They climbed onto the porch and she followed him when he stomped the mud off his boots and placed them under a bench. He opened the door and showed her in, immediately taking a deep breath to enjoy the familiar scent of home.
“Giovanni?” he heard Isabel call from the kitchen, walking toward them with open arms.
He glanced over at Beatrice, curious how she would perceive the friendly vampire. Like her father, Isabel was one of the most loyal and friendly immortals he had ever met, and her gracious demeanor spilled out in her greeting. Unlike Carwyn, she was Spanish, appeared to be in her late forties, and was around the same age Giovanni was in vampire years.
She kissed both his cheeks as they exchanged quiet greetings.
“Beatrice.” She turned to the girl. “It’s wonderful to meet you. I’m sure you’re exhausted after your journey, so we must visit another time. There are clothes in the front bedroom, and the bathroom is stocked. There are no electric lamps, but there is running water and plenty of candles throughout the house.”
Giovanni scowled, forgetting that Beatrice might be disturbed by the lack of electricity in the valley. She didn’t say anything except a quiet ‘thank you’ as Isabel kissed both her cheeks and departed. He showed her down the hall and indicated two doors.
“This is your room for as long as you want it. The bathroom is across from it. My room is at the back of the house,” he said. “Part of it is cut into the rocks, but your room has windows, so it won’t be dark during the daytime.”
“It’s fine,” she murmured.
He stood motionless, suddenly nervous to be alone with her and wishing he could secure her in his own room.
“Beatrice-”
“I think I’ll wash up and go to my room. Are there books I could borrow?”
“There are always books.” He smirked and nodded toward the front room. “Help yourself to any from the bookcases in the living room. I keep most of my personal collection here.”
She smiled for a moment before her eyes clouded. “Fine, I’ll figure it out tomorrow.”
“Did you want me to-”
“Good night,” she said abruptly. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He nodded silently, confused by the sudden shift in her demeanor. He checked the doors, windows, and any other access points, securing them before he went to his room in the back of the house. He was reluctant to leave her, even with the knowledge of Isabel and Gustavo’s ever-present guards, but he sensed she wanted to be alone.
Giovanni could feel the pull of dawn dragging him under when he heard the first soft cries from her room, and when he dreamed, her accusing eyes haunted him.
He woke when the sun set and threw on a pair of pants before he went to Beatrice’s room, noticing that her scent lingered in the hallway outside his door. He stood in the hallway, listening for her, but did not sense anyone in the house. Walking out to the kitchen, he noticed traces of her littering the main room, and a fire burned in the large stone hearth. No note indicated her whereabouts, and he immediately began to worry. He walked out to the porch, still barefoot, and searched the dim forest.
His ears picked up Isabel’s voice calling through the trees. “Cálmate, Gio. You pace like an irritated cat. She’s at our house; some of the boys were teaching her to ride. She’s fine.”
He halted on the porch, waiting for Isabel to emerge from the trees before he responded.
“She needs to leave me a note if she’s going to leave the house. I was about-”
“Ay, yes, you’d burn down your lovely piece of forest with worry. You’re such an old man! Calm down.”
He sank into one of the large chairs that decorated the porch and scowled. “I am the same age as you.”
Isabel rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean. And put some clothes on. You’re not impressing me with your muscles and I’m cold just looking at you.” She pretended to shiver as he opened his mouth to respond, but she only held up a hand. “I don’t care if you’re a walking space heater. Go get dressed.”
Scowling, he went back to his room to change into a pair of the jeans he kept at the house and a long-sleeved thermal shirt. He walked back to Isabel, who sat on the porch, staring up at the stars and smiling a little.
“Father said she was bright, but I didn’t really believe him.” She winked at Giovanni as he leaned against a dark wooden post and stared into the forest. “A human? And after all, who in her right mind would get involved with you?”
“You’re so amusing,” he said as he scanned the tree line, searching for a hint of her.
“But she is. Very smart. And bold. She found her way to the lodge house today and tried to find someone to teach her how to ride a horse.”
Isabel let out a tinkling laugh. “She had this very elaborate story worked out for Esteban’s family, because she didn’t know what they knew about us. They let her know she didn’t have anything to hide, and then one of the boys started giving her lessons.”
“Which one?”
“Does it matter?” she asked with a curious brow. “Oh, I see that it does.”
She smirked and looked toward the trees again. “One of the big strapping ones that leads the rock-climbing trips, I think.”
Giovanni growled and walked down the porch steps before she started laughing at him. “She’s with Gustavo now, calm yourself. He’ll bring her back shortly.”
He curled a lip at her, but she just chuckled. He’d never had an older sister as a human, but had always imagined if he had, she would have been a lot like Isabel. He walked back onto the porch and sat next to her in a chair. He could feel the weight of unasked questions hanging over them as they waited for Beatrice to return.
“What happened to the girl, Giovanni? Her eyes are too sad for someone so young.”
“I can’t-” He cleared his throat. “You need to ask her that question. It’s her story to tell when she wants.”
She snorted. “You infuriating man, I only put up with your secrets because I know you do it to everyone.”
“It’s not my place-”
“Blah, blah, blah. I’ve heard it a million times, you don’t have to repeat yourself,” she muttered. “At least I know if I tell you a secret, your lips are sealed.”
He shrugged and watched the trail leading to the lodge. He could hear the faint sounds of Beatrice and Gustavo as they made their way through the forest, and his heart started a quick beat. Isabel must have heard it, and she looked at him.
“Are you in love with her?”
He stood up and walked to the railing, unwilling to share his feelings, even with someone he trusted as much as Isabel.
“I think you are.” She paused before she continued quietly. “She’s very young, my friend.”
He nodded. “I know.”
“And she’s been hurt.”
“Yes.”
She stared at him until he met her dark, piercing gaze. He could hear Beatrice and Gustavo coming through the forest.
Isabel took a deep, calming breath. “I’ll pray for you. For both of you.”
His head turned when the two riders broke through the trees. He watched Beatrice ride the horse through the lush meadow. Her skin was pale and almost seemed to glow in the twilight. A healthy flush stained her cheeks, and a smile crossed her face as she listened to something Gustavo was joking about; but the light did not reach her eyes when they finally met his.
“Thank you, Isabel. For your help. For everything.”
“You are welcome, my friend. You are both welcome.”
Giovanni and Beatrice fell into a careful rhythm together in Cochamó, as they had from the beginning of their relationship. She explored the valley during the day, accompanied by one of the human family that worked for Gustavo and Isabel running the small tourist lodge. She would come back to the house to eat a quiet meal and read before going to sleep. There was no electricity in the house, but stone fireplaces warmed every room, and running water came from an old tower that stood next to the stable.