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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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<blockquote data-quote="orchid blossom" data-source="post: 2819558" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p>Ruby eventually finds Chester as he and Wilson finish with Greeley. Chester says to Wilson, "I'll see you later Sheriff." </p><p></p><p>"Afternoon Chester," Ruby says tiredly. "Enjoying our little vacation yet?" </p><p></p><p>Chester replies, "Nobody's getting shot at. I'd say that's good. I wasn't expecting to find that someone else got to Turner before us, though. It seems strange that he could be killed so easily." </p><p></p><p>"I agree, it seemed too easy but I'm not going to complain, that's for sure. I'm glad he's dead." </p><p></p><p>"Listen, Jake is trying to rest now but he wanted me to speak to you. He was thinking it might be a good idea to mention to Sheriff Wilson that you are a lawman back in Promise City. And that maybe he could think about deputizing you and Jake while we are here, you know, to help him out. And so we can get done what he have to. What do you think?" </p><p></p><p>"Looks like we can trust Wilson, so I'll tell him who I really am. He'll be at his office later, so I'll catch him then. This has overwhelmed him, especially since his deputy has gone missing. I bet he'll be glad for the help." </p><p></p><p>"I agree, he seems nice AND frazzled and will be glad for the help. Try to ask about Jake too if you can. That way Jake can also not have the law hanging over his head. I know neither of you has any plans on going back to jail and with the badge neither of you will have to worry about it." </p><p></p><p>Chester says, "Good point. If the local judge is anything like Isby, our story about hunting a vampire won't work." </p><p></p><p>Ruby laughs, "That sure is true. Oh, and another thing, he wanted me to run it by you... At this point it seems silly to try to act like we don't know each other. It's been tough pretending that we don't know you or Kate. He was thinking to scrap that with you, and also have Kate make an appearance now but he wanted your opinion first. But we have to stay Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs so people don't start distrusting us because of the name change. Does that seem like a good idea?" </p><p></p><p>Chester scratches his head. "If we're going to do this right, we're going to have to play it straight. People are going to figure out anyway, if we're working together. We're going to need everyone and pretending not to know each other just gets in the way. I agree on you and Jake staying married." He winks. "Lying about not knowing the others is one thing. Lying about marriage is another." </p><p></p><p>"I agree, we need everyone. It's very hard pretending not to know you or Kate. I don't like it. And the better we work together the faster we get out of here." Ruby smiles and laughs, "Well, we wouldn't be the first couple to lie about being married or not," Ruby laughs. </p><p></p><p>"Kate will be happy that she can know us now. She must be getting lonely." </p><p></p><p>"Ok, I should get back. Jake wants me to watch over him and talk to the others too. Try to get some rest, I have a feeling it'll be a long night." </p><p></p><p>"Jake looked all tuckered out. He sure was yawning a lot. Did he stay up the whole night? It's kind of funny in that we'll have to act like these creatures to hunt them." He shakes his head. "I'll get some rest after I see the sheriff. See you later, Constance." </p><p></p><p>"Yes, he stayed up all night to watch over me. I have to go and return the favor," she smiles. "I'll see you later."</p><p></p><p>Ruby finds her way back to their room. She again slips into Jake's shirt, takes a drink and falls into their bed. </p><p></p><p>Ruby just stares at Jake sleeping. Twilight was starting to fall on the little dusty town and Ruby wasn't sure if she should dread it or feel free to again enjoy the night. She had been certain that Colin was dead, but no one else seemed to agree. </p><p></p><p>Not wanting to wake Jake up she rolls over in the bed and stretches. Closing her eyes she tries to block out any unpleasant thoughts until her mind relaxes. She wishes over and over for Jake to wake up and wrap his arms around her so she could feel comforted and safe.</p><p></p><p>The motion on the bed wakes Jake, who had not been sleeping very deeply. His eyes come open readily, the room being dim. He watches her move for a minute or two before speaking. He loved to watch her move. </p><p></p><p>"Tedious is it not? Watching over someone while they sleep, when you would rather be on their schedule and long to be in their arms?