"Yes, I take it I'm spending the night again?"
"Yep. Sarah and Connor are going to Maine today and we have a date in my music room, remember?"
"Oh, is that tonight?"
"Don't even think about weaseling out of it, Legs."
"I guess I'll have to bring some sheet music for you then."
"Yes, you will."
***
Sarah sat in the drawing room sipping coffee when Jackson and Elisabeth were ready to leave.
"Where's Skippy?"
"He had a few things to do at the office."
"We're going to get the pumpkins. How many do you want?"
"Um, thirty should do it."
Elisabeth gasped, "You want me to carve thirty pumpkins?"
"Well… I suppose you don't have to carve all of them."
"How are we going to transport thirty pumpkins?"
Jackson offered, "We'll have a truck deliver them… and I'll help with the carving."
Elisabeth perched on the arm of the sofa next to Sarah. "Are you all right?"
She frowned, "What if they hate me?"
"Oh, Sarah!" She leaned over and hugged her. "They're going to love you just like everyone does. You are the kindest, sweetest person I have ever met. They would have to be made of stone to dislike you."
"Thank you, I'm so nervous."
"I know. Just be yourself."
Jackson piped in, "If finding out you're a vampire didn't drive Skippy away, I'm sure his parents' opinion of you won't."
Elisabeth laughed, "You have to admit he has a point." They all heard Connor's car pull up.
Jackson grabbed her bag. "I'll bring this out for you."
They said their goodbyes, and then Jackson and Elisabeth walked to the stable. "What do you want to take today?" He asked.
"I'm thinking something red."
"I'm afraid you'll have to be a little more specific."
"No, just red. You pick the model."
Jackson chose the Bugatti Veyron. "This is currently my favorite red car."
They were eating breakfast when Jackson looked up, and to his horror, saw Claudia walking straight toward them. "Jackson, fancy meeting you here."
He cursed his luck while muttering a clipped, "Hello."
Claudia turned to Elisabeth. "Hi, I'm Claudia."
"Elisabeth." She extended her hand.
The blonde smiled thinly, keeping her eyes on the vampire. "I helped Jackson pick out some suits a while back… how did they fit?"
"Fine."
"Lovely. Nice to meet you." She slid her hand across Jackson's shoulder. "Don't be a stranger now." And walked out.
Elisabeth pursed her lips. "Don't you make women you feed on forget you?"
"Not usually."
"Why not?"
Jackson dropped his head and rubbed his forehead for a moment, then looked up at her grimacing. "Because I am an asshole with an insatiable ego." Elisabeth raised both eyebrows and laughed. He shook his head. "I'm glad you find my character flaws amusing, 'cuz I have a boat load of them."