A Groom For Maggie by Elizabeth Harbison

Author:Elizabeth Harbison [Elizabeth Harbison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781459273016
Publisher: Harlequin

Considering how the rest of the day had gone, Maggie should have anticipated the cats.

It began with one. Kate had been playing with it before the ceremony, so when it jumped onto the buffet table and went for the chicken wings, Maggie shooshed it off without a thought that there would be a problem.

But the cat came back. And it brought another cat. Pretty soon, there seemed to be cats everywhere.

“What’s going on here?” Alex whispered, catching Maggie by the punch bowl. “Did they make catnip surprise or something?”

“They seem to want the chicken wings,” Maggie answered. “I don’t know what to do about it.”

“I do,” Alex said after a minute. “We’ll post children by the table. They’ll love being in charge of keeping the cats away.” With that he hurried off to recruit everyone under five feet to stand guard at the table.

It worked fairly well. Until Maggie found herself locked in a conversation with Marlene Shaw next to the hummus plate.

“What exactly are your honeymoon plans, dear? I…I…I—choo!” A sneeze burst forth from her. She sniffed. “Excuse me. Do you have pets?”

“No,” Maggie began.

“Are you planning to go to the house in the Cayman Islands? Sandra always loved the place.”

Maggie looked down just as a small black paw darted out from under the tablecloth at the ground. She forced her attention back to Marlene. “I think Alex is trying to work something into his schedule, but we’re not sure what.”

“Surely you’ll at least be going away for the night tonight.” She narrowed her eyes. “Wedding night, and all.”

“We’ve decided not to go away.” Maggie thought fast. “For us, home is the most romantic place. Later in the summer we’ll take a vacation with Kate.”

“Kate will be joining you on a honeymoon?” the older woman asked disapprovingly, punctuating her question with two more sneezes.

The paw darted out again, coming within millimeters of Marlene’s ankle.

“No, that will be a family trip,” Maggie said stiffly. “Perhaps to Disney World or someplace like that.”

“Oh, dear.” Marlene clucked in mock sympathy while rummaging through her handbag. She produced a handkerchief and pressed it to her reddening nose. “This doesn’t sound like a typical—Aarrgh!”

It happened in a rush. The cat’s paw slipped out again, this time catching Marlene on the ankle. To make matters worse, the tiny claws got stuck in her stocking.

“Aaah! Get this beast off of me! A-choo!”

The plate she’d been holding hurled into Maggie’s chest. Salmon mousse plopped down into her bra.

“Get it away!” Marlene danced around like a windup toy, the poor cat clinging to her foot and wailing like a banshee.

“Mrs. Shaw, if you could just hold still for a moment.” Maggie bent down and followed foot and cat with her hands. “If you could just be still, I could—”

“For God’s sake, get it away!”

Just as Maggie was about to grab the cat, Marlene sidestepped and the chance was lost.

People started walking toward the ruckus.

The cat, with an apparent burst of adrenaline, gave a final scream and dashed into the bushes, taking stocking and skin with him, Maggie was sure.

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