Wolf's Path (Monstrous Hearts: The Short Stories)

Late Night Coffee and...

The smell of butter and almond paste filled the kitchen while Alice tore off sheets of parchment paper and placed them beneath the cooling racks. It had been a long day of baking at her parents' house, but she was almost finished.

Denise had already put a heart-shaped doily on the red-and-pink striped tray. "I can't believe how good these are. What are they called again? They look like croissants, but you mentioned eating them in Naples."

Alice glanced up from dusting powdered sugar over the pastries. "Cornetti."

Her stepmother took another bite from hers. "I should stop, or I won't be able to eat anything at the party. Wasn't it nice of Marion to invite me? We haven't talked since last fall's bake sale to fund the new bike path for our homeowner's association, but she was worried that I might be lonely while Tom is away on his business trip."

Alice nodded, knowing that the other woman had been right. Her father wouldn't be back for another week, and the brittleness in Denise's voice indicated her painful awareness of that. "When does it start?"

"In a few hours," said her stepmother, helping her arrange the cornetti on the tray. "It should be a lot of fun. She told me it's always the same group of neighbors who get together a few Fridays a month at one of their houses. Tonight, it's her turn."

Then Denise hesitated. "You know... I'm sure Marion wouldn't mind if you came along. I always feel bad taking credit for all the delicious food you make."

Alice couldn't say she looked forward to hours of being around people she didn't know. "I'm not sure. I told Colton I'd be home by the time he's off work."

Her stepmother looked so crestfallen that she found herself adding, "But I can message him about the change of plans."

"That's wonderful! And don't worry about being in a shirt and jeans. It's supposed to be very casual."

Since Colton refused to get a phone, she left a message at the mill. If she closed her eyes, she could imagine the smell of pine sap on his skin and how rough his jaw would feel from the day's worth of beard. They might still be able to take a run through the snowy woods tonight before returning to their little cabin and the warmth of its hearth.

The possibility left her in a good mood while Denise went off to change, eventually returning in a cranberry-colored dress and rose gold jewelry. Alice merely let her hair out of its bun and checked for smudges of flour on her shirt.

It took half an hour to reach Marion's house. By then, the sunset had faded to a dark, cloudless night. The porch lights reflected off all the cars parked in the circular driveway and along the street. Alice checked the cornetti a final time, ignoring the flutter of nerves in her stomach. She never felt comfortable at parties.

Then the first traces of scents from within the house hit her. It reeked of coffee, finger food... and sex. Her head snapped toward the windows, but it was impossible to see anything with the curtains drawn shut. "Are you sure this is it?"

Denise had already gotten out. "Positive."

Her stepmother's confidence proved true when Marion answered the door. A wiry woman in her fifties, she wore a pink wrap dress and a welcoming smile. "Denise! I'm so glad you could make it. Who's this?"

Even as Alice tried to think of how to drag her stepmother away, Denise said, "I know it's rude to bring a guest without asking, but Alice was nice enough to make these, so I thought..."

"Oh, your stepdaughter! Yes, of course she's welcome. Come in, come in. The party has just moved into full swing."

Alice didn't bother keeping her expression polite while the woman ushered them through a short hallway and into a large living room. The moaning and panting were already clear. Beside her, Denise froze.