Free The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride by Kristen Painter Page B

good.” Delaney picked up her tongs and studied the tiers. The petit fours were gorgeous, all iced like tiny cakes. And the little sandwiches had no crusts, their sides pressed into herbs to give them borders of green.
    “Do you have any romantic feelings for him yet?”
    Delaney clanked the tongs loudly against the platter. Was that the British way of asking if she’d had sex with him yet? She took a breath and said a mental prayer that she wouldn’t break anything. “It’s…sort of soon for that, don’t you think? I’ve only been there a day.”
    “Can you tell if he has any for you?”
    He’d kissed her. But sharing that felt like betraying a trust. That kiss had been a moment of intimacy between her and Hugh. Not something his grandmother needed to know about. “I know he likes me. We get along very well. As for romantic feelings…” She smiled as she put a triangle of cream cheese and salmon bordered in dill on her plate. “I think it’s going to take a little more time.”
    Elenora’s cool demeanor was a little hard to read. “What do you want out of life, Annabelle?”
    What did Annabelle want out of life? Delaney wished Google had been able to help her. “A loving husband, a good marriage, children.” All answers Delaney imagined Annabelle would give. Then she gave one of her own, because pretending to be Annabelle was exhausting. “I’d love to have my own shop, too.”
    Elenora perked up a bit. “What kind of shop?”
    Delaney grinned. There was no way to be unhappy talking about candy. “A sweet shop.”
    “Nocturne Falls already has one of those.” Elenora’s nostrils flared in annoyance. “Those Kellers are so…unpleasant.”
    “That’s not a sweet shop. That’s a candy store.”
    Her brow furrowed. “What’s the difference?”
    “I’m talking about a place where everything is made right there. Nothing prepackaged, nothing out of a factory. All of it handmade in small batches. All of it fresh and interesting and local. Premium sweets.”
    Elenora’s interest seemed piqued. “This is something you could do?”
    “I could. I can. I do it now in my own kitchen.”
    Elenora went silent for a few seconds, then her shrewd gaze tapered. “I thought you’d be blonde. I know Eternamate has a policy about matching people based on characteristics, but I told Ms. Poirot my grandson likes blondes. His last three girlfriends were all fair-haired beauties.”
    “Yes, I met Piper.”
    “Did you?” Elenora paused, somehow straightening further. “Do say. How did that go?”
    “About as well as could be expected. She didn’t take the break up well, did she?”
    “No.” Elenora tapped one slender finger on her chin. “Back to the blonde issue. How would you feel about becoming one?”
    “I’m sorry, what?” Delaney wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly.
    “My girl in town is very good. I’m sure she could fit you in if I called—”
    “No. Thank you.” So much for the connection Delaney thought she’d been making. A tiny bit of anger stiffened her spine. “I’m not changing my hair color for a man.” She leaned in. “And since those last three girlfriends couldn’t get Hugh to commit, maybe blondes really aren’t his thing.”
    Elenora’s mouth opened, and for a moment, Delaney thought she’d just blown it. Then Elenora laughed. “You’ve got ambition and guts, child. I’ll give you that.” She added sugar to her tea. “Hugh could use a little of that in his life. Someone to stir things up. Get him out of that lab.”
    “Lab?” Delaney ate her little sandwich. The eggs she had for breakfast hadn’t really been enough.
    “I’m sure he hasn’t shown it to you. It’s in his basement.”
    “No, he hasn’t.” What on earth did he do down there that was off limits? Curiosity burned in her like a batch of hot sugar. “What kind of lab is it?”
    The older woman barked out a very unladylike laugh. “You think he shares that with me?” She reached for