Fat hen farm 03- Fowl play at the fair Page 4

  Tina waved her over to the booth in the corner but Kitty looked around before joining her. Kitty’s heart lurched. Frank and Maddie were sitting at the other end with Sheila. His back was to Kitty and he didn’t see her walk in. Kitty hurried to join Tina.

  “What’s Sheila doing back here?” Kitty asked Tina as she slid into the booth.

  “I don’t have a clue. So, tel me the background info with that paper you dropped off today.”

  “Did your boss think it’s legit?” Kitty picked up the menu and glanced at the sandwiches.

  “He’s not sure. You need to find out more about Nicole’s grandmother if you can. Put your menu away, I ordered for you already. Hope you don’t mind. Sweet potato fries and a chicken salad sandwich.”

  “Great. Sounds perfect. Here’s what I know.” Kitty leaned as close to Tina as she could and kept her voice low. “Nicole’s grandmother, Becky, left Wil ow Fal s when she was sixteen to go live with her aunt and uncle in Connecticut. Becky had a baby about the same time her aunt and uncle had a baby. Becky’s daughter is Nicole’s mother. Guess who that other baby was?”

  “I don’t know. Give me a clue.”

  “Her daughter is in this diner right now.”

  Tina’s eyes were huge. “Sheila? Sheila and Nicole are related?”

  “Looks that way. I talked to Blake’s partner, Harry, and he gave me a file on Nicole that he said he found in Blake’s office. I think I may need to visit him again.”

  “Is he handsome?” Tina was always on the prowl.

  “Come with me and you can find out for yourself. This sandwich is delicious. I didn’t realize how hungry I was. Let’s go back to my place when we’re done or do you have plans tonight?”

  “Nope, no plans.”

  “It doesn’t look like Frank wil be able to help me if Sheila’s back in the picture.” Kitty sounded disappointed.

  Tina’s eyebrow went up. “Jealous?”

  “Of course not. Let’s go. We can have brownies and ice cream at my house.”

  “And Kahlua on top?”

  “Why not?” Kitty and Tina drove to Kitty’s house.

  “What’s going on between you and Frank?” Tina casual y asked as they scooped ice cream onto the warm fudgy brownies.

  “Going on? Nothing. We’re just friends. Why?” Kitty poured a big shot of Kahlua on her dessert bowl.

  “You seemed a little put out when you saw Frank sitting with Sheila. That’s al . Pour some of that on mine too.”

  “Just surprised I guess. He’s a great guy. Easy to be around. Handsome. I’m comfortable with him. Maybe he’s not over Sheila and now with Blake out of the picture, wel , time wil tel . Let’s take a look at this box Frank left here. It’s recipes from his mom.”

  “Recipes? He gave you a box of old recipes? How romantic.” Tina tried not to laugh out loud.

  “Just because you don’t even know how to boil water, doesn’t mean I can’t be interested in some recipes.”

  “Kitty, you are hopeless. I’l humor you. Let’s have a look in the box.” Tina pul ed the box across the table and scooped out a handful of papers.

  “Meatloaf. Pea Soup. Macaroni and Cheese. Roast Chicken. Apple pie. Any of these excite you yet Kitty?”

  “Tina. Look at this. There’s no recipes in this folder.” Kitty pushed the other recipes aside and opened the nondescript folder. She looked up at Tina. “This has information on me. In Frank’s recipe box. What’s going on?” Tina grabbed the folder. “Let me see that. What else is in there?”

  Flipping through the papers, Tina lined up pages on the counter. “Information on you. Frank. Sheila. Harry. Nicole. This can’t be Frank’s folder.

  Someone else stuck this in here. Maybe Blake was hiding them here? Look at this Kitty. A note. If you find these files, it means I’m in trouble.

  Watch your back.”

  “Should I cal Frank?” Kitty went to get her phone.

  “No. He’s got other things on his mind at the moment. Let’s read through this information and see what we can figure out.” Tina picked up her dessert and started to dig into the melting sweet mix before tackling the papers.

  Chapter 6

  Kitty heard someone driving up her driveway when she was in the barn watering the animals. Who could that be? I don’t want to see anyone right now. If I don’t go out, maybe they’ll leave.

  “Kitty. Kitty. Can I see Henry?”

