Spark

by R K Close

  I didn’t want to miss anything with this woman, even if it was fleeting and temporary, because I knew she had big plans that I wouldn’t fit into. Whatever time I could steal with her, I’d gladly take it.

  Her wet clothes soaked into my shirt and jeans. I suddenly remembered she was just in the hospital and pulled back, holding her at arm’s length. “Why aren’t you at the hospital?” I asked, my voice husky with desire.

  She reached up and touched my rough, unshaven cheek. “I was afraid you’d leave before I saw you. It was a risk I didn’t want to take, so I checked myself out of the hospital—against doctor’s orders,” she confessed, with a sly smile.

  “I’m taking you back. First, you need some dry clothes.” I left her standing there to fetch something of mine she could wear. I returned with a red flannel shirt and a pair of straight-legged jogging pants with an elastic waistband and drawstring.

  When I returned, she was looking around the small trailer with open curiosity. She picked up a picture of my parents and studied it. She looked at me. “Are these your parents?” I nodded. “Where are they?”

  “They’ve passed. Within a year of each other,” I said.

  She looked sad. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so nosy.”

  I took the picture from her and looked at the smiling faces of my adopted parents. I still missed them and thought about them each and every day. Sometimes I thought about my birth mother that I never knew.

  “It’s okay. It’s been eight years,” I said, placing the picture back on the shelf.

  “They aren’t designer, but they’ll keep you warm,” I said, handing her the clothes.

  She took them and looked behind me at the small hallway. “The bathroom’s tiny. You can change in my room at the end. I put a towel on the bed,” I said, sitting down on the built-in sofa.

  “Thank you,” she said shyly, then went in the room and pulled the divider closed.

  JESSICA NODDED OFF against my shoulder on the way back to the hospital. I drove her car to the hospital. I’d catch a ride home from one of my brothers. We arrived at the hospital, and they admitted her right away.

  I had to admit, Jessica looked mighty cute in my running pants and flannel shirt. She’d tied the flannel in a knot, but she was still swimming in my clothes.. Once she was in a room, they let me come to see her. I’d made a quick stop at the hospital gift shop and purchased a small vase of flowers for her.

  When I entered the room, she smiled at the arrangement. “Are those for me?”

  “No, they’re for your nurse,” I said, winking at the older woman as she walked past me.

  The woman giggled. “Oh, he’s a charmer. You better keep that one,” she said, as she left the room.

  I put the flowers on the table next to the bed. “Thank you,” Jessica said.

  “What time?” I asked.

  She blinked at me. “What?”

  “What time are you taking me to dinner next week?” I said, grinning.

  She laughed and tapped her lips like she was thinking. “How about Friday, at six?”

  “It’s a date,” I said.

  “Does this mean you’ll stay?” she asked, the playfulness gone.

  “At least long enough to cash in on that dinner,” I said, leaning down to tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear.

  “That’ll do for now. I didn’t want to go to sleep and wake up to learn you’d left,” she said, closing her eyes and relaxing into the pillow.

  I took that as my cue to leave. I bent down and kissed her head softly.

  I was almost out of the room when I heard her say, “Thank you, Liam.”

  I turned around. “For what?”

  “For saving my life,” she said, her eyes still closed. I smiled to myself.

  “Get some rest,” I said, then left the hospital, feeling hopeful for the first time in a long time.

  27

  Jessica

  This was the busiest and most challenging week of my life. Not to mention, the last two weeks had been life-changing.

  “Are you almost done?” Daisy complained. I finished applying the most basic amount of makeup to her eyes.

  Daisy had a flawless complexion, stunning light brown eyes, and a lovely face. She was a knockout, but it was easy to miss behind her large, black-rimmed glasses. Tonight she wore contacts and a cute black cocktail dress that showed off the figure nobody knew she had.

