Free Night of the Living Dandelion by Kate Collins

beaming. “Perfect.”
    If she only knew.
    “So what favor did you want from me?”
    I blinked at her. “I forget.”
    “If you’re going to ask me to escort Vlad home again,” she said, “you’re out of luck.”
    “Why would I ask you to escort Vlad home?”
    “Didn’t he tell you how I helped him escape last night?”
    “What are you talking about?”
    Jillian sat down, crossing one long leg over the other. “Clayton and I and some friends were at Down the Hatch, and right before closing time, this group of scuzzy males claiming to be members of the Garlic Party came in looking for Vlad.”
    “The Garlic Party?”
    “Haven’t you seen them across the street? They wear garlands of garlic cloves around their necks. They’re a group of extremists who believe the youth are being corrupted by vampire books and movies. Their goal is to drive a stake through the heart of anyone who claims to be a vampire or who looks like a vampire. Their leader claims to be a reformed vampire.
    “Anyway, they were obviously looking for trouble. One of the bartenders told them to leave, so they did, but then they waited outside. That’s when I had the brilliant idea to have Clayton slip out the back and bring our car through the alley so we could take Vlad home.”
    She flipped back her long hair. “Vlad was so appreciative that while we waited for Clayton, he kissed my hand to show his gratitude. Seriously, Abby, what guy does that these days? But if he asks for my help tonight, I won’t be there.” She glanced at her watch, slid off the stool, and started toward the curtain. “Anyway, thanks for holding off on that announcement. Gotta run. Hair appointment in eight and a half minutes.”
    “What announcement is that?” Grace asked, gliding into the workroom seconds later.
    Thank goodness Jillian hadn’t been specific, because Grace had ears like a bat. “Jillian’s husband is going to be a partner in his CPA firm.”
    “How lovely. Do congratulate them for me.” Grace handed me a sheet of paper. “I’ve brought you three estimates for automatic door openers.”
    I looked over the numbers and heard the whoosh of money as it flew out of my bank account. “Two thousand dollars is the lowest estimate?”
    “Shall I get a few more estimates to see if I can find something a bit less costly?”
    “Please.”
    Grace started toward the curtain, then paused. “Abby, dear, I’m puzzled. Why would you have been the one to make Clayton’s announcement?”
    “Make Clayton’s announcement about what?” Lottie asked, walking in behind her.
    “He is to become a partner,” Grace said. “And Jillian has asked our Abby to hold off making the announcement.”
    “Why would you be the one to make their announcement?” Lottie asked me.
    I glanced at the phone on my desk. Now would be a great time for it to ring.
    “Because,” I said slowly, “Jillian and Clayton can’t make the family dinner tonight to make the announcement themselves.”
    Grace and Lottie exchanged puzzled glances and then Grace said, “Jillian didn’t ask you not to make it, only to hold off.”
    Okay, now would be a great time for the phone to ring.
    Still nothing. “Jillian has always liked the way I make announcements.”
    Grace started to say something, but the phone rang at last. Really. Was that so hard?
    I picked it up at my desk and said, “Bloomers Flower Shop. How may I help you?”
    “Abigail,” my mom said, “are you aware that Marco’s new employee is a vampire?”
     
    It took ten minutes to convince my mom that Vlad was merely the victim of malevolent rumors and that I was perfectly safe at Down the Hatch in the evenings. It took another five to repeat it all to my dad. Then I had to break the news that Marco and I wouldn’t be at the family dinner. They were both on the line at that point, so it got a little confusing because they talked over each other, but I hung up feeling that they were okay with it.
    I’d just returned to