Midnight Sun, Inc. (Crimson Romance)

by Debbie Vaughan

  “Don’t mind me. Eat before that thing escapes and kills us all.” Bill laughed and pointed to my growling middle. “You eat. I’ll talk.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” I grabbed my fork.

  It seems Bill must have been a dentist in a former life. He had the uncanny knack of asking questions as soon as my mouth filled. I hoped he was also proficient in the Heimlich maneuver. Through spurts and splutters, we conversed, while I shoveled in the food. By the time my bowl was empty I had discovered he was of all things, a butcher at Kroger.

  “Hey, everyone needs a job and mine comes with perks, free blood. Ted is a hair dresser but he hasn’t landed a full time job yet, so he’s doing fill in work at a couple of different salons.”

  He told me several times he and Ted were brothers, like I couldn’t have guessed on my own. Hell, they looked like Frick and Frack, so it didn’t require excessive brain function. If he was trying to subtly tell me they weren’t a couple, he was barking up the wrong girl.

  “So how did you and Raf meet?” Bill asked after the waitress refilled my tea.

  “I went to apply for a job at Midnight Sun Tanning Salon. He’s the night manager, but he’s also best buds with the boss. Anyway, making a very long story as short as possible, I got the job. I lived way too far from work to make the commute so Raf decided it would be a good idea to be their housemate. We’d really hit it off so, I said, what the hell?”

  “Their? You said ‘their’. Do you have another housemate?”

  I gulped some tea before answering, “Well two if you want to get technical, my dachshund Willy, and Tom, our boss.

  “And Connie’s BF,” Raf supplied from beside us. “By that I do mean boyfriend, not best friend, as that would be moi. Honey, we gots to go. Willy’s gonna be thinking I’ve run off with you, not to mention the boss.”

  “You call him, boss?” Ted asked strangely.

  “That a problem?” Raf inquired just as strangely, giving Ted the eye and tugging me from my seat. “You’ve got the number right? We’re re-opening Labor Day weekend so be sure to come by.”

  “Nice meeting you both.” I called over my shoulder as Raf dragged me out the door. “What the striped Hell was that all about!”

  “We need to be getting home, it’s almost midnight.”

  “You plan on turning into a pumpkin? What got you so spooked?”

  “Honey, nothing scares me. Problem is nothing scares you either.”

  “What was there to be scared of? I was having a perfectly nice conversation, with a perfectly nice vampire, in a public place.”

  “Uh huh, and making eye contact all over the place!”

  “Raf, he wasn’t trying to put the moves on me. Besides that’s illegal.” Neither of us was talking about guy/girl moves but rather the vampire mojo stuff.

  “Oh yeah he was,” Raf insisted.

  “How do you know?” I was beginning to get steamed.

  “Cause I can feel it!” Raf hissed. “What I want to know is why didn’t it work?” He kept looking at me sideways.

  “So, color me confused. Are you pissed because he tried or pissed because it didn’t work?”

  He thought about it for a few seconds before answering, “I’m pissed he tried. I should report his ass.”

  Vampires were not supposed to use their wiles on unsuspecting citizens. “But … ?”

  “But, why didn’t it work?”

  I yawned. “Beats the hell out of me.” Full and sleepy, that was my condition. “You and Ted seemed to be hitting it off … ” It’s about time someone showed an interest!

  “Yeah, well, I’m not sure I like his brother,” Raf bitched.

  “Sweetie, what’s he got to do with you and Ted? You don’t have to like Bill. He’s not your type anyway. Trust me. You can only pick your friends, not their relatives.” Raf kept his eyes on the road. “We can still take Willy to the dog park Saturday night if you want … ”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Okay then, it’s a date. Tonight, tomorrow, whatever, I gotta get some sleep or I will fall off those shoes at the banquet. When it’s over, we put project ‘get Raf a feller’ into effect.” I cuddled into his shoulder. “Home James and don’t spare the horses.”

  I woke to Raf’s nudging, “What?” I asked groggily.

  “Honey, if I carry you up I’ll have to come back for our things. Think you can manage on your own?”