  I stepped back to admire my handiwork and almost didn’t recognize my best friend. The result was all Daisy, just uncovered. I’d barely given her a little color on her lids, mascara, and a dab of lip gloss. She was a natural beauty. I couldn’t help but smile, which seemed to annoy her.

  “Now I’m done,” I said.

  “You better not have made me look like a clown, or I’m washing my face,” she grumbled.

  “Look for yourself,” I encouraged, looking toward the mirror.

  Daisy slowly turned to look at her reflection. She stared for several moments with her lips parted.

  Her lack of response made me worried she hated it but, how could she?

  “What did you do?” she asked quietly.

  She hated it. “I’m sorry. I think you look beautiful. I can take off the shadow,” I said, reaching for a makeup wipe.

  “So do I,” she said, and I stopped mid-reach to look at her. She was smiling at herself in the mirror. “How did you make me look so good?” she asked, sounding astonished.

  I laughed then. “Daisy, this is all you. You barely have any makeup on. It doesn’t get much more el natural than this.” I bent down and put my hands on her shoulders and my head next to hers. “You’re simply beautiful. Don’t hide it or fear it,” I said.

  She turned and beamed at me. “Thank you. I’m so glad you didn’t listen to me.” Daisy stood and twirled in front of the full-length mirror in my bedroom. “I can’t believe I have a date with Eric Chambers.”

  “Ha, Eric is lucky to have a date with you. He won’t know what hit him. Besides, it wasn’t like I had to twist his arm. He seemed surprised when I mentioned you were single and had commented on how handsome you thought he was. He asked for your number right away,” I said, smirking.

  “Are you sure you didn’t have to pay him?” Daisy joked.

  “I bet he would have paid me. Maybe I should have asked for a finder’s fee,” I said, laughing.

  “That would make you my pimp,” Daisy said, grinning.

  I picked up the long, felt coat I was loaning her for the evening. Daisy only owned leather and flannel. After I helped her into the jacket, I walked her to the front door. She was meeting Eric at a local bar and restaurant for dinner and drinks.

  Daisy was a little wobbly in heels, but at least she owned a pair. She would have been swimming in my size nine shoes. She walked to her car, at times looking like a fashion model or maybe a baby deer learning to walk. She stopped just before she got into the car. “I almost forgot! Good luck tonight. Let me know how everything goes with Liam,” she said.

  I waved and closed the door. Liam would be here in thirty minutes, and I wasn’t even close to being ready. I’d gotten so caught up in Daisy’s date preparations, I’d neglected my own.

  As I hurriedly touched up my makeup and changed clothes, I thought about the crazy things that had happened since I first got the call about the two campers.

  I’d had no idea how that one terrible situation was going to change my life in so many ways. I suspected the origins of the story could have catapulted my career, but I’d never have imagined the course I’d be on today.

  The experiences over the last couple of weeks reminded me that life wasn’t to be taken for granted. I also realized that the path I was following with blind determination wasn’t the direction that I wanted my life to go.

  It took almost dying to make me recognize what I really wanted, and what I really wanted had always taken a sideline to what my parents thought, and what I felt was the safer path. But sometimes life wasn’t safe.
Sometimes, we needed to take chances.

  A knock at the front door reminded me of the other thing I wanted and needed in my life. I opened the door to find Liam standing in my doorway wearing a corduroy blazer, a denim collared shirt, and a sexy smile.

  I hadn’t seen him since that day at the hospital. I’d kept him at arm’s length for a good reason. I wanted to sort some things out in my life and be one hundred percent certain of the changes I was making before starting something with Liam.

  We’d talked on the phone several times when he’d called to see how I was doing. I recovered quickly and got busy with the plan I’d decided on while I’d recovered in the hospital.

  “Hi,” I said, smiling.

  “Hi.” He stood there, smiling but also looking nervous.

  I stepped aside to let him enter. He was almost too big for my tiny home. “I had planned to make you dinner, but something unexpected came up, so I ordered from Angelo’s. I hope you like Italian,” I said.

