Wolf Tales

Chapter 2

He followed her into the house and put the bag on the kitchen counter.

Jamie eased the strap of her purse from her shoulder but before she could set it down a black ball of fur leaped through the air, landed on Dan's shoulder then leaped to the counter.

Mike's eyes widened. "What the hell?"

"Well, hi, baby." Jamie gathered the ball of fur to her chest and stroked it. "Say hello to Mike. Mike, this is Mischief."

"Mischief?" He laughed. "I'd say that's an appropriate name for a black cat. Does she always leap on people like that?"

"You were standing in her way." Jamie grinned. "She wanted to get to her mommy. Besides, she's not too keen on strangers."

"So you say. Let's see. Animals usually like me." He reached out a hand slowly to pat the small head. Shockingly, Mischief set up a loud purr.

"Wow. She's never done that before. You must have some kind of magic surrounding you."

"Maybe so. "He winked at her then glanced around the area. "Nice place."

"Thanks, but they're basically all the same. People just give them individual touches. This whole little area is a leftover from the 1950s."

She set her purse down and tried to look casual. She wasn't used to having men in her kitchen.

"Yeah, I know." He studied her as if seeking the answer to a silent question. "I'm guessing you moved here for the same reason a lot of the residents did. Low purchase prices."

"Actually, my grandparents lived here. They left it to me."

"Yeah?" He c****d an eyebrow. "Interesting. So it's been in the family a long time?"

"Sort of." Jamie wasn't much good with small talk except at work. Not to mention having a man with such mesmerizing hot looks in her kitchen was sending a spike in her blood pressure and making all her lady parts beg for attention. She shifted from one foot to the other. "Listen, Mr., uh, Mike. I don't mean to be rude but did you want something?"

"What? Oh, yeah. First of all, I thought I'd introduce myself. I just moved in this past week."

"Welcome to the neighborhood, then. It's a nice uneventful place to live."

"Glad to hear it. I like to unwind when I get home."

She began emptying the grocery sack. "Home from where?"

"My office. I'm an architect."

Jamie had no idea why that startled her. It wasn't such an unusual occupation. Maybe it was because most of the men she knew worked in real estate or some other kind of sales.

"And you?" he prodded.

"I'm a librarian." She laughed at the look on his face. "I know. I get that same expression from everyone. But I majored in library science and being the head librarian in a small town is a great job."

And gave her time to research her special projects, especially the one that drew her interest since she'd found the strange, almost ancient book in the attic.

"Maybe you can recommend some good books for me."

"Sure." She stacked the candy and disposed of the bag. "Let me know what you like to read and I'll make up a list for you."

"One of the things I'm interested in is the legend of the werewolf. Do you have any good books about that?"

Jamie froze in place. Werewolves? Was this some kind of weird cosmic accident? Because ever since she'd found that old book in the attic she'd been reading everything about werewolves she could get her hands on. She was rooted to the spot, her eyes locked with his strange amber ones. She stared at him and for several seconds she swore something shimmered in the air between them like electricity only stronger. Her immediate surroundings faded into a mist and only she and Mike existed.

The sound of his deep, slightly raspy voice was like the snap of fingers bringing her back to the present.

"A book, Jamie?" There was amusement in his voice. "I didn't think that was a tough question for a librarian."

"Book." She blinked. "Right. Yes. I'm sure I can find a couple of good titles for you. Any special reason you're onto that subject?"

For a long moment he studied her with those unusual eyes. She had the oddest feeling he could see right into her.

Then he shrugged.

"Just something that caught my interest. Should I come by and take out a library card?"

"That would be good. Make you a part of the neighborhood."

Speaking of the neighborhood, Halloween's tomorrow night and I need to know what to expect. Are there a lot of kids in the neighborhood?" He glanced at the huge stack of candy she'd dumped in a large bowl. "But I guess that answers my question."

"Yes. The price, like you said, attracted a lot of young couples with children. If you're going to be home you should probably stock up on treats."

He peeked in the bag of goodies. "All my favorites, I might have to come trick or treating here myself." He looked around again and spotted the boxes of decorations sitting on her floor waiting to be put up. "Looks like you get into things in a big way."

Jamie nodded. "It's my favorite holiday."

He lifted an eyebrow. "Even more than Christmas?"

"Strange, right? My friends think I have a screw loose."

He laughed, a deep sound that rumbled through her body. "I may have just met you but you don't impress me as someone ready for a straitjacket."

"Thanks for that. Listen, would you like a cold drink or something? Coffee, maybe?"

He shook his head. "No, thanks. I need to get back to my place and make a couple of calls." He gestured toward the decorations. "Need any help putting those up?"

"I don't think so but thanks for offering. If I have a problem I'll let you know."

"Be sure you do that." He headed toward the front door but stopped suddenly when he spotted the statue almost hidden behind one chair. He stared at it for a long moment. "What's that?"

"What's what? Oh, the wolf?"