Free The Patient Wolf (Wicked Urban Fantasy #1) by Karen Hodges Miller Page A

a feeling for the moon and its phases, too. They regulate so many things in our lives. Most people don’t realize how much the moon affects everything around them,” Ana replied.
    “You’re right. They don’t. The moon controls a lot more in our lives than most people realize,” Chris agreed, then made one of his quick changes of subject; something Ana was, almost, getting used to. “I’m definitely enjoying the warm evenings here. In Chicago the restaurants have already closed their outdoor seating areas.”
    “Is that where you are from?”
    “Most recently, yes. That’s where I have an apartment. I tend to travel a lot for my work, and I just keep a small home base in Chicago.”
    “I realize I hardly know anything about you.”
    “There’s not that much to tell,” he countered.
    “Well, you said you are a consultant. On what do you consult?” she asked, lightly. It was the oldest rule in the book: Men love to talk about themselves. But somehow, whenever she asked Chris anything personal he always became evasive and quickly found a new topic.
    “I guess you could say I’m a troubleshooter.”
    “Well that sounds interestingly vague. What kind of trouble do you shoot for people?”
    He laughed at her joke. “It depends. I have a varied client base and I help them with whatever phenomena are a problem for them.”
    “Phenomena? That’s an intriguing way to describe a client’s problem, isn’t it?”
    “Oh, I don’t know. What’s another word for ‘phenomena?’ ‘Singularities,’ maybe? Doesn’t everyone find their own problems to be singular?”
    “So what type of singular problems do your clients have?” Ana persisted.
    “It’s really rather boring, actually. Why don’t you tell me more about what you do at the university? You said you work in the history department, right?”
    Ana gave up her questions and told Chris about her work. After all, the old saying worked for women, too. People enjoy talking about themselves. She mentioned her new assignment, the seminar she was working on with Alexander.
    “Professor Alexander Fontaine? I think I’ve heard of him. Doesn’t he write a lot of books about the paranormal?”
    “Well, that’s only a part of it. He’s an anthropology professor. He studies supernatural beliefs and how they affect people in their everyday lives.” Ana suddenly realized she was repeating, almost word for word, the lecture Alexander had given to her and Monica just a few days ago. She’d found it a little pompous at the time; now here she was using it to explain the man. But why should she have to explain Alexander Fontaine to Chris? It’s not like they were ever going to meet each other. At least she hoped not.
    “It sounds interesting,” Chris said, obviously unaware of the line that Ana’s thoughts had just taken. “So you are interested in the paranormal?”
    “Well, when you call it that, it sounds so silly. But as I was telling Alexander, my family has lived here for generations, and I grew up hearing so many of the local legends. I guess an interest in stories and legends runs in my blood. In fact, my sister and my grandfather have somehow managed to get involved in running a Rivelou Ghost Tour throughout the month of October.”
    “Sounds fascinating. I’ll have to go on it. Would you like to come with me?”
    “On a Ghost Tour run by my grandfather? I’m not sure it sounds like a great second date,” she laughed.
    “You might be right,” Chris said ruefully. “In fact, considering how we met, maybe we should try something with bright lights and loud music, rather than a walk in the dark.”
    Yes, I suppose that is the elephant in the room tonight, isn’t it? We are both wondering if the police have learned anything more about the attack and the killing. Have you heard anything?”
    “No, and I don’t expect we will, unless it is on the news. I’ve never found the police to be interested in sharing information.”
    “Did you get a