Page 6 of Big Enough to Bite (Harmony Glen #3)

Chapter Six

Sam

W hen Mari came back to bed last night, it was the most gratifying moment of my life. We made love until we were both exhausted. I fell asleep with her in my arms.

Waking up alone was not as wonderful. It’s not surprising. She has a lot of her past to deal with. I’m sure she never counted on me when she came to Harmony Glen. Still, I wish she were lying beside me.

I don’t stew about it. Once I’m washed, dressed, and have had a giant-sized breakfast, I get in my truck and drive to her house.

My instinct tells me not to bother with knocking on the front door. I round to the backyard and find her sitting cross-legged on a blanket in the center of what will eventually be her meditation tower.

The light breeze blows her loose curls, which nearly touch the ground. While her back is straight, there’s a sense of relaxation about her that I’ve not seen before.

“You’re angry that I left without saying goodbye.” Her voice is soft yet firm, devoid of emotion.

I step closer without invading her space. “Not angry. No. I’ll admit, I would have liked to find you in my arms this morning, but it’s not serious for me to be disappointed, Mari.”

“You’re almost too good to be true, Sam. When will you show your true colors?” She rises in one smooth motion and faces me.

The fact that she’s been hurt is evident in most of what she does and says. I’m honored that for a short time last night, she trusted me. “What will it take to prove to you that I am what you see?”

Her stare is meant to discomfort me, but after a moment, she shakes her head. “Why did you come here if not to scold me for running out in the night?”

“We’re going to the farmer’s market.” I’m not too proud to admit her shocked expression is gratifying.

The sun breaches the dense trees behind the cemetery. She walks toward the house. “What do you want from me?”

I follow. “For the moment, I want to take you out in public and show you a place I enjoy on Saturday mornings.”

With her hand on the handle of the French doors, she stops. Her shoulders slump. “I’m really not worth all this trouble, Sam.”

Closing the distance, I put myself between her and the rising sun. I wrap my arms around her. “You are. From the first moment I saw you, I wanted you.”

“And now you’ve had me. Let that be enough.” She pulls away and opens the door.

“I want more than sex, Mari. Is that so hard for you to believe? Did Pierre rob you of any hope for affection? Why do you give him so much space in your life all these years later?” It’s too harsh, but I don’t want her to close the door.

If she shuts me out, I’ll spend a long time looking for a way back into her good graces.

“You can’t possibly understand.” Pain etches a line between her eyes.

“Is he even still alive? Maybe someone plunged a stake through his heart and he burst into flames twenty years ago.” Unable to hold in the grin, I let a laugh escape.

“That’s not funny.” She holds her smile at bay. “Pierre is still alive. If he were dead, I’d feel it.” She sighs and presses her fist to the center of her chest.

The doorway is small for me. I open the other side and duck inside. “Come to the farm market. Meet some people. It will be fun.”

Doubt twists her beautiful lips. “I’ll come with you. You’ll see that public places are not good for me. Then you’ll stop asking me. Vampires are predators. Everyone senses it and will shun me.”

“This is Harmony Glen,” I say with more confidence than I feel. “Humans and monsters live side by side here, some even closer than that. It’s going to be fine.” I hope I’m right.

As soon as I’ve parked my truck, which takes up two spaces, Mari moves to pull her black lace veil over her face. Her skin is warmer and pinker than it was before last night. I like the idea that my blood revitalized her.

“You look very pretty.” I hop out and round the truck to open the door for her.

Her gaze never leaves me. She stares through the sun-shielding lace. “I look well fed.” The hint of a smile tugs at her full lips, but she steels her expression too quickly.

“Then my blood appeals to you?” I’m fishing, but I can’t help it. I long for her approval.

She turns in her seat so that her knees touch my midsection where I’m leaning in the open truck door. “You already know I like the taste of you. You already know I’m aroused by you. Why are you looking for me to admit it?”

Even through jeans, the coolness of her skin reaches me.

I cup her knees in my hands and press them apart.

Thrilled that she doesn’t fight, I lean in and kiss her cheek through the veil.

“Words have power. I long for all of yours, at least where they concern you and me and what we might have together.”

She lets out a long breath. “We have now. Nothing more.”

“If we string enough nows together, we have a lifetime.” Not waiting for her to deny or scold, I wrap my hands around her waist and ease her from the truck.

Aside from the veil covering her face, she looks almost human in jeans and a black shirt.

The lace sleeves reach her wrists, and matching lace gloves cover her hands.

Even covered from head to toe, she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

Taking her hand in mine, I walk us toward the Harmony Market.

“This is nice.” She looks at all the local and seasonal items.

“A troll named Ogram owns the farm and market. He’s not much for being around people.

