Chapter 37 #2
I walked over to one of the round tables and sat down. Maddox took the seat next to me and picked up the menu in front of him. Within moments of us taking our seats, a pleasant looking man walked over with a pad of paper in one hand and a pen in the other.
“Hi, I’m Cody, and I can take your order whenever you are ready. Would you like something to drink? We have a full bar and anything else you may like.”
“May I please have water and an iced tea.”
“Just water for me,” Maddox added.
“I will be right back with those.”
I examined the menu in front of me and decided on a spicy chicken sandwich with chips and a side salad. When the waiter returned with our beverages, we placed our food order.
“Is everyone running on schedule?” I asked.
“As far as I know, everyone is en route,” he answered, smiling at me.
“Good, I’m ready to get this show on the road. Everything is ready—Scott and Alexander are both here. Things are falling into place. No reason for them not to.”
“You seem more relaxed. That’s nice to see.”
“It is what it is. I don’t need to worry. I just need to be myself. Either they like me, or they don’t, but either way, I’m me.”
“They will love you—I do.” Maddox leaned over and kissed my cheek.
After a few minutes, Cody returned with our food.
We ate and chatted about possible vacation destinations.
It occupied my mind and gave me something positive to take up some space in my brain.
Our food was excellent. I had yet to have anything bad or even remotely bland while I was here.
When we finished eating, Maddox excused himself.
He needed to send a car to pick up the first round of guests from the airport.
I wandered into the library trying to keep myself busy. The time seemed to be passing at a snail’s pace—and it was maddening. I just wanted to rip off the band-aid, and getting there was half the struggle.
The library was set for this evening. The only thing missing was the guests and staff.
The tables were in place, as were the conversation areas.
In so many ways, it reminded me of my grandfather and his study at home—I guess it was my study now.
If I wanted to do myself and everyone else a favor, I should really spend some time in that room and beneath it in the secret study.
I could learn so much from the things those rooms contained.
I wouldn’t even know where to start—but starting was better than not.
There were candelabras placed sporadically around the room. Once it was later in the evening, I could imagine the beautiful lighting that would be cast around the predominantly wooden décor. It was going to be hard to focus on everyone else when Maddox would more than likely remain close to me.
As soon as the thought entered my head, it was piggybacked by the thought that Ronan planned to remain close so he could answer any questions I had. I didn’t need these men trying to go at each other. That would not bode well.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
My head snapped in the direction of the door. I hadn’t realized anyone had entered the room. Bonnie was standing in the doorway examining my demeanor.
“Just every possible scenario of what could possibly go wrong, running through my head. Maybe it will better prepare me in case any one of those things actually occur.”
“Did you try having a drink? Just to take the edge off. I can see how this would be a stressful situation. I’m not telling you to get drunk by any means.
One drink might help. Besides, I can tell you, without a doubt, that this bunch is not going to judge you for having a beer.
If they do, it might actually garner you points.
They won’t think that you’re uptight, and they will also know that you are someone that is able to cut loose and have fun.
If you understand your audience, it’s a lot easier to make them happy. Lucky for us, I do.”
She walked over to a portable bar that had been set up on the left side of the fireplace. She leaned down and I heard a fridge open. When she stood, she was holding a bottle in her hand. She popped the top off with a bottle opener, that sat on the bar. She handed me the bottle.
“Drink up.”
I looked at the label on the bottle. It was a hard cider and to be honest I preferred that over beer.
I took a drink and let the tart apple flavor fill my mouth.
It was good, and I was beginning to think that Bonnie was onto something.
She opened another and tipped the bottle to her own lips.
We took a seat on one of the couches and chatted while we nursed our liquid courage.
“There you are. I have been looking for both of you.” Maddox came walking into the room.
“We came in here to have a drink, away from prying eyes. What do you need with us?” Bonnie said, answering him before I even had the chance.
“Matthew and his family will be here in about twenty minutes.”
“Good, so that means we have fifteen minutes left to finish our drinks,” Bonnie replied, with a smile in Maddox’s direction.