  “That’s one of my favorites,” he said.

  I was nervous about sharing my news with Liam. Would he be happy for me? Would he react like my parents and think I was on drugs? There was something in his eyes that made me feel he’d always support me. I motioned for him to take a seat at the kitchen table.

  He noticed the white linen tablecloth and the two candles I’d lit and smiled at me.

  “I have something to tell you,” I said. His smile faded, and I could see the tension in the veins on his neck and the way his body tightened. “It’s not bad. I’m hoping you won't think I’m crazy,” I said quickly.

  “You’re here with me, so maybe you’re a little crazy,” he said, sounding serious.

  “I’m not afraid of you, Liam McKenzie.” I reached across the table and placed my hand on his.

  He looked at my hand and then back to my eyes. “Maybe you should be.”

  I kept my gaze steady. “I’m not. You won’t hurt me, Liam.”

  “How can you be sure, when I’m not?” he asked, his eyes hard but also searching.

  “I just know. I can’t explain it, but I know you’d never hurt me. I’m certain, even if you’re not.”

  “I would never want to hurt you or anyone else, but we don’t understand ourselves or why we’re this way. I don’t have all the answers, and the idea of putting you at risk is the worst feeling I can think of,” he said.

  “I have something to show you after dinner,” I said.

  “Show me?” Liam asked, with a mischievous grin that made my heart beat fast.

  I rolled my eyes at him. “You’ll see,” I said, and winked at him.

  FOOD WAS DELIVERED, and we talked through the meal about our families, growing up, and even touched on politics. It was light, friendly, and flirty banter. And surprisingly easy. Talking to Liam was natural and comfortable, like pulling on a favorite sweater. I saw a side of him that was unguarded and open, and I loved every moment of it.

  When we finished, he held my hand as we walked to his truck. Liam opened the door for me and helped me up into the cab. I’d worn a dress and heels because tonight was important to me. Maybe it would be to Liam as well.

  I directed him where to go, leading him into the older downtown area that I felt was the heart of Flagstaff and rich with the town's history. We parked on a corner and walked a block down the street. We passed the bakery, and I noticed we both glanced up at Zoey’s apartment.

  Liam had told me that she was helpful in locating me, and between her and the rogue vampires named Olivia and Simon, he was able to find me. I shivered, thinking that if Liam had been a few minutes later, I’d be dead or a vampire.

  It was still hard to believe that there were more of them living in Flagstaff now. I wasn’t sure how the town would be big enough for them and us. It was only marginally encouraging to learn that the ones who remained chose not to kill, but nevertheless, they still preyed on humans. Time would tell.

  We stopped in front of a storefront that had been vacant for the last few months. I’d passed it many times, noticing the For Lease sign in the window. It was dark beyond the glass windows, and I stole a peek at Liam’s expression before I fished out the keys from my coat pocket.

  “What’s this?” he asked.

  Not answering him right away, I unlocked the door and walked in. Liam followed me. I found the lights and flipped them on. The place was under serious renovation. Construction materials and equipment was everywhere.

  Liam looked completely confused, and I enjoyed dragging out the suspense. “What do you think?” I asked, observing his reaction.

  Liam looked all around the room, maybe searching for clues. “I don’t know. What is this place going to be?” he asked.

  I was giddy with excitement and humming with energy. “This is the new Parker Art Studio, featuring the work of yours truly and other fine local artists,” I said, nervous excitement spilling from me. I’d been on pins and needles wondering if he would see my vision and hopefully want to stick around to see it grow. It was my first leap of faith. Liam McKenzie was the next if he chose to stay.

  He blinked at me several times as my words sunk in. I held my breath. And then slowly a smile spread across his face. “This is your studio?” I nodded enthusiastically. “What about your job?” he asked, but I could tell he liked the idea.

  “I put in my resignation letter three days ago,” I said, feeling free for the first time in my life. And a little terrified.