  “Sure, sorry … didn’t mean to doze off on you.” I yawned, pulled the bag containing my dress from the back of the Hummer, and grabbed the one containing my shoes and stockings. Raf had his hands full with the Tux bags. He managed the code for elevator somehow and up we went. The door opened to find Tom on the sofa going over some index cards (his speech?) and Willy asleep on the wooly pillow at his feet.

  “Did you get everything you needed?” Tom asked without looking up.

  Distracted much?

  “Almost,” Raf answered with a sigh.

  “Good, good,” Tom said without feeling.

  I rolled my eyes at Raf and said, “I’m going to take Willy out, then hit the hay.”

  “Wait, I’ll go with.” At least he knew I existed. He grabbed a jacket from the closet. “It’s getting a little chilly.”

  The jiggling of the leash roused Willy and he ran to the elevator. I snapped the leash onto his harness and handed it to Raf as I slipped my arms into the jacket. It must have been Tom’s because the sleeves were about a foot too long for my arms with the hem in the vicinity of my knees. He really was tall. I’d be five nine in my new heels, but I bet he’d still be a foot taller than me. Geeze! Raf kept hold of the leash, as I couldn’t seem to uncover my hands. Probably just as well since Willy caught the scent of something as soon as we made it outside. He pulled on the leash for all he was worth. Raf didn’t have any trouble holding him, but I would have. Finally, realizing he wasn’t going to get to chase the booger he smelled, Willy gave in and headed for the corner hydrant but his hackles remained at attention.

  “I wonder if Bianca found that panther?” I mumbled sleepily as we rode back up. “And if it was a real one?”

  “You can call her tomorrow, Doll. You’re dead on your feet.” The elevator stopped on the upper floor. “Go to bed.” He slipped Willy’s leash and harness off, pulled me out of the jacket, kissed my forehead and pushed me toward the bedroom door. “Night.”

  God, I was beat. I staggered into the bedroom with Willy in tow. Without a thought I plopped him in the middle of the bed while I shucked my clothes. Crap! I still had to get all the makeup off.

  I managed to get my face washed, teeth brushed and a nightshirt pulled over my head before I crawled in next to Willy. He burrowed under the covers and I curled around him.

  CHAPTER 19

  I started to stretch and decided not to. I pulled Willy in tighter to me and snuggled him up. He was so warm and toasty, with a pleasant doggie smell. He seemed to like the idea as he stuck his nose under my chin and gave me a little lick. Ack, dog breath! The sleep cleared from my brain and I realized we were not alone. A cold object spooned me. I ran a hand down the length of fabric-covered thigh that lay along my own. Easing Willy away, I rolled over to find myself nose to nose with Tom. I brushed the hair back from his eyes.

  He appeared younger, his features softer at rest. He had a square jaw and proud chin, his straight nose neither too long, nor too short but I was obsessed with his mouth. The full lips were a bit too wide for his face, especially the lower, almost pouty. Kissable lips. Unconsciously my hands traced over his broad, strong shoulders and arms but my gaze stayed riveted on his mouth. I leaned in a fraction of an inch and pressed my lips to his, tracing the lower with the tip of my tongue. I gasped when they parted and his tongue met mine, as his arm snaked to encircle my waist.

  “Go-good morning!” I stammered.

  “I believe you will find it afternoon, sweetheart. Sleep well?” he asked lazily, stretching out the length of his hard body.

  I to
re my gaze away long enough to ask, “What time is it?”

  “Around two. Must be raining.”

  I’m sure my confusion showed in my face. Raf awoke this early, earlier sometimes, but Tom didn’t. This was the second time in as many days. “Is that why you’re up? The rain?” Willy was getting squirmy beside me so I leaned to sit him on the floor. It wouldn’t do to have him jump and re-injure himself. Tom’s arm kept me from going over the side.

  “Partly,” he answered with a lazy grin. “I find this a particularly nice way to start the day.” He pulled me back to him and kissed me deeply. So deeply I didn’t immediately realize his hand was under my shirt. Not an unpleasant sensation, but Willy was getting whiney and I smelled food. I was ravenous!

