Page 20 of A Whisker in the Night

I sigh at the thought. “You and me both, sister.”

The treatments progress from Swedish lymphatic drainage (which feels like being patted down by angels) to hot stones placed strategically along our shoulders.

You humans and your odd relaxation rituals,Fish mewls with typical feline disdain.A proper sunbeam is all anyone needs.

The baby gives a playful flip as if agreeing with Fish’s assessment. I smile and adjust the heat setting on my foot bath, letting the warm water soothe my swollen ankles. The makeshift spa at Emmie’s cottage feels like a slice of heaven after the chaos at Westoff Farms.

Then comes the cupping, where they suction tiny cups to our flesh in hopes of extracting toxins, or maybe it’s bad vibes?Either way, Jasper swears it makes us look like we’ve been attacked by a bunch of octopuses.

“We’re going to have polka dots for days.” He chuckles.

“Now for the body scrubs,” one of the therapists announces. “Coffee grounds and brown sugar for the men and lavender and honey for our mamas-to-be.”

“Must the entire world deny us coffee?” Emmie teases as we continue to get the royal treatment.

“We’ll make up for it later,” I tell her. “I may not be able to boil water, but I can make a mean pot of decaf.”

The seaweed wrap is next, making us look like a bunch of spring rolls. I feel like I’m being prepared as someone’s dinner—and despite the fact I inhaled six slices of pizza, I’m suddenly craving Chinese.

Once that’s through, Emmie and I are moved to the sofa where we’re given foot massages, and our legs are rubbed down with lavender oil before the royal treatment is topped off with a heated foot bath.

Emmie moans with delight. “I think I just heard a heavenly choir.”

“I’ll be walking on a cloud for a week,” I add.

All five pets are lined up at the front of the living room watching with bated breath as to what’s about to happen next and most likely whether or not they’ll need to attack.

“So”—Emmie says as she splashes with her feet—“how did it go with Hammie Mae?”

I tell them about Verity’s employee contest—promising a Corvette to the top seller, only to deliver a Hot Wheels car instead.

“You’re kidding.” Emmie gasps.

“Nope.” I shake my head emphatically. “Though karma came calling when the employee sued and won enough to buy a whole fleet of real Corvettes.”

Both Leo and Jasper groan.

“Oh, it gets better,” I say. “For Hamish’s last birthday, Verity gave him one of her wisdom teeth dipped in gold.”

“WHAT?” Jasper and Leo shout in unison.

“Apparently, it’s the new hot thing.” I shrug in disbelief. “Too bad I threw mine out.”

“I have no idea where my wisdom teeth ended up,” Emmie says. “We are so behind the times.”

“Don't worry,” I assure her. “We’ll save all our children’s teeth and put our kids way ahead of the game.”

“Agree,” she says. “See? We’re already great mothers.”

Jasper chuckles. “I say focus more on chocolate and less on gold-dipped teeth. I have a feeling that fad might fade out by the time our children are of age to gift their molars to anyone.”

“Here’s hoping,” Leo says. “So what’s next in the investigation?”

Jasper sighs. “I’ve got some research to do come morning.”

“I wasn’t talking to you,” Leo tells him. “I was talking to the lead detective in charge.”

A robust laugh strums from me. “I knew I liked you.” I offer up a quick wink. “But speaking of detective work, I was thinking about taking Jellybean to Verity Westoff tomorrow,” I say and Jasper frowns my way.

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