“I’m sorry,” he said, taking a step back. “I didn’t mean to …”
“It’s all right.”
He cupped her cheek in his palm, his eyes filled with an emotion she couldn’t read. “Good night, sweet Sara.”
“Good night.” She watched him walk down the path and get in the Mustang. When he drove away, she let the tears come—tears for what he had lost, for what they might have shared if he had never hunted a monster named Ronan.
Sara was about to shut the door when she noticed several men and women strolling along the sidewalk across the street. It was a sight so unexpected she couldn’t help staring. It was the first time she had seen any of the men in town. She recognized Olivia by her red hair as she passed under a streetlight. The man beside her was tall, with short, dark hair. And likely one of the vampires.
Sara backed away from the door when he looked in her direction. She felt his gaze burning into her. Oh, lordy, she thought, the last thing she wanted was to draw his attention, or that of any of the others.
Pressing a hand to her heart, she closed the door, and slid the dead-bolt home. Did the vampires come out every night after she had gone to bed?
It seemed that everyone else in Susandale, save Overstreet, was a vampire or linked to one. Unless she was mistaken, she was the only person in town who had come here not knowing what she was getting into. And now that she knew? If she was smart, she would pack up and leave town just as fast as she could. And yet … she was reluctant to leave Travis. He was so alone. If she left, he’d have no one. Well, Overstreet would still be here, but for how long?
It was too late to make a decision now, she thought as she smothered a yawn. She’d worry about it in the morning.
After brushing her teeth, she went to bed, only to lay there in the dark staring up at the ceiling. Feeling a little foolish, slipped out of bed and turned on the light in the hall before padding into the kitchen and the living room, turning on the lights as she went.
Returning to her room, she left the door open just enough for the light in the hallway to keep the darkness at bay.
Chapter 11
Olivia tugged on her husband’s hand as they passed Sara’s house. “Do you think she knows about you and the others?”
“Have you said anything?” Jason asked.
“No, of course not!”
“The kids?”
“I don’t think so.”
“It doesn’t matter. She’s no danger to any of us. I’m more worried about that fledgling who rented the house on Third and Main. He’s made no contact with any of us.”
“Have you tried to talk to him?” she asked curiously.
“No, but he seems okay. I’m more interested in that stranger in town.”
“Why? He seems harmless. Winona said he hasn’t done or said anything the least bit suspicious. She said he seems friendly with Sara. Maybe he’s here to see her.”
“Maybe.”
“But you don’t think so?”
“Did Winona get his name?” Jason asked as they returned home.
“Not that I recall.” Standing in the entryway, Olivia sighed as he drew her into his arms.
“I need to go out for a while,” he said. “I won’t be long.”
She nodded. “Be careful.”
“As always. Tomorrow, I want you to go back to Winona’s and see if you can find out anything else about this new guy. And then I want you to go to Sara’s shop and see if you can learn anything else about him, like what he’s doing here.” He ran his tongue along the side of her neck, then kissed her, long and deep. “Will you do that for me, darlin’?”
“You know I will.” How could she not? She loved him with every fiber of her being. When her children were a little older and better able to care for themselves, she intended to ask Jason to turn her so they could be together forever.
Chapter 12
“Olivia, good morning,” Sara said cheerfully. “What can I do for you today?”
“I just came by to thank you for helping Debbie and Luke pick out my birthday present. I love the bubble bath.”
“I was happy to do it. They’re great kids.”
“Thank you. I think so. I was wondering, do you have any gardenia-scented hand lotion?”
Sara nodded. “Right over here.”
Olivia followed her to a shelf on the far side of the room. Jars of face powder and tubes of hand lotion were interspersed with silk plants in a pretty display.
“I think you’ll like this one,” Sara said. Taking a sample bottle from the shelf, she poured a little in Oliva’s hand. “It’s my favorite.”
“I was talking to Winona the other day,” Olivia remarked, rubbing the lotion between her palms. “She said you eat in the café. quite often.”
“I do,” Sara admitted as she replaced the bottle. “I hate cooking for one. Actually, I hate cooking, period. And the food in the café is pretty good.”
“She also said you’ve been meeting a male friend there. Is it serious?”
Sara frowned. Was she talking about Overstreet?
“I’m sorry,” Olivia said quickly. “I shouldn’t pry. I mean, I don’t know you well enough to … I should go,” she exclaimed, and hurried toward the exit.
“Olivia, wait!”
Olivia paused at the door.
“It’s not a secret. I met Mr. Overstreet in Winona’s quite by accident. But I do enjoy his company, since he’s the only friend I have in town.”
Glancing over her shoulder, Olivia ventured a smile. “I hope we can be friends.”
“I’d like that. Do you still want the hand cream?”
“Yes, it smells wonderful. And I’m really sorry for prying into something that’s none of my business.”
“Don’t give it another thought.” Sara rang up the lotion and placed it in a bag, then added a gardenia sachet.