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby startles and jumps slightly when Jake speaks. "Oh, I woke you up," she says, rolling over towards him. "I'm sorry." </p><p></p><p>She reaches her hand out and touches his stubbly, almost bearded face. "Yes, I hate it, the schedule. This morning I was happy because I thought we were done with all this." She quietly looks into his brown eyes then smiles. "And yes, I long to be in your arms, I always want that. But I understand."</p><p></p><p>Jake reaches out and pulls her into him, snuggles her back to his chest and wraps his arms around her. "I should get up and eat something. Seems I missed a few meals over the last day or so. That last one was pitiful and the coffee was miserable." He snorts a chuckle. "Doubtful that I will perish from starvation if I linger here in bed a little longer though."</p><p></p><p>"I know, I haven't been eating very well either. We should try to have a nice dinner." </p><p></p><p>Ruby happily lets Jake pull her into the snuggle and she practically purrs as she rubs her nose against Jake's chest, inhaling deeply. "I wish we could leave this place and go home," she sighs. "But I guess I should just be satisfied that we are all here and unharmed." </p><p></p><p>"I spoke with Chester like you asked, he's going to talk to the Sheriff. And I also talked with Kate and told her to have Katherine Kale show up. I don't know what her plan is." Ruby is quiet for a moment. "Come to think of it, I forgot to tell her what happened this morning." Jake can't see Ruby's face but he knows if he could, she would be furrowing her brows. "That's odd. Oh well, she'll find out later." </p><p></p><p>She hugs him tighter and lazily covers his chest with little kisses. Finally she looks up, setting her green eyes on his. Dreamily she says, "Tell me you love me Jake. I don't care about anything else."</p><p></p><p>"I do love you Ruby West, that is no word of a lie." Jake says nothing more. He is content to smile his little smile and gaze into those emerald eyes.</p><p></p><p>Ruby stretches her neck and kisses Jake softly on the lips. Then she sighs contentedly and rests her head back on his chest. The rhythm of his heart beating soothes her and eventually she smiles as she realizes her heart is beating in time with his. A beat that is strong and predictable, just like her Jake. Ruby starts to feel calm all over, the simple yet powerful effect that Jacob Cook held over her. </p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p></p><p>Kate spent the rest of the day inside her room with the door locked and the curtains drawn. The thought of changing back to Maddie made her skin crawl. It was good to look down and see her own small hands, her own figure, her black hair hanging in long waves. She thought over the things she had talked about with Ruby, and wondered if it was time to tell Jake that Ruby had found a new way to numb herself. </p><p></p><p>She also tried to work out how Kate could arrive in town. An illusion of her arrival would work, but she would have to talk to Jake herself before she made any decision. </p><p></p><p>As the sun began dropping in the sky, Kate sighed heavily and put the clip back into her hair. Her body shifted again and the pretty young blonde reappeared, but the bright smile was dimmer as she went down to the hotel dining room for dinner.</p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p></p><p>Ruby eyes are just closing into what would be a real assured and relaxed sleep when Jake announces it's time to get up for dinner. </p><p></p><p>Ruby blinks a few times, trying to wake herself up. "Do we have to?" she asks as she pulls herself sitting at the edge of the bed. "I was so unbelievably comfortable."