"Not exactly five-star accommodations."
"We don't need to live like humans, lobo," Alison spoke up. She was werewolf, as well.
He sensed that this young female was trying hard not to be alpha of this communal group and welcomed being able to turn the aggression she tried to suppress on someone who could stand up to it.
"I do," Heather chimed in.
Clark broke eye contact with Harry to turn a challenging look on the other woman.
"Which is why we let you have all the blankets," Alison said. She smiled at Clark. "We take care of each other."
Clark swung his attention back to Harry and Marj. "We don't want you here."
"We won't stay long," Marj answered.
Harry was aware of how determinedly cheerful she was being, and that she wasn't going to be intimidated by a bunch of teenagers, no matter how tough and dangerous several of them thought they were.
"I brought you some things." She gestured to the pack, and Harry handed it to her. She, in turn, put it down on the nearest cot. "I saw your parents the other night, Phil." she went on. "At a Christmas party at the high school. It was a lot of fun; too bad you missed it. There was dancing." She continued to speak as she took items out of the pack and placed them one by one across the cot. "Pattie Corbett brought her whole CD collection. Didn't you used to go out with Pattie, Phil?"
"Yeah, but--"
The kids were drawn to gather round her as Marj laid out her treasures.
"What's all that, Dr. Piper?" Heather asked.
"I smell chocolate," Alison said.
"Candy. Some cookies. There's hot chocolate mix. I brought fruitcake, too. What's Christmas without fruitcake?"
"Better for everyone," one of the kids spoke up. There was laughter.
"I like fruitcake," Alison declared.
"I'm sorry I couldn't carry too much with me," Marj said. "But I thought you'd like a taste. There's plenty more to be had at my place. I'm in the mood for baking a lot of Christmas cookies this year."
"I remember your baking cookies," Phil said. "I could smell them from miles away--but you didn't make any last year."
She smiled at him. "I'll make up for the lack this year." She gestured at all the teenagers. "It's going to take a lot of baking to fill up a crew this size."
"What are you talking about?" Clark demanded. "Who is this human?"
"You did some chores for me back in October, don't you remember?"
"She's my friend," Phil spoke.
"Your parents' friend," Clark said.
"No," Marj said. "I know Phil much better than I do his folks. If you'd like to come back to work for me, Phil, I could certainly use the help. You too," she added to Heather.
The dog had staked out one of the kids for attention, and was being held in the arms of a girl, who was looking wistful. Marj was handing out candy and other treats to the runaways, one by one, and talking to them about how she planned to spend Christmas in her big, warm house. Most of them were listening avidly. The kids were really homesick, Harry concluded happily.
"What's going on?" Clark demanded, his attention fully on Harry while the others concentrated on stuffing down candy bars and fruitcake. "Did my father send you?"
"Are you from the Council?" Alison spoke up.
Harry noticed how she was regarding him wolf to wolf, and told her, Don't think about it. I already have a mate.
Alison glanced between him and Marj. A human? Far from being appalled, she suddenly looked at him with respect. "Then you can't be from the Council."
"But I am," he said. "I'm also not completely on their side. I've been looking for you, but to see that you're okay." Harry took a step back, and said, "Listen up." When their attention was on him, he went on, "My name is Harrison Blethyin. Some of you might have heard of me."
Alison and Clark exchanged a quick glance, which told him they knew who he was. These two were the oldest of the shapeshifter group, not technically runaways. At nineteen, Heather Adams was also legally an adult, and human--so, technically, none of Harry's business. But seeing how they were living in this isolated icebox of a shack, he was determined to get all of them back to a more civilized and safe place.
"You're the tracker," Alison said.
"You work with humans," Clark Losimba said. "Helping them. My dad thinks you're a freak," he added, but he was smiling at Harry when he did. "My dad's a jerk."
"Jerk or not, he misses you, Clark. And Council or not, no one can make you go home or back into our world."
"It's not our world," Alison asserted. "We left because everything's messed up with werefolk. All werefolk do is hide from the humans. We're told we can't mate with humans, that we can't bring humans into the breeds. They don't even like us to associate with breeds other than our own. That's not living!"
"I agree with a lot of your complaints," Harry said.
"But you can't change a world by hiding from it," Marj said. "And your parents and grandparents aren't always going to be the ones who make the rules. If you really want to change the system, work to get the power to do what you think is right."
"You don't know anything about it!" Alison shouted.
Marj calmly faced the young werewolf female without a flicker of annoyance or intimidation. Though she didn't realize it, Harry knew that Marj was asserting that she was the alpha female.
"You're right," she said. "But I do know that Phil's family misses him. And so do all the other families you've left. Even if you don't go home immediately, you could at least let them know you're safe. And while you're thinking over what you want to do, why don't you come stay at my house?"
"What?" Phil asked, with a betraying eagerness in his voice. He looked around hopefully at the others. Even though he'd been the one arguing for living off the land when Harry and Marj came up to the shack, a taste of home had quickly changed his mind. "Could we do that?"
"I've got plenty of spare bedrooms," Marj said before anyone could call for a vote. "And plenty of work if you're looking for jobs. So don't feel like you're being offered charity."
