Bella Vita (27 page)

“No, dear, I've got this. I
enjoy this.” She smiled at me.

“Okay, so Patrick, what are
these great tales?” I turned my attention to him.

“Well, um...” He was
clearly uncomfortable with such direct attention on him.

“Well?” I laughed. “I
promise I don't bite.”

“Eh, I, um, heard some
rumors that yah were a... yah know.. a vampire. I know them kids up
at that school are wolves, we see them up on the hill at night.
It's part of the reason they let us keep this land. We don't say
anything, but if yer one of 'em I don't see a problem saying it to
yah.” His face was a glorious red and he was staring down at the
table.

Moira was embarrassed and looked from him to
me with deer eyes, that slowly turned from shock to utter
embarrassment. I could hear her thoughts praying to God for
patience, and forgiveness, and that I wouldn't get upset.

I laughed. “Well, do you wanna know the
truth?” I cocked an eyebrow at him.

“Aye, that I do.” His blue
eyes burned with desire.

“If I tell you, then you
can't say anything to anyone- even the pub folk. It could put you
in danger.” My face was serious.

“I'd still like to know,
especially if it's something that I'll have to protect my family
from.” I felt honored to be in his presence for his desire to keep
his family safe.

“I'm a vampire. The school
is one for werewolves. However, you're not supposed to know
anything about this. Knowing it can put you in danger. So it's best
that you just pretend you don't know anything. I like you guys. I'd
like to help fund this establishment. I can tell that you guys are
strapped for cash- perhaps the school is hoping that you'll fold.
But the wolves don't like my kind, and I don't like what they're
doing with your business.” I smiled at them.

“Miss Emma! You know the
rules!” She shrieked at me.

“I had a feeling you
already knew what I was. The cranberry juice isn't typically the
choice of beverages that are served at the dinner table here. I do
appreciate the dark liquid, but it wasn't necessary. I could always
take care of those cravings at another time.” I smiled at
her.

“How... how did yah know
that she was one, Moira?” Patrick looked at his wife like she was
an alien.

“Women often know more than
the men folk.” She laughed.

“I've a feeling my grandpa
has been through here recently. Perhaps even my parents. Our kind
is probably the majority of the business that you get because there
is a protection on the school that includes your home here- it acts
to deter people. It doesn't affect us because we're not so
sensitive to the cold.” I shook my head at the wolves foolish
belief that the vampires would stay away just because of the
proximity to the school.

“Patrick, don't worry. This
is how we survive. I've known since the first ones we served. Emma
is merely part of the line. Although she is the first to offer to
help us. I'd like to take yah up on yer offer. With Liam on the
way, I don't want things to be even more strapped. What do yah want
to do here, Emma?” She sat down after she handed everyone a
plate.

“Absolutely nothing. I
merely want to supply what you need.” I took a bite of the Irish
stew in front of me.

“But I don't understand.
Why would yah want to do something like that if yer not getting
anything in return?” Moira shook her head at me.

“I feel connected to this
place. I'd like a room that I could come to anytime, but other than
that.. I want nothing. I'll provide you with the funds you need to
run the place, hire on staff if you desire, even expand. It's
entirely up to you.” It felt odd putting the proposition out like
this, but I guess all things happen for a reason.

“Just to have a room?
That's all? Why?” Moira was suspicious of things that came too
easily, it was trait that I treasured.

“Vampires typically are
involved in many things. However, I've no interest in the opera
charity or constructing whatever for a third world country, I know
that makes me a bit on the heartless side. But I find that the
things that you care about the most are the things that you're
willing to get behind with your money. I know that money is a
concept that you and I think about differently, but I wouldn't just
throw it away. I know this place is amazing. You guys are amazing
people. And I want to be able to say that this place was like a
second home for me... and that you guys are taken care of. You feel
like you're part of my family already.” I smiled hoping that they
might begin to understand just what I was feeling for them and this
place.

“I don't want us to be yer
charity case. And I won't sell my family's land to yah.” Moira was
still trying to figure out what my angle was.

“Look, I'm not going to try
to swindle you out of your land, nor do I think of you as a
charity. This is an investment for me. What if you guys became an
inn for mainly vampires? I'm not saying that you stop your services
for whatever humans make it through their protection shield, I'm
merely saying that you could increase your business by catering to
my kind. And I'm willing to be a silent business investor for that.
Is that a better way to put it?” I was trying to make a way for
them to see what I was saying.

“I'm not sure. I mean, yah
guys are the reason we're still here. But to specifically take yah
in. What would that even entail?” I could feel her mind thinking,
considering the idea- not dismissing it at all.

“Well, I guess you'd have
to have a fridge stocked with blood. But I think that would be it.
We are pretty self-reliant. The blood would only be courtesy, most
of us carry our own with us. You wouldn't have to change anything.
This place has its own beauty. I think I might hire someone just to
make sure that everything was secure and people were properly
checked before being allowed to stay here, to make sure everyone
was safe.” I nodded my head in agreement with myself.

“Yah really think there
would be enough business to do background checks?” I could see the
hope light in her eyes.

“Yes I do. Especially if I
recommended this place to people. Unfortunately, I've way too much
say in my world.” I laughed at this small fact that I felt such a
strong grudge at.

“Yah... would do that?”
Patrick finally spoke.

“Of course, I would! I love
this place. Didn't I already say that?” I chuckled.

