by Jane Jamison
“I hope you’ll still think so when I ask you that question.”
“I’m sure I will, but go on. Spit it out.”
Sunshine blew a strand of blonde hair away from her face. “I came here to find a real vampire. Do you know any vampires?”
At first, Hillary didn’t answer. Instead, she frowned again, irritation flaming in her gray eyes. “Are you serious? Do I know any vampires?”
“Yeah. I want to know.” She took Hillary’s arm when she tried to go back to the sidewalk. “No, Hillary, please wait. I don’t want to hurt them. In fact, I’m hoping I can help them.”
“There is no such thing as a vampire. What’s next? Would you like me to point out a werewolf?”
Why hadn’t she thought of it? After all, it made sense. If vampires truly existed, then why not werewolves? But she had to stay on track. “No, thank you. Just a vampire. You see, I have a friend who is a freaking genius and he thinks people become vampires because of a virus spread through bites.”
“A virus? So your genius friend thinks vampirism is a virus like a cold or the flu?”
“Exactly.”
She’s not laughing at me or denying that vampires exist. Hell, she didn’t even seem surprised by the question.
Hillary crossed her arms and scowled. “If that’s true, then your friend is either pranking you or he’s as dumb as dirt. There are no such things as vampires.”
Well, shit.
She’d had such big hopes that Hillary would tell her the truth, but all that was dashed now. “Please, Hillary. You can trust me. All I want to do is to help. If you know a vampire, then you’d be doing something wonderful for them. They could be human again. Please, please tell me.” She kept talking, hoping that the more she said, the likelier it was that Hillary would help her.
And it turned out that she was right. But she didn’t think it was because Hillary believed a word she was saying. Instead, Hillary’s irritation had grown to out-and-out anger.
“Fine. If it’ll get you to stop pestering me, then I’ll show you a vampire.”
Say what? Seriously? Or is she making fun of me?
Sunshine started to say as much then found Hillary’s finger pointed at her nose. She shut her mouth.
“But you better remember this, Sunshine Lorner. I’m warning you. Don’t go blaming me if something bad happens to you.”
She was speechless. For whatever reason, she hadn’t even thought about what a vampire might do to her. But she couldn’t believe they’d harm her. Not once they knew why she’d come to town. Why would they hurt her when she was going to help save them? “I won’t. You are totally cleared of any responsibility. Please, tell me. Do you see one right now?”
Hillary closed her eyes then opened them. “I’m doing this against my better judgment. But maybe…” She scowled at Sunshine. “Maybe you’re here for a reason other than the reason you think.” Her jaw clenched as she turned toward the people strolling down the sidewalk. She lifted her arm and pointed. “There. That’s your vampire.”
Chapter Two
I am so going to catch it from Jack.
Hillary didn’t have time to second-guess her impulsive decision. Even as she reached out to grab Sunshine’s arm, the girl was already hightailing it across the street, heading straight for Jack Granger. She groaned when Sunshine dashed in front of Jack and held up her hand like a stop sign.
“I’m so sorry, Jack,” she muttered. She’d messed up, but, damn it, the girl could be incredibly exasperating. Not that Sunshine had bugged her that long, but the girl had a way of getting under her skin. Somehow she’d known that Sunshine would keep on and on and on until she finally gave in. Why not save herself the irritation?
Besides, I have a feeling they’re going to get along.
Jack tilted his head at Sunshine, obviously listening to whatever she was saying. Hillary had been known to do a little matchmaking in the past, and as she studied them, she started to smile.
Yeah, they might be a good match. Of course, she’ll have to want Hank and Dade, too. Those boys aren’t about to break up their trio for a woman. I don’t have anything to feel guilty about. In fact, those boys might be thanking me soon enough.
Yet when Jack lifted his gaze to her, Hillary let out a little squeal, whirled around, and hurriedly walked in the other direction. Jack Granger and his friends, Hank Challenger and Dade Weil, were good guys, but even the nicest of vampires had their breaking point.
A mad vampire is a bad vampire.
