Page 29 of Valley of the Shadow
But he didn’t need to get into that with Baojia.
“Good.” The worried husband was nodding. “At least that’ssomethingI can do. Natalie can drain me dry if she wants to.”
Lucien saw the moment Baojia realized how much he wanted Natalie to do that. The quiet vampire stared at the wall intently. Then he cleared his throat, crossed his arms, and looked out the window.
Not many could read Baojia, but Lucien had spent years in close proximity with him as they worked and lived together. Their friendship had been a surprise to both of them, but not an unwelcome one.
“Okay.” Baojia nodded. “Okay. We can do this.”
“And supplementing with animal blood will not affect her long-term health,” Lucien said. “Remember, she’s going to be my daughter. And I have not sired a child in a very, very long time. My blood is rich.”
And he was more than willing to share it with Natalie. In truth, he already felt deep affection toward the woman, possibly because this change had been planned for so long. Lucien didn’t feel like a father toward her, but an older brother? Yes, it felt a little like that.
Giovanni said, “All things considered, it’s likely Natalie will be stronger than you once she gains control.”
Lucien asked, “Is that going to bother you?”
Baojia rolled his eyes. “She’s already stronger than me. She just has different ways of showing it.” He turned and walked out of Lucien’s cabin. “Come up to the house when you’re finished talking,” he said. “The kids made cookies, and Gus and Matt are barbecuing.”
Christmas Eve passedin a blur of food and laughter and presents. Much to everyone’s delight, Isabel, Gus, and the rest of the family were excellent musicians and the evening concluded with a dance in the great room. All the sofas and chairs were pushed to the side while flutes, guitars, and drums came out. Isabel and one of Gus’s nieces sang ballads, but most of the music was fast, and the children and adults enjoyed the dance.
“Mama, look!” Sarah yelled from the dance floor where Lucien had put the little girl on his shoulders and was spinning her around. Sarah held out her arms and laughed long and loud.
“Look how tall you are!” Natalie’s heart was nearly bursting.
“I know!”
Lucien grinned, his normally solemn face transformed by the small child on his shoulders. Sarah had that gift. Everyone fell in love with her even if they were also exasperated.
Natalie’s belly was full of roasted wild turkey, and she leaned against Baojia’s chest, his arms wrapped tightly around her as they watched their friends and children dancing.
Dez had overseen the best American Thanksgiving dinner ever produced in Patagonia. There were mashed potatoes and apple pie. Lots of turkey and rich cornbread dressing spiked with salty bacon. The only thing missing had been cranberry sauce, but since that was Natalie’s least favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner, she was okay with that.
She’d checked nearly everything off on “Nat’s Bucket O’ Blood List.” She’d gone rock climbing with some of Gus’s nephews, who’d led her up a popular trail and managed to get Dez and Natalie—neither of whom had ever climbed before—in harnesses and up the side of a small cliff. It was thrilling and hard and probably not that safe, but she hadn’t told her husband that and neither had the boys, for which she was eternally grateful.
She’d been exhausted. She’d also felt more alive than she had in years.
Natalie and Dez borrowed kayaks and took all the kids down the river for a picnic. They played in the sun and sand every day. Her tattoo was healing nicely, and it didn’t hurt at all anymore.
Wine had definitely been drunk.
“How are you feeling?” Baojia kissed the top of her head. “Christmas is tomorrow.”
“Technically”—she looked at her watch—“Christmas is now.”
He frowned. “Did we pack the kids’ stockings?”
“We did.”
He nuzzled her neck. “You are extraordinary.”
“Because I remembered to bring the kids’ Christmas stockings?”
“Because…” He took a deep breath and fell silent.
Natalie looked over her shoulder. “Baojia?”
He was struggling to find words. Natalie put a hand on his jaw and pressed her cheek to his chest. Her beautiful, quiet man. “It’s okay. I know.”