“Moira, this could be the
answer to our problems.” He beamed at her, I could hear her
thoughts circling the idea as well, but she still wasn't
sure.

“Emma, I'd like to think
about this. I want to be able to discuss this fully with Patrick as
well as the rest of those that would be involved. I won't mention
the vampire factor, don't worry about that.” She smiled.

“Oh, don't worry, you can
have all the time you need. If you haven't decided by the time I
leave, then I'll contact you at a later time. Now, let's enjoy this
delicious meal.” I began to eat my food again. I wanted to taste
each flavor. It was so different from what I normally
ate.

After dinner, I went to my room. The moon
was rising and it was hard to resist the urge to go and explore. I
knew that the pack would be out tonight, the moon would be too much
of a call for them. I was able to resist it, but they were governed
by the glorious orb in the sky. I wanted to go out and explore the
land. I knew that in my wolf form I could cover most of Ireland in
one night, and I could see all the sites. But that desire was
seriously dimmed when I saw the first wolf form appear on the hill
that separated the inn from the school. I closed my window and
decided that I should just go to bed instead.

The morning rose too soon for my eyes. In
the bright room it was like the sun was in the room with me. I
glared at the cheery walls and all the glory that the sun was
causing to greet me first thing. It was not what I wanted to do. I
mentally thought that I should buy a darker curtain for the window,
at least for while I was there.

I rolled out of bed and rubbed at my tired
eyes. Today I would get to look around the area. I wanted to make
sure that I kept my scent from building up too much around the inn.
I didn't need the wolves to come knocking at the door. I pulled out
some clothes and quickly brushed my hair and teeth in the sink. I
got dressed and headed downstairs.

Moira was sitting at the front desk. She was
wearing a pretty light green dress. It made her skin look like
peaches and cream. She was reading the morning paper and sipping on
some tea.

“Top of the morning to
you.” I laughed as I said it.

“Good morning, Emma.” She
smiled at me. “There's breakfast on the table for yah.”

“Thanks.” I said as I
bounced into the dining area. I wasn't sure what it was, but it was
delicious. The tea was alright- nothing like my morning cocoa back
home. Thinking of home made me want to check in with
them.

Dominic?
I sent the word to him.

Emma? Are you
alright?
He sounded so worried.

Yep, I'm fine. I just
wasn't sure if you'd be up yet. How's everything?
I smiled at his words.

Oh. School is good. I had
dinner with your grandparents last night. They're helping me sort
out the stuff with the palace for when we're married. It was
interesting to say the least.
His laugh
filled my mind.

I can only imagine.
I think I'm going to do some local sightseeing
today, do you want me to bring you anything back?
I wanted him to know that I was thinking about
him.

Um, let me think. Nope.
Just you. I miss you.
Dom's words were
like a gentle stroke in my mind.

I miss you too, but I think
this trip is good for me. I'm having a great time. And I might have
found a business venture for myself.
I
felt really happy about the inn.

Really? What is it?
His curiosity took over.

I can't tell you yet. Not
until I have more definite answers about whether or not it'll be
happening. Okay, well I'm gonna go. I'll call tonight.
I was glad I heard his voice.

Okay, I love you,
mia bella
. Have a nice
day.
I felt him pull away and I broke the
connection.

“Wow, that is interesting
to watch.” Moira was standing in the doorway- leaning on
it.

“Um, yeah. I was contacting
my fianc
é
back in
Italy.” I smiled at her.

“I figured. You mind if I
sit down with yah?” For once, she didn't look so sure.

“No, go right ahead.” I
gestured to the chair across from me.

“So I want to talk to yah
about yer offer.” She sat across from me, but put her legs up on
the chair next to her.

“Of course. I figured there
would be several chats before you made your decision.” I placed my
hands on the table in front of me.

“Well, I want to accept yer
offer. But I want yer word that if things don't work out that yah
won't just pull the funding right away and that yah will be
understanding that this is going to be an adjustment for us.” She
shifted slightly in her seat.

“Of course. I would never
force anything. And I would never just pull the rug out from you
guys. Surely you can see that.” I felt a little hurt that she would
even consider something like that.

“It's not that I think you
would. But it's something that needed to be addressed.” She sipped
on a cup of tea.

“I was thinking that you
could keep this as your home, and build just on the other side of
the garden an entirely new structure for your guests. That way
you'll still have room. Or you could do it the other way around.
It's just an idea either way.” I smiled at her.

“I think that would be a
great idea. Especially now that we're a growing family.” She rested
her hand on her growing stomach.

“That's what I thought.” I
smiled at her- in truth be told, I was envious of her ability to
have a big family.

We sat and talked about small details for a
couple of hours before Moira began to look exhausted. I sent her to
bed to rest for a while.

The air outside was crisp
and felt alive with the amount of green surrounding everything. I
walked the opposite direction from the hill.
I won't be going there today.
After
I was about a large field away, I heard my name. I turned and saw
Mike jogging up to me.

“Hey, wolf boy, what are
you doing here?” He looked really tired.

“I wanted to see you. No, I
needed to see you. After we got back from our night, I couldn't go
to sleep. I maybe slept for an hour.” He yawned
slightly.

“Okay, so now you've seen
me. Go to bed.” I laughed at him.

“Nope. I wanna spend the
day with you. And there's nothing you can do about it.” He stuck
his pierced tongue out at me. Desire ripped through my body- it was
so forceful that it caused me to stop in my tracks.