</p><p></p><p>"My stomach is grumbling so loud I cannot see how you could get any rest." Then with a combination of physical and verbal cajoling over several minutes he manages to get the two of them out of bed. </p><p></p><p>"Here," he says gathering the supplies he purchased in Albuquerque, "help me put this together." He holds out the small leather pouch for her to hold. He smears the inside with the gummy material and then fills it with the syrupy cactus juice. He mixes in the corn starch and cochineal and then pulls the small pouch tightly closed. "You will KNOW when I want you to use this by what I say. Just loosen the string a little and smash it on you somewhere in midsection. After that, be the great actress that I know you can be and I will take it from there and give you the best distraction that I can." Jake shows her the derringer and ammo he purchased in Albuquerque. "I will keep this in my right coat pocket. That is another way you will know." He laughs. "I know you really want to act, but I hope we do NOT need to use this scam. I like to be prepared though." </p><p></p><p>Jake arms himself as normal plus his long barreled Colt. He puts his hunting knife, sawed off shotgun, some extra shotgun shells and the wooden stake in his smallest travel bag. Finally he dons his duster and hat, and puts two of the acid shotgun shells in his left pocket. Hefting the small bag he says, "See now, I am dressed for a night on the town."</p><p></p><p>"Yes darling, we are all ready for a night on the town," Ruby smiles. "And unlike the rest of you, I believe Colin Turner to be dead and I'm going to celebrate at Greely's by getting drunk out of my mind." </p><p></p><p>Ruby changes into her dress as Jake goes over the plan again. She places the pouch between her corset and gown, having Jake help her set it into the right spot. Then she curls up her hair and even adds her black velvet choker to go with her heart shaped earrings. She looks a bit faraway and Jake can't tell how much of what he is saying is sinking in. Jake notices her pick up her silver flask and tuck it into the waist band of her gown. She stands and smoothes out her dress before spinning around with her arms wide open. "How do I look? Acceptable for Mrs. Jacobs?" She stops spinning with her back to Jake and glancing over her shoulder makes a cute little face, touching her chin to her shoulder.</p><p></p><p>"Stunning as always." </p><p></p><p>"I do not know what to believe regarding Turner. If he is NOT dead, then he staged his demise to fool us. In which case he is afraid of us and that is good. But why leave the valuables behind in his room to be taken by someone? If he IS dead, then who killed him and why? I would like to know that whoever did it does not think we are a concern. " </p><p></p><p>Jake opens the door for her and says, "Either way it means my disguise is not needed. I think I am going to play some poker tonight." She notices he has a predatory grin on his face.</p><p></p><p>"Oh, no more Mr. Jacobs then? I'm sure you'll be glad to be rid of him and his wife." Ruby smiles but leaves the rest of her comment to herself. </p><p></p><p>"No, the names should stay in place. Suddenly changing names would create distrust, I only meant I do not have to keep acting different. I stayed away from the card table to not give someone looking for a brown haired card player an easy clue."</p><p></p><p>Ruby heads to the stairs. "You get back to cards, I'm sure you've missed it. Although those fellows from last night aren't much competition and you'll be bored." </p><p></p><p>Arriving at the dining room she comments, "How do you plan on getting the rest of that information?"</p><p></p><p>"Plan? Heh, I will think of something." He holds her chair out for her before sitting down himself.</p><p></p><p>Ruby sits, "I'm sure you will darling, think of something, you <em>always</em> do." Ruby browses over the menu but can't seem to concentrate on what she wants to eat. Instead she looks forward to after dinner and getting a good nights rest after that. "What are you getting?"</p><p></p><p>"I wonder what they cannot ruin, eh? We will get that. Steak seems safest."</p><p></p><p>"I'll just have what you're having!" Ruby chirps. "But where is the waitress?" </p><p></p><p>"So, we really get to have some fun at Mr. Greely's tonight? Maybe before I get drunk enough you have to carry me home I can look at the do... the thing again. The thing that was out of place yesterday. What else do we have to do tonight before I can enjoy myself?"</p><p></p><p>Jake shrugs. "I wonder what the others learned. I am just going to keep my ears open and make it up as a I go along. That is a fine idea about the door, do that. There are a number of things that still do not make sense. Like if you remembered the bad things about Turner after he is gone from you, why is Colleen not?"</p><p></p><p>A different woman comes out to the dining room than was there for breakfast. She is a petite Mexican woman who seems a bit shy and awkward. She speaks with a heavy accent. </p><p></p><p>"Hola, my name is Maria. I will cook for you tonight. Everything on the menu is OK, I can cook. I can cook Mexican food too if you like, you choose."