The Shadows of Christmas Past

brought in a boom box, and instead of Christmas music, some of the townspeople were dancing to an OutKast CD. "Life is truly strange," he murmured.
    "And Pat's a long way from being my boyfriend," Marj answered.
    "I know."
    He took her hand and experienced that electric contact between them once more. He managed to pull away from her just in time—before taking the kiss he desperately wanted.
    Harry cleared his throat and forced his mind back to business. "You have other reasons for wanting to hire me?"
    Blushing, she got back to business. "You're a professional investigator, and you said you've done volunteer work at a wolf sanctuary." She touched his arm. "Will you help?"
    That jolt went through him again, but Harry had himself under control. "For a price."
    "Of course I'll pay you."
    "That's not what I meant. I want to make a bargain with you."
    Her suspicion soared. The emotion was strong enough to attract the attention of her dog.
    Harry gave Taffy a hard look, and the dog grunted and put his head back down.
    "I should explain why I'm visiting the Fennicks," Harry told Marj. "We are distantly related, and that's why they called me when their son ran away from home."
    "Phil ran away from home?"
    "Three months ago."
    "But—I saw him—back in October."
    "So you said. For helping you with the wolf, I want your help finding him."
    It was a one-sided bargain, but who said a werewolf had to play fair protecting his kind from humans? If he didn't find those kids soon, humans were going to catch on to what they were.
    They were too young, stupid, and idealistic not to give themselves away.
    "How can I help you?" Marj asked.
    People were heading their way. "I'll let you know," Harry said.
    Feeling wary and puzzled, Marj put on a smile as Alice shepherded all the kids up to her table.
    "Time for the name drawing!" she announced.

    Marj put on a wide smile. "Sure."
    Harry brought the greyhound forward. It jumped up on the table for him, while Taffy followed and bumped his big head into the back of Harry's legs. Marj stuck her hand into the fishbowl and brought out one of the folded scraps of paper.
    "Dennis Cooper wins the prize!" she announced. "And our greyhound princess's new name is—Noel."

chapter 6
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    "Noel's a good name," Marj told the greyhound, which was lounging on the green-and-black plaid dog bed in one corner of her huge kitchen, Taffy lying nearby on the tiled floor.
    She poured herself a fresh mug of hot chocolate and sat at the table, her thoughts returning to earlier in the evening. "But I don't know why Dennis's mom wouldn't let me give him a kitten as a prize."
    They settled on ten dollars for naming the dog, instead.
    There'd been a scattering of applause, then everybody began to quickly pack up to go home.
    Alice looked very unhappy, disappointed that her effort in bringing the community together had been a lukewarm affair, at best.
    Before Marj could say anything to comfort her friend Harry took her by the arm, and said,
    "I'll help you with the critters."
    Marj was riveted by his gaze, which concentrated intently on her. She was drawn to his large, very masculine presence. Her throat tightened, heat pulsed through her, and she licked her lips. She found herself staring at his mouth and wanting very much to be kissed.
    Stunned, she pulled herself together enough to say, "Sure. Thanks."
    She moved in a daze as she put the kittens and puppies back in crates and took them out to her truck. Harry followed her out to the rapidly emptying parking lot, carrying the larger cage. Noel and Taffy trotted along behind them and hopped into the back of the cab.
    Then it was just the two of them, and Harry moved very close to her as she stood by the truck door, her keys dangling in her hand. Their breath frosted the winter-night air.
    He put his hand up to cup her cheek and ran his thumb across her bottom lip. The touch seared her, burning away any trace of cold. Their gazes locked. Her knees went weak, she dropped the keys, and his other hand settled on her hip.

    Harry started to pull her closer.
    And the Fennicks walked up behind them. Annette gasped, which drew Harry's attention. He glared, and Terry cleared his throat.
    "We have to go now," Terry said.
    Harry growled, then walked away with the Fennicks without saying a word.
    It took Marj a few seconds to get herself together. When she did, she wondered why the Fennicks had looked so disapproving. Maybe because Harry was supposed to be looking