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Jude’s nostrils flared, and his heart expanded about twice its size. At the same time, his leathers shrunk. “I take it back. Amelia is brilliant.”
He didn’t act on what he felt, however, even though all he wanted to do was haul her into his arms and get on with things.
Instead, he sat with her at the table striving for patience, especially given that another kind of hunger had risen; he needed to feed. But Hannah needed her things before they retired.
Movement out on the lake showed that his Guardsman were already on patrol.
After sufficient time had passed, he rose as he spoke and started gathering up the dishes. He rinsed and left things in the sink. He wasn’t about to do a full clean-up when Hannah was there, waiting.
She rose as well, and at the same time, his phone rang. After shutting off the water and drying his hands on a towel, he answered. “Yes, Longeness.”
“Mary is at the front door to the castle with Hannah’s belongings.”
“Thanks. The timing is perfect. Much appreciated. You’re off in a few?”
“Ten minutes.”
“Say hello to your wife.”
“And take care of our girl.” Longeness and his wife had often gone to the Gold Rush, until she’d discovered she was pregnant with twins. They’d stuck close to Kellcasse since.
“I will.” Everyone loved Hannah.
He put his phone away and waved Hannah toward the front door. “Your things have arrived.”
“That was the phone call?”
“Yep. Standing orders. I want to know who’s coming to my house before I open that door.”
“Makes total sense.”
A vampire named Mary brought a rolling flight bag full of Hannah’s clothes. She was beautiful, with straight black hair and large blue eyes, and had often spent time at the Gold Rush. She’d been married to a Guardsman years ago, but he’d fallen to an Invictus attack.
After the two women exchanged a few laughing comments about digging around in other people’s closets, Mary wished them a blessed night. Jude offered the same farewell, and a moment later, she took off into the night.
He watching Hannah staring after Mary, clearly amazed at the way vampires could travel so easily in levitated flight.
Jude took the suitcase in hand, then guided Hannah to the stone staircase at the left.
“This really is a castle, isn’t it?”
“It is. It was my wife’s dream and though I might have chosen something different for myself, all I cared about was making her happy.”
He heard Hannah catch her breath. “Oh, Jude. She should have lived. Your daughter, too. I’m so sorry.”
“I couldn’t agree more but it was a long time ago.”
She stopped him
just at the bottom of the stairs, tugging on the inside of his elbow. “I can feel your sadness, though. I’ve always felt it, and if I could erase it, nothing would make me happier.”
Jude stared down at her, hardly knowing how to respond. He knew she’d spoken from her heart and maybe that’s what troubled him. Hannah was such a good, worthy woman. “You have a very tender heart, Hannah. I mean, I know you’ve cared for my men and even for me with all that you do for us in your bar. But I don’t think until this moment, I ever realized that everything you do comes from that tenderness.”
She looked taken aback. “Thank you. I’ll always remember that you’ve said that to me.” She then took his hand and started up the stairs.
Jude felt gut-shot in a way he couldn’t explain. He didn’t even know why he’d told her about Naomi’s love of this house, but he was so at ease with Hannah. Of course he always had been. He’d just never thought it would lead to this, to Hannah in his home, leading him upstairs, to his bedroom.
Sweet Goddess.
