Free The Bark Before Christmas by Laurien Berenson

But fortunately the problems that popped up were small, and for the most part easily dispatched. It was beginning to look like the Christmas bazaar might even go off without a hitch.
    Wednesday afternoon, I arrived home from school to find a bright red Civic hybrid sitting in my driveway. I knew that car. It belonged to Claire Walden, a woman with whom I’d become friends the previous summer. Claire was now engaged to marry my ex-husband, Bob.
    Claire had been busy in recent weeks, planning her upcoming wedding. I’d been busy at school. Now I couldn’t even remember the last time we’d seen each other. I parked behind the Civic, and Faith and I entered the house through the front door.
    Normally we would have been swarmed by Standard Poodles but that day the front hall was empty. Faith looked as surprised as I was. She gave a short, sharp bark. It sounded like a reprimand to her peers—as well it should have been. My watchdogs were falling down on the job.
    That single bark was all it took to turn things around. I heard the sound of scrambling feet and a moment later the pack of Poodles came flying out of the kitchen and racing down the hallway. As all five jostled for position and eddied around us, Claire appeared in the doorway at the back of the hall.
    â€œIt’s great to see you,” she said, coming forward to give me a hug. Claire was tall and willowy with long, dark, hair that swung in a shiny curtain around her shoulders. “It’s been way too long. While I waited for you to get home, your dogs and I have been playing a game of catch in the kitchen.”
    â€œGood place for that,” I said faintly. Fewer breakables than the rest of the house, though outside in the backyard might have been better. I pulled off my coat and scarf and tossed them on a side table. “Where are Sam and Kevin?”
    Wednesdays, Davey had basketball practice after school. I wouldn’t expect him home for another hour. But Sam, who worked at home and who’d also been doing double duty watching over Kev while I was at school, should have been around. Especially since we had a guest.
    Claire shrugged. “You were due back any minute and they had an errand to run. It was all very hush-hush. Maybe a little secret Christmas shopping? I certainly didn’t want to get in the way of that! And besides, your Poodles have been keeping me entertained.”
    They were good at that, I thought. Especially when someone was willing to let them play ball in the house.
    We walked together into the living room. Claire sat down in the middle of the couch and was promptly flanked by Tar and Raven. Casey, who had just missed getting a seat next to our guest, had to content herself with draping her body over Claire’s feet. If Eve hadn’t come and climbed into my lap, I might have felt seriously left out.
    â€œI’m delighted to see you, Claire,” I said. “But what are you doing here?”
    â€œWhat do you mean what am I doing here? I can’t believe you didn’t call me! Bertie told me about your Christmas bazaar. As soon as I heard, I came right over. You know what I do for a living. Why didn’t you ask me to help?”
    Claire had been a corporate event planner before finding her niche organizing children’s parties. Managing a private school Christmas bazaar was the kind of thing she’d be great at.
    â€œBecause I know how busy you are,” I said.
    â€œEverybody’s busy.” Claire sniffed. “I could have made time for you.”
    â€œBut that’s just it. I didn’t want you to have to do that. You’re putting together your wedding .”
    Bob and Claire’s wedding was scheduled for New Year’s Eve. “Out with the old and in with the new,” Claire had said in reference to their chosen date. I’d wondered whether I should take offense at that, considering that “the old” was me. Then it had occurred to me