The Vampire's Valentine Surprise(12)
Hugh paced in the confines of the small tent until Stanhill arrived fifteen minutes later with a small cooler in hand.
His gaze went to Delaney’s sleeping form immediately. “What’s going on?”
Hugh grabbed the rook’s arm. “Delaney is pregnant.”
Stanhill’s mouth came open and his eyes lit with joy. “Blimey.” The joy quickly turned into realization. “That’s why you needed the blood. And why she’s feeling so off today.”
Hugh took the cooler. “Yes. Did she eat anything for breakfast?”
“Just some toast.”
“It’s a wonder she lasted this long.” Hugh pulled out the thermos.
Delaney shifted, her eyes flickering open. “Hey, Stanhill. What are you doing here?”
She sounded as weak as a kitten to Hugh. He knelt at her side. “He brought you the breakfast you should have had this morning.”
Stanhill nodded. “You’ve got to take care of yourself, miss. Now that you’re in a family way and all.” He grinned. “I never thought I’d be an uncle.”
She smiled back as Hugh helped her sit up. He unscrewed the top of the thermos and handed it over, the warm, metallic scent of the nourishment inside wafting through the space.
Stanhill gave a little nod. “I’ll leave you to it, then, unless you need something else. I was in the middle of running an errand for Corette.”
“Go ahead,” Hugh answered. “Thank you.”
“Anything for our Delaney.” He stuck his hands in his pockets and mumbled, “A baby,” on his way out.
Hugh prompted her. “Drink. Now. You’ll feel so much better.”
She lifted the thermos and did just that, emptying it. When she was finished, she handed the thermos back. “I do feel better. Much better, actually.”
The color returned to her face and the circles under her eyes vanished as he watched. “Good. Let’s get you home to rest.”
She snorted and got off the cot. “Not happening. I have a contest to win and the way I feel, I could finish everything I need to do in about an hour.” Her brows lifted. “Hey, we’re having a baby! Your grandmother is going to lose her mind.”
Hugh knew there was no arguing with her about the competition. “That she will. Expect to be showered with gifts like you’ve never experienced before.”
She laughed softly. “Oh, this is going to be interesting. Are you happy?”
He swallowed down the emotion knotting in his throat. “I have no words for how happy I am.”
“Try.”
He pulled her into his arms and held her tight, kissing her hard. “I am the luckiest vampire in the world.”
She leaned back, the mischievous glint in her eyes a welcome sight. “Yeah, you are.”
He shook his head. “Are you sure you feel well enough to finish the day?”
“Don’t I look better?”
“Infinitely.”
“And I feel the same way.” She kissed him, a fast, quick peck. “Now, I have to get back to my station. I have a cake to frost and cookies to ice and truffles to add gold leaf to.”
He studied her, this amazing woman who had graced his life with so much happiness. The woman who was about to give him another incredible gift. A child. “I love you, Delaney Ellingham.”
She tilted her forehead to meet his. “I love you more, Hugh Ellingham.”
He smiled, joy suffusing his body like a ray of sun. “Go bring that trophy home.”
Chapter Five
Delaney stood with the rest of the contestants at the front of crowd, waiting as the judges, Corette included, made their way to the dais. She glanced over at Hugh and smiled at him. Then she saw Roxy in the crowd a few people away from him.
Roxy waved. Delaney waved back and pointed at Hugh, mouthing, “That’s my husband.”
Roxy looked at Hugh. “That guy?” she mouthed back.
Delaney nodded.
Roxy gave her a thumbs-up and made a face that said she thought Delaney had done well.
Delaney grinned and laughed softly. The approval of a romance writer was high praise indeed. Roxy was basically an expert on hot guys. Delaney turned her attention back to the stage as the emcee, a local news anchor, made her way to the podium.
“Ladies and gentlemen, our judges have returned and we’re about to announce our winners. At the end, we’ll have all the winners come up on stage for trophies and pictures, but feel free to applaud for them as they’re announced.”
The crowd cheered and Delaney felt a knot form in her belly. This time it was undoubtedly nerves. She put her hand over her stomach anyway, marveling at the idea of life growing there. Her and Hugh’s child. Warmth and happiness filled her. Whatever the outcome of today’s bake-off, she had already won.