Forbidden Nights With A Vampire (25 page)

“Do you want to meet him?” Phil asked.

Vanda pressed a hand to her racing heart. “What will I say?”

“You’ll think of something.” Phil escorted her to her brother.

His mouth twitched when he noticed her hair, then he looked at her face and frowned. “Do I know you? You look so familiar.”

She blinked back her tears. “I—I—My name is Vanda.”

His blue eyes widened. “I had a sister named Vanda. You look so much like her.”

“She was…my grandmother.”

Jozef stiffened suddenly and grabbed at his chest. Vanda gasped. Good Lord, she was going to kill him.

The elderly lady rushed over. “What’s going on here?” She glared at Vanda. “Who are you?”

“I’m all right,” Jozef insisted. “Gertie, you remember how I used to talk about my sister Vanda?”

“Yes, she was the one who raised you after your mom died. You said she died in the war.”

Jozef looked at Vanda with tears in his eyes. “She lived! This is her granddaughter.”

“Oh my!” Gertie grabbed Vanda’s hand. “Bless you.”

Jozef took Vanda’s other hand. “How is she? Is she still with us?”

“She passed away,” Vanda said quietly. “But she always talked about you. She loved you very much.”

“I loved her, too.” Jozef shook her hand. “This is the best present ever.”

“Yes, it is.” Vanda glanced at Phil and smiled. “Thank you.”

Jozef laughed. “I like your purple hair. That’s something my sister would have done.”

Phil stepped forward. “Sir, my name is Phil Jones. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Jozef released Vanda’s hand and shook hands with Phil. “Are you here with Vanda?”

“Yes, and since you’re Vanda’s oldest living male relative, I thought I would ask you for her hand in marriage.”

Jozef blinked. “An old-fashioned sort, are you? I like that.” He looked at Vanda and his blue eyes twinkled. “Do you love this man, Vanda?”

“Oh, yes.” She stepped close to Phil and put her arms around him. “I love him very much.”

Gertie clasped her hands together. “This is so sweet.”

Jozef cleared his throat and gave Phil a stern look. “Do you have a job, young man?”

“Yes, sir. I’ll take good care of her. I love her with all my heart.”

Jozef chuckled. “Don’t know what you need me for. You two go on and get hitched.”

Vanda laughed. “We will. I promise.”

Phil pulled a diamond ring from his pocket and slid it onto Vanda’s finger. “To our great future together.”

She slipped her arms around his neck as his mouth met hers in a long, lingering kiss.

“Oooh, Pawpaw,” Emily whispered. “They’re kissing.”

Vanda heard her brother laugh, and her heart soared.

“How can I ever thank you for this, Phil?”

He gave her his wolfish grin. “We’ll think of something.”

A
fter surviving another round of Deadline Hell, I wish to thank those people who helped keep me afloat. Many thanks to my husband and children; my critique partners MJ, Sandy, Vicky, and Vicky; my agent Michelle Grajkowski; and my friends at the West Houston and Northwest Houston chapters of Romance Writers of America. My thanks to Erika Tsang for being the most brilliant and understanding editor ever! Thanks also to all the professionals at HarperCollins for giving me the most awesome covers, marketing, and promotion. And finally, a big thank-you to all the readers of the Love at Stake series. Your letters and e-mails are like Chocolood for a hungry vampire.

KERRELYN SPARKS’s first paranormal romance, How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire, zoomed out of the bat cave so fast it became Borders’ bestselling debut romance of 2005. Each book in the Love at Stake series has become a USA Today bestseller. When the fourth book, The Undead Next Door, landed on the New York Times bestseller list, even the Undead sat up and took notice, which made Kerrelyn a bit nervous.

She lives in the Greater Houston area with her husband, children, and a house full of garlic. So far, there are no vampires in her family. Werewolves are another matter entirely.

Please feel free to visit her at www.kerrelynsparks.com or e-mail her at [email protected]. Letters may be sent to P.O. Box 5512, Katy, TX 77491-5512.

All e-mail will receive a response, except on the night of a full moon.

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