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was there at just the right time. Anyway.” She glanced from her to Harry, her eyes dancing with speculation and laughter. “Let me tell you the basic facts about how this will go forward. I’ll do my best to help out, take care of the paperwork and help you through this. It will be a little complicated, especially with Ms. Centa in hiding—I mean, away on business.” Lara made a face. “But the company wants to help you. I’ll dig up all your paperwork, help you get your deposit back plus a bit extra—a settlement, really, and it’s not ungenerous—and we’ll make your things as right as they can be as soon as possible. Here, let me share what I’ve got and show you what I’m planning to do.”
    “That sounds fair.” Ginnie smiled at Lara as the women put their heads together in obvious camaraderie.
    Harry escaped to the kitchen. With two women talking in his living room, it felt like someone else’s house. He was distinctly uncomfortable with the interruption of his routine, but he couldn’t exactly kick them out. Well, he could, but he wasn’t such a bastard that he’d throw a destitute, homeless woman out on the street. Especially one as cute as Ginnie.
    What was it about her that charmed him so? Her face, her body, her kiss? He could still feel the soft and giving hot little mouth, the inquisitive tongue. He slit his eyes against the wave of desire that hit him at the memory. He wanted more than just a taste.
    At the same time, he wanted her to get her mind-spinning kisses and tempting body away from him. She should just leave.
    Ginnie had just made a local friend, hadn’t she? Lara, who seemed nice and great at damage control. Was she nice enough to offer Ginnie a place to stay?
    Would Ginnie leave?
    Harry walked back into the living room, where a strange sight greeted him. Ginnie crouched behind his sofa with a silk pillowcase crunched up oddly in one fist. Lara watched from a short distance as Ginnie made the pillowcase walk, then tilt its head and then talk. “It’s the cutest house I’ve ever seen!”
    With merely a change in her voice and a shifting of position, Ginnie made the same crumpled pillowcase answer with a slithery, faux-enthusiastic demeanor. “This rental is a steal of a deal and will be snapped up within twenty-four hours. If I were you, I’d certainly pounce on it!” The predatory hand puppet stalked, making it clear how it wanted to pounce. And who it wanted to pounce on.
    Oblivious, the more naïve puppet replied, “It’s a darling bungalow! And in such a nice neighborhood too! Lucky me. It’s perfect.”
    “It suits you perfectly.” Such an evil voice. Such menace. Harry felt a thrill of distaste for the wicked puppet, and at the same time felt sorry for the innocent stalked puppet.
    He stared, astonished. Ginnie had serious skill if she was able to evoke such a response using just pillowcases.
    When Ginnie stood, Harry applauded. Lara quickly joined him, breaking into merry gales of laughter. “Wow! You really are good. I could totally see Darlene—I mean Ms. Centa.”
    “Thanks. You should see what I can do with marionettes.” Ginnie frowned, strode to the front door and opened it—to check on her trunk, Harry assumed. She lifted the lid and looked inside forlornly.
    “Hey.” Lara walked after her slowly, then paused, apparently considering. “You know, it’s probably against the rules, but I like you and feel bad about everything that’s happened. Do you want to come crash over at my condo, so you don’t have to dip into your savings? The deposit and settlement paperwork could take a week or two. There’s an extra room you can use for that long, and I’d love to have you over.”
    Mixed feelings struck Harry. They would go—Ginnie and her puppets and baggage and her tempting ways. And that was good.
    Very good.
    Excellent, even.
    It was her decision.
    Harry paced to the door, counting his steps. The women stood on his porch.
    Ginnie looked fondly at