The Christmas Cat Read Online Free Page A

away about twenty years ago, leaving everything to his second wife. Then she passed away while you were overseas. According to your great-grandfather’s will, the remains of his estate went to your grandmother.”
    Garrison was trying to absorb this. “So Gram wasn ’t poor? She was rich?”
    “She wasn’t a millionaire. And, as you mentioned, she continued to live quite frugally. I suspect she was comfortable with her lifestyle.” Mr. Miller held up what looked like a bank statement. “The most money she ever spent was in donations—primarily to the Uganda Water Project. Her records show that she sent in a generous check every single month since inheriting the money.”
    “The Uganda Water Project?” He studied Mr. Miller. “That was the mission group that I worked with. I know she donated to it. But I never thought she could afford to give very much.”
    “Well, according to this, her support was significant. It appears that her checks were funneled through the church, but it was definitely designated to the water project. Your grandmother obviously believed in it. She’s even left a nice endowment for the project.”
    “Wow . . .” He slowly shook his head, trying to absorb this. “I had no idea.”
    Mr. Miller flipped through some papers. “I’d like to go over the details of her will, Garrison. It is, well, shall I say a bit unconventional.”
    “Okay.” Garrison leaned forward to listen.
    “As you know, Lilly was very fond of her cats. But she was also well aware that you have severe cat allergies. She knew that she couldn’t expect you to take care of them after she was gone. So she has asked you to take guardianship of the cats until you can find them each a good home.”
    “Oh?” He nodded. “That shouldn’t be hard. In fact, I think I already found one home already.”
    “Not so fast.” Mr. Miller held up a page. “There are some very specific stipulations for the placement of the cats.”
    “Oh . . . okay. What kind of stipulations?”
    “Your grandmother made a list. Naturally, I’ll give you a copy of all this, but I did promise your grandmother that I’d go over the whole thing with you. She suspected you’d be a bit surprised. She wanted to be certain that you thoroughly understood and accepted her plans.”
    “That’s fine. Go ahead.”
    Mr. Miller cleared his throat. “First of all, the cats can only be placed in approved families. Second, the adoptive families must live in Mrs. Brown’s neighborhood.”
    “That sounds doable.”
    “And the adoptive families must have resided in that neighborhood for at least a year. Mrs. Brown wants to be assured they’re not transient. And the homes must be approved. Meaning that they are clean and safe for pets. She’s made another checklist for this.”
    “Seriously?” Garrison shook his head. “It sounds more like finding homes for children than for cats.”
    “Her cats were her children.”
    “Well . . . yeah . . . I know.”
    “Do you want to hear the rest?”
    “Of course.” Garrison leaned back.
    “The adoptive homes must have at least one person in the house for the better part of the day so that the cats aren’t left alone for long periods of time. And if the cats are placed with married couples, the marriage needs to be stable and solid.”
    Garrison frowned. “How am I supposed to know—”
    “Mrs. Brown has a list for that too.” Mr. Miller peeredover the top of the paper. “It’s all in a packet for you. Shall I continue?”
    Garrison just nodded.
    “If the adoptive homes qualify, the cats will be placed for a two-week trial period. After that, the guardian of the cats will conduct one surprise visit to ensure that the cats are happily settled into their new homes. If anything is amiss, the cats shall be removed. Then, after the cat has spent three weeks in the adoptive home, the cat guardian shall return and—”
    “Is it just me, or does this all sound a little crazy?” Had Gram been