Page 13 of Hunters and Hydrangeas

“You told us yesterday you’re interested in the throne.”

“I’m notinterestedin the throne,” Cassian objects, looking slightly vexed as he turns to face us. He leans against the counter in front of the toaster I no longer need and crosses his arms. “I have no choice but to claim it. I’m afraid if I want things handled well, I need the power to oversee them myself.”

“A wise observation,” Noah says. “But again, do you think now is the time to wrap yourself up in a new business venture?”

“Hey.” I shoot my boyfriend a scowl. “Stop trying to talk the wealthy vampire out of investing in your girlfriend’s business. I can do that myself.”

A smile ghosts over Noah’s face.

“I’ll be a silent partner,” Cassian promises, “simply available to sign the checks.”

“People don’t really use checks anymore,” I say.

“That might be true in general, but you’ll need one for the earnest money to secure the contract.”

“I don’t even know what earnest money is.”

“Poor little renter.” Cassian tuts several times. “You need me.”

“I used a cashier’s check when I bought my house in Denver,” Noah points out, just to be contrary. “Not a personal check.”

“Thank you for your input,” Cassian responds dryly.

I shake my head, scoffing at their bickering even though excitement is bubbling up in my chest, making me feel lighter than I have since I discovered I have fangs.

I think this might really be happening—I’m going to be a vampire with her own farm. Sure, I can’t go out in the sun. But I’ll just…garden at night. That’ll work.

With thoughts of evening garden parties at the new flower farm dancing in my head, I walk across the room to say goodbye to Noah.

My boyfriend obediently tilts his head up for a kiss, smiling after our lips brush because he knows I want more than this paltry peck.

“Have fun,” he says.

“We’ll try.”

When Cassian and I step onto the porch, I pause. My eyes land on the sensible crossover parked in the gravel drive. “Where’s the Lamborghini? Or any of your other wildly expensive vehicles?”

“Showing off money isn’t wise when you’re hoping to secure a good deal,” Cassian says, but it sounds like he’s evading something.

“The realtor doesn’t know you’re…you?”

“He’s aware we’re paying with cash, but nothing else.”

Something uncomfortable occurs to me. “We’re not going to look at any of Ethan’s properties, are we?”

A strange look passes over Cassian’s face.

“Cassian?”

“We’re meeting Hunter, Ethan’s brother and business partner.”

I stop dead in my tracks and turn to gape at him. “Are you serious?Why?”

“To secure a better deal, naturally. Both parties can benefit from cutting out the middleman. Hunter is aware of that, so he agreed to meet me when I contacted him this morning.”

There is so much to address here. I shake my head dumbly, trying to find a place to start. “I’m not buying property from Hunter.”

“We don’t have to buy anything. But the man is rather reclusive, especially after his brother’s incarceration, and money is the easiest way to draw his kind out of hiding. Believe it or not, their business suffered when his brother was convicted of murder, sexual assault, and kidnapping.”

---