Vampire Romance: AMBER - The Grue Series (Vampire Romance, Paranormal, The Grue Series Book 1)

by Adams, Nancy

  Her eyes were big, but she grinned. “Well, if that don’t beat all!” she said. “How ‘bout some breakfast, then?”

  I shook my head. “Nope, not this morning. Faith invited me to your family barbecue this afternoon, and I’m saving my tummy for that!"

  Meg, one of the kitchen helpers, laughed at the way I’d said it, and I chuckled with her. The other girl, Mary, was a shy little thing, and didn’t say much when I was around. In fact, she sometimes looked at me as if I terrified her, and I wondered if I gave off some kind of vibe that she picked up. It’s not like I ever looked at her as a potential meal, so I didn’t know what might be causing her nervousness.

  As I thought that, it dawned on me that I hadn’t really noticed any of the Grangers that way; maybe I had managed to block people I thought of as family or friends from my sense of smell. I had noticed others. Even Greg, when I’d first met him in that elevator, had smelled like a nice steak at the time, but by the time I knew him as Horace’s attorney, I had gotten past that and didn’t think of him as meat anymore.

  Faith came in about then, with Martin, and I smiled and held out my hands. “Gimme baby,” I said, and both Faith and Martin laughed. I don’t know if the baby knew what I’d said, but he certainly thought I was funny, because he kept looking at me and smiling. Maybe he was trying to figure out what happened to me to make me so pale. It didn’t matter to me, I was having too much fun playing pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo! Babies are wonderful. And since I knew I would never have any of my own, I wasn’t about to pass up any chance to enjoy the pleasures that only playing with a baby can bring into your life.

  Nathan came in about noon. No one ate lunch, that day, in anticipation of the big afternoon, but he sat and had coffee with me.

  “Miss Amber, how are you settling in? Is there anything you want to change, or want us to do, to make you and your charges more comfortable?”

  “Oh, no,” I said. “Everything is fine. I love it here!"

  He smiled. “I’m glad. This place has needed a fresh young face, and yours has brightened it up considerably! “

  He was such a gentleman! I’m sure the delight showed on my face. I grinned and said, “Why, thank you, kind sir!” and he laughed out loud. I thought of something. “Nathan, can I ask you something?”

  “Of course, my dear,” he said. “Anything at all.”

  “Well, I was just wondering—you said you grew up here, right?”

  He nodded. “Indeed, I did, in the very apartment I live in now, and my boy Albert slept in the bedroom that used to be mine as he was growing up. When Angel and I married, my parents moved to one of the smaller units, so we could have room for the grandchildren they hoped to have.”

  “You only had one child?”

  Again he nodded, and reached across the table to clasp his wife’s hand. “Yes. We wanted more, but having Albert nearly took my Angel from me, so we decided not to risk it again.”

  “No, that was what you decided,” said Angel, and she turned to me. “I wanted a houseful of kids, and I was willing to put my trust in the Lord, but Nathan was too worried he’d end up having to raise ‘em all by himself!"

  I fought the urge to giggle, but Nathan didn’t. He burst out in a loud laugh that startled me at first.

  “She knows me too well, Miss Amber,” he said. “But I wouldn’t trade a day of what we had for one we might have wished for.” He looked at his wife, and something in me responded to the love I saw in his eyes, a sad feeling that hit me hard. I’d never know love like that, and it was likely I’d live alone for a long, long time. The thought dampened my spirits for a few moments.

  Faith saw that something was bothering me, and said, “Hey! You wanna come see my place? I got my own little apartment, just for me and Martin. Come see!"

  “Sure,” I said smiling, and followed her out the back door. There was a nice walkway made of flagstones, and we followed it to the two buildings that housed the staff apartments. Faith’s apartment was in the bigger building, and she led me inside and down the hall to the last door on the right.

  “Now, don’t look too close, cause I ain’t cleaned up yet today,” she said, and opened the door.

