“Oh,” I said, in a neutral way. I was trying to give myself a little time to make my face bland and receptive.

“She was there the night we fought the pack that was trying to take over. She, ah . . . took care of the wounded enemies.”

That was an extreme euphemism. She’d cracked their skulls with her clenched fists. Trying to prove that it wasn’t National Tactless Day at my house, I said, “Oh, yes. The, ah, very slim girl. The young one.”

“She’s not as young as she looks,” Sam said, bypassing the obvious fact that her age was not the first issue one could have with Jannalynn.

“Okeydokey. How old is she?”

“Twenty. One.”

“Oh, well, she’s quite a girl,” I said solemnly. I forced a smile to my lips. “Seriously, Sam, I’m not judging your choice.” Not much. “Jannalynn’s really, really . . . She’s dynamic.”

“Thanks,” he said, his face clearing. “She gave me a call after we fought in the pack war. She’s into lions.” Sam had changed into a lion that night, the better to fight. He’d made a magnificent king of beasts.

“So, how long have you two been dating?”

“We’ve been talking for a while, but we went out for the first time maybe three weeks ago.”

“Well, that’s great,” I said. I made myself relax and smile more naturally. “You sure you don’t need a note from her mom?”

Sam threw the dust cloth at me. I grabbed it and threw it back.

“Can you two quit playing? I got to talk to Sam,” Tanya said. She’d come in without my hearing her.

She’s never going to be my best friend, but she’s a good worker and she’s willing to come in two evenings a week after she gets off her day job at Norcross. “You want me to leave?” I asked.

“No, that’s okay.”

“Sorry, Tanya. What do you need?” Sam asked, smiling.

“I need you to change my name on my paychecks,” Tanya said.

“You changed your name?” I must have been extra slow that day. But Sam would have said it if I hadn’t; he looked just as blank.

“Yeah, me and Calvin went to a courthouse across the state line in Arkansas and got married,” she said. “I’m Tanya Norris now.”

Sam and I both stared at Tanya in a moment of silent astonishment.

“Congratulations!” I said heartily. “I know you’ll be real happy.” I wasn’t so sure about Calvin being happy, but at least I managed to say something nice.