She didn’t dare look back to find out just how angry Jack was.
* * * *
Jack tilted his head at the pretty blonde woman. At first, he didn’t clue in to what she was saying. It was enough to study her and drink in her beauty. Her golden hair shone like melted butter in the sunlight. Her big blue eyes were like oceans he could dive into, swim to the bottom, and find her very soul. Large breasts strained the fabric valiantly covering them, and he couldn’t help but wish a tear would suddenly appear. Her body wasn’t traditionally sexy, but he loved curvy girls. Some people might call her “fat,” but he thought of her as “luscious.”
He licked his lips then was aware of what he’d done and straightened to his full height. His six feet six inches towered above her, and he guessed she was probably around five feet seven. That was taller than a lot of women, but it still couldn’t compete with his height.
She was talking about something to do with a cure? Did he look ill?
“I’m telling you the truth. My friend, Walter, is a bonafide genius. If he says he can find a cure, then he’ll find a cure. You can take that to the bank.”
He finally had to grab hold of her arms to startle her into shutting up. “Slow the hell down.” People were beginning to notice the two of them standing in the middle of the street. “Come with me.”
She didn’t resist when he took her hand and led her toward The Silver Spur. Not many people would be inside the bar mid-day, so they’d have a quiet place to talk. Providing, of course, that he’d be able to get a word in edgewise.
He plopped her onto the seat in a booth toward the far side of the bar. Tilly Vampussen, the bartender, gave him a questioning look, silently asking him if he wanted a beer. He shook his head, and she returned his answer with a curious look. Thankfully, Tilly wasn’t the type to get too curious and would leave them alone. The only other people inside were seated at the bar. They twisted around to glance their way then twisted back to studiously ignore them.
“Okay. This time talk slower. You were going a mile a minute out there. Take a deep breath then start with your name.” He resisted the urge to grin at her. She was so excited he wanted to be excited along with her. For her.
She drew in a long breath and—oh—didn’t that make her chest even sexier. He settled back, sensing that whatever she had to say would be amazing.
“Okay. Sorry. I didn’t mean to almost attack you.”
“It’s okay. I can think of a whole lot of other people I wouldn’t want to attack me.” He did smile now—a little. “Besides, I think I could take you.”
Her smile was as sexy as the rest of her. “I’m sure you could. Anyway, my name is Sunshine Lorner, and I’m here to help you.”
“To help me?” He wasn’t sure how she could help him in any way, but he wouldn’t mind her trying. “Are you sure you’ve got the right man? I’m Jack Granger. I own the Ragin’ Waters Ranch along with Dade Weil and Hank Challenger.”
“Seriously? His name is Challenger? It sounds like a romance hero’s name.”
He’d heard the same thing from others. Knew, in fact, how much it would’ve irritated Hank to hear her say it. Yet instead of saying so, he cocked his eyebrow up and asked, “Seriously? Your name is Sunshine? It sounds like a hippie’s name.”
“Good one.” She laughed, and he was sure the sound had entranced him as surely as the call of a siren. He was also certain his day—hell, maybe even his life—had changed the moment she’d accosted him in the m
iddle of the street.
Could she be the right one for us?
Both his head and his cock were telling him she was. Lust for her spread through him like lightning fire. The sexual attraction was there, but she was also intriguing. He had a feeling they could share long talks at night on just about any subject and never bore him.
“Anyway, did you hear anything I said outside?”
“Nope.” He held back the fact that he’d been too busy studying her to listen. Had she said something about his being a vampire? And that Hillary had told her? That was when he’d looked at Hillary. Judging from the way she’d taken off, Hillary had told her. But why would Hillary do that? The people of Lost, human and otherwise, tried to keep a low profile. Yet Hillary had told a stranger what he was.
She’s trying to play matchmaker again. One of these days, Hillary’s going to screw up and cause a lot of trouble for a lot of people.
His gaze met hers.
But maybe this time she was right. Thanks, Hillary.
“Um, are you not listening to me again?”
