“I don’t want to…”
“I know what you’re trying to say, Paul. You’re not crossing any lines. I am happy that you care enough about me to come all the way out here to see if I’m okay. And, I know you’d do it for any of your friends.”
“Maybe I would,” he said. “But I do really like you…and I would be more than upset if anything did happen to you.”
“And I would you.”
“You would?”
“Yes! I would.” She indicated with a nod towards her little table. “Want coffee? If so, have a seat.”
“Yeah…I’ll have a quick cup. Judy’s doing homework …and I promised her I wouldn’t be long. Gonna cook our supper.”
“I bet you’re a good cook, too.”
“Not the best…But I enjoy cooking. Judy and I take turns, depending on how much work I have or how much schoolwork she has.”
“That’s nice the two of you compromise like that.”
“Out of necessity…family. She’s all I have…and I’m all she has.”
“No aunts…uncles…grandparents?
“Not close. Our grandmother on our mother’s side lives in Louisiana…but she’s really old. We never got close to her as kids…lived too far away. We went out to see her after our folks were killed. Only stayed one day. She didn’t even remember us.”
“Sorry…Alzheimer’s?”
“Something like that.”
“Cousins?”
“A few…We met a few times at family get-togethers…but none of us ever got close. Maybe that’s sad in a way…Because Judy and I are both kind of lonesome now… But she has her school friends…And I have some female acquaintances in Seattle,” he said, smiling sheepishly. “Can’t really say that they are good friends.”
She wasn’t about to pry into what he meant. “And now you both have me as a friend,” she said, handing over his coffee and sitting across from him.
He had such a pleasant face, kind, gentle, caring. She really did like him. And she knew by the way he was looking at her that he was hoping something more than just friendship would blossom.
She had been hoping that it would too, eventually. That is, until the recent events with Dorian. Now, she wasn’t so sure how much or if she wanted to encourage this. But she had no doubts that she did like him.
He smiled warmly, his mouth tilting up at the corner. “Judy and I are very glad to have your friendship.”
Sally glanced up when the tall, tow-headed man entered in a dark suit. She’d never seen him before.
He walked over to the chips display, grabbed a couple of bags of potato chips and then went back to the cooler and took out a gallon of milk and a six-pack of beer. As he approached the counter, Sally instinctively stepped back.
Something about the man instantly frightened her, though she found him strikingly handsome. He had a powerful presence. The feeling was kind of like when she’d seen Dorian Lodovico for the first time, only this man had an even more intimidating air. And he was taller by a couple of inches.
“That be all?” she asked, trying hard not to gaze up into his sparkling obsidian eyes.
“For now,” he said in a casual tone. He glanced around. “Quaint little store you have here.”
“Oh…I’m just an employee. Paul Stevenson and his sister Judy own it.”
“I like it though…Not too many small town stores like these around anymore,” he said with a hint of a smile.
“No…Guess not.” He seemed pleasant enough. Still, there was something about him that gave her the willies.
Judy appeared suddenly from the back. “That brother of mine’s not here yet?” Then she saw the stranger. “Oh…sorry…Thought the store was empty.”
“Quite all right,” he said. “I take it that you’re Judy?”
“Yeah…” looking surprised.
“I told him your name,” Sally inserted. “To answer your question…Paul’s not back yet.”
“Guess I’ll go ahead and cook those hamburgers then.”
Sally finished ringing up Klaus’ items and placed them in a paper bag. Then, speaking to Judy, “Might be a good idea. I kind of get the idea he’s sweet on that new Amber woman.”
Judy smiled vaguely. “Kinda…” Her attention turned to Klaus, who seemed to be taking it all in. “Are you living here, now?’
“That I am…I’m sure I will be back.” He tucked the milk under one arm and picked up the bag with the other. He nodded in a gentlemanly manner. “Ladies…” and started to walk away.”
Judy spoke just as he reached the door, “Welcome to our little neck of the woods.”
“Yeah…Welcome!” Sally chimed.
He nodded again, gave them a salute with a charming smile and went on out.
The two women looked at one another.
“Kinda strange…those black eyes!” Judy stated.
