SOLVED. Children’s chapter book about little girl and a gray cat that she finds [s]

[Samantha]

I would have read this book no later than 2004, and I know I read it multiple times. I think the girl may have been an orphan or visiting her grandparents on a farm and she finds a gray cat. I think the name was maybe something to do with smoke or bluebell? I think the cover of the book was blue/gray and had snow and possibly a train on it.

Sad spoiler ahead:
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The one plot detail I remember for sure is that the cat goes missing and they find out that it fell into a frozen pond/lake.

[Tab]

Was there any fantasy elements in the story?
Time period/location the story takes place?

[Samantha]

Tab wrote: "Was there any fantasy elements in the story?
Time period/location the story takes place?"

I think 20th century, but maybe 19th.

[Rainbowheart]

Poppy and the Outdoors Cat?

[Samantha]

There were no fantasy elements. I don’t think it’s poppy and the outdoors cat.

[Rainbowheart]

Did the book seem new at the time, or did it feel older?

[Samantha]

I would say older. I remember it being a paperback, so at the very least it wasn’t a new release.

[Rainbowheart]

Could it be the same book Isabel is searching for here?

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Samantha]

It could be, but I don’t think it is.

[Rainbowheart]

Isabel's book turned out to be Sophie's Tom, which I don't think is a match for yours.

[Samantha]

No, that’s not mine.

[Samantha]

I found it! It was Gratefully Yours by Jane Buchanan

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Fantastic.

[Rainbowheart]

Awesome, so glad you found it!

Gratefully Yours for the link.