by Beth Alvarez
Her father chuckled, then turned to greet the customer that had just walked through the door.
Business tapered to nothing just before dinner and Emmett went out to get them something to eat. They’d snacked on sweets through the day, and neither one thought they sounded like an appetizing dinner. All he brought was sandwiches, but after cupcakes and cookies all day, it seemed like a feast. One or two more customers stopped by afterward and Felicity tended them while her father cleaned the kitchen in the back.
By the time they closed shop and made it home, both were exhausted but satisfied.
“You know,” Emmett said as they climbed the steps of the house, “I think it might be time to close the Hilltop House.”
Felicity gaped. “What?”
“Well, maybe not forever. But aside from summer vacation and the winter holidays, we rarely see anyone,” he explained. “And now that we own the house outright, the cost to maintain it will be much less. If we were only open for a few weeks during those peak seasons, I’d have a lot more time to help you with the bakery.”
She didn’t know what to say, struggling a long time before she found words. “Do you want to?”
“Yes.” The single word was strong, decisive. He opened the door, waving her in.
Felicity slipped off her coat, stepping into her room just long enough to toss it onto the bed and kick off her shoes. Then she turned around and caught her father in a hug.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
Smiling awkwardly, Emmett patted her shoulder. “Any time, sweetheart. Let me run the trash out, then I’m going to get some sleep, if you don’t mind. I’m exhausted.”
She cast a glance at the clock on the wall, nodding. It was past nine; cleaning up after the grand opening took longer than she expected. “Go ahead. I’m going to sit up a little bit.”
“Don’t stay up too late. Good night, pumpkin.”
“Good night,” she called back, leaning down to plug in the lights on the Christmas tree.
It was the last night she’d have to just sit and enjoy it, the last night she’d have to plug it in and bask in the warm glow of the lights. It was dried to a crisp and dropped needles every time she touched it, but it was still beautiful. In the morning, she’d start removing ornaments. By next weekend, every last decoration would be stowed in the attic.
She stared a long time, her eyes glazing, the lights all blurring together. Lost in her daydreaming, she almost didn’t hear the back door.
Boots crossed the kitchen, loud in the silence of the house, a strange but familiar presence sending a tingle rolling down her spine.
Felicity turned, her shoulders stiff. “The inn’s closed.”
“I know,” Kade said, his voice husky. He pulled his black Stetson from his head, holding it against his chest. “That’s why I came through the back door. The front was locked.”
A pang of sadness made her chest ache, putting tears in her eyes. She refused to let them fall. “What do you want?”
He hesitated in the doorway, shifting from foot to foot. “I saw what you did.” A smile flickered across his face, just long enough for that charming dimple to grace his cheek. “Love Bites. That’s funny.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
His face fell. “I didn’t think it was a good idea to stop by this afternoon. Didn’t think you’d appreciate me causin’ a scene on your big day. I’ve got a lot of explainin’ to do.”
Felicity straightened, a muscle twitching in her jaw. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave, Mr. Colton.”
“Somethin’ happened to me,” Kade raised his voice, clutching his hat in both hands, striding closer. “It happened when I bit du Coudray. I don’t know what it was. But I felt like I was on the verge of losing myself. That was hard enough, but I still had jobs on the table. What we did—that was just one. I didn’t want to go. But the only thing I could think of that was worse than goin’ was havin’ you waiting here for me, and me not knowing if one of those jobs would be my last. I couldn’t ask you to wait, Filly. It wasn’t fair to you.”
“And leaving without a word was fair?”
“I was afraid you’d try to stop me.” He grimaced. “And I knew I’d let you.” His voice, so strong and definitively masculine, made her heart hungry for the sweet nothings he’d whispered when they’d drifted to sleep together after making love.
Felicity crossed her arms, more out of defensive reflex than stubbornness. After he’d sworn he didn’t mean to hurt her, she’d laid her fragile heart bare to him and he’d left it in pieces. Even now, she couldn’t defend herself against him, her body aching for his touch and yearning for the feeling of being in his arms.
“I made a mistake,” Kade continued. “I’ve been payin’ for it ever since I left. And believe me, I ain’t lyin’ when I say these past few weeks without you have been the worst of my life.”
A bitter laugh rose in her throat. “This is the second time in my life a man’s left me in favor of a job. I’m not-”
“I quit.”
Her anger died with the words on her tongue and she stared at him in disbelief. “What?”
