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

“Yeah.” Baily got to his feet. “I’m just gonna hit the shower. The heat will help.”


“Okay.” Del was still dabbing. “I…I think I got most of it.”


“If you need any help, just holler.”


“I’ll clean up here, while you clean up yourself.”


“That’s not fair. We…we can do it together.” Baily rolled his eyes after Del’s got as wide as mine. “The kitchen, I mean. When I’m done. I helped make this mess, too.”


“And I helped make that one.” Del reached out with the dishtowel again but stopped short. “But you can probably manage on your own.”


“Yeah. Yeah.” At the stairs, “I’ll let you know if I can’t,” Baily said.


They were stalling worse than I did the few times I’d needed a bath.


Chapter 22