Silver Fox (Silver Shifters 2)

The light had come up completely by the time Xi Yong finished creating a number of prints, making it look like a sizable herd of deer had come down and nosed about for greenery along that wall.

Joey kept pace with Xi Yong, laying down fox prints. The next patrol would see plenty of animal prints going every which way, not just around the compound.

Then they ran to the stream. Now that it was full day, though cars were still undrivable, people would be out enjoying the snow on foot. He and Xi Yong shifted to their human selves, laid down footprints walking into the trees, and returned to the house.

The first one to meet them was Doris, her gaze searching, a little question puckering her brow. Her cheeks pinked. Joey was already smiling in delight to see her.

She said, “We’ve kept some breakfast for you. Did you have a nice walk?”

“Very nice, thanks,” Joey said.

Sylvia appeared at her sister’s shoulder, carrying a tray. “Doris whipped up these pancakes herself. They’re still warm—we had them in the oven, so watch the plates. There’s maple syrup in the cow pitcher, and jam in the pot. Oh, and butter in the butter dish.” She set the tray down on the coffee table. “Enjoy!”

Joey turned his head to see where Doris was, drawn to her like the pull of a compass needle to its true north. But she’d vanished while he was distracted. He thought about trying to find her, then thought of her likely reaction if he found her after searching for her all over the house, and got a plate instead.

As he fixed his pancakes, he noticed the teenagers on the other side of the den, ignoring the two little kids, who were playing finger-spiders.

Joey approached them, and indicated the Legos. “Want to play?”

Two happy faces met his suggestion. As they began pulling out the Legos (today, Pink was all about the yellow), Joey observed the teenagers.

Marrit sat near Vic, who stared at her with the fixed attention of his wolf, his tongue metaphorically lolling. Joey suppressed a bubble of laughter.

“Law?” Marrit repeated flatly, then lifted a shoulder sharply. “Of course I think corporate law is boring. Most jobs are boring. But starting at five hundred bucks a billable hour can make pretty much anything endurable—and it only goes up from there.”

“What kind of jobs aren’t boring?” Vic asked, as his sister covertly rolled her eyes.

Nicola appeared at the kitchen door, saying, “Kids, come and eat!”

Pink tottered off, but Lon looked back uncertainly.

“I’ll put them away,” Joey offered.

Lon grinned and ran off, vanishing into the kitchen.

Joey turned his attention to his breakfast. Which was worthy of his full attention. The pancakes were light, fluffy and delicious. Joey inhaled his, then concentrated on locating Doris on the mythic plane. Her bright spirit glowed from the next room. She was probably washing the breakfast dishes. He stacked his and Xi Yong’s empty plates on the tray, as Xi Yong rose and flicked a glance outside: he was going to return to his patrol.

Joey slipped past her with his tray of dirty dishes. As he expected, Doris was at the sink. She sidled a glance his way. He read the shyness there, warmth pulsing through him in echo of last night’s sweet, passionate kiss.

“The pancakes were excellent. As you can see, not a crumb left. What can I do to help?” he asked.

“Heaven forbid!” Elva’s voice boomed from the pantry, and Doris’s mother emerged with an armload of pasta. “A man offering to help in the kitchen! The world is ending!” she proclaimed happily. “Where do you find such wonderful people? You should not let him go, Doris—grab him before he escapes.” Then she sent a frown Joey’s way. “Are you single? Don’t tell me you’re gay, though I imagine Isidor might like that—”

Joey could see every word scraping Doris’s nerves. “You gallantly rescued us,” Joey said to Elva, drawing her attention away from Doris. “It’s only fair to turn a hand. Is there anything I can help with? Firewood, maybe?”

“The boys are supposed to—”

The door banged open. Pink and Lon erupted into the kitchen, chased by Nicola. “Kids! Let’s go play in the—”

Lon ran straight to Doris. “Pink saw a magic horse.”

“Wed!” Pink stated.

“Red,” Lon said, and alarm zapped through Joey: but it was impossible that Xi Yong had been seen. He would be careful to go straight to the woods from the house’s one side that had no windows.

“Wed horsie,” Pink stated.

“Now, children,” Elva cut in. “Why don’t you take your pretend games upstairs to the attic. The kitchen is for—”