</p><p></p><p>Jake is interrupted and turns to the woman. "Buenos Noches Senorita." He speaks to her in Spanish. "Are you the regular evening cook? Make us two of the best steaks you can find, in your Mexican specialty. I am sure it is wonderful. Surprise us with the rest. A hearty bottle of wine if you have it and something chocolate for dessert." He fishes out a couple of dollar coins and places them in her hand. "Take your time Senorita and make it a masterpiece. Gracias."</p><p></p><p>The woman listens intently to Jake's instructions and smiles as the tip is placed in her hand. She curtsies and answers "I am a new cook, I am getting a try out. I know how to cook very well, only started recently cooking for the hotel though. I will make you a wonderful meal and I believe I have just the right wine for you senor." </p><p></p><p>She curtsies slightly and then heads to Maddie to take her order offering the same, both the menu and any traditional Mexican dishes.</p><p></p><p>"I would love Mexican food," Maddie answered with a genuine smile. "Whatever it pleases you to cook. The food is always better if the cook enjoys preparing it. Thank you." As the cook walked away, Kate went back to her solitary thoughts.</p><p></p><p>After the cook scurries away Ruby notices her go to "Maddie". </p><p></p><p>Ruby places her napkin in her lap, "I don't know most of what you said but it sounded good. And sexy too," she smiles. "I think I heard the word chocolate in there," her smile widens. "You're such a wise and considerate husband." </p><p></p><p>She looks Jake in the eyes, "I spoke with that Maddie earlier. She isn't feeling herself, she's rather out of sorts. She must be lonely." Ruby nods to see if Jake gets her meaning. "She would like our friend Kate." </p><p></p><p>"I wonder where everyone else is? Although I'm already enjoying our nice romantic dinner for two." </p><p></p><p>Ruby takes a long slow glance around the room. "I don't remember if I told you. I spoke with Mr. O'Neil earlier. Seems he really is just looking for that book. I said we'd help him if he helped us. I'm hoping he'll start spilling more than what he has already. I think he knows more than he is telling." Ruby sets her gaze back on Jake. "And while I'm having a moment of clarity, I think we should go back and look at that statue, the one by Whittaker's house? Something doesn't seem right about all of that."</p><p></p><p>Jake questions her about that and she shares what she was told about the statue. "It does sound peculiar." </p><p></p><p>"How do you feel about looking at it after dark? Should we wait for morning light or look tonight? The locals here run for cover as soon as the sun goes down, probably with good reason."</p><p></p><p>Ruby shrugs, "I'm not afraid of the dark. Only of Colin Turner. And that problem seems to have taken care of itself."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2819558, member: 12815"] Ruby eventually finds Chester as he and Wilson finish with Greeley. Chester says to Wilson, "I'll see you later Sheriff." "Afternoon Chester," Ruby says tiredly. "Enjoying our little vacation yet?" Chester replies, "Nobody's getting shot at. I'd say that's good. I wasn't expecting to find that someone else got to Turner before us, though. It seems strange that he could be killed so easily." "I agree, it seemed too easy but I'm not going to complain, that's for sure. I'm glad he's dead." "Listen, Jake is trying to rest now but he wanted me to speak to you. He was thinking it might be a good idea to mention to Sheriff Wilson that you are a lawman back in Promise City. And that maybe he could think about deputizing you and Jake while we are here, you know, to help him out. And so we can get done what he have to. What do you think?" "Looks like we can trust Wilson, so I'll tell him who I really am. He'll be at his office later, so I'll catch him then. This has overwhelmed him, especially since his deputy has gone missing. I bet he'll be glad for the help." "I agree, he seems nice AND frazzled and will be glad for the help. Try to ask about Jake too if you can. That way Jake can also not have the law hanging over his head. I know neither of you has any plans on going back to jail and with the badge neither of you will have to worry about it." Chester says, "Good point. If the local judge is anything like Isby, our story about hunting a vampire won't work." Ruby laughs, "That sure is true. Oh, and another thing, he wanted me to run it by you... At this point it seems silly to try to act like we don't know each other. It's been tough pretending that we don't know you or Kate. He