Ginger the cat is the centerpiece of a lucrative entertainment and merchandising empire. A blue Christmas seems certain when his owner Katherine passes away right before Thanksgiving.<br><br>Katherine’s will appoints her loving and loyal groundskeeper Baily as executor, leaving estranged grandson Del livid. Since Del wasn’t around, it’s stipulated he must spend thirty days under the same roof as Ginger and Baily to get to know the cat as a loving companion, not just a commodity, in order to share in any inheritance.<br><br>As the men bond over the weeks leading into Christmas, Baily is unaware Scrooge-like Del is sneaking around, searching out cash and other valuables. Will they be able to make nice once Baily discovers Del’s naughtiness? Which list does Ginger end up on? And what will Katherine’s last gift to each man mean to their future?

Ginger Bread

“Just a few. She can’t help herself.” Baily and Del said the last part together, then smiled again.


“It was such a big deal, back when I was a little boy.”


“Miss Kitty makes up this advent calendar of sorts,” Baily explained, “with something to do every day from December first, until Christmas Day. The first one always says Pick out a Christmas tree. You didn’t…?”


“No.” Del looked at the burgundy rug, something else I liked to scratch. “That part must be new,” he said.


“Oh. Well,Ginger and I will be going tree shopping tomorrow afternoon, I’m sure. I hope you’ll come with us, Del. I really do.”


“Okay. We’ll see. Good night, then. You hang with me, Ginger.”


After a restless night for both of us, Baily was up before six bongs the next morning, a whole hour after me.


“Ginger…are you supposed to be on the mantel?”


Unfortunately, cats were not designed to shrug.


Chapter 8