When Taren walked into the living room, it had already been cleaned and the wrapping paper stowed in bags and left by the door for him to take out. He made a silent promise to do it in the morning. Prissy was once again lying by the fireplace in what was quickly becoming her spot.

Hearing the musical peals of laughter coming from the other side of the house, he followed the sound. He peeked around the corner into the family room from the kitchen. A fire already burned in the ...