"And there's the Christmas tree," Harry said. "And decorations and lights, and music, and a big, warm fireplace." Get them off this mountain first; then work to get them home. "And you'll love Marj's cooking," he persuaded. "You probably miss decent food."
"Christmas," Heather said, looking pleadingly at Clark. "We could at least stay at Dr. Piper's for Christmas." She placed her hand protectively on her abdomen.
"I'd be delighted to have you," Marj told them.
Harry had known Heather was pregnant the moment she appeared at Marj's door. And Marj wasn't at all surprised by the girl's revealing gesture. Smart woman, his Marjorie.
So smart that she came to him, took his hand, and said, "Why don't we leave them alone to talk it over?"
He nodded. "The decision is yours," he told them. He took the dog from the kid's arms, and they turned to leave.
They hadn't even gotten to the door when Alison called, "Wait. Maybe we could come down to your house. For a night or two."
* * *
chapter 13
"It's a beautiful evening," Marj said, when she heard the kitchen door open.
She was gazing up at the sky from the back porch as purple dusk faded, and the stars came out, but she was more aware of Harry coming up behind her than of anything else.
She wanted his company. She wanted it more than anything in the world, but she'd deliberately walked out of the kitchen to be alone while the kids cleaned up after supper. She needed to be alone, to prepare herself for his leaving.
She'd known Harry only a few days, but it seemed like a lifetime, and everything had changed and...
"Your job's over," she told him.
"Not quite yet," he said. He came up beside her and put his arm around her shoulders. She automatically leaned into his warmth and strength. "But it's a good sign that Clara called her family the minute we got back. And that Phil trotted off to visit his folks."
"He did?"
"Yep. He changed to fox form and snuck off a few minutes ago. I don't think he wants Alison to know how homesick he's been. Not that that crush can ever come to anything."
"Why not?"
"She's a wolf, he's a fox."
"And it's forbidden for them to--"
"Not as long as they stay in human form. But we can't stay in human form--not permanently. Besides, Alison hasn't even noticed his interest."
"Poor Phil. Then again, he's sixteen," she added. "Very few people find true love at sixteen."
And what about those who found true love in their thirties? A love as impossible as a fox falling for a wolf? With the death of each parent a bit more feeling had been drained from her, but since meeting Harry, feeling had rushed back. She was fighting not to drown in the flood.
She wasn't prepared for the desire that shot through her when he leaned down and kissed her cheek. It was a simple, affectionate gesture, yet it ruined her.
"You're a good woman, Marjorie Piper."
Marj made herself get her breath back and her emotions under control. She thought her voice was quite calm when she answered, "I seem to have an ability to take in strays."
"It's a gift," he answered. "One that I--Who's that?" he asked, as a vehicle's headlights came into view up the long drive.
"Somebody with a sick animal, maybe," Marj answered.
She wasn't in the mood to deal with a patient, or someone bringing her an unwanted animal, but she didn't exactly have a choice when duty called.
She tried to shrug away from Harry, but he wouldn't let her go. "I have to get to my office," she said.
"I don't think so," he said, and touched his nose. "I only sense humans. And two more cars just turned off the road."
"That's Alice," Marj said, as the first car pulled up.
Harry came with her, as though they were attached at the shoulders, when Marj moved off the porch to greet her friend. Behind them, Taffy and Noel began to bark, and Marj was aware of Taffy's joy at seeing Alice. The usual racket began out in the kennel as more and more vehicles parked in the yard and people began to get out. Greetings were called, and food aromas began to perfume the air.
"What's going on?" Marj asked, when Alice approached with a large casserole dish in her hands. Alice's husband, Mark, carried another large dish, and Pat Muller got out of the backseat. He came up holding a huge cookie tin.
"We're having a celebration," Pat announced. "Congratulations," he added to Harry. "I do believe the best man won."
"Thanks," Harry answered. "I appreciate that, coming from you."
Alice leaned close to kiss Marj's cheek, and Marj got a delicious whiff of Alice's famous macaroni, cheese, and ham casserole. It wasn't that long since she'd had supper, but suddenly Marj was hungry all over again. And more than hungry, she was totally puzzled.
"Alice, what--?"
"I've been thinking about those kittens." Mrs. Braem came up holding a tray of her equally famous candied apples. The scent of warm cinnamon was like perfume in the air. "Maybe I was hasty to give them up so quickly. I like cats."
"I'm glad to hear it," Marj answered. "But what are you all--?"
"I'll be taking them and their mother off your hands when I leave tonight, Marjorie. But right now, let's party. You! Young man, come help me with these."
Marj turned her head to see that Mrs. Braem had spoken to Clark. He and the others kids had come out onto the porch to see what was going on. Taffy had come out with them and was weaving around people's legs as the citizens of Kennedyville made their way into the house.
"I'm so happy for you two," Alice said, when Marj looked back at her. "Not just for you, either, but for all of us." She risked spilling the casserole when she used one hand to make an extravagant gesture that took in the crowd. "Since the fire we've gotten so insular and inward, just worrying about our own problems. I thought the holiday party at the school would pull us together, and you saw how that flopped. Then, when everyone I told was so happy at the news about you and Harry, I realized that what we really needed was a new beginning to celebrate. Your coming marriage is a symbol that we all survived, that we're moving on, that the community is growing. So we're having a combination Christmas and engagement party. Surprise!"
