by Lynsay Sands
“Thank you for lunch and for taking us shopping today, Harper,” Stephanie said moments later, when they pulled into the driveway at Casey Cottage. “I had fun.”
“I’m glad.” He murmured absently as he eased his car into the tight space on one side of the two-car garage.
Stephanie then turned in her seat to peer at Drina in the back, and said, “While you guys are out tonight, I’ll check the Internet and look for things for us to do tomorrow.”
“Okay,” Drina agreed easily, undoing her seat belt.
“Things to do tomorrow?” Harper asked, but the vehicle had stopped, and Drina was already slipping out, leaving Stephanie to answer. However, she got out just as quickly, and Harper followed, repeating the question as he closed the door. “What do you mean, things to do tomorrow?”
“Well, it wasn’t just that we needed warmer clothes and stuff that made us go out today,” Stephanie explained, walking around the front of the car toward the stairs into the house. “We were worried about waking up everyone if we stayed in. That will still be a problem tomorrow, so we’ll have to find someplace to go or something to do to entertain ourselves.” She paused at the top of the steps with a hand on the door and pursed her lips. “I guess we’re going to be pretty limited without a car, though.” Sighing, she shrugged and pulled the screen door open. “I’ll figure out something.”
Stephanie started into the house then, and Drina was directly behind her, but Harper caught her arm and drew her to a halt. The moment the door closed behind Stephanie, he asked with concern, “Do you think it’s wise to take her away from the house?”
“She’s not a prisoner, Harper. We can’t keep her locked up in the house. Besides, she was sent down here to live as normal a life as possible,” she pointed out, and then added, “And I did call Lucian first to make sure it was all right. He’s pretty sure they weren’t followed from New York, and she’s safe. Apparently Anders and I are just a precaution and babysitters until Elvi and Victor return.”
“Oh,” he murmured, releasing her arm. “Well that’s good news. That she’s safe, I mean.”
“Yes,” Drina agreed, and turned back to the door, only to back up a step when it suddenly swung open and Stephanie reappeared, her coat already off but her eyes wide.
“We forgot our clothes!” she squawked with disbelief.
Drina laughed at her expression and turned away to slip past Harper and off the stairs. “Close the door; the garage isn’t heated, and you aren’t wearing your coat. I’ll get the bags.”
She was at the trunk of the car before Drina realized she didn’t have keys, but Harper was already there beside her, handling the matter. They each took half the bags and carted them into the house. Stephanie was immediately on them, taking as many bags as she could handle and traipsing out of the room to dump them in the dining room before returning for the rest.
“I put the kettle on to make cocoa,” she announced as she gathered the rest of the bags and turned away again. “Hurry up and get your boots and stuff off. We can have cocoa and cookies while we sort through all this and decide what you should wear tonight, Drina. I think it should be the black dress and FM shoes with those fishnet stockings.”
“What fishnet stockings?” Drina asked with surprise, but Stephanie had already rushed out of the entry again.
“The ones she threw in the cart while you were in the changing room,” Harper answered for her, his voice dry.
“Oh,” Drina murmured, and wondered if she’d have the nerve to wear the outfit she’d bought today. She’d only really allowed Stephanie to convince her to buy the dress and shoes to make sure Harper was thinking about what she would look like in them. But really, they weren’t quite her style. The dress was a little too low cut at the neckline, and a little too high at the thigh, and the shoes looked like they’d be killer to wear. Fortunately, she did have a dress and shoes of her own with her. Although she had to admit it was a bit conservative since she’d brought it for the wedding. It wasn’t really Night Club material either. . at least not if the Night Club was anything like Noche.
Sighing, she hung up her coat, and quickly shucked the new, ridiculously high-heeled, thigh-high boots that she’d also allowed Stephanie to talk her into. She then padded into the kitchen, leaving Harper still working on the laces of his second boot.
Stephanie was pulling down mugs from the cupboard, presumably for the cocoa, but Tiny was also there. The big mortal was bent over and peering into the oven at something that was emitting really delicious smells.