“Honestly, he gives me chills! He seemed the perfect gentleman…but I felt kind of scared of him…You know what I mean?”
“Don’t really know that I’m scared of him…but he is different. Never seen eyes that…black…especially on someone with such blond hair.”
“Did you notice that vague accent? Not distinct…Sort of like that Dorian fellow…not the same, either. Though, can’t really place Dorian’s… I think this guy might be German or Austrian.”
“Now that you mention it…Just a trace of an accent.” She sighed. “Well, gonna go start those burgers. I’m famished!” She stopped just before she went through the door. “Hungry? Want one? There’s plenty.”
“Ummm…I brought a salad with me…Still, a hamburger really sounds good.”
“I’ll cook you one.”
“Thanks, hon.”
“No problem.”
Paul’s eyes narrowed as he studied his watch. “Damn!”
“What’s wrong, Paul?” Amber questioned.
Looking sheepish, he replied, “Promised Judy I’d get back and cook our hamburgers…said I wouldn’t be gone that long. Now, here it is, about an hour later than I had anticipated.
“She may be young, but she seems pretty mature for her age…I think she’ll understand. She knows you came out here to see about me.”
He relaxed a little and his face transformed into a soft smile. “You’re right. Knowing her, she’s already cooked them and has probably eaten hers. It’s just that I hate to break a promise to anyone. Especially to Judy.” He stood then.
“Want me to call her and tell her that you were concerned for me?” She asked, also standing and walking with him to the front door.
“No…I’m sure she already knows that.” He reached out a hand and touched her cheek. “You’re alive and unscathed.”
“Yes! I am that.”
He was staring at her with his green eyes. Though not as striking as Dorian’s, his were pretty, too. He swallowed and leaned his face in closer to hers, was going to kiss her. She was aware that before today, kissing him was something she had decided she really wanted to happen. But now, she’d actually met Dorian, and he’d had an even more profound effect on her than she could have anticipated, even without the dream. Still, she liked Paul, and there was no way of knowing if anything would ever transpire between herself and Dorian. And why was she suddenly thinking this? She decided to hell with it and let Paul kiss her.
His lips were soft and warm, and he smelled really good. It wasn’t pine and sage, but his aftershave was pleasant, minty. She liked it. When they broke the kiss, he smiled ever so warmly and softly said, “Maybe we can continue this…later?”
With a slight smirk, she said, “I’d like that.”
That seemed to make him happy. “You keep this locked!” he said, indicating to the door as he went out. “And call me…if anything comes up at all!”
“I will, Paul. I will…Tell Judy hello for me.”
“That I’ll do.” He turned and walked off the porch. There was a certain bounce in his stride that she hadn’t noticed before.
She clos
ed the door without ever seeing the large black bird that sat perched on a limb just to the right of the porch. It had been there the entire time that Paul had.
Dorian took flight, circling the perimeter of Amber’s property, eyes alert for any signs of Klaus. When he didn’t see or sense the other ones presence, he took off, following Paul all the way in to his store.
As Paul eased his truck up alongside the building, Dorian saw another raven and was sure it was Klaus, sitting smack in the middle of the store’s roof. He knew the German vampire couldn’t be up to any good, but Dorian had promised not to interfere. Still, he hoped Klaus wasn’t planning on killing Paul or his younger sister; at least, not so soon. He realized that Paul could be competition, but he preferred to win Amber over with his charms, not by getting rid of Paul. And if something were to happen to Paul, it would only grieve Amber more and slow down the progression of any romance, something he didn’t want happening.
Then there was Judy. She was just a kid with her whole life ahead of her. Dorian would rather see her turned than killed. But what he really wanted was for Klaus to just move on. He considered this his territory. And though he was easier going than most vampires, he had his limits. He could and would be vicious when he was pissed.
He alighted by the other bird, locking one eye on Klaus’ left. He let out a raucous croak, tilted his head slightly and flew off. He didn’t want to piss Klaus off, but he did want him to know that he was around. As he soared over to a stand of conifers, Klaus cawed back, letting Dorian know that he wasn’t going anywhere.
Five:
Judy looked up over her hamburger when Paul came. “It’s all getting cold,” she said, laying her
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