  She needn’t have worried; the little place was neater than my room, and I’d straightened it a bit before I’d left it that morning, just so that whichever of her sisters was the day’s maid wouldn’t think I was a total slob!

  It was small, all right. There were three rooms: a combination living and dining room with a kitchenette on one side, a bathroom that was smaller than my closet, and a bedroom with her bed and Martin’s crib. There were a few toys scattered about the floor, but other than that it was what I would call spotless, and I said so.

  “Huh!” she said. “You only think so cause you ain’t got a kid. Trust me, girl, soon as you’re a mama, you can see every little speck of dirt in the house like it’s a giant rock, tryin’ to roll down on your baby!"

  I smiled, but that pang hit me again; I’d never be “a mama.” Push that thought away, I told myself. You can always enjoy Faith’s babies!

  We sat on her sofa and talked for a little while, and she got me to open up a little about my life back in Corlin. She told me a little more about her own childhood, right in that same building, and how she’d played in the wooded lot that was the backyard of the estate, and ridden her bicycle on the long driveway. She and her brothers and sisters had enjoyed living there, even though they’d been subjected to a lot of the prejudices of the time. They’d even had to go to a separate school; the white kids could stay in Beverly Hills and attend school, even the ones whose families were servants just like hers, but black kids were bused to other communities and sent to schools that were either all black, or populated by poorer kids.

  Even so, she’d been happy, she said. “If you got family, you got what matters, right?” I agreed, and she smiled at me. “And that’s why we’re gonna make you family. You had to leave yours behind, so now you got us.” And she handed little Martin back to me with a smile.

  I cooed at him. “Hello, there, sweet baby,” I said in a goofy voice. “You know what? I think your Mama just wants another babysitter! Uh-huh! I think she does, yeah!"

  Faith laughed at me, and so did the baby. It felt good.

  We went outside to watch the men getting everything set up. Nathan said he had asked Horace the night before if it was alright to have their little get-together, and had been assured that it was fine. Horace had even told him that they could be as loud as they liked, because he and his party-pals all slept with earplugs; there was no chance of disturbing their sleep.

  No kidding! I thought. It’s not like you’re really gonna wake the dead!

  But a little noise seemed to be in order, and Michael didn’t hesitate when I suggested we might like some music. He brought out a big boom-box and set it up, then tuned it to a local rock station, and the sounds of Queen and The Doobie Brothers filled the air.

  George and Jack were building a fire in a big brick grill, bigger than any I’d ever seen. Nathan explained that it had once been part of what was called a “summer kitchen,” back in the days before electricity and air conditioning. A separate hearth, under a roof supported on poles, was used for cooking during the hottest months, and this had been the hearth itself.

  Diane and Elaine, two of Faith’s sisters, came out of one of the buildings a moment later, carrying big trays of meat. I saw ribs and steaks, and there were what looked like burgers and hot dogs, too. Angel and the other girls were cooking up side dishes inside, and Faith explained that when it came to barbecue, nobody could touch Grandpa—Nathan—on the grill, so he would be the one cooking there.

  We had brought out a playpen for Martin, and since he was happily absorbed in the toys he had with him, I volunteered to help set up. Faith, Diane, and I gathered up folding lawn chairs from all around the place and set them up at the two long tables that were permanently mounted in the yard between the apartment buildings. Meg and Mary came out w
ith a big cooler full of soft drinks, and Michael went to help them bring out pitchers of tea and lemonade, as well. Then Nathan started cooking, and soon the smell of barbecue was floating all through the air.

  Oh, my goodness, it was awesome! I couldn’t help wondering how soon the entire population of Beverly Hills was going to crash our gates to try to get some.

  It didn’t get that bad, thank goodness, but a couple other cars did arrive shortly. Nathan’s brother Charles and his family had joined us; they lived in Marina Del Rey, and came up occasionally to visit. I was introduced to them by Faith as “our new sis, Amber,” and no one seemed the least bit surprised. I got hugged by half a dozen more people, and couldn’t keep my smile under control.

