Page 17 of Silent Nights and Vampire Lights

I was in serious danger of losing my heart to Nicholas Frost.

CHAPTER 8

NICHOLAS

“What do you mean, we can’t leave tonight?”

The innkeepers were not my parents, nor were they any sort of authority figures in my life to dictate what I could or could not do. Yet somehow they were telling me that Holly and I could not leave that night as planned. The only reason we had stopped back at the bed-and-breakfast was because we left the car there while we browsed the marketplace, only a few blocks from the place. It made no sense to drive there.

Mae and Harold, the owners of the Yule House, dressed in new obnoxious holiday sweaters tonight, looked alarmed at my anger and glanced at Holly for reassurance. Holly did not disappoint.

“I’m sure Nick didn’t mean to be so abrupt. Could explain what you mean about not leaving? We have to get home for the holidays. I’m sure you understand.” Holly laid a hand on my forearm, and I gave them a pained grin.

Judging by their widening eyes, I failed to reassure them. Harold swallowed, the blood pounding harder in his veins, which I could sense easily. “There’s a big snowstorm moving in,fueled by lake effect snow from the Great Lakes. We’re expecting a few feet of snow and whiteout conditions.”

Mae leaned forward. “We were actually very worried about you, thinking you had already left and would be trapped on the highway. It’s too dangerous to drive anywhere right now.”

Harold nodded. “The state police have asked everyone to stay where they are at least through the night, but most likely through the next couple of days until they can clear the roads.”

An icy chill gripped my heart. I wasn’t worried about the time. I had a few days before Yule, December twenty-first. Plenty of time to get home. And I didn’t think the hitmen on Holly’s trail could catch us, since they wouldn’t be able to move through the snow either. But I would need to feed soon. And the mating instinct was growing, forcing me to the one woman I needed to avoid, the one woman who had been clear she wanted nothing to do with me in that respect.

Holly glanced at me worriedly. “Where will we stay? I’m sure every place is booked up.”

“Do you have a stable we could use?” Judging by the flat look everyone gave me, the joke was not a hit.

“We actually have your room still reserved for you. When I saw the weather report, I made sure to keep it for you, hoping you hadn’t left yet.”

Holly hugged the older woman. “Thank you so much. That was very kind, wasn’t it, Nick?”

I smiled, a much kinder one this time, I hoped. “Yes, thank you for thinking of us. Is there anything we can do to help you prepare?”

Mae eyed me speculatively. “Well, if you wouldn’t mind, Harold could use a hand bringing in some more wood for the stove. In case we lose power, it would be nice to have enough wood for the fire. And I can get started on the bakingfor tomorrow. I expect we’ll have people here for more than breakfast.”

“Would you like some help? I’ve been dying to bake some Christmas cookies, and I know how busy you are with preparations.”

Mae seized Holly’s hands. “I would be delighted. I haven’t had time to do tomorrow’s baking and would love the help.”

Harold clapped his hands. “We all have our orders. Do you need help with your bags from the car?”

I shook my head. “I’ll bring them in now, then help with the wood. Point me in the direction of the woodpile.”

I watched Holly follow Mae down the hall to the kitchen, both women cheerfully chatting away. Harold shook his head. “They’ll be lost in there for hours. I have a bottle of twelve-year-old Scotch we can share when we’re done. Avoid the women and any additional chores they have for us. I swear, that woman can invent the most bizarre tasks for me.”

I followed him outside, splitting up to grab our things from the car. A few hours later, flakes were falling heavier as we finished stacking wood in the lean-to next to the back door. Harold took off his leather gloves and wiped his forehead.

“Glad we’re done with that, and much faster with your help. I don’t think you’re even winded. I’m much too old for this.”

I had heard the way his blood rushed through his veins and did my best to ensure the older man didn’t have to take the majority of the loads. I feared his heart wasn’t healthy enough for the strain. I ruled him out as a possible blood source, something I had considered briefly since we would be working privately for a while, and I could easily mesmerize the older man and give him time to recover. But it would weaken him too much. I needed to look elsewhere.

I had an inn full of options. Sadly, my body only wanted one person.

We walked into the kitchen, and the smell of cinnamon scones filled the space, along with the underlying scent of Holly, the unique blend of vanilla and sugar cookies that I’d come to associate with her. My blood rushed south, and I hardened instantly. My gums ached as my fangs wanted to descend. I suspected my eyes were turning red, but I couldn’t leave without being rude. I faced the large picture window to watch the snow coming down heavily outside.

Holly stepped up next to me, tilting up her face to look outside. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

I looked down at her, at the smile that curved her lips and the way her eyes shone in the kitchen light. “Yes, it is.” She blushed, and I took her hand. “Take a walk with me.”

“It’s freezing outside,” Mae protested.

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