Patricia Davids - An Amish Christmas Journey

“I doubt it, but let me take a look.” He followed Toby outside and adjusted his glasses to peer at the cat in Greta’s arms.

“That’s one of Mrs. Alcorn’s critters. The old woman died a few months ago. The cats are strays now. Some of the neighbors feed this one, but it won’t go inside any of their houses. The old lady had heart trouble. She always said this cat would let her know when she was about to have one of her spells.”

“Perhaps that was why she was pawing at my uncle’s legs,” Greta said. “She sensed he was about to have an attack.”

“Animals have remarkable senses,” Toby said. “Can you tell us where we can find a veterinarian? This poor animal is suffering.”

The cook pointed down a side street. “Doc Harley has a clinic out near the edge of town. You can’t miss it.”

Arles said, “I can’t ask these folks to wait while we take the cat to the vet.”

“We can’t leave the poor thing lying here in the street.” Greta glared at the driver.

“I wasn’t suggesting that. This man can take care of it.”

The cook shook his head. “I’ve got a business to run, and I have customers waiting.” He turned and strode away.

There was no way Toby was going to leave this animal to fend for itself. He’d just have to hire another driver if Arles wouldn’t help. “You can travel on without Marianne and me. I’ll get our bag out of the van. We will expect a refund.”

Scratching his head, Arles said, “Let’s don’t be hasty. I reckon we can take a few minutes to turn the cat over to the veterinarian. Okay?”

“That’s all we’re asking,” Toby said.

Everyone got back into the van and Greta, with the cat wrapped in her apron, took her place in the back. Marianne sat beside her. Greta tried to reassure the child. “Don’t worry. Someone is going to look after her.”

Doc Harley turned out to be a woman in her sixties with short kinky gray hair, a rumpled smock and a no-nonsense manner. She was able to see them after only a brief wait. She examined the cat and smiled at Marianne who was clinging to Greta’s side. “I think it looks worse than it is. Cats are very resilient creatures. She will do fine.”

“But she doesn’t have an ear,” Marianne whispered.

“She will look unusual, but she will still be able to hear. This laceration on her neck is going to need a few stitches. Other than that, I think she’s in pretty good shape. She could use a little more meat on her bones. Has she been eating normally?”

“According to the man at the restaurant, she’s a stray that belonged to Mrs. Alcorn,” Toby said.

“Oh, yes, our resident cat lady. I thought this one looked familiar. It’s the one she called Christmas. The little stray showed up at her house on Christmas morning a year ago. She was very attached to this one. It’s a shame that no one took her after Mrs. Alcorn passed away. If this isn’t your cat, are you still willing to pay for her care?”

Toby’s funds were limited. He looked at the others. Morris shook his head, “I have no money to spend on a cat.”

“If we leave her here, will you take care of her?” Marianne asked.

The vet shook her head. “I’m afraid I don’t have room to look after every stray cat that comes this way. I’ll turn her over to the county animal shelter. They’ll try to find someone to adopt her.”

“No one will love her because she’s ugly now,” Marianne said sadly and reached out to stroke the cat’s back.

Toby heard the pain in his sister’s voice and knew she was expressing her own fears. He wanted so much to help her, but he didn’t know how.

Greta said, “She’s a lovely cat. A missing ear and a few scars won’t change that. I’ll pay for her care today, and I’ll take her home.”

“All right.” The vet smiled brightly. “Let me take her into surgery to clean these cuts and stitch her up. You can have a seat in the waiting room. It may take an hour or so.”

As the vet walked away, Marianne looked up at Greta. “Are you sure you want to keep her? People will stare and make fun of her because she’s different.”

“You don’t intend to drag that cat along with us, do you? Leave it here,” Morris said, his voice laced with disgust.

Greta’s back straightened. “I do intend to take Christmas with us. She needs a home, and I like her. I don’t care that she looks different. She has a good heart and that is more important than her appearance. She tried to help you. We just weren’t smart enough to know what she was trying to tell us.”

Toby admired the way she stood up to her grumpy uncle and gave his sister a gentle lesson, as well. Looks were not everything. Goodness mattered.

“Foolishness, that’s all it is.” Morris settled in a waiting room chair. Marianne sat down a few chairs away from him.

Arles rubbed his chin. “I feel responsible for the poor thing, but I have people waiting in the van. What do I tell them?”

Toby slipped his hands in his pockets. “Didn’t you say you were taking the Coblentzes’s to Ohio City? Can’t you drop them off and come back to pick us up?”

“You know, that’s a good idea. I’ll be back soon as I can.” He grinned and headed out the door, clearly relieved to resume his schedule.

Toby took a seat beside Marianne. He picked up a magazine and thumbed through it. He was surprised when she spoke to him. “ Mamm said I had a good heart.”

It wasn’t much, but it was a start. His heart expanded with love for his sister. “ Mamm always spoke the truth. She loved you very much. She loves you even from heaven.”

Marianne didn’t reply. She got to her feet and went to look through the magazine rack.

He laid his magazine aside and looked at Greta standing by the window. Pushing out of his chair, he went to thank her.

* * *

Greta folded her arms and stared out at the gray sky as she waited. Toby came and stood beside her. Quietly, he said, “I appreciate what you’re doing for the cat. It means a lot to my sister. I would like to reimburse you for part of this cost. If you would give me your address, I will send you the money when I can.”

“Don’t worry about the money. I’m just glad that I’m able to help. Unlike some people,” she glanced over her shoulder at her uncle.

“Don’t be too hard on him. Not everyone believes we have a responsibility to care for all God’s creatures.”

“But you do.” She looked at him and saw only sincerity and kindness in his face. He had a nice face. The planes and angles of it gave him a rugged look, but they softened when he smiled and his smile reached his eyes, making them sparkle.

He said, “I like animals. Dogs, cats, horses, cows.”

“Sheep?” she asked.

“I don’t know any sheep personally, but I’m sure I would find something to like about them. They look...fluffy.”

“Only until they are sheared. Then they look naked and embarrassed.” She pressed her hand to her mouth as heat rose in her face. Why had she said that?

He chuckled. “You seem to know your sheep well.”

She giggled at her own foolishness. “I live with my grandfather. He raises them. Spend ten minutes with him and his hired man, Carl, and you will learn far more about sheep that you ever thought possible.”

“Do sheep get along with cats?” He took a step closer and leaned one shoulder against the wall. His nearness sent a wave of awareness shooting along her nerve endings. She was stunned by a compelling urge to move closer to him, too.

She didn’t, but she wanted to. Looking down to hide that longing, she said, “As far as I know. I am a little concerned about our dog, Duncan. He’s not a cat lover.”

“Maybe he’ll make an exception for a cat named Christmas.” The sweet, low timbre of his voice sent her pulse racing.