  By the time the meat was ready, I was almost prepared to believe that I was getting hungry for barbecue! The fact that I didn’t need to eat had nothing to do with desire, not when it came to something that smelled so good, and I could feel myself fighting to keep from drooling. If they’d waited much longer, I might have lost control and attacked the grill, but luckily for me, it was finally time to eat.

  I sat beside Faith, and waited patiently while Nathan stood to say grace.

  “Dear Heavenly Father,” he said, “We thank you for this day, and for the opportunity to gather together with those we love and enjoy their fellowship. We thank you for the food before us, and for the ability to enjoy eating it. And we thank you today for our new friend Amber, and for those who sleep away the day inside the big house, and hope we will ever serve them as we should. Amen!”

  “Amen!” echoed everyone, including me, and suddenly there was a big slab of ribs on my plate, and I bit into the only thing I’ve ever found that can almost rival the taste of living human flesh—barbecue pork ribs. Nathan’s sauce, which I’d heard over and over was “from an old secret, family recipe,” was absolutely incredible, hot and spicy without being overbearing, and I caught myself wondering how it would taste on people—okay, that was going too far, so I shushed my own thoughts.

  I didn’t eat as much as I do when I feed, but it may have been close. I actually had to pop the snap on my cutoffs, and I was glad my shirt was long enough to hide it! I knew I’d pay for this later, but I didn’t even care. It was barbecue!

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Amber

  By four o’clock, we were all stuffed, and I was leaning back in my chair so my belly wouldn’t show so badly. I was sipping iced tea, and just enjoying the company and conversations, when someone yelled, “Uh-oh!” and Faith and some others began to cheer.

  Michael had gotten out a guitar, and he and Jack were standing up near the hearth. We all quickly rearranged our chairs so that we were facing them, and everyone seemed excited and expectant.

  Faith leaned over to me. “My brothers write songs, and someday they’re hopin’ to make it big. They’re pretty good, you’ll be surprised.”

  I shook my head, smiling. “I doubt it,” I said. “I don’t think anything about your family could surprise me too much!"

  “Shush,” she said, “they gonna start!"

  Michael strummed a couple of chords, and Jack said, “Okay, everyone, we got a new one. Ain’t none y’all ever heard this, so listen up and tell us what you think, okay?” He glanced shyly at me, once, then looked away, and I couldn’t help smiling. He was such a sweetheart!

  Michael began to play, then, an absolutely beautiful melody that reminded me of something I might have wanted played at my wedding. Jack hummed along through the intro—and then he began to sing in a clear, incredible, marvelous voice.

  “If anybody had told me, that someone like you,

  Would ever love me, the way that you do,

  I’d have said, you’re a liar, there’s just two things I believe,

  Only fools play with fire, and there’s no love for me,

  But you’ve made the difference in my life, with the love you’ve shown to me,

  You’ve made the difference, taught me how to be the man I’ve longed to be,

  You’ve made the difference deep inside, opened up my eyes to see,

  And this broken heart has healed inside of me,

  And this broken heart has healed inside of me,

  If anybody had told me that there’d come a day,

  When I’d know what love is, when I’d feel this way,

  I’d have said, You’re a dreamer, gotten up and walked away,

  But one look into your eyes, and all that I can say,

  Is you’ve made the difference in my life, with the love you’ve shown to me,

  You’ve made the difference, taught me how to be the man I’ve longed to be,

  You’ve made the difference deep inside, opened up my eyes to see,

  And this broken heart has healed inside of me,

  And this broken heart has healed inside of me,

  If anybody had told me that just the touch of your hand,

  Could make such a difference in all that I am,

  I’d have said, man, you’re crazy, love tore my world apart,

  But just look what a difference that you’ve made in my heart,

  Darling, you’ve made the difference in my life, with the love you’ve shown to me,

  You’ve made the difference, taught me how to be the man I’ve longed to be,

  You’ve made the difference deep inside, opened up my eyes to see,

  And this broken heart has healed inside of me,

  And this broken heart has healed inside of me.”