“I ain’t a hunter anymore.” It was only then that she noticed the taut lines of his body, and the way his hands flexed the brim of his hat. He hadn’t come expecting her to welcome him back. He’d come vulnerable, fully anticipating rejection. “I’d already signed those contracts. I had to finish. I agreed to do them before I ever came here. Before I met you. Soon as I finished, I told my Keeper I was done.”
Felicity’s shoulders went slack, her arms falling to her sides. “Why would you do that?” Hunting was his life, the only reason he’d embraced undeath. She couldn’t fathom why he’d walk away.
Kade didn’t reply, searching her face in earnest. The forlorn hope in his eyes tore at her heart.
No matter how desperately she wanted to keep him at arm’s length, that look whittled away at her resolve.
“Mine’s a broken life, Felicity. I don’t blame you for not wantin’ any part of it.” Her name rolled off his tongue like a caress. Her heart beat faster. It was the first time her real name had graced his lips, and the sound of it threatened to undo her.
He settled his hat back on his head, slowly moving closer. “I’ve been busy fixin’ what I can, but some things are never gonna change. And they’ll be watchin’ me, waitin’ to see what I learn to do, now that I’ve broken the rules. What I’ve done—what I am—is somethin’ I gotta live with, and that means you do, too. So if you tell me no, I’ll understand.”
Tears sprang back into her eyes as he stopped in front of her and reached for his pocket.
“This belonged to my mama,” Kade said, turning the small velvet box between his fingers. “I had to swallow a whole lotta pride to get my hands on it, but if you want it . . .” He left the question unspoken, opening the box and turning it so the diamond caught the multicolored light of the tree behind her.
A broken life, he said, as if hers was somehow whole. And yet despite their differences, despite the chasm of life and death that separated them, the fragile shards of their beings fit together so well. Little pieces of him filled the damaged puzzle of her heart, restoring it to a state of wholeness she never thought she’d find. Hopes, dreams, children—they’d already discussed it all. It was only her trepidation, her fear to bridge the gap to eternity, that stood to keep them apart.
Kade watched her, his face unchanging and his breath even, but she caught the faint tremble in his hand. He could wait for her decision, he’d said before. She supposed that hadn’t changed. She was still young, still uncertain, but he had time. For her, every second that passed still counted. Each one a moment of her life she couldn’t regain.
A moment she could have spent by his side, if fear didn’t stand in the way.
Slowly, she reached out. Past the diamond he offered, past his hands, to take the black cowboy hat from his head. She put it on like a crown, tipping it back, leaning forward
to drape her arms around his neck and thread her fingers through his silky black hair.
“Felicity Colton,” she said experimentally, leaning into him, sandwiching the ring box between their hearts. “I think that sounds pretty good.”
Relief washed over his face and he swept her into his arms, claiming her mouth with a kiss.
“So what happens now?” Felicity asked when she finally pulled back, her voice shaking as she found herself lost in his hazel eyes.
“Well, I spoke to Marshall McCullough this morning, on my way into town.” Kade grinned, just wide enough that she could see his fangs. “Turns out he’s got a permanent position open. A full time job for a midnight cowboy.”
Joy bubbled within her, sending happy tears spilling over her lashes. She hugged him tight, burying her face in his shoulder and breathing deep. The sweet scent of him filled her nostrils, spreading warmth to the tips of her fingers and toes. He cradled her face in his cool hands, raining kisses across her brow and cheeks and nose.
Before he could go farther, she pulled back, offering her hand. He plucked the ring from its box and slid it onto her finger, clasping her hands in his. The ring was too loose, but it would do.
Sooner or later, they’d have forever to get it fixed.
* * *
Kade and Felicity’s story will continue in Her Midnight Wedding.
The next book is coming on December 5, 2017.
Curious about Kade’s life before Felicity?
Sign up for my email newsletter to receive your free copy of The First Hunt, a novella chronicling his journey to become a hunter!
* * *
Other Titles by Beth Alvarez
PARANORMAL
Death of the Sun
Born of the Moon
Keeper’s Finder
The First Hunt (Newsletter Exclusive)
FANTASY
Gale’s Gift
Of Blood and Rain
About the Author
Beth Alvarez has enjoyed writing since childhood and is a ravenous reader.
Having studied fine arts in college, Alvarez has worked as a freelance web designer, graphic designer and illustrator. When not writing, she enjoys drawing, playing video games, driving, and sewing for her unusual collection of Asian ball-jointed dolls.
Raised in southern Illinois, she now resides in the suburbs of Memphis, Tennessee with her husband and daughter, their Siberian husky, and a very mean cat.
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