  Kitty couldn’t help but smile at the sound of Maddie’s voice. She walked outside and was engulfed by two little arms hugging her. Frank walked over with a bouquet of tulips for her.

  “Sorry I didn’t cal you last night. Sheila showed up and I had to sort through a lot of drama with her.” Frank lowered his voice. “We brought you some tulips. Maddie picked them out.”

  “Maddie. These tulips are beautiful. Thank you.”

  “They look like a rainbow. I’m going to go find Henry.”

  “Thank you Frank. I love tulips.” Kitty felt her heart quicken. “I saw you and Sheila at the restaurant last night.”

  “I would have rather been with you. She’s making my life miserable.”

  Kitty smiled and breathed again.

  “Tina and I found an interesting folder in that recipe box you gave me.” Frank looked confused. “Folder? On what?”

  “On me, you, Sheila, Nicole and Harry. And a note. I’l show you when we go in. First I’d better get this pony out so Maddie can take a little ride.” Frank just stared at Kitty trying to understand how a folder ended up in his mother’s big box of recipes.

  Kitty found Maddie in Henry’s stal , talking to him and brushing his mane. Licorice was keeping them company too. The little black cat adopted Henry and never strayed far from his stal . “Frank, hurry up, take a look at this.” Kitty cal ed and broke Frank out of his thoughts.

  With a smile creasing his whole face, Frank told Kitty. I’ve never seen Maddie so happy.”

  “What is Sheila going to do now that Blake is dead?”

  “That’s what I need to talk to you about. She wants to stay here in Wil ow Fal s, at least until she figures out what’s next for her. She’s looking for a room or apartment to rent and Maddie wil stay with me.” Frank fidgeted and looked down at his feet when he told Kitty this bombshel .

  Kitty was helping Maddie get up on Henry and her back was to Frank. She couldn’t face him now and let him see her disappointment. Sheila in Willow Falls? She didn’t like that idea at al .

  Kitty was surprised to see Mia’s blue mini cooper pul up to the house.

  Mia hopped out. “Hi. Is that your new pony? He’s adorable. And who’s the cute cowgirl riding him?”

  “Mia, do you remember my friend Frank? This is his daughter Maddie. She’s taken quite a shine to Henry.”

  “Of course I remember Frank. Long time no see. Looks like that pony was made for Maddie. Kitty, did you forget we were getting together to finalize the surprise party for Dottie?”

  “Of course not.” She laughed. “Just let me take Maddie for a couple of loops around the field then we can go in and figure the party out. I’l be right back.”

  “Faster Kitty, faster Henry.” Frank and Mia laughed watching Maddie trying to get Henry to speed up his slow walk.

  “Are you going to be around for a while Frank?” Mia casual y asked, always hoping to get something to gossip about.

  “Actual y, now that Maddie is living with me, I wil be around most of the time. She had been living with my ex-wife, Sheila, until her husband got murdered at the fair.”

  “That’s horrible. I didn’t know who that guy was.”

  “He was Sheila’s husband. They were just returning from their honeymoon to pick up Maddie and now everything is up in the air. Sheila is talking about renting in Wil ow Fal s so she can be close to Maddie at my house. It’s a mess.”

  “Daddy. Daddy. Watch me. Henry is trotting.” Maddie hung onto the saddle horn as she bounced up and down in the saddle shrieking with delight.


  “That looks like so much fun. Can I try too?” Mia begged Kitty.

  “Sure. Down you go Maddie. It’s Mia’s turn.” Mia put her foot in the stirrup and pul ed her smal , wiry body into the saddle.

  “How do you make him go?”

  Kitty pul ed Henry’s halter to get him started.

  “Let’s go Henry. Yippee. This makes me feel like a little girl again.” Mia hol ered as Henry walked around the field.

  Mia managed to get Henry al the way around the field but then he headed straight into the barn.

  “Thank you Kitty. That was absolutely wonderful. Thanks Maddie for sharing Henry with me.” Mia’s eyes sparkled with delight.

  “Frank, can you take Mia in the house? Give me a few minutes to get Henry back in his stal and I’l join you inside. Maddie you can help me feed and brush Henry.”

  “Kitty?”

  “Yes Maddie?”

  “Do you like my daddy?”

  “Yes, and I like you too. Why?”