“You’re up early,” Drina murmured, blinking as she took in his present garb. The man wore flowered oven mitts and a matching apron. He should have looked ridiculous, but since he was wearing only jeans and his bare chest was barely covered by the apron on top. . well it was oddly sexy, she decided with a slight shake of the head.
“I’m mortal,” Tiny reminded her with amusement. “Daytime is my time.”
“Yes, but I thought you and Mirabeau-”
“Tiny and I conked out around four in the morning and were up by noon,” Mirabeau announced, entering the kitchen from the living room. Her expression was grim as she asked, “Where were you guys?”
“We went shopping and out for lunch,” Stephanie announced happily, busily dumping a pale brown powder into the five mugs she’d collected.
When Mirabeau raised a cold eyebrow in her direction, Drina said, “Just to Wal-Mart, and I called Lucian first to be sure it was all right.” She then added, “I apologize for not leaving a note, but I thought you were day sleepers and expected we’d be back long before anyone woke up.”
“See, I told you there was nothing to worry about, Beau,” Tiny chided gently as he retrieved a tray of little circles from the oven. “Now stop looking at Drina as if she murdered your kitty and come have a cookie.”
Mirabeau blinked at Tiny’s words and then relaxed. She even managed a smile for Drina. “Sorry. I was just worried when we got up, and you were all gone. The only reason I didn’t have Lucian on the phone and Teddy Brunswick out looking for you was because Tiny checked the garage and saw that Harper’s car was gone.”
“I should have left a note, and will in future,” Drina assured her.
“And your cell number too,” Mirabeau said at once, moving over to slide an arm around Tiny and press a kiss to his bare arm. Her voice was somewhat distracted when she added, “We should have exchanged numbers the minute you guys arrived last night. Then I could have called you at least.”
“I’ll write mine down now,” Drina decided, and moved to the refrigerator, where a magnetized notepad took up a corner on the front. She immediately scribbled down her number on the pad, and then turned to hand the pen to Mirabeau, saying, “I don’t know Anders’s number, but we can have him put his here as well when he gets up, and then anyone who wants it on their phone can do so, but it will be on the fridge if anyone needs it.”
Nodding, Mirabeau slid away from Tiny, took the pen she offered, and then pulled a cell phone out of her back pocket.
“Both our numbers are new. We lost our phones in New York, so Lucian sent us new ones,” she admitted on a grimace and began to punch buttons, presumably in search of her phone number.
“My phone’s in my back pocket, Beau,” Tiny rumbled as he began to slide cookies off the metal cookie sheet and onto a plate.
Mirabeau immediately moved over to slide her hand in and dig out his phone. Drina turned away to hide a smile when she saw that while Mirabeau was retrieving the phone with one hand, she hadn’t been able to resist gliding her other hand under the top of his apron and over his bare chest.
“What smells so good?” Harper asked, coming into the kitchen from the pantry.
“Chocolate chip pecan cookies,” Tiny announced, his voice gruff as Mirabeau retrieved her hands and his phone and turned back to the refrigerator.
“That sounds interesting,” Harper decided, and moved forward to peruse the little discs. “Can I have one?”
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Tiny paused and glanced at Harper with surprise, “Well, yeah sure, that’s why I made them.”
Nodding, Harper took one and lifted it to his mouth to try a bite. Eyes widening as he swallowed, he pronounced, “Mmmm. Good.”
Tiny stared at him silently. When his gaze then slid to her, Drina promptly turned away to begin collecting the Wal-Mart bags from where Stephanie had set them. But she heard him say, “Have another.” And she glanced over her shoulder to see Tiny watching the man closely.
“Thanks.” Harper took a second cookie, and glanced to where Stephanie was hovering over her cups of cocoa. “Can I help you with that?”
“Well, it’s ready except for the water, but if you’ll pour the water in when the kettle boils, I could help Drina carry the bags up to our room.”
“Okay,” he said agreeably.
“Thanks.” Stephanie grinned at him and rushed around the counter to Drina’s side.
