Free The Vampiric Housewife by Kristen Marquette Page B

far are you?” Valerie asked.
         “Six weeks. It’s still early . . .” and the women continued to talk about the baby—swapping pregnancy stories, possible names, old wives tales about conception tricks. The men began discussing the boys’ basketball team, home renovations, and the upcoming hunting excursion. Charlie rubbed his temples, snippets from both conversations irritating his headache. It was obvious he wasn’t paying attention to either discussion, but no one was paying attention to him either. He had no time left. He had to come to a decision tonight. All in or all out, on either side. There was not a day to sleep on it. There was no time to think about it. Tonight was all he had.
         There was a knock at the front door.   Laughing over something said, Valerie went to answer it.
        “Hello Drew. Good to see you. Come in.”
         Charlie suddenly became alert as Drew Sanders walked in dressed in jeans and a leather jacket, his white blonde hair greased back except for that defiant strand falling into his cold eyes. He never had a problem with Drew being friends with his son. John needed someone in his life who’d break the rules a little, let him have some fun. John could be almost too good of a kid. But he knew what kind of vampire Drew was. He knew about the work he did with Dr. Venjamin. Charlie certainly didn’t want him going out with his daughter.
          “Hello Mrs. Murray. Mr. Murray,” Drew said coming over to shake his hand. Charlie stood. He did not like the smile on the boy’s face.
         “John! Amelia! Drew’s here!” Valerie called down the hall. “So what’s the plan tonight?”
         “A movie at the drive-in then stopping at the malt shop,” Drew said. “Don’t worry, I’ll have Amelia home at a descent hour.”
         That thought did not comfort Charlie. There were three hours until the kids’ curfew. That was ample time to get his daughter into the worst kind of trouble. The only reason Charlie did not object to the date right this moment—besides Dr. Venjamin’s presence—was knowing that John would be there to watch and protect his little sister, and that Amelia really liked the boy. If Charlie had forbidden the date, he would have broken his daughter’s heart.
         His son came down the hall all cleaned up wearing his letterman jacket. Behind him, Amelia emerged. She wasn’t his little girl anymore. She was suddenly all grown up wearing her mother’s clothing and looking . . . stunning. Her face flushed as all eyes were on her, especially Drew’s. Not even in his wildest imagination did he know Amelia Murray could look like that. Charlie couldn’t believe Valerie had let her wear that dress. It showed way too much cleavage, hugged a little too snug to her hips. That sweater hardly covered anything. But he wasn’t about to embarrass her in front of everyone by making her change. Charlie wouldn’t do that to his children.
         “Wow, Amelia, you look . . .” Drew’s eyes went down her body than back up again slowly taking in every inch of her. “There aren’t any words for how you look.”
         “Thank you.”
         John had a frown on his face. He didn’t seem to like Drew’s admiration of her anymore than Charlie. “We have to pick up Lisa. We won’t be out late.”
         “Have fun, sweetheart,” Valerie told her daughter.
         Amelia didn’t say anything.
         But no one moved to leave. They were all staring at Charlie.
         “Dad, keys?” John said.
         “Right,” he said. “Not a scratch.” He smiled. The condition of the car was about the last thing he was worried about tonight.
         “Thanks Dad.”
         Once all the young people were out the door, Marie said, “My, Amelia has turned into quite the head turner. Drew’s a lucky boy.”
         “I’m starved. How about dinner?” Charlie said.
         “Ah, a father’s worst nightmare