He cleared his throat. “Sorry. Don’t know where my head is today.” Yet he knew, all right. It was stuck on how hot Sunshine was. Like the sunshine she was. She could heat up any day. “Go on.”
Irritation knotted her brow then was gone as her excitement took over again. “Anyway, like I said, Walter thinks he can find a cure for vampirism. All we need is to find a vampire to test it on.” She sat back as though telling him had exhausted her. “I can’t believe I found a vampire so fast and easy. Thanks to Hillary, of course.”
Now he wished he hadn’t listened after all. “A cure for vampirism? Are you shitting me?”
She heard the tone in his voice and slumped, losing some of her enthusiasm. “No. I’m not shitting you. I mean, you are a vampire, right? Hillary said so.”
He was stuck. Either he lied to her or he told her the truth. He was fucked if he did either one. Still, he knew what his friends would say if he told her the truth. “So because one person says I’m a vampire, you’re willing to believe it. Are you a relative of Hillary’s?”
“No. I just met her last night. I’m staying at her place.”
“Oh. So you’re going to take the word of a woman you just met?” He chuckled, hating that he had to make fun of her. But he couldn’t let her go on believing he was, well, what he was. “Have you met other people who have pointed out a werewolf? Or maybe a troll?”
“You’re making fun of me.” She crossed her arms, plumping her breasts.
“No, I’m not.” But he couldn’t lie that blatantly. “Okay, I am. But only a little.” He hated to see the curve of her mouth slide downward. “Come on, Sunshine. You’ve got to admit how farfetched this is. A vampire? In a small Colorado town?” He snorted, despising himself for lying. But he had no other choice.
She straightened up, determination etched in her expression. “So you’re calling Hillary a liar. She didn’t seem like a liar to me.”
Shit to hell and back. This is going to get back to Hillary.
“I’m saying Hillary was funnin’ with you. You know. Kind of a prank to welcome you to town. She’s not the one who offered the information, is she? Or were you trying to get her to show you a vampire?” Her eyes clouded, and he knew he’d guess correctly.
“Yeah, well, so what? You’re still a vampire.” She reeked of disappointment. “Aren’t you?”
“No, Sunshine. I’m not.” He wanted to tell her. Ached, in fact, to tell her. Then, once she knew, he’d sweep her off her feet, throw her in his pickup, and haul her sweet round ass out to the ranch. “Think about it. Did I burn up in the sunlight?”
“No, but…”
He smiled bigger, showing his teeth. “Do you see any fangs?”
Dejected-looking, she shook her head.
He lifted his hand high to pass over the mirror on the wall behind the booth. “Can you see my hand?”
She let out a big sigh, once more making him drop his gaze to her bountiful chest. He jerked his gaze up fast.
“So you’re really not a vampire?”
“No, babe, I’m not.”
She scowled, but even that couldn’t make her face less appealing. “Please don’t call me babe.”
“Why not?” Besides, you are a babe.
“Because it makes me sound like a blonde air-head. And trust me. I’m no air-head.”
“Got it. No babe.” He paused then added, “At least for now.”
She lightened up. “So do you know any vampires?”
He laughed, loud enough to draw Tilly’s attention. “Do you really think that if vampires existed that you could just walk up to one and ask him if he’s a vampire?”
She shrugged. “Obviously, I do because I just did.”
“I told you. I’m not a vampire.” He motioned for Tilly to bring two beers. If Sunshine didn’t drink hers, he’d drink it. “Why do you think vampires exist?”
“I’ve done a lot of research. What I’ve found tells me that they do. There’s a lot of evidence when you’re looking for it.”
He waited for Tilly to set the beers in front of them then handed her a twenty. “Keep the change.” After waiting for Tilly to leave, he said, “Sunshine, you’re a smart girl. Anyone who looks into your eyes can tell that. You’ve got to know that you can’t believe the crap you find on the Internet. You can’t believe half of what you’ve heard and, sometimes, not even what you’ve seen.”
“Have you ever seen a vampire?”
