The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride (12 page)

She opened the door. “I’m ready now.”

She wore the same sundress she’d had on earlier, minus the cardigan, and her hair was twisted up, revealing the exquisite expanse of her bare neck and shoulders. The few tendrils that drifted around her face only added to her loveliness. He didn’t say anything for a moment, just enjoyed the view.

She plucked at the sides of the dress, pulling the lavender cotton away from her body and drawing his attention down to her shapely legs. The hem skimmed her knees. “Unless this isn’t the right thing to wear. I can change.” She glanced back in the room. “Not that I have that many other options.”

“No,” he said. “It’s perfect.” As was she. Not quite ready to break the moment, he gestured at the cat. The beast was sprawled on his back on the floor, legs akimbo, belly exposed. He looked like a fluffy throw rug. “How’s Captain doing?”

She smiled. “He’s having an awful time adjusting. As you can see.”

Hugh laughed. “Does he like catnip? We could stop by the pet store and pick some up for him after dinner.” Where had that come from? He couldn’t remember a time in his life he’d ever even used the word catnip, let alone thought about buying any.

Her eyes lit up, setting them ablaze like emeralds in the sun. “There’s a pet store? That would be awesome!”

“Then it’s a plan. You look lovely, by the way. I should go get ready. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“Okay. I’m going to hang out with Captain until then.”

“He doesn’t have to stay cooped up in this room, you know. He can have the run of the house. Unless you think he’s going to shred the drapes and do his business on the rugs.”

She made a face. “Captain would never do that.”

“I didn’t mean to imply—”

“He’s fine in here.”

So much for his attempt at nice. “How about tomorrow afternoon we take him outside and let him romp in the garden a bit? Before we go to the parade.”

She smiled, her demeanor instantly softening. “That would be nice. Although don’t expect too much romping.”

“Got it.” He gave her a nod. “Back as soon as I’m ready.”

Which turned out to be sixteen minutes, twenty-nine seconds. He collected her, then drove them into town, but the only parking spot he could find was three blocks away.

He helped her out of the car without staring too hard at her legs. “We have a little bit of a walk.” He pointed them in the right direction, and they set off.

She kept pace with him, easily matching his long stride. “Where are we eating?”

“The Poisoned Apple. Sort of a pub.”

“You must feel right at home there.”

“I can’t say I ever went to places like that when I lived in England.” Mostly because places like that didn’t exist in 1665. “But their beer selection isn’t bad.”

“The town is even busier than it was last night.”

“Wait until we come back for the parade.” She’d yet to link her arm through his as she’d done before. He couldn’t help but wonder why. He wanted to take her hand, but he wasn’t going to push things.

When they reached the pub, he knew how lucky he’d been to get that cancellation. People stood around the door, pagers in hand as they waited for tables. He made a path to the door for them and got her inside. “I’ll let them know we’re here, but we’re a little early. You want to find us a spot at the bar?”

She nodded. “What do you want to drink?”

“Guinness.”

“Of course you do.” With a smile, she headed deeper into the crowd as he went in the opposite direction to the hostess stand and gave his name.

Once he’d checked in and gotten a pager, he worked his way to the bar to find her. He stopped a few feet away as soon as he saw who Annabelle was sitting next to.

Piper.

Getting a seat at the bar had been pure chance, a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Delaney focused on getting the bartender’s attention, finally snagging him so she could place her order: a Guinness for Hugh and a white wine for her. She knew from her restaurant days that Guinness wasn’t a quick pour, so she twisted in her seat to watch the crowd and put the back end of the bar behind her.

The people who came to Nocturne Falls clearly loved the whole Halloween vibe. A few of them wore masks, just the little Zorro kind that covered their eyes. Some of the women had their faces painted. Actually, so did some of the guys. One of them wore an eye patch and a pirate hat. It was impossible not to grin surrounded by such festivity.

She spotted Hugh on the other side of the pirate. She waved her hand. “Hugh,” she shouted above the din. “Over here.”

He stood there, looking like he smelled a barrel of week-old fish. Finally, he moved forward, coming around to her side. “We should go wait by the door.”

“Our drinks aren’t ready.”

The woman behind Delaney leaned in. “Isn’t this cozy?”

Delaney realized the barrel of week-old fish was the Barbie doll sitting next to her. And that Barbie doll was Piper. What a craptastic coincidence. Accompanying Piper was her friend Skipper, or whatever the other chick’s name was. Apparently, it was girls’ night out in Nocturne Falls.

If this town got any smaller, it would be the social equivalent of wearing Spanx.

Wine glazed Piper’s gaze. “I see he hasn’t broken up with you yet.”

“Out with a friend?” Delaney’s attempt to steer the conversation in a new direction was ignored.

“Piper, you made your point the first time we met. Enough.” Hugh positioned himself between Delaney and Piper.

