Once Upon a Christmas by Lauraine Snelling, Lenora Worth Page B

back. Wish I could talk with Thane about it. How had that thought leaped in? Funny how thoughts of him had a way of sneaking in when she least expected it. Not that she ever really expected it. This was new to her. Father, keep him safe and help him work out whatever is taking up his time.
    “Come on, Harley, we need a walk.” All along the paths she hoped to see him or hear Matty, but that was silly. He only came down in the morning. Tuesday morning they walked at eight. No man and no dog. You could call him, you know. Sure and if he acts like he’s never met me, then what. She buried herself in work to close off that argument, but a snobby voice whispered, you’re just a fraidy-cat.
    By Wednesday, she’d slammed the door on everythought of him, including prayers. He’d started out great. So had some of the others.
    “Uh-oh.” June locked her fists on her hips as Blythe and Harley strode by. “Things took a nosedive.”
    “I got tired of blond.” On the hour she’d allowed herself for lunch, she went to the store, picked out a box of hair color, and did the deed.
    “Uh-huh, and you be courtin’ the wee folk with yer new Irish look.”
    Sorry, your accent isn’t right yet. But just because she was feeling snippy, no need to take it out on someone else. “Do you like it?” She doffed her smash hat and fluffed her hair with her fingers. Today was warm enough that she didn’t need gloves, or a hat really, either.
    “Must be the sun that’s makin’ it look like a halo of fire.”
    “A wash or two and it’ll lighten up. You want to walk with us?”
    “Thankee, but me own work be callin’ me.”
    “When’s your first performance?”
    Harley tugged on the leash, leaning as far forward as he could with his front feet planted.
    “Right after New Year’s. I’ll get you tickets.”
    “Thanks.” You think they’ll let Harley in?
    They made a fast trip through the park, again empty of Thane and Matty, ignored the latte stand and punished the pavement home. More and more she stretched the old adage, hard work cures a broken heart. Not that she was going to allow a man to break her heart. Not now. Not ever.
    She returned the call from her mother that had been on the machine.
    “We have your Christmas tree, dear, when should Dad bring it over?”
    “Mother, I told you, I’m not doing Christmas this year. I’ll just enjoy the tree at your house on Christmas Day.” And if there was any way of getting out of that, I’d do it.

CHAPTER NINE
    S o you’re here today. So, do I care?
    Harley tugged on the leash, back feet scrabbling on the gravel.
    Sure dog, you see your best friend and you want to go running to her. You don’t care that you haven’t seen her for five days and she didn’t even call.
    Maybe I ought to learn something from my dog.
    Being dragged along by a basset in full strength was not a pretty picture, she was sure. Planting her feet did no good and since she didn’t want to go airborne, she donned a mantel of dignity and strolled—well, not exactly strolled. Harley had her nearly jogging, but giving the impression of strolling seemed to be important at the moment.
    Matty was obviously doing the same thing. Thane didn’t seem to be resisting like she was.
    “Good morning.” His greeting sounded like he’d seen her the day before.
    How was she to get cheer back in her voice? Was she glad to see him? Not necessarily. She’d just talked herself out of looking for him, wanting to see him, hear his voice…to yell at him for letting her down just like all the others had. Oh, to be able to ignore the leap of her heart. Be still had about as much effect as telling Harley to stop, sit or quit barking.
    She plastered a smile on her face and glanced down at the dogs who were sniffing, yipping and bouncing, their joy bubbling and bursting.
    “Blythe, what? Ah, you look different.”
    She looked up to see straps of a backpack digging into his shoulders. What is going on? He brought his