  “Mommy doesn’t like you, but I do. I like it here in the barn with Henry and Poco and Licorice and Max and the chickens and Garbanzo.”

  “Henry likes your company and I do too. You can come here anytime you want.” Kitty picked up Maddie hugging her as she twirled her around the stal . “Let’s go inside and get some chocolate chip cookies and milk. How does that sound?”

  “Yum!” Maddie rewarded Kitty with an ear to ear smile and a tight squeeze around her neck.

  Opening the kitchen door, Kitty heard the tail end of Mia’s comment. “. . .moving in with someone.”

  “Did anyone think to put the tea kettle on? And I’ve got a hungry cowgirl here that would like to know if she can have some cookies and milk.” Kitty eyed Frank getting an approving nod.

  “I’l get the water going Kitty. I was just fil ing Frank in on my conversation with that new girl in town, Nicole.” Mia grabbed the kettle, added water and turned on the burner. “Where do you keep your tea in this beautiful kitchen?”

  “Here, I’ve got a basket ful of choices right here. Maddie, hop up next to your dad on that tal stool and I’l fix you up with my to die for chocolate chip cookies and a tal glass of milk.”

  “To die for? Why do you cal them that Kitty?” Maddie’s look of concern made Kitty realize it probably wasn’t the best choice of words.

  “Oh, it’s just a saying that means they are so so delicious that you would do anything to get one. And look, I’m giving you two! Anyone else want a cookie?”

  “Are you kidding? I thought you’d never offer.” Frank grabbed one before Kitty had a chance to cover the cookie jar.” Kitty poured the tea and sat on the other side of Frank. “So, what did I miss?”

  “Not too much. June and I did manage to get Nicole’s attention at the coffee shop and she sat with us for a bit. She’s very interested in finding out more about her grandmother, especial y any boyfriends she had. She even stopped at the senior center after work. That’s the interesting part that I was just tel ing Frank about. She said she ran into someone else at the coffee shop and they are going to rent an apartment together.”

  “And?” Kitty sipped her peppermint tea wondering where this conversation was going.

  “And. This other person...” Mia glanced at Maddie dipping her cookie into the milk. “Wel , it’s not important now. We should be talking about the party for Dottie. Are you ready for everyone to come here this afternoon Kitty?”

  “I guess so. What do I have to do?”

  “If you have time, make a salad. June is bringing pizza from Paul’s Pizzeria and I’m making Dottie’s favorite cake. Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. It wil have to be big to fit al seventy five candles on top. Hope we don’t set your smoke detectors off.” Mia snorted with laughter. “I can’t wait to see the look on Dottie’s face. She doesn’t have a clue.”

  “How are we keeping it a surprise?”

  “Everyone wil park at Sam’s house, walk here around three thirty and I’l bring Dottie and June over at four, our usual time to come for the card game. Dottie wil be so busy complaining in the back seat of my car that she won’t notice anything.”

  “Can I come too?” Maddie piped up after finishing her snack.

  “Of course you can come, Sunshine. Mia, do you want me to pick up some wine or beer?”

  “Oh, that’s a great idea, Frank. Dottie loves red wine. Not sure if that real y goes with pizza but who cares. She’s reaching this milestone and can do whatever she wants. Kitty, maybe you should cal Tina, Sam, Aaron, Corey and Alex and remind them what’s happening. I’ve gotta run and get going with the cake. See you later.”

  Maddie slid off her chair. “See you later al igator.”

  “After a while crocodile.” Mia finished and gave Maddie a big hug. “I’l make some cupcakes too so you can decorate them later. How does that sound Maddie?”

  “Yes, yes yes! Can I decorate with pink and purple?”

  “Anything you want cowgirl. Bye you al .” Mia put her tea cup in the sink on the way out the door.

  Frank picked up Maddie. “We better get going too. Come on Maddie. We’l be back later.”

  “Can I say goodbye to Henry, daddy?”

  “I guess we can swing by the barn on the way to the car. Are you coming too Kitty?” Frank’s eyes pleaded with her to come.

  “Sure. Maddie, here’s a carrot you can bring out to him. ”

  Maddie ran ahead with Max at her heels.

  Frank held Kitty’s arm to slow her down. “I wanted to tel you what Mia was talking to me about.”