“I’ll help with the bags while you boys oversee the food and drink,” Mirabeau announced, as Drina straightened and headed for the stairs. She had just started up when she heard Tiny murmur, “So you’re eating again, Harper?”
“Oh, yeah, I started a year and a half ago when I first came to Port Henry and met Jenny.”
“Your life mate?” Tiny asked.
“Yes, meeting a life mate reawakens old appetites, of course, and I guess they don’t just die if the life mate does. They’ll go away again eventually, but it will take a while I suppose.”
“But I didn’t think you’d been eating since Jenny died,” Tiny said mildly.
Drina paused on the stairs, waiting until Harper answered with, “I guess I was too depressed to be bothered, but going out with the girls today perked me up some, and my appetites are back.”
“Hmmm,” Tiny murmured, and Drina continued up the stairs just as Stephanie and Mirabeau came out of the dining room and started up the stairs behind her.
“Okay, spill,” Mirabeau said firmly as soon as they were in the room Drina and Stephanie were sharing.
“Yes, Drina, show her what you got,” Stephanie said lightly, dropping her bags and hurrying to close the door behind Mirabeau.
“I didn’t mean-” Mirabeau began.
“She knows,” Drina pointed out on a sigh. The kid seemed to know everything. There probably wasn’t a thought in this house the girl didn’t hear.
“I just wanted to close the door so the guys don’t hear,” Stephanie said in a hushed voice as she moved past Mirabeau to Drina’s bed. Sprawling on the twin bed, she smiled at Mirabeau, and said, “Marguerite picked Drina for Lucian to send just as she suggested Tiny and you bring me here.”
Mirabeau’s eyebrows rose as she recognized the significance of that. “Harper’s your life mate?”
“It would seem so,” Drina said wearily, dumping the nearest bag on the bed and beginning to sort through the clothes that spilled out.
“Christ. That means we have another distracted hunter guarding Stephanie,” Mirabeau muttered with disgust. “What was Lucian thinking sending you here if-”
“Because he doesn’t care if I’m distracted.”
“What?” Mirabeau asked with surprise.
“He planned to send someone named Bricker down here to replace me the moment Harper and I acknowledged we were life mates, but it turns out there’s been a sighting of Leonius in the States, which means you guys weren’t followed. Stephanie’s safe, and Anders and I are just-” Drina snapped her mouth closed as she realized what she was about to say, but Stephanie finished for her.
“Babysitters,” the girl said with amusement, and then reassured Drina, “It’s okay. I’m not upset.”
“Huh.” Mirabeau muttered and leaned against the dresser drawers at the foot of the bed. She was silent for a moment as she took it all in, and then glanced to Drina and asked, “So what’s all this nonsense Harper was spouting downstairs about his reawakened appetites being leftovers from Jenny?”
“He believes it,” Stephanie said simply, sitting up to help Drina sort the clothes they’d bought.
Mirabeau narrowed her eyes. “Why? Hasn’t he tried to read you?”
Drina shrugged. “Probably. But I’m older than him by quite a bit. He wouldn’t have been able to read me anyway.”
“And you’ve tried to read him?” Mirabeau asked.
“The minute I met him,” she admitted quietly. “And I can’t.”
“Why haven’t you told him?” she asked at once.
Drina took in Mirabeau’s grim face with a sigh. It looked like she had some explaining to do.
“The girls are taking a while,” Tiny commented as he helped carry the cookies and cocoa to the dining-room table.
“They’re probably oohing and ahhing over what Stephanie and Drina bought today,” Harper said with amusement. “Speaking of which, a bit of advice; if Mirabeau decides to take Stephanie shopping-just hand over the keys and let them go. You’ll save yourself some humiliation and several shocks.”
“Humiliation and shocks?” Tiny asked, a smile pulling at his lips.
“Hmm. I spent the day being considered ‘one of the girls’ and learning things I never wanted to know about women,” he said dryly.
“Like what?” Tiny asked curiously.
“Do you know what they call high heels?” Harper asked, not expecting him to know.
“Ah, yes,” Tiny sat back with a nod. “Good old FMs.”
“You knew about that?” he asked with surprise. “Do you know what FM stands for?”
