Black Cat and the Accidental Angel (Black Cat Mysteries Book 3) by Elaine Faber Page B

you? Thanks. Appreciate it.”
    John grinned at Cindy. “Let’s go right now. We’ll stop by the station and look around. Maybe we can find her.”
    Within fifteen minutes, Cindy and her daddy left to search for Angel.
    Black Cat paced the floor for several hours until they returned—without Angel.
    Before Cindy went to sleep that night, she knelt by the bed and said her prayers.
    “Dear Jesus. Thank You for my daddy and the Emus and for Black Cat and thank You for letting Angel get away from Mama. But, Jesus, now I need to ask a big favor because Angel got lost. You know what she looks like, all gold and sort of stripy and she has a kink in her tail. Please find her and bring her home. I know You can find her because Daddy says You can see everywhere, even through the trees. If You’d do that, Jesus, I’d be ever so good and mind Daddy. Oh, I almost forgot. Bless Mama too, because somebody should love her and I’m mad at her right now, so maybe You can be her friend. Okay? That’s all I need. Amen.”
    Black Cat snuggled by her pillow, and added a few prayers of his own to the Father of all living creatures.
    Cindy rubbed Black Cat’s head. “You’ll see. Everything will be alright now. Jesus will protect Angel and keep her safe. She’ll be home soon.”
    Black Cat stared into her eyes and blinked. I hope you’re right, but how can you be so sure?
    “It’s true. I know, because Daddy told me so.”
    Black Cat turned to look out the window. A blue jay hopped onto the bird feeder hanging on the limb just beyond the window. It pecked at the seeds, then kicked off and disappeared. The empty feeder swayed from side to side.
    Was there a chance he’d see Angel again one day? Would the Father of all living creatures care about a little lost cat? Would He hear Cindy’s prayers? Black Cat nestled closer. The faith of a child is a beautiful thing.

Chapter Eleven
    J ohn dialed the animal shelter. Wouldn’t hurt to tell them Angel was lost, in case someone picked her up. He turned his back to Cindy’s room. Best not let Cindy overhear the call. She was already upset enough.
    “Hello? Nevada County Animal Shelter.”
    “ Um. Yes. This is John Goldstein. I called before and reported finding a couple of cats? A cream-colored tabby and a black and white tom?”
    “Yes, Mr. Goldstein. I’ve got the report right here. It says you’re keeping them at your house in case someone calls? Is everything alright?”
    “Well, not exactly.” John scratched his head and looked around the cabin.
    Black Cat, lying on the back of the sofa, peered out the window. Perhaps he thought Angel would come waltzing home on her own. The house already felt empty without her.
    “Uhh. Under circumstances that I’d rather not discuss, the tabby female—her name is Angel, by the way. She’s… uh …lost. Could you give me a call in case she’s turned in?” Just what would he do if someone found her and turned her in? He’d already told Cindy they couldn’t keep the cats.
    “Sure thing, Mr. Goldstein. I’ll make a note. We’ll be on Angel-alert and let you know if we find her.”
    “She has orange stripes and goldish colored eyes.” John lowered his voice and glanced again toward Cindy’s bedroom door.
    “Yes, I know. You gave us her description yesterday.”
    “Okay, thanks. Good-bye.”
    Guess that was all he could do. The guys at the service station might spot Angel, or someone might see the posters Cindy made. They were doing everything possible to bring Angel back. What if Angel’s owner saw the posters? But, wasn’t that the point; to find her real home? They’d deal with that, if and when… Do I want the cats or don’t I? It was all so mixed up in his head.
    The cats were supposed to cheer up Cindy. Instead, she barely had time to wrap her head around the idea that they could stay for a while, than Carolyn waltzed in to spoil it. Just like two years ago. He’d no sooner come home after eighteen months in Iraq and