Five Million Dollar Cat (A Novella)

By Laura Lond

When Amy's sleazy ex reemerges, she is wary, for two good reasons. One, she is still paying off the debts Jack had gotten her in. Two, his scheme, as usual, smacks of fraud. Jack, however, insists that everything is perfectly legal, safe, and easy, especially Amy's part. All she needs to do to earn her share, which would be a quarter million dollars, is… adopt a cat.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laura Lond
• Release date: Feb 8, 2012
• ISBN: 9781465939500

Laura Lond

Laura Lond is an internationally published author of several novels and a collection of short stories. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. Having worked for 2 years at a literary museum, Laura entered the world of business, working for large international corporations like Xerox Ltd. and Fluor Daniel. After moving from Europe to the United States, she has been self-employed as a freelancer.

Book preview

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Five Million Dollar Cat

A Novella

Laura Lond

Published by Laura Lond at Smashwords

Copyright 2012 Laura Lond

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter 1

[Back to Table of Contents]

Amy looked at the caller ID and frowned: she did not know this number. Debt collectors? It shouldn’t be, she’d been very careful with the payments. On the other hand, who knows, perhaps something new had surfaced. Oh, how she hated such surprise calls.

However, Amy had learned to face problems square on; trying to hide from them made no sense.

Hello?

Hey, Amy.

No, not debt collectors. Worse.

It’s me, Jack—don’t hang up! I’ve got something real important to tell you.

Somehow she managed to resist the urge to slam the phone down. Perhaps it was due to the shock of the fact that he had the nerve to call—and that he’d found her number.

What do you want?

Listen, baby…

Don’t you dare call me that. Keep your babies to yourself.

All right, all right, I’m sorry. He was always quick to backpedal and even apologize, if it was in his interests. Listen, Amy, I know I got you into a lot of trouble, and I want to repay everything to you. With interest.

Now, this was something new. She didn’t believe it, of course.

Do you, really?

Yes. I mean it. Can we meet and talk? I’m here in town, how ‘bout I ask you out for dinner?

And pay for it with my credit card?

He was not easy to insult, either—when he had his reasons to keep the peace.

Of course not! Listen, I know I’ve been a jerk, and you’ve got all the reasons to hate me. That’s why I’m calling. I really do want to make it all up to you. Nothing else. Can you just hear me out?

Would she be a complete fool to agree? Probably. But Amy was a little intrigued.

All right, I’ll give you five minutes. Where do you want to meet?

How about The Oyster?

Wow. It looked like he really needed to get on her good side. Well, whatever he had in mind, she would at least get a dinner at a nice restaurant—plus the rarest pleasure to watch him pay for it. That alone was worth the time.

Naturally, Amy was not going to take her wallet. Jack’s old trick with forgetting his wouldn’t work this time.

***

A half an hour later Amy pulled in to The Oyster. It had been a while since she dined at a place like this. She looked over the parking lot, searching for Jack’s car, but his memorable black Lexus was not there. Either he’d bought himself something else or he had not yet arrived. Most likely the latter. Amy didn’t believe it for a second that he finally made his fortune and really intended to return her the money. He wanted something from her, that was clear as day.

She entered the restaurant. To her surprise, Jack was waiting inside. He hadn’t changed a bit during these two years—handsome, slick, dressed in his trendy-bad-boy-slash-rock-musician style, with the most charming smile. Why did women always fall for that type? However, she could address this question to herself, too.

Hi, Amy. You’re just as pretty, even prettier than before.

And you’re just as sleazy, she wanted to reply, but she was never good at snappy retorts. That last phone conversation was the harshest she’d ever been with him.

Stop it, she said. Let’s get down to business.

As you wish.

He took her to the table and ordered appetizers.

Just so you know, I haven’t brought my wallet.

Jack flashed a radiant smile. Good. Excellent! I told you, it’s my treat. Order anything you want.

Have you robbed a bank?

He gave her a reproaching look. Amy. You know I’m not like that.

Yes, she knew. Jack preferred safer schemes, the kind you wouldn’t—usually—go to jail for.

She couldn’t wait to hear how he was going to make it all up to her.

Well?

He grew serious. Like I said, I want to pay it all back to you, Amy. All I’d taken from you and even more, much more, to compensate… well, for everything. And to help you make your dreams come true. You deserve that. I want to offer you a quarter million dollars.

