“Hey, beautiful.” I crouched down, petting her fur. Her purrs vibrated against my leg as she rubbed on me.
“Missed you, too. How about a treat? It’s too early for dinner.” I dropped my mail onto the counter, got Bubbles’s treats immediately…you didn’t keep her waiting. Finally, I shot off a text to Nat and Ben, telling them about my doctor appointment. Both sent celebratory emojis.
I grabbed water from my fridge and moved out to the small balcony with a view of Lancaster Island. My mind began to wander to the mysterious Lukas Farren. Was he really an asshole? Maybe he was just misunderstood.
I was going to find out. I pulled out my phone and went to my bucket list. “Solve a mystery” still couldn’t be crossed off, but as I peered at the huge mansion from over my phone, I had a feeling it would be soon.
CHAPTER FOUR
Lukas
It had taken a week,but the manor was now filled with my belongings. This was going to be my home for a long time, and I would make sure it felt like it.
I did meet the staff, albeit briefly. The butler’s name was Winston, and that was the only person I cared to remember.
I could admit the mansion and its surroundings were stunning. I wasn’t sure who all had lived here last, but it had been kept in impeccable condition and modernized through the years. The back of the property had a fire pit surrounded by plush furniture, a hot tub, a tennis court, and pretty much anything else you could dream of. The infinity pool was located off to the side and could be entered from the balcony of the sunroom.
All things I’d yet to use. I’d spent the week making sure no one ruined my property, reading, and wondering how long Vincent would allow me to ignore his messages before he hopped on a plane. While I liked him, I wasn’t in the mood forcompany. So, I shot a text off to him telling him I was busy moving in, and I was fine.
As I sat in the grand room looking at the shore, I could see the townspeople decorating for Halloween. Along the coastline there were shops and houses, and there was one location in particular I was honestly thinking of taking the boat to shore for: Cone Creations. I’d asked Winston about it, and he’d informed me that it was a very popular place with delicious ice cream.
Some may have thought it odd, a vampire loving ice cream, but I did. Very much. I wouldn’t say it brought me joy, but it numbed everything for a while. I spun around and walked to the door that led to the dock.
“Sir, can I help you with something?”
“No, Winston. I’m going to shore for ice cream.”
“I can get it for you, if you prefer.”
It wasn’t a secret that I hated being in the vicinity of humans. I tended to be hot tempered, and Winston was likely trying to avoid me making a scene in the small town.
“I can’t stay in this house forever, Winston. I’ll be fine.”
“I could accompany you.”
I waved him off, opened the door, and made my way toward the speedboat. The ride took less than three minutes. I guided it into the slip and tossed the rope to a teenager who, I assumed, worked at the small marina. He tied it to the cleat, and I hopped off, handing him a twenty for his help.
“Wow, thanks.”
I grunted and made my way up the dock in the direction of the street. Autumn was well and truly settling in. The scent of woodsmoke, earth, decaying leaves, cinnamon, and pumpkin wrapped around the crisp and cool breeze permeating the air. It was a beautiful sight with all the colors, but I wanted ice cream. It was the only reason I’d left my home.
As I walked down Main Street, eyes followed my every move. Of course, they all knew who I was—in a small town like this, a new face was cause for ogling, apparently. This was why I preferred highly populated areas. While someone might notice me here and there, it was mainly because they weren’t sure if they’d recognized me from somewhere else…or if it was because I was rather good-looking. I rolled my eyes at my own conceit. Yes, I was handsome; yes, people told me all the time; and once upon a time, I’d loved hearing that. Now, it was dull conversation.
Cone Creations came into view. The sign was white and pink with black lettering. Windows covered the entire storefront, and from here I could see a few customers inside. I pulled the door open and was pleasantly assaulted by the scents of chocolate, vanilla, and every flavor in between. The aroma of freshly made waffle cones tickled my nose, and the subtle whiff of cold from the freezers greeted me.
My eyes scanned the shop. Pink, white, and black was clearly the color scheme here. Stools lined the counter, white-and-pink booths were along the wall, and the music was what many referred to as oldies.
Every person turned to look at me, wide-eyed and curious. I had no time for them; there was ice cream in my future. I stepped up to the counter, and a blond girl with big blue glasses blinked at me.
“Do you speak?” I asked when she didn’t say anything.
“I…uh, yeah, sorry, um…welcome to Cone Creations. Did you want to try one of our Halloween-designed cones? We have?—”
“No.”
“Oh, well, okay, then.” She smiled. “What can I get for you?”
“I want vanilla and chocolate soft serve with rainbow and chocolate sprinkles, and three cherries.”