was thinking to scrap that with you, and also have Kate make an appearance now but he wanted your opinion first. But we have to stay Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs so people don't start distrusting us because of the name change. Does that seem like a good idea?" Chester scratches his head. "If we're going to do this right, we're going to have to play it straight. People are going to figure out anyway, if we're working together. We're going to need everyone and pretending not to know each other just gets in the way. I agree on you and Jake staying married." He winks. "Lying about not knowing the others is one thing. Lying about marriage is another." "I agree, we need everyone. It's very hard pretending not to know you or Kate. I don't like it. And the better we work together the faster we get out of here." Ruby smiles and laughs, "Well, we wouldn't be the first couple to lie about being married or not," Ruby laughs. "Kate will be happy that she can know us now. She must be getting lonely." "Ok, I should get back. Jake wants me to watch over him and talk to the others too. Try to get some rest, I have a feeling it'll be a long night." "Jake looked all tuckered out. He sure was yawning a lot. Did he stay up the whole night? It's kind of funny in that we'll have to act like these creatures to hunt them." He shakes his head. "I'll get some rest after I see the sheriff. See you later, Constance." "Yes, he stayed up all night to watch over me. I have to go and return the favor," she smiles. "I'll see you later." Ruby finds her way back to their room. She again slips into Jake's shirt, takes a drink and falls into their bed. Ruby just stares at Jake sleeping. Twilight was starting to fall on the little dusty town and Ruby wasn't sure if she should dread it or feel free to again enjoy the night. She had been certain that Colin was dead, but no one else seemed to agree. Not wanting to wake Jake up she rolls over in the bed and stretches. Closing her eyes she tries to block out any unpleasant thoughts until her mind relaxes. She wishes over and over for Jake to wake up and wrap his arms around her so she could feel comforted and safe. The motion on the bed wakes Jake, who had not been sleeping very deeply. His eyes come open readily, the room being dim. He watches her move for a minute or two before speaking. He loved to watch her move. "Tedious is it not? Watching over someone while they sleep, when you would rather be on their schedule and long to be in their arms?" Ruby startles and jumps slightly when Jake speaks. "Oh, I woke you up," she says, rolling over towards him. "I'm sorry." She reaches her hand out and touches his stubbly, almost bearded face. "Yes, I hate it, the schedule. This morning I was happy because I thought we were done with all this." She quietly looks into his brown eyes then smiles. "And yes, I long to be in your arms, I always want that. But I understand." Jake reaches out and pulls her into him, snuggles her back to his chest and wraps his arms around her. "I should get up and eat something. Seems I missed a few meals over the last day or so. That last one was pitiful and the coffee was miserable." He snorts a chuckle. "Doubtful that I will perish from starvation if I linger here in bed a little longer though." "I know, I haven't been eating very well either. We should try to have a nice dinner." Ruby happily lets Jake pull her into the snuggle and she practically purrs as she rubs her nose against Jake's chest, inhaling deeply. "I wish we could leave this place and go home," she sighs. "But I guess I should just be satisfied that we are all here and unharmed." "I spoke with Chester like you asked, he's going to talk to the Sheriff. And I also talked with Kate and told her to have Katherine Kale show up. I don't know what her plan is." Ruby is quiet for a moment. "Come to think of it, I forgot to tell her what happened this morning." Jake can't see Ruby's face but he knows if he could, she would be furrowing her brows. "That's odd. Oh well, she'll find out later." She hugs him tighter and lazily covers his chest with little kisses. Finally she looks up, setting her green eyes on his. Dreamily she says, "Tell me you love me Jake. I don't care about anything else." "I do love you Ruby West, that is no word of a lie." Jake says nothing more. He is content to smile his little smile and gaze into those emerald eyes. Ruby stretches her neck and kisses Jake softly on the lips. Then she sighs contentedly and rests her head back on his chest. The rhythm of his heart beating soothes her