Read Online Morning Star by Judith Plaxton - Free Book Online Page B

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about how to get there, said we would have a friend in Ripley who would tell us
how to get to Canada.”
    Dr. Simon turned to Noah Pemberton. “He’ll need
time to memorize more information.”
    Flower listened to the hum of talk on the other
side of the room. Her mother was asleep, her head slanted toward her shoulder.
Flower concentrated on the drops of water pooling inside Gabriel’s open mouth.
She set the spoon down and rubbed his downy cheek with her knuckle. He frowned
and swallowed.
    â€œGabriel?”

CHAPTER 20
    Felicia
    FELICIA BURST through the front door, stood in the hallway, and started to unwind her scarf from around her neck. Delia jumped up from her chair in the living room.
    â€œLook at you! Take off those wet clothes before you catch your death. I’ll run a warm bath.” She used the tail end of the scarf to pat Felicia’s face dry and started to unbutton Felicia’s jacket as she spoke. A wet, skeletal kitten face peeked out at her. Delia drew back in alarm. “What on earth…?”
    â€œMom, I found this poor baby cat…”
    â€œOh no!”
    â€œStranded in the storm…”
    â€œWe can’t keep it!”
    â€œIt doesn’t have a mom…”
    â€œNo way.”
    â€œLook! It’s starving.”
    Florence stood in the kitchen doorway. “Felicia, you’re home—thank heavens! What’s all the fuss about?”
    â€œShe’s brought in some filthy little animal,” said Delia.
    Florence walked into the hall. “Let’s see.”
    â€œIt’s just a baby, Nana.”
    â€œCovered in germs,” said Delia. “Probably has rabies.”
    Felicia held the kitten in her hands so that her grandmother could see it. It blinked in the sudden light. It tried to meow but had no voice. “Dodie said I should give it some food and take it to the vet.”
    Delia looked at it and shook her head. “And who’s going to pay for that?”
    â€œDoes that cost a lot?” asked Felicia. She hoped it didn’t.
    â€œWe’ll find something for it.” Florence started back to the kitchen.
    â€œFirst a horse and now a cat,” Delia said. “What else will you come up with? An elephant?”
    Felicia kicked off her wet shoes and slithered out of her jacket as she held onto the damp bundle of kitten. Her mother stripped off wet socks as Felicia stood on one foot and then the other. “You need a bath. Your skin is icy cold.”
    â€œI’ll be up in a minute.” Felicia headed into the kitchen. “Should we warm the milk, Nana?”
    â€œThat’s just what I’m doing. I’m not sure cow’s milk is the best thing for a kitten, but it’s all I can think of at the moment. Put the kitten in that cardboard box and wrap a towel around it. It’ll be just fine while you have your bath.”
    Felicia raced up the stairs, stripped off her wet clothes, and stepped into the tub. Delia had added bath salts. Felicia meant to jump in and jump out, but once she settled in the warm, scented water, the sheer delight of it, after her frigid journey, kept her there. She leaned back and let the water soothe and warm her.
    When Felicia returned to the kitchen, Florence was washing a turkey baster.
    â€œWhat’s that for?” asked Felicia.
    â€œIt might be useful for giving the milk. We’ll try it. Wrap that kitten in the towel. It’s still shivering.”
    Delia sat at the table sipping a mug of tea. “I can’t believe we’re doing all this for a stray animal that’s probably carrying a horrible disease.”
    â€œDid you ever have a pet, Mom?”
    â€œNo, never. This is a new experience.” Delia looked at her mother.
    â€œI used to feed the odd stray,” said Florence, “but I never let anything in the house.” She approached her granddaughter, now holding the toweled kitten in her lap. “See