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

“You could come over and visit anytime,” Del told him. “You and Ginger.”


“Yeah. Sure.” Baily stopped to finish shedding his winter gear. “If I stick around.”


“I mean…once the thirty days are over, and things get settled, it’s possible Miss Kitty wouldn’t even want me here.”


“She likely figured on you stepping in to replace me,” Baily added. “I bet that’s what all of this is about.”


“I doubt that’s true. Grandmother obviously thought very highly of you,” Del said.


Baily knew that. He was building walls. I recognized that from watching Dr. Phil with Katherine.


“We’ll see how it plays out.” He closed the closet door, though he’d never taken anything off to hang in it. “I should go shovel the sidewalk for the party. I love your idea, though. It’s a big responsibility, but those animals, they deserve to be loved.”


“Everyone deserves to be loved.” Del reached for Baily’s hand on the doorknob. “Don’t you think?”


Chapter 24