He scanned the neighborhood. Dead. Not even a ripple of curtains in any of the picture windows of the nearby houses. Hell with this, he thought, and ducked behind Sheila’s to her deck. He stripped and folded his clothes on a chair. She’d figure it out, and if she possessed a heart she’d have her kid return them later.
Taking a deep breath, he centered his thoughts on his leg muscles and feet as he grounded himself on the cold wooden planks of the deck. The late December weather in the early evening, free of snow yet not conducive for a naked man, didn’t bother him. He crouched as though to leap in the air, and the shifting process shot up his internal temperature. By the time he pounced forward a dark coat of fur covered his body and he saw the world through panther eyes, lower to the ground.
He kept to residential streets, dashing alongside cars parked on the curb and moving around to the sidewalk only when a car turned off a side street. After five blocks he found the park bordered by the short nature trails used by morning joggers and people with leashed pets. He knew a shortcut through there to his home, and he upped the pace. Human Bliss folk knew to steer clear after sundown due to panthers and wolves who favored the paths for exercise.
Halfway home, he sensed something behind him, close to his speed. He didn’t feel like socializing so he kept his focus on the pine needled-covered dirt before him. The scent of trees and cool air filled his nostrils and he pushed onward, relishing the breeze caressing his fur.
Wait up! Who is that, Grant?
I’m Jonah, he shot back but didn’t stop.
Hold up, it’s Caleb.
That got his attention. He liked Sheila’s nephew, though they seldom hung out together. Caleb had mated young to a she-panther from a good family, but sadly lost her to illness. As the oldest male in the Houlihan family he had some clout within the community and managed to find love again. Jonah admired Caleb—really there was no reason to dislike the man, though he envied the appearance of his blessed life.
He slowed to a trot and a sleek, dark cat sidled up to him. What’s up?
I’m heading home. Been a long day.
Any plans for later tonight? Calla and I are helping set up the Elves Christmas party at the VFW hall. We’re making it a party for us. People bringing food and beer. I heard your mother sent in a donation, so she’s welcome to come, too.
The mention of anything holiday related sent hackles up Jonah’s spine. Milling around a community hall stacking presents for poor kids appealed little to him, especially with the prospect of Sheila supervising everything.
I’m sorry, Caleb. I have other plans tonight. Had I known…
Don’t worry about it. This is a last-minute invitation. We’re thankful for your family’s generosity, either way. Caleb nodded and strode on ahead of him, his tail raised and wavering back and forth. Guess I’ll see you around Aunt Sheila’s if you’re still working on her house?
Sure. He saw no reason to inform Caleb of his company’s dismissal, or of anything else related to him and the fiery Sheila. Who knew how Caleb might react if he knew he’d just come from Sheila’s bed? He doubted the panther would force him, in human form, to the altar with the proverbial shotgun, but the community regarded Caleb highly, and he held similar values as his aunt. Caleb wouldn’t have married a non-shifter—he’d proven that once before—and he was very fortunate to find love again, this time with a woman whose shifting ability came late in life.
As for his Aunt Sheila...perhaps Caleb had somebody else in mind to court the widow who’d been like a mother to him. Jonah snorted at the thought of it. No doubt Sheila didn’t care at all if her nephew wished to match her to a new mate.
Something on your mind, Jonah? You’re a million miles away.
He shook his head and realized he’d stopped his trot. Maybe by instinct he slowed, since a narrower path split from the main trail and he could take that home. I’m good, just been a long day. I’ll see you around. He dashed off toward his house before Caleb could speak again.
❄ ❄ ❄
Thank everything divine that Grant hadn’t left for the evening. As the sky dimmed to grayish blue Jonah bounded toward the drive, padding between Grant’s car and the van. Three scratches and a head butt against the front door was the signal to let in family in shifted mode. He’d transform and knock, but refused to arouse attention as a naked man out in full view. Their neighbors knew to expect panthers roaming the street once in a while, and fur covered all naughty bits.