  “Yeah. I heard the tail end of a comment about someone moving in with someone?”

  “Nicole told Mia that Nicole and Sheila are renting an apartment together. Obviously, they don’t know that you already figured out that they are related. Now, I’m wondering if this is why Sheila wants to stay here in Wil ow Fal s.”

  “Maybe they’re working together to scam me out of part of this farm. I think I’l make friends with Nicole. Get on her good side. I’m going to tel Mia to invite Nicole to the party. She wants to meet everyone, find out more about her grandmother. What do you think Frank?”

  “Good idea. Do you have some good information you can casual y reveal?”

  “You bet I do. I’m feeling so much better about al this. Here comes Maddie.”

  “Kitty. Daddy. Henry ate the whole carrot and he said thank you.”

  “Real y? How did he say thank you to you?”

  “He swished his tail and nuzzled my cheek. And then he said thank you. But no one else can hear that part.” Maddie explained with al seriousness.

  “You are special, Sunshine. Hop in the Jeep. We’l be back later.”

  Maddie watched out the back window and waved the whole way down the driveway.

  Chapter 7

  Kitty had just enough time to clean up, take a shower and make a big spinach salad before she heard the front door open.

  “Tina! Just who I was hoping would arrive. You need to help me with something later.”

  “I can see the wheels turning in your brain. You are scheming something my friend. I’m in.”

  “I can’t tel you the details now. You need to be surprised with the information and not just pretending. Just play along with me when I’m talking to Nicole. You’re always good at that.”

  “Does this have anything to do with the farm?”

  “Tina, you know me too wel .” Kitty smiled at her best friend knowing she could always count on her to help her through anything. “By the way.

  How’s Aaron? I get the feeling he has been seeing more of you than I do.” Tina fluttered her eyelashes. “Seeing more of me in more ways than one!”

  “You are bad Tina.” They were both doubled over laughing as the door opened.

  “What are you two laughing at?” Aaron looked from Kitty to Tina.

  They looked at each other and just laughed harder. Aaron shook his head and grabbed a beer from the fridge. “I could never understand the se
crets you two shared.”

  Sam arrived and Max jumped off the couch to greet him. “Max. Glad you haven’t forgotten me. Hi Aaron. What are those two laughing about?”

  “Beats me. Who else is coming?”

  Kitty pul ed herself together. “Hi Sam. Corey and Alex should be coming soon and Frank and Maddie. Mia is bringing June and Dottie in about a half hour, their normal card playing time. We’l have to keep an eye out for Mia’s car so we can surprise Dottie when she walks in.”

  “I hope it’s not too big a shock for her system.” Sam warned.

  “Too big a shock for who?” Frank asked, having arrived with Maddie just as Sam was talking.

  “For Dottie, that’s who.”

  Corey and Alex opened the kitchen door and Cleo charged through ful of her crazy puppy energy.

  “Time for the four legged friends to go outside.” Kitty announced.

  Mia’s shiny blue car was just arriving as Kitty let the dogs out. She shushed everyone and motioned for them to stand out of the line of vision.

  “Hi girls. Right on time like always. Come on in. I’ve got the card table al set up.” Kitty opened the door wide for the three ladies to enter. Nicole was tagging along behind.

  “Thanks for including me Kitty. You’ve had a change of heart?” Nicole softly chuckled as she went past.

  “Surprise. Surprise. Surprise.” Erupted from the living room as Dottie crossed the threshold.

  Her mouth dropped open. Her hand covered her heart. She was speechless. For three seconds.

  “I told you I don’t celebrate birthdays anymore. That way I won’t get any older.” She beamed with happiness as she pretended to scold her friends.

  Mia put a shiny plastic tiara on Dottie’s head. Everyone hugged her and wished her many many more happy birthdays. Dottie had tears in her eyes.

  “Are we stil going to play cards?” Dottie wondered.

  Everyone laughed. “Not today unless you have your heart set on it.”

  Kitty’s house bustled with activity. The pizza and salad were on the table. Drinks were poured for everyone.

  “Help yourself and find a seat. This isn’t going to be a formal meal.” Mia, June, Dottie, Nicole and Sam sat at the table in the kitchen. The others grabbed plates and found seats in the living room. A loud buzz of different conversations blended together.