Tiny nodded again, and then explained, “My best friend most of my adult life has been a female. . and, come to think of it, she’s probably treated me more like a girlfriend than a guy friend,” he admitted with an unconcerned chuckle.
“Hmm.” Harper shook his head. “Well, I’ve never been treated like a girlfriend in all my life. It was a bit lowering.”
“Nah.” Tiny shook his head. “It’s a compliment. It means they don’t see you as sexually threatening. You’re a friend rather than a man friend.”
“And that’s a compliment?” Harper asked doubtfully.
“It is if you’re only interested in being a friend,” he reasoned, and then shrugged, and added, “But I suppose if your interests lie in a more sexual relationship, then it’s probably less flattering. Fortunately, I never had that kind of interest in my friend, Jackie. She’s more like a combination buddy and sister type for me.”
“Jackie? Vincent’s wife? The one who is flying in at the end of the week to help oversee your turn?” Harper asked. The big man had called Jackie last night to tell her he would be turning soon. Apparently, his friend had insisted on being there for it, so they’d had to set a date and time. The end of the week had been the decision.
“Yes.” Tiny smiled faintly, and then they both glanced toward the stairs as they heard a door open and the chatter and clatter of the girls returning. Harper smiled, finding himself oddly eager to see them again. The day just seemed brighter with the girls around.
“You look gorgeous.” Stephanie sighed where she lay on her bed, hugging her pillow.
Drina surveyed herself and thought that she looked like a prostitute on the loose.
“You do not,” Stephanie and Mirabeau said as one, making her scowl and turn to the older woman.
“It’s bad enough her reading me, but you too?” she asked with disgust.
Mirabeau grinned and shrugged. “You’re an open book at the moment. It’s hard not to.”
Drina scowled and turned back to the mirror to sigh at her reflection, but her mind was on the conversation that had taken place in this room earlier in the afternoon. Much to her surprise, once Drina and Stephanie had explained things, Mirabeau had decided they were doing the right thing and had offered to help.
Actually, that had been something of a relief. Drina had found it increasingly difficult not to feel guilty about the head game they were playing with Harper as the day had worn on. But Mirabeau’s assurance
that it was probably the smartest move had made her feel a little better.
Now, however, she stared in the mirror at a woman she hardly recognized and wondered what the hell she was doing.
“This is the style nowadays,” Stephanie assured her, sitting up on the bed, her expression earnest.
“She’s right,” Mirabeau agreed. “This is what they wear at the bars and clubs.”
“So, everyone dresses like prostitutes now? What’s it called? Hooker Chic?” Drina asked dryly, tugging at the low neckline of the black dress she’d somehow been convinced to wear after all.
Mirabeau chuckled at her acerbic words. It was Stephanie who said, “Stop fussing with the neckline. It isn’t that low. You’re just used to more conservative clothes.”
Drina couldn’t argue that point. She’d always been self-conscious at what she considered a too generous chest and so tended toward high necklines or even turtlenecks.
Sighing, she started to turn away from the mirror and immediately paused to peer down at her high heels. “I won’t be able to dance in these.”
“Then kick them off before you step on the dance floor,” Mirabeau suggested. “I’ve seen women do that.”
“Is that the helicopter?” Stephanie asked, suddenly leaping off the bed and hurrying to the window as they became aware of a distant whir. Pulling the curtains aside, she peered out at the sky, and then gave an excited little hop. “It is!”
“Time to go,” Mirabeau said cheerfully, moving to open the bedroom door.
“I hope I don’t have to walk far in these,” Drina muttered, following her.
Releasing the curtains, Stephanie laughed and hurried after them, saying, “At least you won’t have to worry about blisters. The nanos will heal them as quickly as they form.”
Drina didn’t bother to respond; she was too busy worrying about the curving staircase ahead and making it to the ground floor without taking a header. Seriously, she really shouldn’t have bought these shoes or the dress. She should have bought something she would be comfortable in. But who knew Stephanie the great puppet master-cum-cupid, would maneuver Harper into taking her out tonight?