  “You’re kidding.” I shook my head, smiling like the cat who just ate the canary.

  Liam’s face grew animated, and he suddenly picked me up and spun me around. I squealed with delight. I’d been dying to share this with him, but wanted to be sure it was going to work out. Now, if I could convince him to stay, everything would be perfect—minus vampires, and full moons.

  Did full moons even influence him? I’d gotten my education about such things from the movies, like every other red-blooded American kid, so I had a lot to learn.

  When he stopped spinning me, I felt breathless. Liam leaned down and kissed me. I returned his kiss with all the passion and need I had for this incredible man.

  When he finally pulled back, I searched his eyes. “Will you stay? I promise that no matter what happens between us, I’ll never share your secret. You can trust me.”

  “I’m not going anywhere,” he said, claiming my lips again.

  It was like the final piece of the puzzle fell into place and everything just fit. I felt balanced, and finally understood where my life had been leading me. All the dreams, and seemingly wrong turns—which turned out to be part of the journey and not wrong at all—led me to him and a deeper understanding of myself.

  That was the happiest moment of my life. I knew, if Liam McKenzie was going to be a part of it, I was bound to have many more, and some of them would be wild.

  28

  Seth

  The Moon was more mellow than usual. Homecoming week must have taken its toll on everyone. The big fire on campus may have contributed to that. Cole returned from the bar carrying four beers. He handed one to each of the two college girls we were talking to.

  Now that Liam and Jess seemed bound at the hip, Cole and I had to go to work at the station just to get some time with our older brother. It was cool. Neither of us blamed him. I was sincerely happy for Liam. He seemed really content, and that gave me some peace.

  It felt good to know that a small handful of people knew our secret and seemed okay with keeping it. I felt less alone than I had in a very long time.

  The girls laughed loudly at something, and I tried not to make a face. They were obviously buzzed before they came over to our table. I wasn’t paying attention to what was said, but I doubted it was that hilarious.

  The blonde was Sandy, or Susan, or something like that. And the brunette was Bethany. I did manage to remember that one. Maybe because every time I looked at her, I thought of another brunette I’d recently met.

  Olivia would steal into my thou
ghts more often than I’d ever admitted. My head was usually filled with beautiful women, and I liked it that way. Variety was the spice of life, right?

  Bethany was coming on strong. She laughed at everything I said, and it was starting to get annoying. She had cozied up under my free arm so that I had it resting on her shoulders. Her doing, not mine.

  She was cute enough and seemed nice enough, but something was off with me. I’d suddenly found myself being picky, of all things. Every woman I’d met or hung out with over the last few weeks had lost my interest quickly. I still couldn’t put my finger on it. Maybe I was losing my touch.

  Cole wasn’t interested in what’s-her-name anyway. He kept glancing over at the bar, and I knew why. He was waiting for Zoey to come on shift. He always insisted we come here whenever I mentioned a different bar. Cole had it bad for Zoey, and learning she was a witch hadn’t done a thing to dampen his interest. Maybe it encouraged it.

  Now they had something in common. She was like us, in that she was different and kept that fact a secret. “What’re you looking for, Cole?” I teased. Cole turned and gave me a dirty look.

  “Nothing,” he said, for the benefit of the girls.

  “Do you guys want to take this party to our apartment?” the blonde one asked, gazing at Cole.

  “They’ve got plans that don’t include you,” a familiar female voice said coolly. The girls jumped.

  Olivia stood there staring at me with an amused expression on her face. Cole and I exchanged a look. My friendly younger brother wasn’t too crazy about Olivia and her kind sticking around town. I wasn’t that happy about the vamps moving in either...except, for Olivia. She intrigued me. There was something about her.

  “And what do you know about it?” demanded the brunette.

  Olivia got in the girls’ face in a most menacing way. “He’s with me, so move along, little girl.” Bethany looked like she was going to explode. Her face turned red within seconds, and her mouth was moving, but so far, no words had come out.