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those fangs.
Then I suggest we run. Jordan headed for the back door.
At that moment the noise stopped and Vampirella walked around the doorjamb. I
suggest you don t.
Adrian? Are you all right?
All Maura could hear was panting. One person, panting. Alarmed, she shouted.
Adrian?
Vampirella pointed a sharp fingernail at her. Don t move, or you ll be sorry.
Jordan, quickly. Invite him in!
Adrian, come in!
An agonizing few seconds passed before he limped into the living room behind
Vampirella. I m alive, cherie. But my brothers are unconscious.
Good! Your other brother is stuck in the chimney.
Adrian leaned over and placed his hands on his knees as laughter bubbled up from
deep in his diaphragm.
Vampirella frowned at him. You should be ashamed of yourself! Those are your
brothers. Your family.
As soon as he could straighten up, Adrian s black eyes glittered and he hissed at
her. Do not presume to tell me who is or isn t my family. As far as I m concerned, I
have no family and I have no betrothed, either. I never did.
But darlink!
Don t darlink me! he roared.
He looked over her shoulder toward the two women who were grasping each
other s hands and shaking, then his voice softened.
Jordan, do you have somewhere else you can stay for a while? Possibly a long
visit?
I& She squirmed uncomfortably. I guess I ll have to move now. Won t I?
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Ashlyn Chase
It would be best if you did, Adrian said. Now that two of them have been in,
you can t keep them out.
Maura put her other hand on Jordan s arm. Don t worry, you can come home with
me.
To New York?
Not necessarily. I have another home.
Thank you for the offer, but I have relatives who ll take me in.
Maura connected eyes with Adrian. My mother moved back to Ireland. Can you take me
there?
I ll get you both to safety, then I must go.
Oh, no you don t. I met your crazy family. Now it s only fair that you meet mine.
He hung his head. Tangled hair obscured his eyes. Shit.
* * * * *
The place was exactly as she remembered it. Green rolling fields, stone walls and
white, thatched cottages. A bicycle leaned against the side of the house on Drury Lane
and Maura guessed it belonged to one of her cousins. It was too small to be an adult s
bike. Oh, but it couldn t. Her cousins were all grown now, even Patrick, the youngest.
Adrian stood on the doorstep of the whitewashed cottage after Maura stepped
inside the kitchen. When he didn t follow, she twisted her head to look at him and
wondered why he was just standing there. As it dawned on her that he needed an
invitation, she slapped her forehead and said, Come in, Adrian, hoping her excited
aunt didn t notice the hesitation.
Yes, please come in, we won t bite, she chuckled.
Ironic phrase, isn t it, cherie?
Maura giggled nervously until her aunt grabbed and hugged her as hard as she
could, just like Maura remembered her doing. Fortunately she was now taller didn t
have to worry about being smothered by the full-figured woman s bosom.
Sure n it s been too many years since you came to see your old auntie, Maura.
What s kept you so busy? Then she eyed Adrian and raised her eyebrows. Oh, I see. I
wouldn t bother with a broken-down old woman like me if I had a man like that at
home. She burst into the rich, deep laughter Maura so loved.
I m sorry, Aunt Colleen. This is my& friend, Adrian. It s not his fault. I m afraid
I ve been tied up running my business.
Ah, you Americans worry too much about business and not enough about the
important things, like family. Now come sit down in the parlor and introduce us all
around.
Maura held her hand as they followed her aunt into the next room. Clearly she was
happy to see her, even on short notice.
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Kathryn! Your daughter s here! she yelled at the top of her lungs.
A moment later her mother burst through the back door and ran to hug her. How
did you get past me? I was outside hanging the laundry, but had my eyes peeled for
you the whole time.
I don t know, Mom. Maybe a sheet was hanging in your line of vision or
something. What can I say? My boyfriend flew me here as soon as the ferry docked?
Maura was delighted to see her mother glowing in robust health. It was doubtful
she d ever move back to New York, having never really made the adjustment, anyway.
When her husband died, it was an easy return to her roots. They shared a kiss and
strong hug, which her uncle interrupted.
Now where s my Maura? he shouted from his easy chair. Maura guessed his
rheumatism must be acting up since a cane leaned against the side of his chair. She
crossed to him, leaned down and offered him a kiss on the cheek. Not enough of a
gesture apparently, because he took her face in his hands and planted a hard kiss
squarely on her lips.
That s more like it! Now sit down and tell us everything.
Her aunt held one finger in the air. Wait on the good parts until I get back with
some tea, darlin .
She was right. It had been too long. She never realized how much she missed her
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