Grant opened the door, smirking down at him as he knotted his tie. “Forget your key?”
He slipped past and shifted before answering. Inside the foyer closet, on a door hook, he kept a robe for such occasions and belted it around him. “Among other things. My wallet, my clothes…” My dignity.
“I know. Sheila Houlihan called a minute ago. Her kid’s going to drop it off on the way to a friend’s house.”
“That’s cool.” Jonah sauntered into the kitchen. Shifting always left him famished, and he foraged the refrigerator for Chinese leftovers. Grant met him at the threshold, folding his arms and leaning against the open jamb.
“She also mentioned our services are no longer required. I thought that a bit odd because I wanted to go over there tomorrow for a final check, but she said her nephew would handle everything from here. She sent the last payment online.”
“That’s good, then. We’re done,” Jonah said from inside the fridge. He lingered longer than necessary to avoid his brother’s wrath. White Chinese takeout cartons, crusted with dried streaks of brown sauce, looked less appetizing the more they discussed the Houlihan job.
“I know she wasn’t all rainbows and cartoon ponies when we dealt with her personally, but there was something about her attitude when I had her on the phone...will you get the hell out of the fridge and talk to me?”
A loud thump struck the refrigerator door and Jonah ducked away with one carton and a can of beer. He dumped the leftover Kung Pao shrimp into a cereal bowl and shoved it into a microwave. “Why are you telling me this? She paid, the job’s over, and we don’t have to worry about her anymore. We can concentrate on the next gig.”
“That’s not for another week.” Grant sat with Jonah at the kitchen table while the microwave hummed behind them. “The Fosters won’t be leaving until after Christmas, remember? We promised Mom to take a few days off for the holiday.”
“I know.” Jonah had agreed reluctantly to the break, despite the demand for work post-Sandy. Seeing as how it would only be him, Grant, and his mother for dinner, he didn’t understand the necessity of reserving so much time for Christmas with the family. They saw their mother often as it was, and to him Christmas seemed no different from any other day. The three would exchange gifts, yes, but he didn’t put the importance on it like he did when they were kids waiting for Santa.
The microwave dinged and he set his dinner on a place mat. Grant watched him eat for a quiet minute, adjusting his cuffs. “This the same girl you went out with last week?”
Grant nodded. “Tamara, yeah. I like her. If all goes well tonight, I hope Mom does, too.”
That set Jonah’s jaw to pause his chewing. The mere suggestion of introducing a girl to their mother brought gravity to this new conversation. He had yet to invite anyone he ever dated to a family dinner. He swallowed down a large chunk of shrimp. “That serious, huh? She a panther?”
Grant shook his head. “That doesn’t matter to me. Tamara’s great. She’s athletic and has a good job, and we have enough in common without the shifting element. We both want to travel and—”
“Your kids might not shift,” he broke in. It happened to some people who were products of mixed marriages. Caleb’s wife was a prime example. Her panther genes had lain dormant until adulthood. If Grant married this woman they could have children, but it slimmed the chances of perpetuating the Hinkley panther lineage.
“We haven’t gotten that far yet, bro. Jeez.” Grant rose from the table, scraping back his chair. “Why is it so damn
ed important that we have cubs, anyway? Mom doesn’t care if we make her a grandmother, and we have second cousins so the pressure’s off.”
Jonah pushed away his bowl, too upset to eat. True, a few Hinkley cousins had children. They had been fortunate to find mates within the greater panther community. It bothered him that his brother and mother didn’t feel the same as him when it came to preserving their heritage. Their father had been a good man, proud to be a panther though their family lacked the standing of others in Bliss and beyond. They weren’t “white trash,” not by a long shot, but hard-working panthers who made honest livings with blue-collar skills. Their parents had wanted to send them to college, but life and the economy dealt different hands. Grant and Jonah made do with a few business courses in community college and built their own success without degrees.