and eventually she smiles as she realizes her heart is beating in time with his. A beat that is strong and predictable, just like her Jake. Ruby starts to feel calm all over, the simple yet powerful effect that Jacob Cook held over her. * * * Kate spent the rest of the day inside her room with the door locked and the curtains drawn. The thought of changing back to Maddie made her skin crawl. It was good to look down and see her own small hands, her own figure, her black hair hanging in long waves. She thought over the things she had talked about with Ruby, and wondered if it was time to tell Jake that Ruby had found a new way to numb herself. She also tried to work out how Kate could arrive in town. An illusion of her arrival would work, but she would have to talk to Jake herself before she made any decision. As the sun began dropping in the sky, Kate sighed heavily and put the clip back into her hair. Her body shifted again and the pretty young blonde reappeared, but the bright smile was dimmer as she went down to the hotel dining room for dinner. * * * Ruby eyes are just closing into what would be a real assured and relaxed sleep when Jake announces it's time to get up for dinner. Ruby blinks a few times, trying to wake herself up. "Do we have to?" she asks as she pulls herself sitting at the edge of the bed. "I was so unbelievably comfortable." "My stomach is grumbling so loud I cannot see how you could get any rest." Then with a combination of physical and verbal cajoling over several minutes he manages to get the two of them out of bed. "Here," he says gathering the supplies he purchased in Albuquerque, "help me put this together." He holds out the small leather pouch for her to hold. He smears the inside with the gummy material and then fills it with the syrupy cactus juice. He mixes in the corn starch and cochineal and then pulls the small pouch tightly closed. "You will KNOW when I want you to use this by what I say. Just loosen the string a little and smash it on you somewhere in midsection. After that, be the great actress that I know you can be and I will take it from there and give you the best distraction that I can." Jake shows her the derringer and ammo he purchased in Albuquerque. "I will keep this in my right coat pocket. That is another way you will know." He laughs. "I know you really want to act, but I hope we do NOT need to use this scam. I like to be prepared though." Jake arms himself as normal plus his long barreled Colt. He puts his hunting knife, sawed off shotgun, some extra shotgun shells and the wooden stake in his smallest travel bag. Finally he dons his duster and hat, and puts two of the acid shotgun shells in his left pocket. Hefting the small bag he says, "See now, I am dressed for a night on the town." "Yes darling, we are all ready for a night on the town," Ruby smiles. "And unlike the rest of you, I believe Colin Turner to be dead and I'm going to celebrate at Greely's by getting drunk out of my mind." Ruby changes into her dress as Jake goes over the plan again. She places the pouch between her corset and gown, having Jake help her set it into the right spot. Then she curls up her hair and even adds her black velvet choker to go with her heart shaped earrings. She looks a bit faraway and Jake can't tell how much of what he is saying is sinking in. Jake notices her pick up her silver flask and tuck it into the waist band of her gown. She stands and smoothes out her dress before spinning around with her arms wide open. "How do I look? Acceptable for Mrs. Jacobs?" She stops spinning with her back to Jake and glancing over her shoulder makes a cute little face, touching her chin to her shoulder. "Stunning as always." "I do not know what to believe regarding Turner. If he is NOT dead, then he staged his demise to fool us. In which case he is afraid of us and that is good. But why leave the valuables behind in his room to be taken by someone? If he IS dead, then who killed him and why? I would like to know that whoever did it does not think we are a concern. " Jake opens the door for her and says, "Either way it means my disguise is not needed. I think I am going to play some poker tonight." She notices he has a predatory grin on his face. "Oh, no more Mr. Jacobs then? I'm sure you'll be glad to be rid of him and his wife." Ruby smiles but leaves the rest of her comment to herself. "No, the names should stay in place. Suddenly changing names would create distrust, I only meant I do not have to keep acting different. I stayed away from the card table to not give someone looking for a brown