  “Hold it cowboy. I need to take Willy out, shower and eat.” I pushed away, and he let me. The shit-eating grin remained on his face. Men! I made sure my shirt was pulled down before I stood. No sense tempting fate. I left Tom propped on an elbow watching, as Willy and I stepped into the bathroom. Willy’s body language said my personal hygiene would have to wait so I pulled a pair of jeans on under my nightshirt.

  With shoes on my feet and Willy in my arms, into the elevator we went. Tom was right, it was pouring. As soon as his feet touched the pavement Willy hiked his leg on the intercom pole. Dachshunds are not water dogs.

  Ever the man of action, Raf stood at the elevator with towels when we arrived. He was clucking like a mother hen when he tossed a towel across my head then bent to dry a wiggling, shaking Willy. “Stop!” He hissed as drops flew in all directions. Strangely, Willy did. “Go put on a robe or something. I have been cooking and it better not get cold.”

  My stomach rumbled as I inhaled the aromas wafting from the kitchen. “I’ll hurry!”

  I heard the shower running when I entered the bedroom to shuck my wet clothes. I towel dried my hair and ran a comb through before putting on the long fluffy white robe that lay across the bed. If Tom laid it out for himself, he was out of luck. My stomach rumbled again. I headed for the kitchen as fast as I could go. My eyes widened as I surveyed the spread. Even Willy was neglecting the bowl Raf filled for him, in hopes of something better.

  “I’m not dressed for company.” There were stacks of waffles, piles of bacon and sausage, strawberries swimming in sugary juice, biscuits, gravy, hash browns, even a T-bone steak!

  Raf grinned sheepishly, “Sort of got carried away.”

  “Ya think?”

  “Well you haven’t been eating properly and a cooking show was on the food channel. I didn’t know if it was breakfast or lunch so … eat what you want and I’ll give the rest to the homeless guys under the bridge.”

  I plopped my butt on a barstool. “Honey, if I eat what I want we’ll have to let that dress out. Feed me.”

  I ate two waffles with strawberries on top, followed by half the T-bone and some hash browns, nibbling bacon in between. I even stuffed in a biscuit with a dollop of gravy on top. They were lighter than air! I stopped myself. I honestly think I could have eaten more. What has gotten into me?

  “Girlfriend, you can pack it away!” Raf teased.

  “I know. I’m terrible. But it was all so good,” I moaned.

  Tom, who had entered at some point in my food fest, merely shook his head slowly as he nursed his bottle of RR. I think the aroma of the steak made him nostalgic. He’d ordered his breakfast in the same flavor.

  “Eat a few more of the berries,” he suggested.

  “You like round women? ’Cause that’s what I’ll be,” I mumbled as I stuck a spoonful of strawberries in my mouth, watching as Tom licked his lips. Raf watched in fascination. “What?”

  Tom cleared his throat with difficulty. “I’ll explain later.” He rose from his seat and began to help Raf pack the food into zip lock bags and plastic containers. I took note — the strawberry container went into the fridge.

  Willy did a little doggie dance until I slipped him a piece of sausage.

  “Honey, if you were never a cook during your lifetime, (well what would you call it, dead time?) you missed your calling. If you get tired of the tanning salon you can open a restaurant.” Raf beamed. “Or you could do a combo thing, tanning and beauty salon with a restaurant on the side? You could hire Ted.”

  “I think there might be some health code violations in that scenario,” Tom drawled. “Who’s Ted?” He placed the containers into Kroger sacks and added some plastic cutlery.

  “A very cute guy Raf met last night when we stopped for dinner.” I unsuccessfully tried to stifle a burp and a yawn. “He’s a hair dresser. He and Raf really hit it off.” I waggled my eyebrows suggestively.

  “Human?”

  “No.”

  “Really?” Tom raised an eyebrow.

  “Stop, both of you. I told you it wouldn’t work out,” Raf hissed at me. “It never does.”

  “And I told you not to worry about the brother.” I marched to the foot of the stairs before turning back. “Thanks for breakfast. It was grand. I’ll go take a shower and get dressed then I’ll run the food down to the bridge for you. Don’t talk about me while I’m gone.” I skittered up the stairs.

  I brushed and flossed. Strawberry seeds are hell.

  I prayed the rain had at least let up if not stopped completely but dressed for the worst just in case. I put on a fresh pair of jeans and a tee, dug out my rain slicker and put on my beat up boots. I’d appreciate the lined slicker. The front that brought in the rain dropped temperatures about twenty degrees.

