for more information and memories about her recovery from losing her hearing, Colin closed the mental connection, resisting the urge to apologize for the intrusion. She’d never realize he heard her thoughts, and he had no intention of invading her mind without her knowledge again. Even if it was easier.
Something about her demanded his respect. Learning how she did it would take longer than he’d anticipated. He’d need to actually get to know her.
And a larger part of him than he wanted to admit looked forward to it.
Benedict turned the corner to the flower shop and froze when he looked in the window. Juliana was not alone. Colin, the Night Walker, stood at the counter, chatting. The Mayan bastard had returned to the island. Did he know Benedict was reclaiming this territory?
Not that it mattered. He’d fed on enough human lives now to replenish his strength. He could face the Night Walker, and this time, he would be the victor.
He wondered what led the night Walker to this flower shop—coincidence or fate?
Benedict chose to believe fate. Finally the injustice brought about by the Night Walker would be righted. Watching through the window, he remained hidden. For now, he would bide his time. Clarity would come, and fate’s plan would reveal itself.
Eventually.
And he had all the time in the world.
She untied her apron and stowed it under the counter. When she straightened, Colin was running his fingers along the edges of her paper flowers.
“These are amazing.”
Grabbing her pen, she jotted, They’re immortal.
He jolted upright after reading her words, confusion lining his face. “Come again?”
The color will fade eventually, but these flowers never wilt or die. Immortal.
He chuckled, relaxing. “I can relate to the fading part.”
She rolled her eyes. Oh please, you look plenty vibrant.
For a moment, sadness shadowed his features. He moved toward the door, and she waited. Often people forgot that if they turned away from her, lip reading became impossible. He glanced back, realization dawning. “Bugger me.” He shook his head. “Forgive me. I asked if you were hungry.”
Juliana nodded, hoping her stomach wasn’t grumbling in answer for her.
“Shall we walk to the Bridled Pony?”
She cringed. No. Muriel would never leave us alone. She smiled and added to her note. I know a quiet place not far from here. They have wonderful shepherd’s pie.
“Lead the way.”
She locked up the store and walked alongside Colin, enjoying the crisp night air. Normally, she kept a brisk pace. The café was just a couple of blocks away, a quick trip on foot, but having Colin this close made her hyperaware of every step, slowing her. It was probably best she couldn’t write and walk at the same time or she’d be scribbling all kinds of meaningless notes.
The lights of the café beckoned across the street. Juliana checked for traffic. Since she’d lost her hearing, watching for cars and trucks was drilled into her by her entire family. Now it was automatic. But the moment she stepped out, Colin’s hand brushed her lower back, guiding her as he kept pace, definitely not something she was used to.
Her pulse jumped at his steadying touch before her brain kicked in. He was being polite. He’d been raised well. It didn’t mean anything. Colin opened the door and followed her inside. She did her best not to notice the moment his hand left her back. Instead, she reminded herself that she still didn’t know why Colin was pursuing her.
And she intended to find out.
The hostess recognized Juliana and grinned. “Your table is open in the corner.”
Juliana nodded, walking to the familiar table. Usually she ate alone, and sitting with her back to the corner gave her a perfect view of the room. No one could startle her from behind that way. She took her usual chair, and Colin sat across from her.
She pulled out her pad. I know you own Sea Haven, and Bartley speaks highly of you, but I’m
Something about her demanded his respect. Learning how she did it would take longer than he’d anticipated. He’d need to actually get to know her.
And a larger part of him than he wanted to admit looked forward to it.
Benedict turned the corner to the flower shop and froze when he looked in the window. Juliana was not alone. Colin, the Night Walker, stood at the counter, chatting. The Mayan bastard had returned to the island. Did he know Benedict was reclaiming this territory?
Not that it mattered. He’d fed on enough human lives now to replenish his strength. He could face the Night Walker, and this time, he would be the victor.
He wondered what led the night Walker to this flower shop—coincidence or fate?
Benedict chose to believe fate. Finally the injustice brought about by the Night Walker would be righted. Watching through the window, he remained hidden. For now, he would bide his time. Clarity would come, and fate’s plan would reveal itself.
Eventually.
And he had all the time in the world.
She untied her apron and stowed it under the counter. When she straightened, Colin was running his fingers along the edges of her paper flowers.
“These are amazing.”
Grabbing her pen, she jotted, They’re immortal.
He jolted upright after reading her words, confusion lining his face. “Come again?”
The color will fade eventually, but these flowers never wilt or die. Immortal.
He chuckled, relaxing. “I can relate to the fading part.”
She rolled her eyes. Oh please, you look plenty vibrant.
For a moment, sadness shadowed his features. He moved toward the door, and she waited. Often people forgot that if they turned away from her, lip reading became impossible. He glanced back, realization dawning. “Bugger me.” He shook his head. “Forgive me. I asked if you were hungry.”
Juliana nodded, hoping her stomach wasn’t grumbling in answer for her.
“Shall we walk to the Bridled Pony?”
She cringed. No. Muriel would never leave us alone. She smiled and added to her note. I know a quiet place not far from here. They have wonderful shepherd’s pie.
“Lead the way.”
She locked up the store and walked alongside Colin, enjoying the crisp night air. Normally, she kept a brisk pace. The café was just a couple of blocks away, a quick trip on foot, but having Colin this close made her hyperaware of every step, slowing her. It was probably best she couldn’t write and walk at the same time or she’d be scribbling all kinds of meaningless notes.
The lights of the café beckoned across the street. Juliana checked for traffic. Since she’d lost her hearing, watching for cars and trucks was drilled into her by her entire family. Now it was automatic. But the moment she stepped out, Colin’s hand brushed her lower back, guiding her as he kept pace, definitely not something she was used to.
Her pulse jumped at his steadying touch before her brain kicked in. He was being polite. He’d been raised well. It didn’t mean anything. Colin opened the door and followed her inside. She did her best not to notice the moment his hand left her back. Instead, she reminded herself that she still didn’t know why Colin was pursuing her.
And she intended to find out.
The hostess recognized Juliana and grinned. “Your table is open in the corner.”
Juliana nodded, walking to the familiar table. Usually she ate alone, and sitting with her back to the corner gave her a perfect view of the room. No one could startle her from behind that way. She took her usual chair, and Colin sat across from her.
She pulled out her pad. I know you own Sea Haven, and Bartley speaks highly of you, but I’m
Similar Books
The Red Men
Matthew De Abaitua
Demigods and Monsters
Rick Riordan
Hole in the wall
L.M. Pruitt
Migration
Daniel David
Dreamland Social Club
Tara Altebrando
Blood Line
Alanna Knight
Espresso Tales
Alexander McCall Smith
Shadows Gray
Melyssa Williams
NotoriousWoman
Annabelle Weston
Bait
Karen Robards