haired card player an easy clue." Ruby heads to the stairs. "You get back to cards, I'm sure you've missed it. Although those fellows from last night aren't much competition and you'll be bored." Arriving at the dining room she comments, "How do you plan on getting the rest of that information?" "Plan? Heh, I will think of something." He holds her chair out for her before sitting down himself. Ruby sits, "I'm sure you will darling, think of something, you [i]always[/i] do." Ruby browses over the menu but can't seem to concentrate on what she wants to eat. Instead she looks forward to after dinner and getting a good nights rest after that. "What are you getting?" "I wonder what they cannot ruin, eh? We will get that. Steak seems safest." "I'll just have what you're having!" Ruby chirps. "But where is the waitress?" "So, we really get to have some fun at Mr. Greely's tonight? Maybe before I get drunk enough you have to carry me home I can look at the do... the thing again. The thing that was out of place yesterday. What else do we have to do tonight before I can enjoy myself?" Jake shrugs. "I wonder what the others learned. I am just going to keep my ears open and make it up as a I go along. That is a fine idea about the door, do that. There are a number of things that still do not make sense. Like if you remembered the bad things about Turner after he is gone from you, why is Colleen not?" A different woman comes out to the dining room than was there for breakfast. She is a petite Mexican woman who seems a bit shy and awkward. She speaks with a heavy accent. "Hola, my name is Maria. I will cook for you tonight. Everything on the menu is OK, I can cook. I can cook Mexican food too if you like, you choose." Jake is interrupted and turns to the woman. "Buenos Noches Senorita." He speaks to her in Spanish. "Are you the regular evening cook? Make us two of the best steaks you can find, in your Mexican specialty. I am sure it is wonderful. Surprise us with the rest. A hearty bottle of wine if you have it and something chocolate for dessert." He fishes out a couple of dollar coins and places them in her hand. "Take your time Senorita and make it a masterpiece. Gracias." The woman listens intently to Jake's instructions and smiles as the tip is placed in her hand. She curtsies and answers "I am a new cook, I am getting a try out. I know how to cook very well, only started recently cooking for the hotel though. I will make you a wonderful meal and I believe I have just the right wine for you senor." She curtsies slightly and then heads to Maddie to take her order offering the same, both the menu and any traditional Mexican dishes. "I would love Mexican food," Maddie answered with a genuine smile. "Whatever it pleases you to cook. The food is always better if the cook enjoys preparing it. Thank you." As the cook walked away, Kate went back to her solitary thoughts. After the cook scurries away Ruby notices her go to "Maddie". Ruby places her napkin in her lap, "I don't know most of what you said but it sounded good. And sexy too," she smiles. "I think I heard the word chocolate in there," her smile widens. "You're such a wise and considerate husband." She looks Jake in the eyes, "I spoke with that Maddie earlier. She isn't feeling herself, she's rather out of sorts. She must be lonely." Ruby nods to see if Jake gets her meaning. "She would like our friend Kate." "I wonder where everyone else is? Although I'm already enjoying our nice romantic dinner for two." Ruby takes a long slow glance around the room. "I don't remember if I told you. I spoke with Mr. O'Neil earlier. Seems he really is just looking for that book. I said we'd help him if he helped us. I'm hoping he'll start spilling more than what he has already. I think he knows more than he is telling." Ruby sets her gaze back on Jake. "And while I'm having a moment of clarity, I think we should go back and look at that statue, the one by Whittaker's house? Something doesn't seem right about all of that." Jake questions her about that and she shares what she was told about the statue. "It does sound peculiar." "How do you feel about looking at it after dark? Should we wait for morning light or look tonight? The locals here run for cover as soon as the sun goes down, probably with good reason." Ruby shrugs, "I'm not afraid of the dark. Only of Colin Turner. And that problem seems to have taken care of itself." [/QUOTE]
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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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