Chapter 5 – Business Acumen
There were many pairs of eyes on Elizabeth at the grand reopening of Collins Fishing Fleet and Cannery… but there was one pair of eyes that she was particularly aware of.
Elizabeth smiled as she pressed the button that would officially start operation of the Cannery, cameras flashing all around.
After a press conference and a couple of glasses of champagne… not for the children of course but for everyone else… the Collins family piled into the Chevy. Julia had snuck out halfway through the conference and slipped down the road to the local bar. Elizabeth didn't expect to see her for the rest of the evening.
Willie took the drivers seat while Roger and David somehow squeezed into the passenger seat. Elizabeth found herself wedged in between Barnabas and Carolyn in the back seat.
She couldn't help tensing up a bit as she felt his body pressed against hers. Even through his clothes she could feel the coolness of his skin. His knuckles were whiter even than the rest of him as his hands tightly gripped the seat. Clearly he was as aware of her as she was of him.
Often when they were in the same room she would feel those piercing dark eyes on her. It was flattering to have such a handsome man unable to keep his eyes off her... but she knew nothing could happen between them. They were related…. however distantly… and he was a vampire. She still vividly remembered the night he had almost bitten her, and she hadn't allowed herself to be alone with him since then.
Sometimes when she was lying in bed she would think about what could happen if she let it… but she always stopped the fantasy before it reached a certain point. Such thoughts were dangerous.
Usually the drive into town went very quickly but every minute seemed to drag on. She had to resist the urge to sit on her hands so she wouldn't touch him. The temptation to reach over was damn near overwhelming.
When they pulled into the driveway she let out a breath she hadn't even known she had been holding. As soon as Carolyn got out the car she quickly got out. She saw a slightly hurt expression flicker over Barnabas's face as she bolted away from him.
After dinner that evening she headed outside for a walk in the gardens. She needed to clear her head.
The cool, fresh air hit her as she walked out of the door. She had always loved the gardens, even when they were wild and rather overgrown.
She was admiring some late blooming flowers when she heard footsteps on the path behind her. She slowly turned. It was Barnabas.
"I hope I am not intruding Madam… but perhaps you would permit me to accompany you in your stroll?" he said in that charming old fashioned way of speaking he had.
She couldn't help a slight smile. "Yes. Of course…"
After they had walked in silence for a while he spoke.
"Forgive me… but have I done something to offend thee?" he asked softly, looking at her.
She avoided his gaze. "No… of course not. Why… why would you think that?" she said, trying to sound convincing.
"Miss Elizabeth… I know I frightened you…" he said, voice contrite. "But I can assure you… it will not happen again" he said firmly. "I swear… on my honor as a gentleman… you are safe around me."
Elizabeth turned to look at him. Those dark eyes caught and held hers. "I would not wish to harm one hair on your lovely head…" he said softly. It took several moments to tear her gaze away from his.
"I know…" she said, looking at the ground. He took her chin in hands and gently pushed her head up to look at him.
"Then why have you been avoiding me?" he said in a gentle voice.
She pulled away before his eyes could draw her in again. "I haven't…" she said.
Then she turned and quickly walked away, feeling his eyes on her as she went.