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said, a little too quickly.
    Changing the subject, Claire asked, “do either of you find it strange that wall-eyed Wendell turned up at the house so fast and knew where the bathroom was?”
    “Not really,” Diane said, putting down her glass. “This is the slow season, and he probably has been in that house lots of times. Old houses always need repairs.”
    “Well, I think I’ll ask some questions at the real estate office, and let them know about the missing panties.”
    Caroline looked up from her salad. “Although I am totally convinced you’re paranoid Claire, I do think his behavior was strange and should be reported. What if there had been children in the house? You can’t be too careful these days.”
    “I agree,” Diane added. “I just wish you didn’t have to mention my underwear.”
    ***
    Back at Windward Cottage the women found Ike curled up on the braided rug in front of the fireplace. He lifted his head and then placed it back down on his crossed paws.
    “Some watchdog,” Claire declared.
    “It’s too cold to go to the roof, how about some cards?” Caroline asked, taking off her sweater.
    Claire closed and locked the door and started up the stairs. “I’m going to change into my pajamas, what about you two?”
    Ike got up from his rug and followed Claire up the stairs.
    Dressed in pajamas and bathrobes they gathered around the game table and Diane started to shuffle the cards. “What are we playing?”
    “Hearts?” Caroline suggested.
    “Works for me,” Claire agreed. “Why is this dog sitting beside me?”
    Knowing how she felt about dogs Diane and Caroline were amused.
    “He loves you,” Caroline said. “Animals seem to want to win over people when they know they don’t like them.”
    “It’s not that I don’t like him, I just don’t love dogs. I never had one.”
    “I do feel safer with him here, don’t you?” Caroline asked.
    Claire reached down and patted Ike’s head. “Actually, I do and I think he’s already growing on me.”
    After a few hands of hearts Claire yawned and pushed her chair away from the table. “It’s been a long day. I’m going upstairs to read. Are you going to wait up for Jill?”
    Diane looked at Caroline and shrugged her shoulders. “If we’re up, we’re up, or not. She’s a big girl.”
    Ike started to follow Claire to the stairs when she said, “No Ike. Stay.” pointing to the rug near the fireplace. Ike lowered his head and slowly walked to the rug and laid down. “Look at that, he listened,” Claire said.
    ***
    Once in bed, Claire opened her book and started to read. She had only read a few chapters when she heard Diane and Caroline moving around on the floor below. A few more chapters and her eyes started to close. The book slowly lowered to her chest and she fell asleep only to be interrupted by a bad dream. She felt cold, it was dark and raining. There was little girl with curly, blonde hair standing at the foot of her bed reaching toward her. Claire felt the sweat of fear soaking the mattress. She shook her head and tried to wipe the rain off her face but it kept getting wet. The little girl looked directly at her and whispered, “Help me.”
    Frightened by the dream, Claire rubbed her eyes and finally opened them. Two, big, brown eyes and a black nose were only inches from her face. It wasn’t a little girl, it was a dog. And, the rain was Ike licking her face. One more lick and she was wide awake. He was standing next to the bed nudging her with his nose.
    “Geez Ike. You startled me. Do you have to go out?” She would swear the dog nodded his head yes so she got up and felt around for her flip flops and robe. Searching the bed she could not find her book. ‘Must have fallen under the bed. I’ll get it later.’
    Jill was snoring in the other bed.
    I should wake her and make her take him out. After all, he’s more her dog , Claire thought, indignantly.
    “The sun’s not even up you crazy mutt. Come on, I think your