Cora's Secret: A Vampire Ménage Urban Fantasy Romance Read Free Page B

jumping. The man gave off no negative signals at all. But Rhys couldn’t look away.
    The man looked up from the menu and around, almost like he could feel Rhys staring at him. Their gazes met and the man’s eyes narrowed. Not in anger or suspicion, but puzzlement.
    Rhys got to his feet and moved down the counter to where the man was sitting. He leaned against the counter. “It’s a knock-out day, isn’t it? Good for travelling.”
    “It is,” the man agreed coolly.
    Up this close, he really did seem to glow. It came from his skin, like the luster inside oyster shells.
    “You heading through?” Rhys asked.
    The man put down the menu and turned to face him directly. Rhys had a feeling that he was about to tell him to fuck off and mind his own business. Then his gaze flickered over the badge on Rhys’ belt and he relaxed and gave him a friendly smile. “I’m not sure, Sheriff. I’m done driving for the day, that’s for sure. I saw the lake in the distance and thought I’d find a place for the night here. The water looks wonderful.”
    “You like water sports, then?” That might explain the glow. A touch of sun. It was late summer, after all.
    “I do.” The man’s gaze was pulled away by Betsy as she sauntered over to them with her hand on her hip.
    “D’ya for?” she asked. Her gaze flickered toward Rhys. “You need more coffee, Sheriff?”
    “I would like another one, yes.”
    “Could I get the Cobb salad, please,” the blond man told her.
    Yeah, the healthy type. Rhys mentally sighed.
    “Sure thing.” Betsy took the menu from him and wandered away. She never seemed to hurry but tables got waited upon with invisible efficiency, anyway. It was another reason Rhys liked coming here.
    “I’ll let you get on with your supper.” Rhys turned away, intending to go back to his stool.
    “Stay and talk.”
    Rhys turned back to him. “Excuse me?”
    The man frowned. “I’m sorry…?”
    “You said something.”
    He shook his head slowly. “Nope.”
    Rhys pressed his hand against the counter. “My mistake.”
    The man turned on the stool to face him. “Do you check out every stranger that shows up in Erie, Sheriff?”
    Rhys got the impression it wasn’t an idle question. “I like to stay on top of newbies.”
    “New people are a problem?”
    Rhys grimaced. “I’m a county sheriff. That means I’ve got charge of a lot more than just Erie itself. The county is fifteen hundred square miles and there are three hundred thousand people living in it. I have seven deputies and I can call in the local police as I need to. But the Interstate runs right past the city, there’s the resort and the casino out on the island and the Canadian border is halfway across the lake. Yeah, strangers are an issue. Especially lately.”
    Betsy put a fresh mug of coffee in front of Rhys. “Awww, Sheriff, everyone knows why you like to hang out at the casino. The southern one, right?” She laughed like it was the funniest thing she’d ever heard, then held the pot over the mug in front of the blond man.
    He shook his head. “Do you have green tea?”
    Betsy tilted her head. “We’ve got normal teabags in the back, if you want.”
    “Just water, thanks.” He smiled at her without resentment and looked back at Rhys. “Why are strangers suddenly a problem, Sheriff?”
    Rhys sank onto the stool and picked up his coffee. “I’m Rhys. Rhys Wisherd.”
    “Luke Alvey.” He held his hand out and Rhys shook it, feeling the expected strength there, but Luke Alvey didn’t try to crush his fingers, either.
    “Alvey. That’s a rare one.”
    “It’s English. I looked it up, once. It means ‘elf-battle’.” Luke grinned. He nodded his thanks as Betsy put a big glass of iced water in front of him. “You were saying?”
    “I was?” Rhys asked.
    “About strangers and recent troubles.”
    Rhys looked around the diner, suddenly aware of the people who might be listening in. But the diner was almost empty. There was a