Christmas at Timberwoods - Fern Michaels [106]
An ear-piercing meow directed her attention to her newly adopted cat, Clovis. He had a rich butterscotch coat and giant jade-colored eyes, which were staring at her to demand her attention. Another earsplitting meow. She reached down and scooped up the giant ball of fur. “I guess this means you want to come, too?” Another meow, and two quick slaps from his bushy tail, and Melanie knew she couldn’t leave Clovis alone. Weighing in at twenty-seven pounds when she’d spied him at the local animal shelter, he’d caught her attention two months ago when, on a whim, she decided Odie needed a pal. Though her intent was to adopt another dog, Clovis had glowered at her from his cage as she’d walked through the shelter. She’d heard his manlike meow, and decided a cat would be a perfect companion for Odie, who was docile and lived for belly rubs and the occasional bit of rare steak. A cat would be perfect given the boxer’s disposition. When she’d taken the husky feline out of his cage, he licked her face just like a dog. He’d captured her heart on the spot. The dog and cat had taken to each other like jelly to peanut butter. She rubbed her nose against Clovis’s before placing him on top of her desk. “Let me load up the ski equipment, guys,” Melanie said, sure both animals understood her.
Odie dropped down on his haunches, and Clovis perched upright as though saying, “Okay, but speed it up.”
She made fast work of getting her skis, poles, boots, and helmet from the front closet. She grabbed a tote that held her ski pants and all the miscellaneous gear one needed when skiing. She peered inside the bag just to make sure she had a full bottle of sunscreen. The morning sun blazed like a giant lemon in the powder-blue sky. Given that and the blustering winds, sun- and windburn were a sure thing without proper protection.
That day, Melanie was thankful her condo had its own private garage. The temps were supposed to be in the low teens. Her six-year-old Jeep Wrangler took forever to warm up when left outside. After stuffing her equipment in the back, she tossed her tote, full of supplies, on the front passenger seat.
She made three trips to the condo and back to the Jeep before she had all her supplies. Since she was bringing Odie and Clovis to The Snow Zone, she’d brought their beds just in case Candy Lee needed them out of the way. Odie didn’t like being shifted to the small office at the back of the store. Melanie was sure he understood the difference between the rows of sweaters and ski coats and the actual ski equipment. She’d often commented to Stephanie that if she were ever in a pinch, Odie was sure to be a great assistant. Neither of her pets liked being relegated to the back office, yet they seemed to make the best of their situation. Both animals got along famously. So far, they’d remained in the office without any signs of mass destruction.
Once they were all secured properly in their seats, Melanie made the short drive to Stephanie’s little ranch house in Placerville. She grinned at the memory of last year’s Christmas. She had purchased the little ranch home for Stephanie and the girls. She’d placed the deed and the rest of the paperwork that goes along with purchasing a house in a plain envelope, as though its contents were unknown to her. Stephanie still told anyone who would listen what a grand gesture Melanie had performed.
Melanie inherited millions when her Mimi died. Her parents had bought real estate when the market was hopping, before she was born, and they, too, weren’t lacking in the financial department. This made their lives and those of many others better. Her mother always told her you get back what you give, tenfold, and it wasn’t necessarily a monetary return. Melanie tried to practice on a daily basis what her mother preached. So far, she’d never been disappointed.
Melanie had come to love Stephanie like the sister she’d always dreamed of having. Adding her two adorable daughters,