Page 2 of Rescued By the Vexed Vampire

“Ow,” I said to no one, wincing. “Okay, Bethany,” I continued, squaring my shoulders as I spoke to my reflection. “If what just happened wasn’t some sort of drunken dream, you’ve got another shot to get yourself together.”

After dressing in my comfiest pair of flannel pj’s, I headed to the kitchen and grabbed a packet of frozen peas from my freezer since my icemaker was on the fritz. I pressed it tenderly to my forehead and gazed through the window. The world outside was filled with the colors of late afternoon fall in my small town of Sweetberry Hollow. Red and gold leaves swirled in the wind as they made their way from the tall tree branches to the sidewalks below. Pumpkins carved with silly faces lined the streets, and autumn wreathes hung on doors. It was beautiful, and I felt a flicker of hope. I could do this.

I had learned a few things in my short time as a mortal, primarily that I wasn’t going to succeed at everything I attempted—okay, I hadn’t succeeded at much of anything yet—but at least I was willing to try again. I poured myself a tall glass of water, and as I drank, I started to map out a plan for how I would regain my footing.

I could practically see the images of angelic approval dancing in my head. “Look at Bethany! She’s finally making good choices!” I envisioned them cheering me on from the pearly gates. They were probably actually rolling their eyes, but I chose to assume they were cheering.

It was time to start searching for another job—something that didn’t involve spreadsheets or Mr. Thompson’s disapproving gaze. I needed a fresh start, and that meant embracing my strengths. If only partaking of carbs and sugarcould be counted as a strength. I snapped my fingers. That was it! I should work at a candy shop! I’d surely be a natural in that environment, since I’d never met a dessert I didn’t like.

I picked up my phone, searching for local shops. It didn’t take long before I stumbled acrossSugar Rush. Why hadn’t I ever heard of it before now? Maybe it was a relatively new business in Sweetberry Hollow.

I hadn’t been back in town that long since my disaster attempting life behind a desk in the big city and had only had one or two opportunities to visit the square downtown where my phone indicated the shop was located.

I clapped my hands together, imagining myself surrounded by sugary delights, wearing an apron and serving sweets to smiling customers. Sure, I had no formal experience in a candy shop, but how hard could it be? I vowed to pay a visit to Sugar Rush first thing in the morning to fill out an application. Tonight—food and rest were in order.

Carrying the phone with me to the living room, I settled myself onto the couch and clicked on the food delivery app. Pizza sounded like the only fitting remedy for this disaster of a day.

“Let’s see...,” I muttered, scrolling through my options.

A greasy pepperoni pizza topped with extra cheese seemed like a plan. After placing the order, I took a moment to breathe, savoring the thought of my future. With enough determination and chutzpah, I still had a chance to turn things around. I wondered how many good choices it would take to earn back my angel wings. It would help if Gabriel had been more specific.

The doorbell chimed, and I got up to retrieve my dinner from the pimply teenage delivery driver.

After setting the box on the kitchen counter, I pulled a couple of gooey slices onto a plate, returned to the couch, and flipped on the TV.

The Hallmark Channel greeted me with its typical charm and predictable plots. I sighed happily, wrapping myself in a blanket. Tonight, I would relish the simple pleasures of life: pizza, cozy pajamas, and the sweet predictability of cheesy romantic films.

And like Scarlet O’Hara famously said,“Tomorrow is a new day.”

Who knew? Maybe I could still turn my life around after all.

Chapter One

Bethany

I rolled down the window of my old Honda Civic and let the crisp autumn air sweep through the car. The scents of cinnamon, apples, and freshly fallen leaves filled the air, carried on the light breeze that rustled the orange and red foliage lining the quaint streets of Sweetberry Hollow. I couldn’t help but grin at the decorations scattered throughout the town square—fake cobwebs stretched across storefronts, pumpkin displays stood guard on every porch, and lampposts wore orange bows like they were competing to see which could be the most festive. Halloween was just around the corner, and no one did Halloween quite like Sweetberry Hollow.

"Home sweet home," I murmured to myself, glancing fondly at the tricked-out displays in the shop windows.Skeletons, witches, and black cats all peered out at me with spooky glee, and the realization dawned that I’d been so consumed with trying to get ahead in life lately that I’d forgotten to stop and smell the roses, or the pumpkins so to speak. A sense of community like we had here in Sweetberry Hollow really was something to be treasured. Maybe it had been good for me to spend a little time away in the city just to remember that now. I’d missed the way my small town got into the spirit of things, and my heart warmed just looking at the effort everyone had put into the seasonal decorations.

Flicking on my blinker, I turned into the small parking lot off Main Street. My stomach growled as I thought of the candy shop. I needed a job, and working at Sugar Rush during the fall season definitely sounded like the perfect gig. I crossed my fingers they’d be able to use an extra hand as I looked for an empty spot to park, making a mental note to stop by Gran’s house afterward. She’d love to hear all about my plans, and no visit was ever complete without being greeted by her two cats, Twilight and Moonbeam. Moonbeam, a sleek white Siamese, would of course pretend she didn’t care whether I was there or not, while Twilight, a gray tabby of generous size, would practically launch himself into my lap the second I’d set foot in the door.

Shaking myself from thoughts of cuddly cats, I parked and stepped out of the car, pulling my jacket tighter against the cool air. The square was bustling with people darting between the various coffee shops and boutiques, but when I reached Sugar Rush, I paused.

The candy shop’s window display was...well, sad. A few scattered pumpkins and a single half-hearted skeleton leaned awkwardly in the corner. The selection of treats behind the glass looked tired—outdated, even. There was barely any variation,and definitely not enough festive flair for Halloween. I frowned as I took it all in. The building itself was showing its age too, with paint peeling around the edges. At least the sign was new, but it looked like someone had slapped it up without much thought.

"Yikes," I muttered under my breath. “This is rough."

Still, I pushed open the door, setting off a tired-sounding bell overhead. The inside wasn’t much better. The shop was almost deserted, except for a frazzled mom trying to console a crying infant while her toddler whined about not finding her favorite candy. In the far corner, two high school kids huddled around steaming mugs—probably hot chocolate—chatting but clearly not indulging in the candy that should have been the main attraction.

I took a deep breath and walked up to the counter where a woman stood, looking just as worn out as the shop. Her graying hair was escaping from a loose braid, and the dark circles under her eyes told me she hadn’t slept well in a while. Still, she managed a faint smile when she noticed me approaching.

"Can I help you, dear?" she asked, though her voice sounded like she wasn’t entirely sure anyone needed anything from this place.

“Uh, yeah,” I said, offering her my most polite smile. “I was hoping to ask for an application. Are you hiring right now?”

Her eyes widened in shock. “A job application? Oh my goodness, are you serious?” Without warning, she rushed around the counter and grabbed my arm like I was some kind of miracle. “Whoever you are, you’re a blessing! We need help so bad in here, I can’t even tell you.”

I laughed, a little taken aback by her sudden enthusiasm. “Well, happy to be a blessing,” I said, trying to hide how startled I was. “But, uh, is everything okay? You seem...stressed?”

---