The Vampire's Mail Order Bride

“Ugh, no, I hate them. They’re chalky, flavorless discs of…chalk. I just didn’t want that woman to win the argument. Don’t worry, I’ll pay you back.”

A burst of laughter tore out of Hugh. When he caught his breath, he just shook his head. “You’re a madwoman. I can’t adequately express how entertaining you are.” He hefted the bag. “Best money I ever spent, so don’t even think about paying me back, but what are you going to do with all of these dreadful things?”

She held out her hand for the bag. “Every day is Halloween, right?”

“Right.” He gave her the bag.

Two little girls dressed as whatever Disney princesses were currently the rage came toward them, their parents in tow. Annabelle crouched down. “Are you Elsa and Anna?”

Shyly, but smiling, they nodded. “We are.”

“Your dresses are beautiful,” Annabelle cooed. “Do you have treat bags?” They did. Every child in Nocturne Falls did. They held them up. Annabelle added a generous handful of Neccos to each one. “Happy Halloween,” she said.

Then she linked her arm through Hugh’s. “I’ll have these gone before we hit the end of the street.”

Delaney was shocked by how much the owner of the candy store’s treatment of Hugh had bothered her, but handing out the candy and seeing the kids’ faces light up was fun. Getting rid of the candy and being able to hold on to Hugh without being interrupted was even better. His hand was tucked in his pocket and her arm was laced through his. The connection was surprisingly easy and oddly comforting. Whether or not he felt the same, she couldn’t tell, but he’d made no move to change it. Either way, she felt safe with him around. Not that she was in any danger here.

“Piper was your ex, I take it?”

He nodded. “Yes.” Then he changed the subject. “You’re really good with children. Actually, you’re good with people in general.”

“Thanks. I like people.” Him included, which was almost worrying her. “Speaking of, why doesn’t Vicky like you?”

“Long story.”

“I have twenty-nine days left. If you can’t tell it in that amount of time, I don’t want to hear it.”

He smiled. “Perhaps it’s not that long. Her family refused to sell when my family was buying up the town. She’s still bitter even though it was ages ago and she wasn’t even born yet.”

“She resents your money and your influence, despite the fact that without your family’s intervention, she wouldn’t have a business to run.”

“Pretty much.”

Delaney sighed. “People like that wear me out.”

“You never did get your dessert, you know.” He glanced down at her. “Would you like something sweet?”

“Always.”

“What would you like?”

She almost said a kiss. Where that had come from, she had no idea. Her pulse jumped at the freshness of her own thoughts. “Chocolate is always good. Unless you’re in the mood for something different?”

The wicked glinted in his eyes lasted for half a second, then he looked down the street. “There’s a great little coffee shop just down the way. They have biscuits, er, cookies and little cakes and such, too.”

“Homemade?”

“Homemade.”

“Let’s go.”

Two blocks down, they turned onto Black Cat Boulevard and found the coffee shop on the side street.

“The Hallowed Bean?” She laughed. “You guys really take this Halloween thing seriously, don’t you?”

He shrugged as he opened the door for her. “As they say at the chamber of commerce meetings, Ween sells.”

“Please tell me they don’t really say that.”

“Sadly, they do.”

She stepped inside, the delicious smell of roasting coffee and fresh-baked goods welcoming her with open arms. “I already love this place.”

He nodded at the one open table. “Why don’t you grab that spot, and I’ll take care of ordering. What would you like?”

She thought for a moment. “Surprise me.” He ought to know what the best stuff was, right?

“Oh, good. No pressure.” He got in line.

“You asked.” She wound through the other tables to snag the one in the corner. It was a prime spot, well suited for people watching. One very handsome person in particular.

Hugh.

Talking to him and being around him was getting easier by the second. She might not be his intended match, but she couldn’t imagine why any woman wouldn’t enjoy his company.

That proved itself out when he got up to the cashier. She greeted him with a big smile and small talk before taking his order. He was obviously well known. Kind of like Nocturne Falls royalty, she imagined. When the woman handed his change back, her hand lingered on his a second longer than necessary.

So maybe not royalty so much as the most eligible bachelor. That raised a lot of questions. Like why he wasn’t already married.

He approached the table with a small tray, setting it down between them before taking his seat. “Let’s see if I got this right.” He picked the short cup off the tray and put it in front of her. “Drinking chocolate. Very strong, very rich.”

She waggled her head and did her best imitation of Mae West. “That’s how I like my men.”

The side of his mouth quirked up in a smile. “I hope you feel the same way about your brownies.” He slid the only plate on the tray off to her side. “Espresso cherry brownie. This combo is known as death by chocolate.”