The_Vampire_With_the_Dragon_Tattoo (Love at Stake #14) Page 0,59

then she'd needed the matching plaid shawl, a red beret, knee socks, and white Jabot blouse. She'd even splurged and bought herself a small sporran made of faux fur.

Marielle had bought plenty, too, and every storage space on the baby stroller was stuffed. She wheeled it into the pub and up to a table.

Leah set her purchases down on the nearby bench, then took a seat.

"I tell you what." Marielle leaned over to rummage through the large diaper bag. "After we've rested a bit, I'll run back to get the car. Then I can just pick you up, and you won't have to walk."

"Sounds good." Leah propped her foot up on the bench. Already the ankle was starting to swell. She glanced around. The place was mostly empty, except for a few older men close to the fireplace, drinking pints and playing chess.

"Here you go." Marielle handed Gabriel a stuffed tiger. He smiled, flailing the tiger about as she hunted for more toys in the diaper bag.

"May I be of service?" a deep voice asked, and Leah glanced up and blinked.

The waiter was tall, blond, and stunningly handsome.

"I'll have a lemonade," Leah said.

His mouth curled in amusement. "As you wish. And perhaps some warm milk for Gabriel?"

Marielle straightened. "Bunny! You came."

Leah's mouth fell open. He was rather heavenly to look at, even though she didn't think anyone, even an angel, could be as gorgeous as a certain dark-haired vampire in a kilt.

He gave Marielle a hug, then placed a hand on Gabriel's head. "God bless you, dear soul."

Gabriel gazed up at him and blew bubbles of spittle.

The angel laughed, then turned to Leah. "I hear you twisted your ankle."

"You did? How?"

He motioned to a space behind her. "Josephine told me, and Marielle wished for me." He turned back to Marielle. "Did you want something to drink?"

She chuckled. "Are you taking orders? I'll have a lemonade, too."

"Very well." He inclined his head. "Bless you all." With a last smile aimed at Leah, he turned and walked toward the kitchen.

"He forgot to - " Leah paused when she realized she was no longer in pain. "Oh my gosh." She leaned over to examine her ankle. The swelling was gone.

"Is it better?" Marielle sat down across from her.

"It's completely better." Leah set her foot on the floor. "How did he do that? He didn't even touch it."

"A twisted ankle isn't much of a challenge for Bunny."

A dark-haired waiter came toward them with a tray. He set two glasses of lemonade on the table, plus a glass of warm milk. Marielle poured the milk into a plastic glass and snapped a spouted lid on top.

"Where's Buniel?" Leah asked. When the waiter gave her a blank look, she continued, "The other waiter? The blond one?"

The waiter frowned, shaking his head. "I'm the only one here right now. Let me know if ye need anything else." He turned and strode back to the kitchen.

Leah's skin prickled with goose bumps. "That was weird. Where did Bunny go?"

Marielle shrugged. "His work was done."

"But I didn't get to thank him."

Marielle smiled as she handed the cup of milk to her son. "You just did. He'll know."

Leah glanced over her shoulder. Was Josephine there? It was strange to think that all those years when she'd thought she'd been alone, she'd had a guardian angel. Heck, a week ago she hadn't even believed in angels or demons. And she'd thought vampires were nonsense.

Now she was falling for a vampire in a kilt. She smiled to herself. She couldn't wait to see his face this evening when he saw what she'd bought.

"The sun has set in New York." Dougal slipped his cell phone back into his sporran after calling Freemont. "I need to go back to work tonight."

"Marielle said they'd be down soon. Apparently they have a surprise for us." Connor strode to the sideboard in his library and poured two glasses of Blissky. "Thank you for coming. Marielle had a great time today with Leah."

Dougal nodded. "Thank you for loaning me a clean shirt and some socks."

"Ye're welcome." Connor handed him a glass. "Come back any time ye like."

Dougal sipped some Blissky. "Is it hard being married to a mortal? I mean, we can only be a husband or father at night."

Connor frowned at his glass. "Sometimes I feel guilty for no' being able to do more, but she claims I shouldna, that she's verra happy." He shrugged. "What is the alternative? To no' be with her at all? Then we