The Vampire's Mail Order Bride
“Really? What kind of plans?”
“The kind you’re going to need a lot of energy for.”
Two days—actually, two nights—later, Delaney stood beside Hugh’s car, about to take her first nervous steps toward Main Street as a vampire. Where she would mingle with humans.
What a weird thought to get used to.
What wasn’t weird anymore was how sharp her senses were. Even at night, colors seemed oddly bright. She’d imagined Hugh having to live in some dark, muted world without his amulet, but the truth was vampire sight wasn’t like that at all.
Things were crisp and clear and she could see for what seemed like miles. Hugh came up beside her and slid his hand into hers and squeezed. She squeezed back, finding strength in the power and size of her fiancé’s hand. Her fiancé. Now there was a thought that never failed to leave her giddy.
“Everything all right?” he asked.
She nodded, but was already second-guessing herself. “What if I forget and my fangs slip down? What if my eyes glow? Maybe I should wear sunglasses.”
He pressed a reassuring kiss to her lips. “First of all, you’ve practiced, and you can control both of those things very well.”
“And second?”
“Second, this is Nocturne Falls. If you forget and let your guard down, people are going to think you’re pretending to be a vampire.”
“Right. I just feel like I’m wearing a big blinking sign that says ‘Hey, I’m a vampire!’ Which wouldn’t be much of a costume, but—” She took a breath. “Did you know the smell of chocolate increases theta brain waves, which trigger relaxation?”
He put his arm around her waist. “In that case, I know exactly what you need.”
He guided her down Main Street in a familiar direction. “Please tell me we’re going to the Hallowed Bean.”
“We are, but now you’ve ruined the surprise.”
She stuck her hand out and flashed her gorgeous ring. “This is a surprise. A trip to the Hallowed Bean is nice, but doesn’t quite compare.”
“I set a high bar for myself, is that what you’re saying?”
She laughed. “Pretty much. But don’t worry, I don’t expect you to top this.”
He made a strange, throaty chuckle but said nothing else.
They turned onto Black Cat Boulevard and walked toward the Hallowed Bean, but Hugh didn’t cross the street like she’d expected him to. Instead, he stopped them across from the coffee shop and faced her. “Maybe I did set a high bar with that ring, but I’m hoping that you’ll like what I’m about to show you just as much.”
She stared at him curiously. There wasn’t much on this side of the street except an empty storefront with paper over its windows. “What are you up to?”
He grabbed the shop’s door and pulled it open. “Look for yourself.”
Light spilled out. She stuck her head in. The shop was large and empty, its white walls and dark hardwood floors pretty but nondescript. A sofa covered with a drop cloth and a floor lamp were all the furniture it contained. “I still don’t get it.”
He nudged her inside and pulled the door closed. “This was an insurance office, but now it’s all yours, Delaney.”
She began to tremble as the realization of what he was saying came over her. “Do you mean…” Something stuck in her throat.
“Yes. This is your shop to fill with sweets and cookies and cakes and whatever else you want to make.”
Happy tears stung her eyes. A shop of her own. “Are you serious?”
He nodded. “Stanhill told me what my grandmother promised you and how you turned it down for me. There was no way I could let you give up your dream like that.”
With a soft sob, she hugged him, kissing his face and mouth with delirious abandon. “I don’t even know what to say. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
He grinned and held her tight. “I want my wife to be happy.”
“I am. More than I ever thought I could be. And not just because of the shop but because of you. I had no idea stealing someone’s identity could be so rewarding.”
“Yes, well, I don’t think that’s how it usually ends up.” He looked around. “Do whatever you need to fix the place up and make it exactly the way you want it. What are you going to name the place?”
She was about to respond when the shop door opened, and a stern-faced man walked in, his resemblance to Hugh uncanny.
Hugh nodded at him. “Delaney, this is my brother Sebastian.”
So this was Sebastian. He eyed her like she was a dangerous thing to be wary of. “Hmph. You’re the one my brother’s ruining his life for.”
“Sebastian.” Hugh’s voice held a warning.
“Just a joke.” But Sebastian’s tone was less than convincing. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“I can tell by the way you’re all smiles.” Delaney didn’t bother to offer to shake his hand. He didn’t look like he’d take her up on it anyway. She let it slide considering she knew he’d been part of the crew that had rescued her from Fat Eddie and his gang.
Hugh held a hand up. “You two need to find some common ground. You’re going to be working together. Delaney, Sebastian handles the finances for the family. I’ve already told him you’re to have our full resources at your disposal to get things started.”