  While digging for the shoes I came across a small box I hadn’t unpacked. Cindy, in her zeal to get moved in hadn’t been particularly careful packing my things. I hadn’t really missed anything.

  I opened the box to find odds and ends, things you always come across when you do a final walk through after you think you have packed everything. This box held refrigerator magnets, trivets, potholders and a clipping from an old newspaper. I smiled. Okay, this I missed. I assumed she tossed it; but here it was. When I was ten I clipped the ad for one of those collectors’ plates from the Parade magazine in a Sunday paper.

  The plate depicted a lovely white Victorian farmhouse with a wraparound porch. It looked like an early spring morning with flowering redbuds at the porch corners and snapdragons along the cobbled walkway. Everything was dewy and fresh. It was my idea of “home”, carried with me to every foster home and rental I lived in, now yellowed with age.

  “Have you got it all together?” I asked as I stuck my clipping on the fridge using the magnets that had accompanied it. Things had become a little intense while I was upstairs. Both guys were frowning.

  “What’s that, doll?” Raf asked, as much to break the tension as from curiosity.

  “Heaven,” I answered as I picked up the bags of food and boarded the elevator. “I’ll be back.”

  There were groups of homeless folks stashed all over Little Rock and I am sure, the surrounding area as well. I lived among them for almost three years. Sure there were shelters around, but never enough beds for everyone. Summer wasn’t so bad. Bad, being a relative term, when you live on the streets.

  This group stayed under the Broadway Bridge. Well, at least when the cops didn’t roust them out. They recognized Raf’s car, considering the color, it would be hard not to. What was he, nighttime meals on wheels? I pulled out of traffic, stopped the car and was surrounded before I got the door open.

  “Hey guys!” No point in being a gloomy Gus. It certainly wouldn’t help their situation any. “I brought y’all some food. If we hurry, I think it might stay warm. Careful. There’s gravy in that one.” Plenty of hands reached to help me unload my bags of goodies.

  “Thanks lady,” said a guy who didn’t look much older than me. He wore fatigues and something about his presence made me think the name over the pocket was his. “Vance,” it read. The unit patch on his shoulder had partially torn away leaving only a nondescript bit of black embroidery. His face was young, too young to have gone to war, but h
is sad eyes were old.

  The rain stopped by the time I reached home. We had company. There was a VW Beetle in the garage.

  “Well hey there!” Bianca said from her seat on the floor. Willy had made another conquest. The little stinker didn’t even come greet me.

  She seemed to know about my errand, so I assumed the boys had filled her in. I plunked down next to her on the rug.

  “I went to look for that kitty and you were right about the traps. I saw three. Never saw the cat though,” she said thoughtfully, “It may just be scouting new territory after Katrina. Florida is where you see ’em, not here, not anymore.”

  “That depends on who you talk to. Hunters have stories all the time. Remember all those pets that disappeared last year in Hot Springs? They found tracks, but Game and Fish wouldn’t admit what it was. I’m surprised they did this time. I guess too many people reported this one for them to deny it.”

  “Plausible deniability,” Tom said.

  “Say what?”

  “As long as they don’t say it’s true, they can deny it ever happened. The government does it all the time.”

  I nodded. “Like this recession we’re not having and vampires running the Fortune Five Hundred companies forever?”

  Tom nodded and Raf giggled. “You know they think you’re not bright enough to catch on.”

  “I’m sure,” I agreed. “So do you think it is just a panther?”

  Bianca shrugged. “I didn’t see it so I can’t say if it’s a shifter or not. While they have the traps set, it really isn’t going to be safe for me to go incognito. So, I guess we wait.”

  “What?” I asked. Bianca was looking at me expectantly. Had my mind drifted?

  “I said, Raf told me you got a dress for tomorrow’s festivities. Are you going to show me or what?” Bianca inquired, apparently, for the second time.

  I grinned from ear to ear. “Oh yeah, you got to see it. Come on.” I tucked Willy under my arm and Bianca followed us up the stairs. We could have used the elevator but I liked to think the winding staircase helped tone my butt.