A Bite to Remember Page 0,73

into something more relaxing," she announced as Vincent paused to lock the door. "I'll check the answering machine on my way back."

"I'll make a pot of coffee and maybe a snack of some sort," Tiny said as he led Marguerite up the hall. He added, "If anyone's interested?"

"I am," Jackie answered promptly.

"Me too," Vincent said as he moved to the security panel to punch in the code to keep the alarm from going off. "I'm going to change as well and check on Stephano, but I shouldn't be long either."

Jackie started upstairs, hurrying to prevent being caught alone with Vincent. If he started to kiss her again... She shivered at the very idea, but then closed her mind to the possibility. There were far too many complications involved in any possible relationship between them. For one, it wouldn't be professional while she was working for him. And then there was the whole life mate, turning only one business. None of which she wanted to contemplate at the moment.

Jackie kicked off her shoes as she entered her room, removed her stockings and changed quickly into a black jogging suit, then headed back out. She wondered how Stephano was doing as she passed his door, but didn't stop to look in. Vincent could tell her when he got back down to the kitchen.

She had reached the foot of the stairs when Jackie remembered saying she'd check the answering machine. Neil had been home all night, but anyone wishing to get hold of him would have called on his cell phone. Vincent had told him not to worry about the phone and to let the answering machine get it while they were gone. She'd just check and see if there were any messages before heading to the kitchen, she decided.

On that thought, she turned in the direction of the office. Some part of her mind registered surprise when she saw that the door was closed. It was never closed unless someone was inside. When a cool breeze slid over her feet as she paused in front of the panel of wood, Jackie's hand froze on the knob.

Recalling the night the employee lists had gone missing and the fact that one of the French doors had been left open then, Jackie glanced around to the security panel and saw that it wasn't activated. Vincent had apparently punched in the code to prevent the alarm from going off, but not resecured the system. A soft sound from inside the room drew her attention back and Jackie instinctively thrust the door open. She was just in time to see a dark figure slipping out of the room via the same French door that had been opened last time.

"Hey!" Jackie said and rushed forward.

"There we are," Tiny said, turning on the coffeepot. "Coffee will be ready in a few minutes. In the meantime, I'm going to go change into my joggers. These dress pants are too tight."

"Okay." Vincent said, his head half inside the refrigerator as he perused its contents. He'd changed, then glanced into Stephano's room to find the injured man lying still and pale and Neil nodding off in a chair by the bed. Leaving them in peace, he'd come below, surprised to find that he'd beat Jackie back.

"Can you grab me a bag of blood while you're there, please, Vincent?" his aunt asked.

"Sure." Vincent retrieved a bag and straightened just in time to see Tiny slip from the room, then his glance slid to his aunt. "In a glass, or out of the bag?"

"The bag is fine, thank you," Marguerite murmured.

He carried the bag to her, handed it over, then took a seat at the table and shook his head.

"What is it?" Marguerite asked, catching the action.

"I was just thinking, I've owned this house for almost ten years and had never once used the kitchen until this last week or so, and now we seem to use it all the time."

Marguerite smiled faintly. "That's not the only thing that has changed since Jackie got here."

Vincent nodded in agreement, his gaze moving around the cozy room. It had always seemed somewhat cold and utilitarian to him before Jackie and Tiny had arrived. They'd filled it with sound, warmth, and the delightful smell of cooking food. Somehow, they'd made his house a home.

"Have you tried to read Jackie?" Marguerite asked suddenly.

"Yes, I tried to read her tonight and couldn't," he admitted quietly and then lowered his gaze to his clasped hands on the table top, his