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back to the amazing part." He propped up on an elbow and watched her with an amused grin.
    "Zach, really, we have to… pretend this never happened."
    "Pretend? I'm not much of a pretender, Siena. And neither are you, if I remember correctly. You were superb last night, especially the second time. Why pretend otherwise?"
    She found her bra and fumbled with the catch. "Second time? Oh my God, I can't believe this. Please, Zach, forget I ever came to town. And please forget we were ever," she circled one hand, "like that, in bed together."
    He made a funny motion and pressed both palms together. "Why? It was perfectly natural and really good. Baby, you were hot!"
    She pushed and tugged one leg at a time into her tight leggings. "Stop. Just stop right there. We gave in to our base needs, our curiosity, our lust."
    "So…"
    "Well, I just don't function that way." She found her sweater all the way across the room. "I don't know what happened to me. I just –"
    "Couldn't resist."
    "Or didn't, which is worse. And it's not going to happen again." She pulled on her boots. "It's not. I can't. This isn't right, for me or for you. I was just … weak or something."
    "Hmmmm." He propped on one side and watched.
    She ran her fingers through her hair. It didn't help much. "Zach, I'm just here to close that place up. Then I'm out of here. Adios Haven's Point."
    He folded his hands under his head, looking like Adonis under a quilt. He just smiled at her. "I'd hate to see you go so soon."
    She shook off the sexy image.  "Which way is Amazing Lace from here?" She knew they had walked here last night – or maybe floated on a cloud of pure lust.  
    "Uh, aren't you even going to say anything to stroke my ego… like if it was good for you, too?"
    She shook her head and looked away. "Of course, it was - is… uh, wonderful to see you again, Zach. And last night was better uh, than I ever dreamed. Thanks for the invitation to share your house. And your bed. You knew we'd end up like this. You knew!"
    "That's a backhanded compliment if I ever heard one. Did you ever dream, Siena? About me?"
    She walked to the door. "Where do I go from here?"
    "Two blocks down and turn left. You'll see Amazing Lace on the corner by the bay."
    "Just please, forget this ever happened, Zach."
    "Will you, Siena? Will you forget?"
    She bolted out of the house without answering. She couldn't, and be honest.
    "No way, Siena," he muttered. "No way can I forget last night. We were better than ever together."
     

Chapter Three
     
    Claire on the phone
    "Come along, my Lacy Ladies! Let's gather at Addie's. Bring your lace. I believe we've got our new blood. But we'd better hurry before Zach gets to her. I'm afraid we may be too late."
     
    Siena ran upstairs to the apartment above Amazing Lace . Grabbing her suitcase, she began digging for clean clothes. She felt something boring into her and looked up. In the dim morning light, there were two furry faces with big yellow eyes, watching her. Sally and Harry sat side by side, staring without blinking. Observing her every move. Guardians of Aunt Addie's domain.
    "Don’t you-two ever sleep? Or sleep in?  I’ll look for a new home for you today. You are miserable, I know. This can’t continue."
    Neither cat moved. No gentle purring. They continued to stare at her.
    Siena pulled a couple of items from her luggage. "You’re probably wondering where Aunt Addie is. The news is not good, kitties. She isn’t coming back. She’s gone on to her next dimension, as Dana would say. The spirit world. Maybe you have a connection. They say cats are… whatever. But here on earth, all you have is me – and George – until I find you a good home. Which, God willing, will be today. Maybe George is interested."
    Siena walked to a window. Even at this ungodly early hour, there were several lights on in town. The cats followed her. One issued a soft meow.
    Outside, everything lay in solemn, white splendor. She could almost hear the snow