Jonah felt he, and Grant, deserved everything the elite panthers enjoyed. Caleb Houlihan rubbed elbows with panther elders and had a gorgeous panther wife...why shouldn’t they? Why would Grant settle for a human woman who probably tolerated him for bragging rights to her friends?
“She’s not like that,” Grant said suddenly, breaking Jonah’s reverie.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You didn’t have to. I know what’s going on in your head, and you’re wrong about Tamara. Not all human women are chasers.” He used the term they created to describe the “groupies” among non-shifter women who pursued them. “Tamara isn’t even interested in shifting. We have fun together, and she’s like no other woman I’ve known. Of course I’d consider a long-term relationship.”
“Fair enough,” Jonah said. “What happens, then, if you do marry?”
Grant shrugged, his eyes wide. “Uh, we live happily ever after?”
“You don’t think there won’t be hardship? That she’ll easily adjust when you shift for a long run?”
Grant shook his head and chuckled. “Jonah, we’re not living in the wild. Panthers here are pretty much civilized, and it’s not like we have to feed on human blood during the full moon,” he said. “I have complete control of my animal nature, and she’s fine with it. Besides, human couples have hardships all the time. Doesn’t stop them from getting married.”
“I wish I had your confidence, to not care about what others might think.”
“Who gives a damn? It’s my life, and I don’t see the high-born panthers lining up outside the house to match us with their daughters. I’ll be home late, if at all.” With that Grant stormed out of the kitchen, and seconds later a door slammed.
Jonah scraped the remains of his dinner into the trash and set the bowl in the sink without rinsing. Thanks to his argumentative nature he didn’t get the chance to talk about his romantic concerns. He would have appreciated Grant’s opinion, and hated that he felt the need to hassle his brother about dating a human.
Grant read him so well, but he struggled to reciprocate. His brother kept his emotions close to his heart, which made it a challenge to sense his reactions and thoughts. He hadn’t known how serious Grant was about this Tamara, so how would he know what Grant would say about Jonah and Sheila?
Should he even care? Grant obviously lived life from himself, to hell with the panther community and their traditions and guidelines. Still, he wondered if regret would eventually color Grant’s relationship with Tamara and he’d miss out on raising cubs.
I guess I will, too. No more Hinkley panthers, at least on this side of the family. He had Sheila in his system and refused to detox. He padded into the living room and collapsed in the recliner, closing his eyes to savor the memory of their lovemaking. Their bodies fit so well, and he wanted nothing more but to experience that passion again with her. Difference in age, the question of children...nothing mattered except lying next to her every night.
He switched on the television and plowed through various Christmas specials and movies before turning the screen dark and raising the foot rest. With no plans and no desire to go anywhere he drifted off to sleep with the hope of finding Sheila in his dreams.
Chapter Five
Sheila remained undressed for the most part after Jonah left her house, figuring it easier to shift and go for a run. When her son arrived home toting a pile of familiar clothes, she realized her current, now former lover had the same idea. She sent the boy away to deliver the leftovers.
“Will you be home for dinner, or is this another brief detour on the way to somewhere else?” she asked, and received a grunt in answer. Well, the boy knew where to find the canned ravioli.
After she secured her hide-a-key she transformed on her back deck and dashed away. Rather than take a long turn on the beach, she chose the trails. The trees offered more privacy at night, and while people still frequented the shore this late in the year the trails were devoid of humans.
Given her anger, she couldn’t trust herself around an unsuspecting jogger, especially one who hadn’t yet encountered a shifter in animal form.
The faster she ran, however, her frustration increased. Scratch that, her desire...for more sex, with Jonah Hinkley. With that came the guilt of lusting for a man other than her husband. She’d loved Jim to pieces and couldn’t contemplate comparing his sexual prowess to that of anybody else. But, damn it all, Jonah Hinkley was alive.
A good fifteen years younger, too. Hell, how old was he? She’d hired the brothers for their skills and availability, not youth.