You’d like him.” I laugh at my joke, and it’s gratifying when she smiles.

“He has a way with growing things. Sometimes we trade my foraged mushrooms and fiddlehead ferns for herbs. He’s a good guy, and he likes his privacy. ”

I walk through, picking up some spring peas and other items while keeping one eye on Mari as she examines everything. For a creature who doesn’t need food for sustenance, she’s very curious about it all.

After a very brief hello and goodbye with Ogram while I paid him, I lost sight of Mari—my heart pounds, wondering if she’s left me again.

However, I find her standing outside in the shade of the farm stand, leaning against the outside wall.

She’s watching all the people drive up and say hello to friends and neighbors. There’s a sad look in her eyes.

Rather than draw her attention, I stay in the opening and watch her. There’s longing for what she lost, and I suddenly want to know who she was before Pierre made her a monster.

“Mommy, look.” A little girl with strawberry-blonde hair in pigtails tugs her mother’s arm and points at Mari. “Can I ask her?”

I blanch at someone, even a child, pointing at a monster as if they’re a spectacle.

I’ve seen the woman before. Lori Manning is a secretary at the sheriff’s office. She has twin daughters.

I’m about to say something about the pointing when Lori smiles and takes both twins by the hands. She walks directly to Mari. “Forgive Dotty for pointing. She’s just excited to have the chance to meet you.”

Mari looks from the mother to the child.

The other twin hides shyly behind her mother, but Dotty looks Mari in the eyes and says, “I’m sorry, Miss Shepherd. It’s only that I want so badly to learn how to play piano and sing, and we hear you all the time when we pass your house. I wanted my mommy to let me ask you if you give lessons.”

Giving both children a long look, Mari smiles. Her fangs are showing, and yet, the Mannings seem unaffected. “You are forgiven for the pointing, Dorothy. What is your sister’s name?”

Bright and happy, Dotty says, “Livi is shy. She really wants to learn to play piano too. She’s just afraid to ask.”

Mari studies the family. She holds out her hand to Lori. “Mari Shepherd, and you are?”

“Lori Manning. It’s nice to meet you.” Lori shakes her hand. “We live down the street from you and hear your music daily. It’s the highlight of the girls’ day.” She blushes. “And mine as well. We’d never heard anything so beautiful before. Are you an opera singer?”

“I was a long time ago. Thank you for the compliment.” She studies Livi. “Is it true that you’d like to know how to play piano?”

Peeking around her mother’s back, Livi nods. “Yes, ma’am.”

“But not sing?” Mari raises an eyebrow.

“I’m too afraid to sing in front of anyone.” Despite her fear, Livi steps out from behind her mother.

“I might be willing to teach. I hadn’t thought about it since recently.” After studying the girls, she looks at Lori. “Wouldn’t you be afraid to leave them with me?”

Lori blushes. “Creatures and humans who come to Harmony Glen usually want to be part of the community. I know you’re a vampire.

I assume you’d keep them safe. Perhaps you’d let me sit in on the first few lessons.

” She stumbles on the next words. “I, I can’t pay much.

I’m a single mother.” The shame that she might disappoint her daughters rushes to her redhead cheeks and makes her ruddy from her forehead to her chest.

Cocking her head causes Mari’s veil to shift and catch the breeze.

She pulls it back into place with her quick hands.

The movement is a blur. “You may attend the lessons. We shall try it for a couple of weeks and see if Olivia and Dorothy have a true interest. Then we can discuss payment. I’m certain the cost will be within your means, Lori. ”

All three stare with their mouths open. Lori recovers first. “Thank you, Miss Shepherd.”

“Mari.” Her smile is warm and inviting. If she wanted to terrorize humans, it would be easy for her to lure them in. “Bring them on Tuesday. What is a convenient time for you?”

“I don’t get off work until four. Can I bring them at four thirty?” Apology rings in Lori’s voice.

“That will be perfect.”

The girls both hoot and jump around as if it’s Christmas morning, and they've just received the best gift ever.

Lori thanks Mari and herds her daughters inside the market.

I let out a long breath. Stepping next to her, I take her hand. “That was nice. Those girls looked ready to burst with joy.”

“I can’t believe any of the three of them wanted to come anywhere near me.” She pushes away from the wall and looks around at the mist rising off the very green views. “It’s even prettier here than I imagined.”

“How about if I take you to see some even better views?”

“You’re determined to woo me?” She meets my gaze, and her dark eyes are magnetic.

“Very much so. I’ve never met anyone, monster or human, who intrigued me like you do.” I lift her hand and lean down to kiss her lace-covered fingers.

“I suppose a Sunday drive never hurt anyone.” She swings our arms as we walk to my truck.

I wonder if she even realizes she’s happy.