Meet Scarlett, the adorably friendly, nosy, gossipy klepto-kitty!
This WHISKER WISDOM CATERVIEW is with Scarlett, an adorable klepto cat who first appears at the end of SUMMONING CALLIE. But it’s not the last you’ll see of her.
When Scarlett first appeared, we knew little about her. It wasn’t until the next story that we even knew her name. We have to trust that Wishes, the time traveler cat you met earlier in Summoning Callie chose the right replacement.
I have to say, Wishes’s return to North Carolina surprised me as much as the decision bewildered his humans.
His reasons made sense. Still when he announced that this exhausting commute between the 21st and 18th centuries would be his last and he brought the hand-picked tortoiseshell kitten to replace him…well, everyone was shocked.
He had more faith than the family that he’d made the right choice. Callie thought maybe the adorable little kitten wasn’t magical at all until she spoke for the first time.
So far, Scarlett is the most social of the cats in my stories. The little cuddle magnet is downright nosy. Arranging this Caterview was easy. Keeping her on track? Not so much.
The little tortie jumped into my lap and settled into a comfy position. Her purr button was going a mile a minute as we began.
ME: Scarlett, I think we should establish some ground rules. You’re known as the gossip empress, so could you agree not to share things that might embarrass your humans?
SCARLETT (casting a slant-eyed stare up at me): Even if I change their names?
ME: Nope. Not even that.
S: This might be a short discussion, then.
ME: I think we’ll be fine. You came into the Riley family after Wishes had been with every generation for centuries. What was the hardest thing for you as a newcomer?
S: Oh, my. Figuring out who was who. Wishes wanted me to be Callie’s familiar, but he didn’t stick around long enough to draw an organization chart. I’d just started to bond with Callie and Reid when they went on their honeymoon. They left me with Callie’s cousin a real space qu—
ME: Scarlett! You’re getting into gossip mode.
S: (with an undeniable squinty frown) It’s not gossip when it’s eye-witness truth! Okay, she means well. Bless her heart. She’s certainly intelligent. But the commonsense fairy passed her by. She had this ridiculous idea that when she said “love,” all the power would go off—nonsensical coincidences. But if I hadn’t been there as the matchmaker, she and that hunky electrician would have never got together.
ME: You have to admit; those coincidences were remarkable. Anyway, the magical dolls for sale at the Enchanted Studio played a part, too. You left that out.
S: Those ugly dolls? They are the craziest part of this family–and that’s saying a lot. Callie and her mother make and sell those funky clay-faced match-making dolls to gullible lonely hearts. The worst part? They talk. And the first time I heard one speak to me, I thought I was going crazy.
ME: Ah hum. You, the talking cat, were surprised that a doll speaks?
S: Helllloowww! I’m a cat. Of course I can talk. But clay-headed, beady-eyed, buck-toothed dolls? Give me strength.
ME: Excuse me all to pieces. Anyway. Back to your role in the Baga Shores Romance series. As I understand it, you and Wishes were key in getting Callie and Reid to realize they were destined to be together. True?
S: I’ll admit there was some magic involved. Wishes did most of the work, but yes. I was kind of the back up after he left.
ME: I guess all fated couples need that extra boost. You’ve got quite a reputation in town, besides the gossip queen.
S: Gossip empress, if you don’t mind.
ME: Ok, empress. But you’re also known for something else. Apparently, you’re a bit of a klepto-kitty.
S: (another squinty frown) I have a few flaws. Like you’re perfect?
ME: I’m far from perfect, Scarlett. But how on earth do you accumulate the things you do? I’ve heard about your stash of seashells, refrigerator magnets, restaurant menus, sports jerseys, a hairstylist’s special scissors, work gloves…
S: Okay. Okay. They get the idea. I prefer the title of eclectic collector. And I see you rolling your eyes! Look, it’s stressful living up to Wishes’ expectations. He had centuries on me. I need an outlet.
ME: Hunting vermin might be more helpful. Then humans wouldn’t worry about finding the owners of those collectibles. Remember when you took a little kid’s stuffed animal and how long it took to find the child who lost it?
S: (shudders) I found it in the park. For Pete’s sake, I didn’t steal it from a child! I’m a lot of things, but not a thief. And you’ve undoubtedly been nosing around yourself! Who told you all this?
ME: I have my sources. But back to the hair stylist’s scissors. I hear you took those off her work tray. Those aren’t cheap.
S: Exaggerations. She wasn’t using them at that particular moment. Anyway, I tried catching a mouse once. Killing living things is out, and I don’t like fur in my mouth. (He licks his shoulder.)
ME: Um, about that fur in the mouth thing?
S: (freezes his stare off into the distance) This is grooming. Minimal fur reaches the mouth.
ME: Seriously? I’m supposed to believe none of that hair makes its way to your stomach, then into a squishy mess for owners to step in at 3 AM?
S: (spits out a wad of cat hair that barely missed my leg) That’s just gross. Witness. I am grooming. Anyway, we need to wrap this up. I’m feeling nature’s call if you know what I mean.
ME: I have just one more question. Callie’s gift is helping the dead who come forward to settle old issues. Wishes went back with her to the 1700s to save a young boy from the gallows. Just as Callie did, Wishes saw the boy’s ghost. Can you see the dead, too?
S: Seriously? (Huffing a kitty laugh) What cat cannot see the unseen? Short answer? Yes.
ME: Anybody around us now?
S: Would you really like the answer?
ME: Ah. Now that you ask, no.
S: Thought so! See you around Baga Shores! (jumps off my lap and trots off)
ME: We can’t wait!
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