“Oh, you like telling women when stuff is over, don’t you?” Piper gestured with her wine glass at Delaney, almost sloshing the wine over the rim. “He
will
break up with you, you know. It’s only a matter of time.”

“So you said, but your history isn’t my future,” Delaney answered quietly. “And you really need to stop blaming Hugh for
you
not being the right woman for him. The more you shriek about it, the more people are going to see his side of things.”

Piper’s jaw dropped. She started to get off her bar stool, but her girlfriend grabbed her arm and whispered something in her ear.

Having no desire to create more of a ruckus than they already had, Delaney slid off the bar stool and hooked her arm through Hugh’s. Through a miracle of the karma fairy, the bartender delivered their drinks and check at that exact moment.

She turned to Hugh. “Take care of the bill, will you, sweetheart? I’d like to go somewhere else.”

She smiled at Piper, who was still muttering, while Hugh gave a nod to the bartender and threw some bills down on the drinks they were abandoning. “You sure you want to go?”

“Yes. Now.”

“You got it.” Hugh grabbed her hand tight and started through the crowd.

“Bye,
Annabelle
,” Piper called out over the crowd.

When they were out the door, she dropped the smile and took a breath. “Your ex is a real winner. It took you five months to figure out she wasn’t the one?”

“I knew well before then, but she was pleasant enough. To me. I’m sorry about all that back there.” Hugh’s mouth curved into an appreciative smile. “That was quite the performance,
sweetheart
.”

“Did I overstep? I’m sorry if I—”

“No, not at all.” His gaze grew thoughtful. Then he leaned in and, right there on the street, kissed her on the mouth.

The kiss was over almost before it started, but it was still long enough to make her heart stutter in her chest. Wow, he smelled good. Masculine in a dark, earthy way. “What was that for?”

“We’re supposed to be a couple, aren’t we?” He winked at her. “Plus, I don’t think I’ve ever had a woman stick up for me like that. You’ve done it twice now.”

Delaney hiked the strap of her purse higher on her shoulder. “Maybe women don’t stick up for you because what she said is true.”

His smile dimmed a bit. “I realize that.”

She inclined her head and smiled a little. “It might have been a tiny bit fun. I don’t go in for confrontation much, but something got into me.”

A curious twinkle lit his eyes. “Maybe tea with my grandmother? That woman is enough to push anyone to their breaking point.”

“Maybe.” That tea had given her a lot to think about. Like how close the dream of owning her own shop was, and how it was never going to happen. Because it couldn’t without her doing things she’d regret later, but it was fun to dream. Her stomach rumbled. “Okay, despite asking to leave, I am really hungry.”

He glanced down the street. “Town is packed tonight. I’m not sure where else we can get in.”

“Do we have to get in somewhere? Can’t we just grab a slice?”

“Of pizza?” His brows rose. “That’s okay with you?”

“All day long. Then the pet store.” Because while she was fine missing out on a snazzy dinner, she was not okay with Cappy being denied a new toy.

With a laugh, he nodded. “You got it.” He offered her his arm.

She took it, and they started walking. By the time they’d stuffed themselves on pizza, which was shockingly good despite not being made in New York, and bought one of every kind of catnip creation the pet store offered (which Hugh had insisted on paying for), she’d had a great evening even with the rocky start.

Hugh was so easy to spend time with. Maybe once they got home, Stanhill would see how good a mood Hugh was in and she could finally confess her secret. The idea scared the cookies out of her, but he was too nice a guy to keep up the lying.

Hugh drove them home, the banter between them non-stop until he pulled into the driveway and uttered a curse.

An unfamiliar car was parked ahead of them, but it had Georgia plates so Delaney saw no immediate reason to panic. “Someone you know?”

He nodded. “Someone we both know. Unfortunately. Piper.”

Hugh got out of the car and went around to open Annabelle’s door. He’d had issues with some of his exes before, but nothing like this. He was going to put an end to this business with Piper once and for all, because if
he
was tired of it, he could only imagine what Annabelle must be feeling.

He helped her out of the car. “I will take care of this, I promise.”

She nodded. “Be firm but kind. The poor woman is clearly not over you.”

Stanhill met them at the door. “We have company.”

Hugh frowned. “I saw her car. What room?”

“Library. I’ll be in my quarters.”

“I’d rather you come in with us,” Hugh said.

“You would?”

“In case I need her bodily removed.”

Stanhill gave a quick nod. “All right then.”

Hugh led the way into the house, Annabelle behind him and Stanhill bringing up the rear. Hugh marched straight to the library and yanked the pocket doors wide. His ex stood there in all her tiresome, blond glory. “Piper, what are you doing here?”

She stood, oblivious to his irritation. “You may not want me, but you’re going to want to listen to what I have to tell you.”

Her expression reeked of accusation, but there was no wavering in her movements. If she’d been tipsy at the pub, she was sober now. “I did a little
investigating
on your new girlfriend. Found some very interesting things.”

Annabelle stiffened. “You have no right to pry into my life.”