“We’re not drinking because it’s the middle of the workday,” I said. “But I’m going up to put the kettle on so we can have a pot of tea and toast Alfred properly.”
I put the kettle on and slumped against the counter, closing my eyes for a moment and rubbing my temples. I looked up to find Mac standing in the doorway.
“Are you really all right?” he asked, walking over to me.
I nodded. “I thought she was going to kill Rose, and then when I saw Mr. P. coming with that big glass bowl, I was afraid she’d turn around and see him and that would be it.”
Mac smiled. “Alfred is pretty resourceful. And from what he just told me, he had some help.” He looked at me for a long moment. Then he leaned down and kissed my left cheek. “Go get off your feet. I’ve got this,” he said.
I nodded again without speaking and headed for the stairs.
It was Thursday night and the only real way to celebrate on a Thursday night in North Harbor, Maine, was at the jam. So that’s what we did. Rose got up and danced with Sam to “Honky Tonk Woman,” and as they like to say, the crowd went wild. Even Nick joined us. Sam had an extra guitar and managed to lure Nick onstage for “Me and Bobby McGee.”
Everyone was on their feet, singing along with the chorus. Liz put her arm around my shoulders, tipped her head to one side and grinned at me.
“What are you grinning about?” I asked.
She made a sweeping gesture with one hand, taking in everyone from Rose, still dancing with Sam, to Jess beside me. “The fact that all of these people are your family.” Then she turned, kissed my cheek and laughed. “And there’s not a damn thing you can do about it!”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sofie Ryan is a writer and mixed-media artist who loves to repurpose things in her life and her art. She is the author of A Whisker of Trouble, Buy a Whisker and The Whole Cat and Caboodle in the New York Times bestselling Second Chance Cat Mysteries. She also writes the New York Times bestselling Magical Cats Mysteries under the name Sofie Kelly. Visit her online at sofieryan.com.
What’s next on
your reading list?
Get personalized book picks and up-to-date news about this author.