Things started out like a normal day in the country routine. It was a sunny Monday, so Harlin Hopscotch got into his car with loads of toys to deliver. He would deliver them and then do his weekly supply run in town square. Pies, tarts, soap, shampoo, stationary would all be bought and loaded into his large Family Seven Seater.
But things did not end up like that. Harlin arrived with much bigger packages at his Deluxe Village House. Four cats were sitting in the cushioned light yellow chairs of the car. Heidi, who had been standing outside the patio to greet her husband, recognized them immediately.
“The Tuxedo Cat family! What a pleasant surprise! How?!” she excitedly gleed.
Harlin then explained, “I ran into them in town today. Believe it or not, your sister Teri rented her house and car to them for some months. Mason Tuxedo Cat is here on orders of Mayor Cuddlebear. He wants the country homeschooled kids and babies to take standardized tests. Mason, here, has been hired to test the children and babies. His whole family is moving here for the next year or so, and they needed a ride.”
Mason then added, “And I take it you’re currently caring for my niece, Olive, and her best friend, Ginni, while their parents settle arrangements for their older children and themselves to be moving into town. I would like to take up those two until their parents are asking. You can keep the credits you’re getting, I insist. Mayor Cuddlebear is paying me quite a salary to move my family into the country so abruptly.”
“Oh my! Leave it to Teri to make arrangements and never tell us! She’s a bit of a mess. Let me call her right away,” Heidi apologized to the Tuxedo Cats.
Back at the Lakeside Lodge, Teri was outside washing her hammocks when Freya bursted out. “Aunt Heidi is on the phone waiting for you, Mom,” she informed.
“Hello, what is it, Heidi sis?”
“You do realize you rented your house and your car to the Tuxedo Cats without telling us, and without picking them up?” Heidi answered rather annoyedly.
“Oh no! I forgot, I was going to ask to sleep in your living room with the spare mattress! Wait… how did you find out?”
“Just come over quickly, and Harlin will explain. And of course, you can always live with us.”
Teri rushed Freya and Breeze into her Cherry Cruiser. She sped the car out of its parking space and reached the Deluxe Village House quickly.
Harlin explained how he had found the Tuxedo Cats and their arrangement with the mayor to Teri and her daughters.
Finally, Natalie Charcoal Cat and her twin daughters, Rose and Lily, couldn’t take it much longer.
“I’ve been dying to meet you, Teri Choch. I read your VERY TERI reviews in the newspaper everyday. I love your work, your writing, your opinions!” Natalie exclaimed.
Teri thanked her loyal fan and was rather pleased. Finally, someone could appreciate her unique tastes.
Heidi ushered everyone into the house so the children could all hear of the festive news. The children, though a little concerned about having to take a big city test, were happy to be meeting Rose and Lily. Olive and Ginni were especially happy to be knowing that Olive could be reunited at last with some of her family. Rushing to feed the hungry travelers, Bell and Heidi passed out various treats and coffee.
After some chit chat between everyone and the moving of the spare mattress into the living room for Teri and her daughters, the Tuxedo Cats said their goodbyes and hopped into their new Cherry Cruiser.
“What a wonderful place with such friendly people! I’m sure we’ll all have fun everyday!” Rose commented.
“Rose, remember why we’re here in the first place, too,” Lily chided.
They arrived at the Lakeside Lodge with the girls pulling up their dresses as they hopped aboard the wooden steps.
Lily and Rose rushed in to discover a fully furnished Lakeside Lodge with many wonders to discover.
“Hammocks!” Rose gleed.
“Oh my gosh! There’s a second floor deck,” Lily commented to everyone as she climbed up the wooden ladder.
Mason chuckled as his family was wowed by the quaintest little cabin. They had lived in a tall house in town with all sorts of fancy rooms and furniture, so a cabin with just enough space for the family was a newly cherished experience.
That night, Natalie set up a little bed from the Hopscotch Rabbits for Ginni and Olive as Lily and Rose climbed into the rope woven hammocks. Mason and Natalie slept on the floorboards for the time being.
“Daddy?” Rose whispered.
“What?” Mason mumbled, already half drifted off into sleep.
“I have a feeling we’re going to have a great time!”
Oh cool! New people! Congratulations! 🐱🥰👏