I frowned. If it had been Eric who'd left the message I probably would have just deleted it, but it was Pam.

The last time I'd seen Pam was at the Summit, with smoke rising off her skin as she was burnt by the sunlight. I had been wondering how she was doing. I hadn't heard from any vampires since then. Not even a thank you note for saving their lives. Not that I'd saved everyone, or stopped anyone from getting hurt.

Pam, Eric and Bill were burned in the explosion. Cleo and Sigebert had lived too. The Queen of Louisiana, Sophie-Anne LeClerq, had both her legs blown off. And Andre, of course, had survived with only some burns to show for it. Thanks to me. I sighed.

Still, I was sure Pam wouldn't have left that message unless it was at Eric's request. Classic Eric, expecting me to come running anytime he whistled. And with that thought I deleted the message.

I dialed Quinn's number. I hadn't memorised it yet but I had written it out with a little heart in an address book I kept by the phone. I kept a pen in the page, I had a feeling I'd be calling it more often. I smiled to myself.

I had a mobile phone now and I didn't mind texting, but there was something about calling up a man on the landline phone. After years of having no one to call, it fulfilled a teenage fantasy of mine to be calling up my boyfriend on the landline. With Bill there had rarely been a need, since he lived just across the cemetery.

Quinn didn't answer, and I left a message telling him I was sorry that I'd missed his call and excited to hear he was coming so soon. I had an awkward moment before I hung up where I wasn't quite sure how to sign off. I ended up asking him to call me back when he had a moment and quickly hung up.

I felt flushed and giddy. Sookie Stackhouse had herself a man. I couldn't wait for him to visit, and for us to spend some proper time together. But first, I scolded myself, I needed to make sure I was organised.

I grabbed a pen and notebook and started writing out a list. I needed to do a proper clean of the house and tidy up the yard. I needed to figure out the meals we'd have and buy ingredients. I'd also need to prep some meals in advance so I wouldn't spend all my time cooking once Quinn was here. I wondered if I could change my shifts around at Merlotte's. No, if Quinn was here for a day or two that might be worth it, but he was here for a whole month and I'd need to work. I smiled when I realised that for once my boyfriend would be able to work around when I was available—he'd be available day or night.

I'd also need to organise some things to do. There wasn't a lot to do in Bon Temps, but I was sure I could find some things to do around the area. Maybe we could go on a double date with Tara and JB. I wrote down 'call Tara' to my list. We could also go into the movies, or go out for dinner again. I smiled. It felt nice to have things to look forward to for once.

I had the day off today and decided I may as well try and get the yard work out of the way. I called Jason and after some convincing, he agreed to come over and mow the lawn in his break, in exchange for lunch of course.

Amelia approached me as I was rummaging through the cupboard on the back porch, looking for gardening gloves. "Wow, gardening Sookie? You must really want to impress Quinn," she said gesturing to the small pile of gardening tools I was accumulating from the cupboard.

I rolled my eyes at her good-natured ribbing, "I don't hate gardening that much."

"You want a hand or not?"

I gratefully passed her the pair of gloves I'd just fished out of the cupboard.

Amelia and I passed the day pleasantly enough. Amelia trimmed back the flower bushes (the gardenia bush had been looking particularly scruffy). I picked up the larger sticks and branches from the lawn so Jason would be able to mow. We weeded the flower beds, then scattered some fertiliser and mulch around the plants. To my surprise it was all proving to be a workout. Some of the weeds were real tough to pull out by the roots, Amelia and I took turns at a few of the big ones. One particularly large one we gave up on. I decided I'd buy some weedkiller next time I was at the shop.

By the time Jason arrived, Amelia and I were covered in a fine layer of sweat and smeared with dirt. I washed my hands and made us sandwiches with some leftover roast beef from the night before and added a side of chips to each. We ate them on the back porch with a glass of coke each.

Amelia and Jason hadn't really spent much time together before this and I was surprised that they got on fairly well.

Amelia was quizzing Jason about being a were-panther when I got a strong mental broadcast from her. He really is fine…I could spend all day lickin' his abs…

I choked on my coke and devolved into a coughing fit. I didn't stop until Jason gave me a big whack on the back.

"You alright Sook? Jesus H. Christ," he gave me another whack on the back for good measure.

Amelia was looking at me questioningly. "Coke went down the wrong way," I croaked, taking another big sip of my drink to try and quell another cough.

