The Cowboy and the Vampire: Blood and Whiskey (The Cowboy and the Vampire Collection) by Hays Clark & McFall Kathleen

Author:Hays, Clark & McFall, Kathleen [Hays, Clark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pumpjack Press
Published: 2014-02-22T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-THREE

“Hello and welcome to the Vacation Inn. How can I assist you? Remember to smile.”

Tucker and Lizzie were standing in the lobby of the motel, lavish by LonePine standards, built just three years earlier. Doreen Kirchener didn’t bother to look up from the script taped to the counter; a script intended, no doubt, to help ensure whatever unfortunate soul doomed to work the night shift could always provide at least a modicum of customer service with the words sent down by the corporate office in St. Paul, Minnesota.

“Hey, Doreen,” Tucker said.

She looked up, breaking her tenuous connection to the script on the counter. “Hello Tucker. I see you brought your friend. How nice. Will you be wanting separate rooms for the evening?”

He started to laugh, caught himself, and then wondered how Doreen would handle it when Lizzie started to really show. That made him think of the ring now languishing in the glove box of his pickup. “Naw, we’re just here for the, uh, astronomy conference.”

Doreen pointed at a large poster board propped up on an easel with sheets of paper taped to it and Helvetica font proclaiming: Welcome scientists of the world. The International Astronomy Symposium will meet in the Rocky Mountain West Room, down the hall and to the right. An arrow pointed the way in case there was any doubt.

“I have to wonder what kind of conference meets at night?” she said, making night somehow sound like the devil’s work. “Rooms that can’t be cleaned during the day. It all sounds very suspicious to me.”

“They’re going to be doing research tonight and tomorrow night with, you know, their telescopes and whatnot,” Tucker said. “They sleep all day so they can stay awake all night.”

“I’m doing an article about them,” Lizzie said. “They are a weird group. They predicted a comet would be passing by the earth last year and it didn’t turn out the way they said it would, so they’ve been reluctant to spend too much time in the public eye. It’s kind of a scoop for me, that’s why I am hosting it.”

“Science does have its shortcomings,” Doreen said. “Everything is set for the cocktail party tonight. A very large amount of alcohol has been ordered, but precious little food.”

“You know scientists, a bunch of drunks,” Tucker said.

“Addiction is no laughing matter, Tucker.” He shuffled the toe of his boot, chastened. “Eloise set things up. I believe she is back there now finishing up.”

“Thanks, Doreen. They should be arriving soon so just send them on back when they get here.”

“If they miss the sign, like you did, I will happily assist them.” She tilted her head back toward the counter to check her notes once again. “We know you have many options on where you stay. Thank you for choosing the Vacation Inn. Remember to smile.”

“Doreen, this is practically the only hotel in town,” Tucker said. “It’s only a matter of time before y’all put the Western Motor Lodge out of business.”

“I would argue their questionable clientele will put them out of business,” she said, ending the conversation.

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