ELEVEN
Mr. Minegold’s house was the largest on a road that led up toward the pine-covered hills that gave the town its name.
“This was definitelynotbuilt in the 1980s,” Sophie murmured as they parked Jesse’s car in a winding drive and looked up at the three-story house with its pillars, gables, and arched windows.
“No, the 1920s, I think.”
“Has he been here that long?” Sophie blinked, doing some guesswork. Mr. Minegold might be over a hundred if this was the house he bought as a young man.
“No, no. He came to this town in 1950-something and got this from someone who went bell-up during the stock market crash.” Jesse’s face tightened suddenly. “Look, I’m going to tell you something. I don’t know if it will freak you out, so I’d rather tell you when we’re alone in case it does. Minegold survived the Second World War.”
“Oh...?”
“As in, he should have been killed. But he wasn’t. He survived... horrible things. He knows humans can be the real monsters.”
“What? Oh God, Jesse. What... where was he?”
“Poland. He got out. He took out as many as he could, saved as many as he could, but even vampires have time constraints.Daylight. Fire. You can be physically weakened if you’re denied something to eat.” Jesse’s eyes shone briefly. “He’s saved a lot more people than just Robbie and me. If he seems odd sometimes, or maybe a little bitter, you’ll get why. He lost his wife. Some stuff he’s said makes me think he had children, too, children who survived but that he couldn’t very well go back and get, not years later, not after everyone believed he was dead.”
“I promise not to be rude. And not to ask too many questions.”
“Just... I love him like a dad. Like a friend, too. It means a lot to me that you’re willing to get to know him. I don’t want to put any pressure on you—”
“Failing spectacularly,” Sophie interjected.
“But I hope you’ll get to love him as much as I do. In time. Because I hope you’re around for a long time. Geez, it’s hot in here.”
“We’re standing outside. It’s also snowing.” She was forced to laugh as Jesse tugged the collar of his jacket and swallowed several times. “He saved you. I already like him.”
Sophie followed Jesse up to the doorway. The house’s white pillars were wrapped in twinkling lights. She noticed a Christtmas tree was visible through one window while the other held a menorah. “Does he live alone?”
“Yes, but he spends a lot of time in town.” Jesse adjusted the elaborate bundt cake in his arms
“Do we call him by his first name?” Sophie hissed as Jesse rang the bell. A carillon inside the house began to play Bach’sSheep May Safely Graze. Mr. Minegold went up a dozen points in her mind.
Jesse shook his head. “I don’t. He’s always been Mr. Minegold to me. His first name is Jakob, but he’s never, ever told me to call him that. I think there’s something in him that likesto keep the old world formality. Hey, if it makes him happy, I’m down.”
“Ah, Jesse! Sophie!” Mr. Minegold swung open the door, beaming. He instantly embraced Jesse, then grabbed Sophie in the other arm after a moment’s hesitation. “Oh, look at you, your mother has been baking. She is a treasure to look after my sweet tooth.” He took the bundt cake like it was an established ritual. “Mrs. Smith has been ‘thanking’ me for looking after Jesse since the day after he— erm—recovered. Every chance she gets, she brings me something for the table.”
“She’s super sweet,” Sophie agreed quickly. “I think she likes me.”
“You make Jesse happy. Shelovesyou.” His smile was much warmer than yesterday. “Come and eat.”
Jesse followed the older man to the dining room easily, the practice of many years. Sophie followed them, her eyes wandering, trying to get a sense of the house’s owner.
Well-read.Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves were crammed full.
Loves art and music.Real art, the kind that costs money. The kind her parents would never have hung on the walls. A few well-loved pieces, Sophie guessed, chiding herself for thinking about prices. Nothing was too ostentatious, only a few pieces arranged tastefully. She passed an old-fashioned record player and radio beside a wardrobe-sized record cabinet.
Traveler?Globes and maps were cheek-by-jowl with sextants and compasses, as well as other equipment she couldn’t recognize.
Good cook.There was enough food on the table to feed a small army.
“Mr. Minegold!” Jesse was apparently surprised by the amount of food as well. “I promise, they feed us at college.”
