Love Me Forever. Rosemary Laurey

recent years, we seem to have imported some of your American customs of costumes but it’s nothing like you have here.” He shook his head. His most definitely, very handsome head.

      “Dixie’s been filling me in on local traditions.”

      “Beggars’ Night really is a major, big deal. It was when I was a kid, and still is. I can’t imagine not having it.” Heck, that sounded a bit rude. “I bet you have other things, right?”

      “Yes,” he agreed, “we do. But I must admit, I’m rather looking forward to my first, genuine, American Halloween.”

      “And all the witches and vampires and goblins?”

      His dark eyes seemed to gleam as his wide mouth curved at the corners. “Especially the vampires.”

      “You won’t see as many as a couple of years back. Pokemon and the Hulk seem to be the biggies this year.” And she still hadn’t bought Sam’s costume.

      “Your son’s going to dress up?”

      “You bet! I couldn’t keep him home.”

      “Be sure to come by the shop, won’t you?”

      “Sure.” Why had she agreed? She’d need to drive up here. On the other hand, why not? It was a far safer neighborhood than their own. It might make sense to spend the whole evening up here. “See you on Beggars’ Night.” Ridiculously, she wanted to. There was something about this man that…would only complicate her life. “Sam!” she called. He’d reshelved the book and was eyeing a black velvet cape with the same look he used to give his bottle when he was a baby.

      “Coming, Mom.” He was as good as his word, stepping up to the register with a happy grin on his face. “Excuse me,” he said to Justin, “but how much are those capes and do they come in kid’s sizes?”

      Stella’s stomach sank. She didn’t need to hear his answer to know the price was way above what she could afford for one.

      “We’ve only got adult sizes, I’m afraid,” Justin replied, and Stella all but hugged him with relief. That took care of that, and they’d get the Hulk one this very weekend.

      “Could you get a kid’s one?” Sam persisted. “I want to be a vampire for Halloween.” She was going to have to talk money to Sam on the way home—something she hated to do, but he had to realize how things were.

      “Possibly,” Justin said, “but those costumes aren’t the sort of thing you can buy with pocket money. You might need to talk this over with your mum. Doesn’t she have last say in these things?”

      For that he did deserve a hug! Better not!

      “Yes,” Sam admitted. “But one of those would be wonderful.” Stella’s heart tugged at the wistfulness in his voice. She realized Sam was watching her face, when he squeezed her hand. “Never mind, Mom. I don’t want one that much.” Hell, he was trying to make her feel better for not having money to buy the Halloween costume he wanted. Something was way off here. Time to go home.

      “There is one thing,” Justin said. Sam’s face began to glow and Stella wished she’d dragged Sam out while she had the chance. This man had better not say they had a cape. “I don’t know for sure…” He paused, casting her a cautious glance before looking right at Sam. “No promise. Understand?” Sam nodded. Stella bit her lip. “I know Dixie has some old costumes at home, orders that weren’t picked up, or didn’t fit. Things like that. Why don’t I ask her to check and see if there’s anything that might be your size?”

      Sam’s eyes were as big as golf balls. “You really think so?”

      “It’s possible, that’s all,” Justin said. “Remember I said no promises. We can’t have you carrying on at your mother if one doesn’t turn up.”

      “I won’t fuss, Cub’s honor.” Sam raised two fingers in salute.

      Justin chuckled. “I knew I could count on a Cub Scout.” He reached under the counter for a tape measure. “Let me just get your size and I’ll have word with Dixie.”

      Sam happily stood still while Justin measured and jotted down figures on a notepad. Stella began to get a bad feeling. If he did find something, how in heaven could she afford it?

      “That’s it, I think,” Justin said. “One last thing, your phone number.” Sam bit his lip—he knew as well as Stella did that it had been cut off again.

      “Let me give you my work number,” Stella said. “They can take a message and I’ll call you back. I’m off tomorrow but I’ll be there the rest of the week.”

      Justin looked up and straight at Stella. She felt herself sinking into his dark eyes. “I’ll give you a bell when I hear something.” She guessed that meant he’d call her and half-hoped he wouldn’t. “Don’t worry,” he said. “We’ll work something out.” Ridiculously, she believed him and trusted him utterly.

      So, it seemed, did Sam. “Yeah, Mom!” He all but skipped. “Thank you,” he added, bestowing his best smile on Justin. “Come on.” He tugged Stella’s hand. “I’ve got homework to do.”

      In the car, Stella came to her senses. There was no way in creation she could afford one of those costumes. Even if it was discounted. She’d just have to call back tomorrow and make that clear.

      “Justin!” Dixie would have gasped if she still breathed. “You want me to produce a custom-made costume in two days or sooner.”

      “Is it too much to ask?”

      No, it wasn’t and he knew it. She owed Justin a bunch, and if he wanted a rush costume job, he’d get one. It was just she couldn’t see Justin, Master Vampire with his Saville Row tailored duds, dressed up as a campy Hollywood vampire. “You really plan on going gung-ho for Halloween? Or rather Beggars’ Night, as they call it up here.”

      “It’s not for me!” He sounded almost shocked—much more like the Justin she knew. “Let me explain.”

      He did.

      Dixie was silent a good minute as she digested this. “Okay, let me get this straight. You want a kid-sized custom costume but it mustn’t look custom-made and you’re going to give it away?”

      “Heavens no, Dixie! Stella doesn’t seem the sort to take anything even whiffing of charity. I thought you could make it with a deliberate mistake.” His mouth curved a little.

      “Make it up with a flaw near the hem. Something like a selvage showing. That would make it unsellable but if she turns up the hem it would do.”

      “How come you know so much about sewing?” Stitching up people, he was good at. She still had faint marks on her forehead and under her breast, where he’d repaired injuries. Neither scar had faded after her transformation to vampire.

      His eyes went distant. “Long before you were born, I knew a seamstress.” He looked back at Dixie. “Can you do it?”

      “Of course.” She could hardly outsource this, the requirements were too odd. “Give me a day or so and I’ll see what I can come up with.” She smiled at Christopher, her love, her lifemate, who’d been listening intently. “You two going feeding tonight?”

      Christopher shook his head. “No. You want to?”

      “No.” Over a year vampire, and she still wasn’t comfortable with live feeding and used blood bags as much as possible. She was slowly getting use to living off blood but definitely missed Lindt chocolate and Starbucks ice cream.

      “I thought Justin and I would take a turn round the village. Just to keep an eye on things.”

      “You’re deputizing him, are you?” She had to smile.

      “Just letting him see what I do with my spare time.” Christopher crossed the room and hugged her. “You worry too much, Dixie.”

      “Why