Page 61 of Silent Stalker
“If it works, it is worth the sacrifice to my pride.”
I giggled, propped my feet up on the coffee table, and regarded him with a sly smile. “What happened to the thrill of the chase?”
“That’s a good question. I’m not sure. I keep trying to think about important things, like other possibilities, and I just get sidetracked and think I’d rather just go back to bed and take a nap.” Emerick slumped his shoulders. “Ben reminded me I’ve been working days and nights for about a month straight now. As such, I’m so sleep deprived that I can’t think straight. I thought about sending him to Tremont, but Edgar wanted his Uncle Ben to teach him a new game.”
“Sucker,” I informed him. “If you’re tired, why don’t you just stretch out on the couch while I work on carving a stake? That way, I do my share of the work while you rest. If you want a nap, take a nap.”
“But napping is so much nicer when you’re naked.”
I bet. Shaking my head and grinning at the absurdity of it all, I went into the bedroom where the gathered branches waited, and I picked the one that’d held on until I’d gotten the bird’s nest off it. I returned to the sitting room armed with both of my pocketknives and a plastic container to store the leaves, bark, and wood shavings in. I sat on the far end of the couch, made myself comfortable, and patted my lap to invite Emerick to join me.
He laughed, stretched out on the couch, and rested his head on my leg. “If you don’t want embarrassing pictures spreading around the brood, wake me up before the sun rises.”
“Why would I be embarrassed by napping on the couch with my husband?”
“Well played, Pepper. Well played. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Is the big, scary, ancient vampire afraid of being seen in a gentle, peaceful position?” I teased.
“We might give the brood a heart attack if they find us just passed out on the couch, fully clothed and appearing to be all innocent. They’ll question our actions.”
“And then they’ll see my carving station, realize I spent all night picking wood shavings out of your hair while you dozed, dreadfully bored with how long it takes me to whittle a stake.”
“A shower can fix wood shavings, so I’m not worried about that.”
“Is that because you’re all bark and no bite?”
Emerick snorted on a laugh. “As soon as I lure you to bed, I’m so punishing you for that, Mrs. Lowrance. But don’t worry, we’ll both enjoy it.”
“That better be a promise, Mr. Lowrance.”
“Oh, believe me. It is.”