“I figured we could wait in the lobby and when they pull up, we can walk out to greet them. I have guys waiting to load up their luggage and transport it to their cabin.” He grabbed the bottle from my hand and took a drink.
He made a face and looked at the label. “I was expecting beer. That is not beer; but it is good.”
He handed the bottle back and I took another drink. It was almost empty, and Bonnie was correct—it had helped. I stood up from the couch and set the bottle on the bar top. Bonnie followed suit and we exited the library.
* * *
We stepped through the doors as the vehicle carrying Matthew and his family came to a stop.
Maddox and Ronan approached the vehicle, each opening one of the back doors.
A very pretty woman, appearing to be in her fifties, stepped from the vehicle.
She had curly, light brown hair that came just to her shoulders, with tan skin and dark blue eyes that contrasted beautifully.
She wasn’t tall, but her build was athletic, narrow at the waist, but her curves made it obvious she possessed a great deal of strength.
She smiled widely, and her face beamed radiantly.
I secretly wondered now if she was also a cryptid.
I internally kicked myself for not asking that simple question.
A tall gentleman exited the vehicle on the opposite side.
His hair was white, and it suited him, adding to a worn ruggedness.
Tan skin and sharp green eyes made him as striking as his wife.
His beard was very meticulously manicured.
The edges were sharp, and his hair was straight and slightly longer at the top of his head, fading into a very close shave at the base of his neck.
He was thin, but his shoulders were wide and imposing.
His pants looked as though they fit in the waist, but his muscular legs tugged at the fabric with each step.
He proceeded around the car, joining his wife in front of us.
He too was wearing a welcoming smile that set me at ease.
A third person exited the car—this must be their son.
I believe his name is Shane. He, like his father, was tall and wide.
Much younger, and his hair color mirrored his mother’s, but straight and long.
It hung to the middle of his back. He had a clean-shaven face with sharp features and a strong, wide jaw.
His eyes were his fathers—without a doubt.
He was a beautiful man—or cryptid, rather.
The older man stepped forward and wrapped Maddox in a hug, slapping his back.
“Dude, it’s been too long.”
I was guessing that they were friends. Maddox hadn’t mentioned it, but I suspected he would have more friends than acquaintances.
“It’s good to see you, man,” Maddox said, hugging his friend in return.
“This must be Joslyn?” Matthew approached me, offering his hand.
“Yes, and you must be Matthew,” I said, taking his hand.
“You are truly beautiful, my dear. Please let me introduce you to my son, Shane,” Matthew said as he released my hand and put his arm around his son.
“You can introduce them, but that’s about as far as he is going to get.” Maddox took his place next to me and smiled at his friend.
“Dad, she is very beautiful, but from the looks of it, I would have to fight a two-hundred-year-old vampire to even get close.”
He smiled at me as he extended his hand. I placed my hand in his and he kissed the back of my knuckles and then let go.
“How about all of you stop talking about the woman like she is a piece of meat—she is standing right in front of you.” Matthew’s wife stepped forward and laced her arm through mine.
“Come dear, we always exit the room when disrespectful men start talking about us as though we are toys that they possess. I am Heather and I will show you that you are in a position where you make the decisions, and these so-called men had better fall in line.” I could hear Bonnie giggling as she turned to follow us inside.
Once we were all inside the lobby, Maddox led Matthew away to get their gift bags and some snacks.
“Are you hungry?” I asked Heather. “You only have to take a seat, and a waiter will take care of everything. I believe Maddox has someone already delivering your luggage to the cabin.”
“Yes.” Bonnie chimed in. “Your cabin has been stocked with your favorite foods and drinks, and a schedule has been left to keep everyone on track. While Matthew is taking care of business, there is a plethora of activities and services that you can take advantage of—Shane as well.”
“Thank you, Bonnie. You always take such good care of us when we visit.” Heather smiled and placed her hand on top of Bonnie’s. “Are you going to eat with us?”
“I will have something small while I sit with you, of course,” Bonnie replied.