As she slowed the cool temperatures caught up with her, and she shivered for the first time since leaving the house. All her focus on Jonah and how they’d rolled around in bed kept her senses heated, and she’d forgotten how the December weather changed at night. The lack of snow and the poor chances of a white Christmas left her feeling disappointed in the season. She dreaded facing all those kids and needy families at the Elves of Bliss event with a forced smile. Nobody asked her what she wanted for Christmas.
Jonah Hinkley had presumed her needs, and she wanted to believe he was wrong, that she didn’t need companionship.
Far from it. Damn it all.
She settled near a park bench, testing her feet on the path. The exercise worked wonders for her metabolism and she rarely felt winded on a run. The events of the past few days emotionally drained her, though, and Jonah accounted for a mere percentage of it. She rarely saw her son these days, and Caleb had his new wife to keep him busy and happy. Her daughter Trisha texted more often than called, and Sheila hated the impersonal communication. She embraced technology, sure, but how hard was it to make a phone call?
The friendship she forged with Lorraine Winston helped, and undoubtedly everybody in town sighed with relief at that. Still, she didn’t consider the she-wolf a BFF. It might happen in the future, but Sheila believed in close family ties and so far this holiday season they appeared loose and frayed.
Losing Trisha to New York hurt the most. Her nephew and son still lived in Bliss, and while she only had to hop a train to see her daughter, New York City might as well be on the West Coast for the distance she perceived. She and Trisha had been so close, too, and Sheila missed her presence. Even now, she imagined the young woman’s light laughter carried by the breeze.
Her ears perked and twitched. That’s not in my head.
Sheila slunk around the park bench, off the path and behind some thick brush when she sensed footsteps. More than likely two winter-kissed lovers had come strolling after dinner at one of the re-opened restaurants by the shore, but that chattering voice sounded too familiar. Sure enough, two bodies appeared from around a bend and Sheila crouched and watched Trisha and her husband Malcolm huddled together as they walked.
“...really think you should call her.” Malcolm’s hair had grown since Sheila saw them last. He blew his bangs from his face and looked around them, everywhere but at his wife or the bush where the she-panther hid.
“I will. Let’s not spoil it, okay? Caleb’s got our back, and…”
Trisha stopped, halting Malcolm alongside her. Sheila cursed inwardly. Damn it, sh
e’s scented me.
She crept back on all fours, fixing her gaze on her daughter until the brush thickened too much between them. She heard Malcolm ask about the odd look on her face, then seconds later he appeared to catch on to the scent. Their expressions darkened, but Sheila didn’t stick around to see if they would shift or step off the path to explore.
She curled around and slunk away, careful not to crack any downed branches or dried leaves. She kept her focus on the easiest way out of the trail area toward her house, fuming all the way. How could her own daughter show up in Bliss without so much as a call or email, at Christmas! That Caleb willingly lodged them in secret twisted the dagger deeper into her heart. Did they think her an ogre? Sheila would admit that she and Trisha had butted heads over her betrothal to Malcolm, but all that worked out in the end. She swore her girl harbored no ill will.
Once home, Sheila morphed back into human form and stormed into the kitchen for an ice water to cool her anger. One message awaited her, and Sheila listened with waning interest as Lorraine advised her to show up early at the VFW hall for the Elves of Bliss event tomorrow.
She mashed the delete button. “Forget it,” she muttered. All the work she did for the community, and people rewarded her with more work, more chores. They’d have her arrive early to pick up somebody else’s slack, no doubt. Bliss didn’t appreciate her, her daughter snuck around town, and her son turned invisible...why bother getting out of bed?
She plodded upstairs, showered, and slipped under the sheets. There she stayed as the phone rang several times over the space of a few hours.
❄ ❄ ❄
Hours into his date, Grant called to inform Jonah he intended to stay overnight at Tamara’s. That suited him fine, though after a while the solitude unsettled him. He supposed if Grant took things to the next level with this woman, he’d spend more time on his own, and perhaps search for a roommate later. Either that, or give up his home and move back into Mom’s.
That would go over well with the ladies. Yeah, come on up, but don’t wake my mother because her room is next to mine.
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