Without a flinch, she held out her palm. Jack let out a chuckle.

Well, not right now. I don’t have it yet, but as soon as I do, it will be yours, I promise.

Amy narrowed her eyes. Of course. She should have known.

I see. Another one of your shady dealings, and you want me to help. You know what? Get lost.

She rose to leave, but he caught her hand.

Amy, wait! Nothing shady. You promised to hear me out, you said five minutes. Would you at least give me that? Please?

Well, okay. She had no idea why she agreed.

The waiter brought their appetizers and asked whether they were ready to order the main course. Amy no longer cared for the dinner, but Jack insisted, so she picked the first thing her eyes fell on—some grilled fish. The waiter left.

I’m listening. Five minutes.

That’s all I need, Jack nodded, moving the appetizers closer to her,

Reviews for Five Million Dollar Cat (A Novella)

[spiceca_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a sweet little story. Not really anything overly special about the story - but if you are an animal lover (especially cats) then you should find it heart warming. I would have liked a bit more to the end with the cat interaction (or even seeing someone get justice) but all in all it was ended pretty well.

[iggabod · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this story. It moved along just nicely. The story of the cats and the shelter was really good.

[ckhillman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Amy Hayes is a single women who trusted the wrong man and is now barely getting by paying for the debt he left her with. When her ex boyfriend gets her to adopt a cat from a shelter for a secret $5 million dollar reward. With her struggles to make ends meet and the ex getting anxious for the payout Amy needs to decide what she is going to do. This was a heart warming story about a girl and a cat and the choices she makes to put the cat's well being before hers and how her life becomes better. The charcaters were well written and the story easy to read and enjoy.

[sealford_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a darling little story about a woman who does all that she can to help cats at a local animal shelter. While she may be involved with a shady deal in the beginning, I was really rooting for her to take care of both Graham and Milton, two of the cats at the animal shelter who were both in obvious need of affection. I hope to read more from this author soon.

[edjane_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a sweet story that any cat lover will enjoy. Milton, one of the cats in the story, was my favorite. He's so lovable. It was an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours in the evening. However, don't expect a sophisticated mystery that requires keen deduction. Take it for what it is: a sweet story about cats and a cat lover that is willing to go out of her way to keep her cats safe and happy.*** Member Giveaway Copy ***

[kathy86-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I myself a cat lover. Milton and Graham pulled at my heart strings. The blackmail plot had me wondering what would happien to Milton.? But the twist at the end had me smiling.. Never know how life can surprize you. I enjoyed the (short)story very much. If your a cat lover this book you will enjoy.

[regib_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A cute story but with no real plot development. If you're an animal lover this is a good "lazy day" read.

[kellisflor · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A cute and sweet long story - or short novella - not sure which. If you want an elaborate, plot-driven story, this is not for you. If you are looking for a quick read on a summer afternoon, this can do it. The protagonists are somewhat stereotyped, and the ending was predictable, but it was an enjoyable, quick read.

[crazy_bunny_lady · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed the book. I volunteer at a rabbit rescue & love animals. It was a very heartwarming story that I can really relate to.

[rickgillispie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A great story. This shows you beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It also shows you love is blind and animals are just as sensitive as man. Well written story. Highly recommended.

[kmt01_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I received this free from Library Thing to read and review. This book/novella is a great read. The story involves a woman, down on her luck and with huge bills due to her trusting a former boyfriend, who gets involved with getting five million for just adopting a mostly unwanted cat from a shelter. I found the story wonderfully done and entertaining. The cats at the shelter were described so well that I could really see them all racing around, demanding to be petted or fussed over, looking out for treats, etc. Like the main character, Amy, I fell in love with Milton, the disabled, unwanted cat she adopts from the get go. Likewise, I was intrigued by Graham, the shy, formerly abused cat Amy next wants to adopt. There’s just something about an animal that is frightened by everyone because of previous abuse by other humans. How Amy discovers which of the cats in the shelter is the five million dollar cat is a great tale of human kindness and love of animals. It also is the story of how Amy figures out what she loves and the type of work he would be happy doing. For anyone looking for a short break or who loves and enjoys animals, especially cats, this is a real gem of a story that can be read in an afternoon or evening. I highly recommend it to everyone even if you're not a cat lover. It shows the very loving, human side of a person who can't be kept down despite a run of bad luck.