“No, but I’ll call the house phone when I get there.”

“Wait. You have to leave to pick this up? This isn’t delivery?”

“No, miss, I’m sorry. Would you rather I stay then? I understand not wanting to be alone in the house with Evangeline. I’m sure there’s something in the house we can eat.”

She’d seen the fridge when she’d made breakfast. It was pitifully bare, except for the take out containers. Greaves and Sebastian lived like bachelors. Which they were. “No, I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

“You’re worried about her.” It was a statement, not a question.

Tessa shrugged. She didn’t want to upset the normal routine. “She’s asleep. How much trouble can she be? Go. Get us some lunch. I’ll be fine.”

“You’re sure?”

She wasn’t. “Absolutely. But let’s exchange phone numbers first. Then you’ll have my cell and I’ll have yours.”

“Very good.”

She gave him her number, which he entered into his contacts, then she took his down. “I’m going to run upstairs, check on the baby, and grab my cell phone. I’ll keep it with me so I can answer as soon as you call.”

“All right. I’ll be quick.” He headed out through the mudroom.

She went back up to the bedroom. Duncan was still fast asleep. She took her phone out of her purse only to realize she didn’t really have a place to put it. A second later, she was changing into the new jeans she’d bought. Skinny jeans. Jenna would be proud. She added a cute printed top and one of the new cardigans that went with it.

She tucked the phone in her back pocket and went to check herself out in the mirror. Wow, what a difference an outfit could make. She looked less like someone’s mom and more like a fun girl to hang out with. Which she totally was. She was really starting to see why Jenna had bugged her to dress more currently for so long.

She owed her sister a spa day after this was over with. Nocturne Falls had to have a spa, didn’t it?

She checked on Duncan one more time, then went down to the library to peruse the books some more and see what Sebastian considered worthy of being in his collection. Her phone rang as she was looking at an impressive shelf of first editions.

“Hi Greaves. What’s for lunch?”

“The special today is open-faced roast beef sandwiches with mashed potatoes or French fries and glazed carrots. I feel it’s only fair to mention they have coconut cream pie on offer today as well. It’s very good, if I do say so.”

“I’m in. On everything. Mashed potatoes for me with the roast beef.”

“Excellent. I’ll order and be home forthwith.”

“I’ll be waiting.” She hung up and went back to the books, picking out a volume of world mythology that looked interesting.

“All alone, are we?”

Tessa’s blood chilled at the sound of Evangeline’s voice. She hugged the book to her chest as she turned to see the woman standing in the doorway. Blocking the exit, essentially. Tessa decided not to answer the question, countering with, “Good afternoon. I hope you slept well.”

That sounded like a thing the woman of the house would say, right?

Evangeline smiled. “Your concern is touching.”

“We wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable.” Even though Evangeline was putting off all sorts of defensive vibes right now.

“I think Sebastian might argue with that.” She strolled into the room, wearing the same silky black nightgown and feathered slippers she’d had on the night before. Apparently, she thought being a vampire entitled her to dress like an aging movie starlet. “Speaking of, where is my husband?”

Tessa bristled but did her best not to show it. She tried to think of Evangeline like a noisy patron who needed shushing. Start with tact first. With that in mind, Tessa chose her words carefully. “Sebastian should be home any moment. He had a meeting with Julian this morning.”

Evangeline stopped just short of the sunbeam Tessa stood in. “And Greaves is out, too, isn’t he? Probably getting you lunch. The man never did learn to cook, did he?”

A good guess or the woman had been eavesdropping. Not surprising. But her defenses seemed to be dropping now that she knew Sebastian wasn’t around. “Yes, he’s picking up lunch. He should also be back soon. Is there something I can help you with?”

Evangeline leaned her back against the shelves and studied her long, pointed fingernails. They were painted deep red. “I’m fine. Thank you.”

Those nails were such a cliché, Tessa thought. But the fact that the woman was frustrated with something came through loud and clear.

Evangeline stretched her fingers out, admiring the polish. Or whatever. “Aren’t you worried about Sebastian?”

Tessa held the mythology book in front of her like a shield, which wasn’t an item valkyrie were equipped with unless they were headed into battle. Even then, it was more for show. Valkyrie were fairly invincible. That fact gave her some comfort. “Worried about him in what way?”

Evangeline stopped looking at her nails and turned her gaze to Tessa. “He’s out there in all that…” She waved her hand at the light streaming through the windows and genuine fear radiated off the vampiress. “Sun.”

Tessa glanced toward the sunlight. It was a bright, beautiful day outside. She couldn’t imagine being afraid of something so ordinary. “I guess he’s one of those vampires who is immune.”