  No one moved. No one spoke. I honestly think that if anyone had broken the spell that fell over all of us at that moment, the rest of us would have beaten them to death. Silence held for nearly a full minute, at least, and then I heard a single pair of hands clapping, and when I looked down I saw that they were mine.

  That did it. Everyone there erupted in applause and cheers and whistles, and Michael and Jack lost the stunned, almost scared looks from their faces and began to smile. We all congratulated them, and Michael pointed out that Jack had written the lyrics, while he’d “only” come up with the melody.

  They did a couple more of their songs, and then someone turned up the boom box again, and before I knew what was happening we were all dancing and having the most wonderful time. Faith and I cut the rug a couple of times, and I danced once with Nathan and once with Albert, and then I felt a tap on my arm and turned around to see Jack standing there. He was sheepishly asking me to dance, again, and I smiled and grabbed his hand. Anyone who could sing like that could dance with me anytime he wanted to.

  Oh, it was a great time, and a wonderful day. For several hours I managed to forget all the things about my new life that were troubling me, like how to deal with being a killer, and worrying about the people my victims might leave behind. I danced and laughed and made merry with my new friends, just like any other country girl who found herself transplanted into the big city and adopted by some of the nicest folks in any color!

  The party went on ‘til past sundown, and Angel almost forgot about the trays for the vampires, but there was plenty of barbecue, so they piled some on five plates, added a selection of veggies and breads and some iced tea, and set a tray like that outside each door.

  A half hour after the sun went down, Horace and Simone came wandering out back to find us, and both of them asked for more of the barbecue. I was sure neither of them had eaten what was sent up, but it certainly didn’t hurt for the Grangers to see them eating like normal people; Horace gave me a wink as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. Rudy, Jen, and Madeline stuck their heads out and said hellos, but claimed they were stuffed, and then they wandered off to go out for the evening.

  Horace left a few minutes later, and I looked at Simone. She smiled, and then whispered so only I could possibly hear, “Mad’s leavin’ us. She’s got Horace so ticked he’s ready to rip her head off, and I don’t know why, yet, but it’s good riddance, I say, cause she’s just not ever really been one of us. Funny thing is, I didn’t see it
‘til you come along.”

  I covered my mouth and whispered back, “Simone—is this about me? I know she doesn’t like me, but...”

  “Nah,” I heard. “It’s just Mad. Jen may go with her, I dunno yet. They’re talkin’ about it, but we’ll have to see.”

  I let it go, and Simone hung around a bit and laughed with us all. I introduced her to Faith—okay, re-introduced her—and Faith held Martin out to her.

  I almost panicked, and I felt terrible for it later, because I knew damned well that Simone was no threat to that baby. She took him and cooed and giggled and played with him just as I had, but for a few seconds there, as she was holding him, I was thinking, God, that’s a freaking vampire holding that child! Get her away from him!

  See? I’m a hypocrite. I had once thought about how Simone would sit and play with my little sister, and how I wouldn’t worry about it, but let her hold a baby I was fond of and I was ready to go for the stakes and silver! Hypocrite!

  I got myself under control, and I don’t think Simone ever knew the thoughts that went through my mind. If she did, she never let on, so maybe it was just that she understood. In any case, I got over it, and after a minute I was able to get close and play with the baby with her.

  And you know what? It was fun. Simone left a little later, and I went back to enjoying the party.

  The music from the boom box was loud, and we were all engaged in conversation and laughter, so I can’t entirely blame myself for not realizing there were strangers approaching. No one else noticed them, either, but of course they didn’t have my enhancements; if anyone should have noticed, it was me, and I didn’t.

  Suddenly there was a new voice, a male voice that loudly called out Faith’s name. She turned and looked at the same time the rest of us did, and I saw a young black man with a few others.