Page 43 of A Cozy Christmas Blizzard
Wynn sat next to LaVonne and tried to comfort her. “I’ll do what I can,” he said. “I’m sure that once my father’s settled down he’ll listen to reason.”
LaVonne’s eyes widened, as though she had trouble believing Wynn. “I don’t mean to insult you, but your father doesn’t seem like a reasonable man to me.”
“Whose blood is that?” Zelda asked, hands on her hips as she surveyed the room.
K.O. tried to waylay her sister. “As you can see,” she said, gesturing about her, “thisreallyisn’t a good time to visit.”
“I don’t care,” Zelda insisted. “I need to talk to Dr. Jeffries.” She thrust his book at him and a pen. “Could you sign this for me?”
Just then a man wearing a jacket that identified him as an Animal Control officer came in, holding an animal carrier. The name Walt was embroidered on his shirt.
Wynn quickly signed his name, all the while watching the man from Animal Control.
LaVonne took one look at Walt and burst into tears. She buried her face in her hands and started to rock back and forth.
“Where’s the cat?” Walt asked.
“We’ve got him in the bathroom,” the paramedic said.
“Please don’t hurt him,” LaVonne wept. “Please, please...”
Walt raised a reassuring hand. “I handle situations like this every day. Don’t worry, Miss, I’ll be gentle with your pet.”
“Dr. Jeffries, Dr. Jeffries.” Zelda slipped past K.O. and climbed over LaVonne’s knees in order to reach Wynn. She plunked herself down on the coffee table, facing him. “I really do need to talk to you.”
“Zelda!” K.O. was shocked by her sister’s audacity.
“Zach and I never argue,” Zelda said over her shoulder, glaring at K.O. as if that fact alone should explain her actions. “This will only take a few minutes, I promise. Once I talk to Dr. Jeffries, I’ll be able to tell Zach what he said and then he’ll understand.”
LaVonne wailed as Walt entered the bathroom.
K.O. heard a hiss and wondered if her shower curtain was now in shreds. She’d never seen a cat react to anyone the way Tom had to Wynn’s father. Even now she couldn’t figure out what had set him off.
“This’ll only take a minute,” Zelda went on. “You see, my husband and I read your book, and it changed everything. Well, to be perfectly honest, I don’t know if Zach read the whole book.” A frown crossed her face.
“LaVonne, perhaps I should take you home now,” K.O. suggested, thinking it might be best for her neighbor not to see Tom leave the building caged.
“I can’t leave,” LaVonne said. “Not until I know what’s happening to Tom.”
The bathroom door opened and Walt reappeared with Tom safely inside the cat carrier.
“Tom, oh, Tom,” LaVonne wailed, throwing her arms wide.
“Dr. Jeffries, Dr. Jeffries,” Zelda pleaded, vying for his attention.
“Zelda, couldn’t this wait a few minutes?” K.O. asked.
“Where are you taking Tom?” LaVonne demanded.
“We’re just going to put him in quarantine,” Walt said in a soothing voice.
“Tom’s had all his shots. My veterinarian will verify everything you need to know.”
“Good. Still, we’re legally required to do this. I guarantee he’ll be well looked after.”
“Thank you,” K.O. said, relieved.
“Can I speak to Dr. Jeffries now?” Zelda asked impatiently. “You see, I don’t think my husband really did read your book,” she continued, picking up where she’d left off. “If he had, we wouldn’t be having this disagreement.”