"This is a Christmas present for all of us," Pat added.
"It is?" Marj managed, overwhelmed by Alice's assumptions.
"It is." Harry squeezed her shoulders, then kissed her temple. "Marj is the best Christmas present I've ever had. Believe me, Reverend, I'm grateful."
Tears blinded Marj's eyes, and tightened her throat. Stop that, she thought at Harry. Don't make this worse.
Make what worse? He thought back. You've given these people something to be happy about, and I love you for it.
You what? You can't--
Can't you feel it?
"We need to talk," he whispered, "but let's get this party started first."
Fine for him to say. He wouldn't have to live with them once they discovered there was no engagement.
How had Alice gotten the idea she was engaged?
When I hypnotized her, Harry confessed. I must have implied more than I intended. I think a lot of it was her own wish fulfillment.
"Let me help with that," Harry told to Alice, taking the large dish from her. "Let's get inside and get warm."
Harry hustled everyone inside, and Marj followed.
It was several hours later before he took her hand and led her back out onto the porch. The pleasant company had lulled her sense of dread and confusion, but it rushed back again once they were alone. Inside there was more laughter than she'd heard in a long time, and people were singing Christmas carols.
Harry put his arms around her and drew her close. Being near him was delicious and heart-wrenching at once. "Harry..."
He cocked his head to one side, and listened for a moment. "They're having a good time."
"At our expense," she muttered.
"Nice and noisy," he went on. "Gives us a chance to talk without being overheard." He drew her to the porch steps, and they settled down side by side at the top. "What's your problem, sweetheart?" he asked her, when they were huddled close together.
She wanted to cry. "I've finally met the one man in the world who understands me, the one man I'm comfortable with, the one man I need in my bed--and I can't have him."
"Would that one man be me?"
She glared at him. "Of course it is!"
He kissed her. After her bones had just about melted, Harry said, "I'm not going anywhere."
"But--your people don't mate with humans."
He put a finger over her lips. "Sure we do," he whispered. "Look at Clark and Heather."
"Yes, but, you said... Didn't they run away because it's forbidden?"
"It's not forbidden, and they ran away because his dad's a jerk."
"Harry, I got the distinct impression that your Council forbids fraternization between you kind and mine."
"It's never been forbidden, just strongly discouraged for a couple of generations. Besides, you can't forbid people to marry their true mates. And you're mine."
Hope flared to life. "I am?"
"Didn't you recognize it the moment we first touched? We found our life partners at Murphy's dairy case. I didn't want to recognize it at the time, but it happened. And here we are."
"What do you mean, you didn't want to recognize it?"
Harry laughed softly. "We guys get notions in our heads about not giving up our carefree bachelor days. It's a macho crock, really. I'm no lone wolf, Marj. I need to mate, with you, for life. I'm not saying it's going to be easy," he went on. "My people can't forbid it. We don't have laws so much as guidelines. They can strongly discourage human and werefolk unions, and certainly do. Our people have gone along with this policy, but you've seen how dissatisfied the younger generation is. But times are changing, and you and I can live here, away from all the Council politics."
"You can't abandon your own
kind. Not for me."
"I don't intend to abandon anyone, but a mate is always more important than anyone else. My family will accept you into our home pack, though we're going to have some trouble with your in-laws at first."
"I'm going to have in-laws?" Even if they didn't want her, she liked the idea of having family again.
"Besides, if anyone complains about our mating, there are traditions I can call on to counter any protests. Remember when I told you that there are only two ways to deal with humans who find out about shapeshifters?"
"No."
"I did bring it up. Actually, there are three ways to handle humans knowing about us. One is to make the human forget the knowledge permanently. But that won't work on someone with your psychic gifts. The second is, and I'm sorry to admit this, to kill the human. But we only do that if the persons intends us harm, and after a trial. And the third..." He kissed her again, then repeated. "And the third--"
And once again they were interrupted by a car pulling up to the house, an expensive sports car that Marj didn't recognize. This time, the dogs didn't set off their usual racket.
"Werefolk," Marj said.
"Yeah," Harry agreed, as he and Marj rose to their feet.
A handsome, platinum-haired male got out of the car and strode arrogantly forward. There was something very familiar about his looks.
"Lucius Malfoy?" Marj asked Harry.
"Clark Losimba's dad."
She recalled Clark's comments about his father. "That could be worse."
"Yeah."
She wondered if she should get the tranquilizer gun from the kennel. Harry must have caught the thought, because he gave her a smile.
Then he turned to the newcomer. But before he could speak, the back door opened and Clark came rushing down the stairs.
"Dad--"
That was as far as he got before his father swept him into a fierce hug. Clark hesitated, stiff with tension, but only for a moment, before he hugged back just as fiercely.
"I missed you so much, Clark."
"Me too."
Then Heather came out of the house and walked toward the men. Clark broke away from his father and held his hand out to her.