Georgie and Josh entered at the same time. They both stopped and stared.
Josh’s mouth opened and closed again. He blinked, moved closer, and murmured, “I’m not sure if you’re aware, but there are children here.”
“I know.”
“Why, what’s happened?”
“We’re taking care of them for a few days.”
The kids lifted their heads and took them in warily. At the sight of their pale faces and their dark-rimmed, bloodshot eyes, Josh stumbled back. Stumbling was not something a vampire did, unless they were mortally wounded. His movements were lithe, fluid, and graceful. Usually. Maybe it was the haunted,scared look on their faces, or maybe he couldn’t handle the scent of their blood?
“Hi.” Georgie smiled brightly. “I’m Georgie, and this is Josh,” she said, snatching his arm and dragging him forward.
“Hi,” Lottie said quietly. Billy scowled and polished off the last of his pancake.
Mary looked from the children to Josh and back again, her sympathetic gaze telling stories of the horror they had endured.
“I’m thinking I might bake some choc-chip cookies. Who wants to help me?” Mary asked as she added another pancake to Billy’s plate.
The children peered up almost as if they were suspicious this was a trick of some sort.
“I’m a pretty handy cook.” Josh slipped quietly into a chair at the table. “I like to make double-layered chocolate cake and decorate it with lots of colors. But I’d need some help. If both of you could be so kind as to help me, I would truly appreciate it.”
Lottie’s fork paused halfway to her mouth. “Is there enough food to make it?”
How many times had they been without food? I forced a smile. “Yes, there’s plenty to eat, Lottie. Anytime you’re hungry, just say, and one of us will get you something to eat.”
Billy thudded his fork into a pancake and didn’t respond.
“Who’s your favorite superhero, Billy?” Josh asked.
“Superman,” he spoke around a mouthful. His eyes lighting up a little as they noticed the Hulk on the t-shirt Josh wore. “Who’s yours?”
“Spider-Man.”
Billy snorted. “Superman is waaayy better. He can fly.”
Josh lifted his chin and folded his arms on the table. “So can Spider-Man.”
“If Spider-Man doesn’t have a building to latch onto, he’s fucked.”
I clutched my hand over my mouth to stop from laughing. Georgie snorted laughter and tea went flying out of her nose. She choked and spluttered, rushing over to the sink.
Josh bit his lips, trying not to laugh. “Stuffed, you meant stuffed, right?”
“Yeah,” Billy mumbled, dropping his head, his cheeks flushing pink as he just realized what he said.
“Billy said we might be going swimming?” Lottie said quickly, her voice high-pitched and frail.
“Once you’ve digested your breakfast, I can take you.” I smiled. “If your foot is alright, Billy?” His arm was wrapped in a waterproof bandage, but kicking in water wouldn’t be great for a broken toe. I didn’t think of that when I offered last night. There wasn’t much you could do for broken toes, but Karson did mention he had given Billy something to help both injuries heal faster.
Billy looked down at his bandaged toe. “It’s fine,” he muttered.
“I can take them, if you want,” Georgie offered, her eyes shining in a way I hadn’t seen since we’d come here. “I need to do some exercise.” She rubbed her slightly rounded belly. “Mary’s cooking is a little too good.”
“Oh, go on with you.” Mary laughed, brushing down her apron. “A good wind would blow you all over.”
“Good idea, I’ll come too.” Josh smiled, a dimple flashing on his right cheek. “I haven’t been swimming since …” He stopped, looking awkward. “For a few months now. Then we could cook the cake, watch a movie, and eat some popcorn. Do you have a favorite movie?” he asked.
