little doohickeys getting glued in all the right spots, and when I’m done I’ll have a beautiful picture of the night sky shining over a waterfall. Starry Falls, get it?”
“Cool beans,” I say. “And you, Jessie?”
She smooths her hands over a sea of pink and white yarn.
“Latch hook.” She shrugs up at me. “It’s Hello Kitty. I don’t care how old I get, I’ll never outgrow my love for this cat.” She reaches up and gives Tabitha a quick scratch on the head. “And maybe you.” She gives a cheeky wink. “Hey, Bowie,” she whispers and I lean in to hear whatever it is she has to say. “How about you spike my tea with a little comfort? Mom’s making me take up babysitting as a summer job and guess what? I hate kids.”
“I’m sorry.” I wrinkle my nose at her. “No can do on the comfort, but if you play your cards right I’ve got a few chocolate muffins I can box up for you.”
“Now we’re talking.”
Opal comes over, dressed head to toe in purple with a large chunky gold chain around her neck that looks as if she plucked it right off a rapper.
“Evening, girls,” she trills as she holds out a small hoop in her hand. “Guess who’s venturing into punch needlework?”
“What’s that?” I ask, looking at the plain cloth embedded in the hoop in her hand.
Flo steps up in all her Goth glory. “It’s embroidery that mimics the loops for a rug.” She pulls a hoop of her own from her tote bag and we gasp as soon as we see the adorable lion’s mane that looks soft to the touch. “Get over here, Opal, and I’ll show you what to do.” Flo takes off to find a seat. But before Opal can follow along in strides Regina Valentine, sans a tote bag or any business whatsoever to be here, and I grunt at the sight of her.
“Opal,” Regina hisses without bothering to acknowledge anyone else. Regina’s long dark hair is slicked back into a pony tail, her face is tan, her lips are pink as a petal, but she’s got that glimmer of wickedness in her eyes, so not many people could mistake her as a kind soul. She’s your classic villain. And considering every story has one, I guess she’s mine.
Opal blinks over at her with those heavily drawn-in eyes.
“Regina, darling, what is it?” Opal pulls the words out. “What can I possibly do for you?”
Tilly crops up next to me as if she didn’t want to miss the show.
Regina makes a face before looking back to Opal.
“I’m glad you asked.” Her lips curl. “My rent is due, and my bank account is running on fumes. I need a cash infusion, and fast.”
Opal scoffs. “You know I’ve been wiped out myself. I’m afraid I can’t help. But if you’re at the alleyway between Main and Lincoln at four-thirty each day, I’ll be filling a trough with kitty kibble. I’m sure the cats won’t mind sharing.”
I swallow down the urge to giggle. It may not be funny in theory, but the visual is everything.
Regina scowls over at me as if she read my mind. “I need my old job back. It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when. I want you to give this interloper the boot and put me back in my rightful place as the manager of the café.”
“No.” I shake my head over at her. “I’m sorry, but no can do. I’m about to revamp the entire menu. I’ve got a real relationship going with the people down at the restaurant supply store in Woodley, and I’m practically engaged to Shep.”
Regina inhales a sharp breath. It’s safe to say she’s both infuriated and alarmed.
“Opal.” She practically gags on her name. “I demand my job back, right this minute.”
Opal bats her false eyelashes over at the girl. “And what do you propose I do with Bowie?” Her words are elongated in that strange way only the really rich can pull off, and it only makes me like her more.
“I don’t know?” Regina’s arms gesticulate wildly. “Fire her. Eat her. Lock her in the car and roll it off a cliff. Who cares? I’m practically family and you know it.”
“Fine.” Opal shudders as if the thought of being related to Regina on some level made her sick. Can’t say I blame her. “Bowie, I’m afraid Regina needs her position back.”
“What?” I squawk. “Opal, you can’t let me go. I’ve practically grafted my flesh onto that café. And think of all the lucrative business deals you and I have been profiting from these last few weeks. You can’t let me go or I won’t be around to think of more lucrative ideas and, believe you me, I’ve got some whoppers coming down the pike.”
Opal’s nostrils flare as she lights up with excitement.
“I’m sorry, Regina. The only way you can work at the manor is if Bowie finds something for you to do. She’s the new manager. All the hiring and firing is on her shoulders.”
Regina quickly pulls me to the side and Tilly bounces right along with us.
Tabitha lets out a hiss in Regina’s direction and, honest to God, Regina hisses right back at the poor cat.
“What’s it going to be, Bowie?” Regina needles those dark eyes into mine. “You can let me back into the café or I’ll tear my way back into Shep’s life.”
“You’re going to do that either way this