Page 35 of Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part One

“Well…”

“What do these things have in common? Loaded gun in a room full of drunk teenagers. Unsocialized Rottweiler. Live electrical cords in the bath water. Vampires serving tea to humans.”

“Rita. I understand your concern, but I have this under control.”

“No, you don’t. You must not have noticed the way she looked at me.”

“How did she look at you?”

“Like dinner!”

“Are you exaggerating again?”

I narrowed my eyes. “What do you meanagain?” By golly, I was not being hyperbolic.

He looked toward the door she’d gone through. “In that case, we may need a reinforcing chat about how we conduct ourselves.”

“Are you sure she’s safe to have around your friends and neighbors?” I pressed. “Especially those of us who have few, if any, defenses.”

“I thought so. If I’m not thoroughly convinced of that after questioning her, she’ll be gone long before the ball.”

“I don’t want to be unkind and get anybody fired,” I said, lying through my teeth.

“Of course. I know.”

“But I have a grandchild on the way.”

He smiled. “That must be quite nice.”

I suddenly felt very insensitive. “Did you want children?”

“Since it became clear early on that wasn’t to be my fate, I never gave much thought as to whether I did or did not want children.”

“Of course. I’m sorry if that question was too personal.”

“Nonsense.” He smiled and patted my hand. “Let there be no apologies between us.”

That sounded like a goodLove Storypolicy so long as we all keep our fangs to ourselves.

“So, I’m thinking blue,” he mused.

“Blue, um, what?”

“Blue for the party theme. Gentlemen will wear black tie. Ladies will wear midnight blue. Midnight blue is very romantic. And that’s the theme. Romance.” Only a vampire might think the theme of a Halloween party should be romance. “We’ll take after dinner drinks on the terrace so that we can all appreciate this timely astronomical phenomenon. The rise of the moon can be perfectly seen from there at just before ten.”

“I love the idea,” I said, already planning how I would wear midnight blue. “One thing.”

“Yes?”

“It’s rather cool after dark these days.”

He nodded. “It is.” Then grinned. “But who doesn’t have coats?”

“Well…”

“I could have some extra outerwear on hand if it’s a real concern.”

“It’s more than after dinner drinks.”