She was persistent, that was for sure. He opted to veer the discussion in a different way. “Okay, let’s assume that you’re right and that vampires exist. And that they became vampires because they caught a virus. What makes you think they want to get cured? Maybe they like being vampires.”
“Are you kidding? Why would anyone want to sleep in a coffin and drink blood? Anyone who used to be human would hate that kind of life.”
“Everything you mentioned could be wrong, you know. Vampires could be leading normal lives, eating real food, and sleeping in soft beds. Like I said, you can’t believe everything you read.”
She shook her head, determined to be right. “Uh-uh. I know I’m right.”
“But what if you’re wrong? What if a vampire liked being a vampire?” He leaned forward, enjoying their conversation. “What about having the ability to compel someone to do what you want them to do? What about super-human strength? Or maybe even the power to turn into a bat and fly? Wouldn’t it be amazing to do those things?” The last one, of course, was bullshit, but he’d had to throw it in, anyway.
“I don’t know. Maybe. But at the cost of not being human?” She sipped her beer then shook her head again. “Nope. I can’t see it. If I were a vampire, I’d want to be human again and have a good life.”
He wanted to tell her that his life was not only good but terrific now that he’d met her. He wanted to tell her that he wouldn’t trade being a vampire for anything in the world.
Except one. If she’s the one and she asked me to become human again, I would.
The realization stunned him. He took a long drink to shake it off. “What if you and your friend are wrong? What if everyone would want to become a vampire if they could?”
“Don’t be silly. No one would want that.”
She had so much to learn, but he was happy that he’d be the one to teach her. Still, he had to change the subject. Lying to her was giving him a knot in his gut. “What do you do for a living, Sunshine? Don’t tell me you’re a vampire hunter.” He cast her a suspicious look. “Is your real name Buffy?”
She laughed, the sound ringing like church bells on Christmas morning. “I know my name is strange, but you had it kind of right. My parents are the hippies, not me. And as far as working, I’m kind of between jobs.”
So she wasn’t tied down to a job. That was good. “Is there a Mr. Sunshine?”
“Uh-uh. No way. I’m not the type to get married.” She glanced down as though suddenly sh
y.
She’s lying. She wants love, but she doesn’t think she’ll ever find it.
“I get that. I do.” He went for broke. “Are you the type who likes to ride horses? See a ranch?”
Sitting up, she brightened. “I’ve never ridden a horse, but I’d love to try it. And I’d love to see a real working ranch.” She smiled even bigger. “So are you going to invite me to see your ranch, Mr. Granger?”
“If I do, will you come, Ms. Lorner?”
She took a sip as though giving herself time to consider his invitation. Yet he knew her answer. He could smell the sweet wetness between her legs. She was turned on.
“Sure. Why the hell not?”
He tried to keep from whooping it up then got to his feet. “Yeah. Why the hell not? Tell you what. You ask Hillary for the directions, okay?”
“Okay.” She stayed where she was.
“Oh, and when you do, tell her thanks.”
“Thanks for what?” Her tongue flicked over her upper lip, gathering the line of beer foam left behind from her last drink.
“She’ll know. See you tomorrow, Sunshine. Around noon?” He tipped his cowboy hat and pivoted around to head for the door.
* * * *
“You have lost your ever-lovin’ mind, Jack.” Hank glared at his friend. “We’ve got several heads down with a fuckin’ illness, a hole in the barn roof to mend, and you go inviting guests out to the ranch.”
Not that anything he said would bother Jack, who was stretched out on the couch, his attention focused squarely on the game. Only his fingers over the game controller showed any real signs of life as he did his best to beat Dade.
“What’s the problem? I met her, and I’m telling you we can’t let this one pass.” Jack’s gaze flitted to Hank then back to the television where the war game continued to go on.
“Man, she must be something for you to get her all the way out here. And on her own, at that.” Dade, his dark blond hair falling into his face, was as mesmerized by the game as Jack. He supported his elbows on his knees as his fingers did the flying.