"I'll say," Jason said absentmindedly before he continued talking about his being a were.

I could hardly blame Amelia for her thoughts. Another unfortunate side effect of having telepathy was you got used to hearing lusty thoughts, and that didn't stop just because the object of those thoughts was related to you. For once, I was relieved that Jason was with Crystal, it would just be too weird if he and Amelia dated. I shook the thought out of my head and tried to follow their conversation.

"But the power, the strength, hell I wouldn't change it now even if I could. I only wish I could fully shift."

"That's the feeling of pure magic," Amelia said. "Ain't nothin' else like it."

"Amen to that."

I had nothing really to say to that.

We sat in silence while we finished our sandwiches. I made sure to put my shields up firmly. I did not want to witness any more lascivious thoughts about my brother. I cleared up our plates and Jason finished mowing the lawn.

By the time I came outside Jason had finished and was chatting to Amelia again. "You should come by tonight—I hardly ever see you out."

"Maybe I will," she smiled. Warning bells went off in my head.

"What are y'all talkin' about?" I asked.

"I was just saying Amelia should come to Merlotte's tonight. Crystal will be there, plus Hoyt. You should come too Sookie. I ain't barely seen you these last few weeks."

"I'll see," I said vaguely. I was touched by the invitation but the last thing I wanted to do tonight was go into Merlotte's. Amelia was looking at Jason with big eyes, a faint smile on her lips. I just couldn't help myself. "You know my word of the day today was lascivious?"

"Sook, what the hell are you talkin' bout?"

"On my word of the day calendar," I said, keeping my expression perfectly innocent.

"Oh you know Sook," Amelia smiled. "She loves that calendar." She gave me a little glare behind Jason's back. We waved Jason off and got back to work.

By the time we finished up, the sky was softening into a pale blue, streaks of lilac were creeping up from the horizon. We sat on the back porch looking at the fruits of our labour.

I didn't like gardening—I'd be the first to admit that—but I did appreciate the sense of satisfaction after a hard day's work outside.

"I think I might head over to Merlotte's tonight," said Amelia unexpectedly. "Not because I have the hots for Jason, although he is gorgeous. But I could use a night out. You should come too."

"I don't really feel like goin' in to work on my night off," I smiled. "But you go."

Amelia gave me a wicked smile, "I will then." She rose and waltzed inside, humming to herself. I realised she'd been asking for my permission. Not literally of course, but making sure I'd be okay here on my own. She was a good friend.

Truth be told I was happy enough to have a night in without Amelia. Although I didn't feel like being alone, I was looking forward to being able to rest my shields. I was exhausted from weeks of poor sleep combined with a day of yard work. I needed a night in.

If Quinn was here we'd be able to stay in together and watch a movie. A romcom maybe. Or even an action movie.

I gave a little sigh as my mind drifted over the cemetery and toward Bill's. When things had been good between Bill and me, before Lorena, before I'd found out about his orders from Sophie-Anne, I'd had that. I contemplated inviting him over. No, that wouldn't do. Bill and I might be on our way back to being friends, but it was still too soon to while away the evening together. Besides, he had never really been one for watching silly movies or reruns. He always wanted to watch sci-fi and historical dramas, which I also liked but certainly didn't feel like tonight.

I wondered if Pam would come over. Probably not, from her message it sounded like she was working tonight. I stood and brushed myself off before heading inside. I wondered what Eric had wanted me to attend Fangtasia for. Some new vampire drama probably. Maybe something to do with Sophie-Anne or Andre. I froze.

What if this was about Andre? What if they'd found out that Quinn had almost killed him, that I'd been about to let him? Anxiety surged through me. I had the sudden urge to get in the car and drive—whether to Fangtasia or in the opposite direction, I wasn't quite sure. My eyes darted to the kitchen clock. It was just after seven-thirty. If I left now, I would only be a little late.

I shook my head. What was I thinking? Even if this was about Andre, did I want to go? Wouldn't I just be walking into trouble? Or maybe Eric was trying to warn me? If it was really important, they would come to me anyway. Wouldn't I rather be here in the comfort of my own home? The last thing I felt like doing was driving the hour to Shreveport right now.

I made a decision. I was going to have a shower, heat up some leftovers, and watch a movie, like I planned. If Eric wanted to talk to me, he could come to me. And that was that.

Author's Note: Thanks for the comments, likes and follows! The next chapter is written so it won't be as long between posts. I promise a very tall, blonde vampire will make an appearance.