“I was just about to make breakfast,” Sheree said. “Can I fix you something?”
“No, thank you, I’ve eaten,” Mara said, following her into the kitchen.
“Please, sit down,” Sheree invited, gesturing at a chair. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“Not now, thanks.”
With a nod, Sheree scrambled a couple of eggs and slid them onto a plate, then carried it and her coffee cup to the table and took the seat across from Mara’s.
“I’m sorry you had a fight,” she said. “I hope it was nothing serious.”
“Not really.” Mara hesitated a moment, then said, “You must have questions.”
“Questions?” Sheree asked, frowning.
“About Derek. He told me he’d talked to you.”
“Oh. Yes.” So it hadn’t been a dream.
“You’re worried about the vampire thing.”
Sheree nodded.
“How do you feel about him now?”
“I’m not sure. I’m a little bit . . .” She paused, then sighed. “I’m afraid of him. Not him, exactly, but what he is. I’ve seen how strong he is, and . . .” She lifted one shoulder and let it fall.
“You’re wondering if it’s dangerous to be with him? And you’re worried about the blood thing, afraid he might bite you.”
“He said he’s already tasted me, but I’m afraid he might . . . you know. I mean, I don’t want to be a vampire.”
“I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about,” Mara said, covering Sheree’s hand with her own. “Derek would never hurt you, or turn you against your will. What else did he tell you?”
“Oh, about hunters and how to protect myself and . . .” She shook her head. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation. Anyone else would think I was crazy. Has he ever . . . ever . . .”
“Taken my blood? No.”
“It must have been awful for him, being turned so young.” She frowned. “If vampires can’t go out during the day, what did he do about school?”
“We were home-schooled.”
“Oh.”
“I think you might be good for each other. He’s such a sweet boy.”
“A sweet boy?” Sheree shook her head. Sweet was hardly the word she would use to describe Derek. Handsome, yes. Sexy, yes. But sweet?
“I’ve always mothered him,” Mara said. “You know, he’s very fond of you.”
“I like him, too, but . . . Last night, his being a vampire didn’t bother me, but this morning . . .” She shook her head. “I just don’t know.”
“I understand. But enough about vampires,” Mara said. “How would you like to go shopping with me? Whenever Logan and I have a fight, I always go buy something new.” She laughed softly. “It’s a good thing we don’t fight very often. What do you say?”
“I’d love to,” Sheree said. “Just let me go get dressed.”
“You did what?” Derek stared at his mother, who was curled up on the sofa beside Logan.
“I spent the day with Sheree. We agreed to keep an eye on her, didn’t we?”
“You were just supposed to keep an eye on her, not become her new best friend. What did you talk about?”
“You, mostly. She’s a little . . . hmm, I guess you could say, conflicted at the moment.”
Derek groaned. Just what he needed. His mother playing matchmaker.
“I’m sorry you’re so upset, but I killed two birds with one stone, so to speak. I kept her safe, and I bought a new Donna Karan gown to wear to Justin’s party tonight.” Turning to Logan, she added, “Wait until you see it. It’s black and slinky. You’re gonna love it.”
“You know I love you in anything. Or nothing,” Logan said with a wicked grin. “So, what excuse did you give for being at her house so early?”
“I told her we had a fight.”
Logan laughed softly, amused by her clever ruse. “Well, since we’re fighting, I think we’d better go to bed and make up. How about it?”
“I’d love to,” Mara said, caressing his cheek, “but it will have to wait. I promised to take Derek to see his father’s grave. You don’t mind, do you?”
“No.” Rising, Logan headed for the door. “I’ll just go grab a bite while you’re gone.”
Derek stared after his stepfather. “He’s upset, isn’t he?”
“No, but he was always jealous of Kyle.”
“What was my father like?”
“He was a good man. Far too good for me.”