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filled it out appropriately. All she needed was to calm down and a pair of heels. Perhaps she was revealing too much cleavage. A cardigan would solve that.
         Amelia had not realized that the front door was wide open or that the bloodman was standing there, his eyes on her. She froze like a deer in headlights. She was utterly mortified—and maybe a little stunned by him as well.
         Leaving the bloodman holding the crate of blood, Valerie went to comfort her daughter. “Sweetheart, you look gorgeous. Drew will be speechless. Maybe you’ll want to add a sweater though. Cover up a bit,” she hinted. “It’s a chilly night.”
         Amelia slowly looked down at her protruding chest and a hand suddenly flung up to cover the exposed flesh. Her eyes went back to the bloodman with new horrification. Her face and chest turned a bright shade of scarlet. Valerie’s guard went up as well. It was one thing for a boy to admire her daughter, another for a strange man.
         “You look lovely,” the bloodman offered kindly, nothing lecherous in his voice or gaze. Valerie relaxed a little. “Your date is a lucky boy.”
         “Thank you,” she answered demurely, her eyes on the floor. Valerie heard a little bit of belief in her daughter’s voice for the first time. “Mom, can I borrow a sweater?”
         “Take my white mole hair.” She smiled at her daughter. This date would be good for her. Give her a little confidence.
          “Thank you.” Shyly, she raised her eyes to the bloodman, gave him a small smile, then rushed back down the hall.
         “Where would you like me to put these?” he asked.
         “Oh, the blood. I almost forgot. Sorry. It’s been hectic around here today.”
         “I can tell.”
         “In the kitchen please. Follow me, if you don’t mind.”
         She took him into the kitchen distinctly aware of his large presence behind her. She could feel herself going flush.
         “Must be quite the bash you’re throwing. This is a lot of blood.”
         “Yes. For my husband’s boss.”
         “Dr. Venjamin.”
         Valerie turned around surprised.
         He smiled. “Everyone knows Dr. Venjamin and his associates.” That was true. Sangre Valley was a small town after all. “Where would you like me to put these?”
         “Just on the counter. Thank you.”
         He nodded. “Enjoy your party, Mrs. Murray.”
         “Mom, this sweater is all scratchy. Do I have to wear it?” Harry complained walking into the kitchen scratching his chest.
         The bloodman smiled. “I’ll show myself out.”
         Harry looked up at him unimpressed.
        “Yes honey. You have to wear it.” She turned to the bloodman. “Thank you.”

 
    Chapter Nine
     
    Highballs and Eyeballs
     
         “Welcome,” Valerie said holding the door open for her guests, a smile painted on her face.
         “You look beautiful tonight, Valerie,” Dr. Venjamin said. “Of course, I’d bet you look beautiful every night.”
         “Kind of you to think so. Dr. Henrick, it’s wonderful to see you again.” Dr. Henrick was the physician for the family medical practice in Sangre Valley. He was in the later years of middle age, a ring of black hair connecting his tiny ears, a trim salt and pepper mustache under his nose. Unlike everyone else in the town, his skin was tan and speckled with liver spots. A short man, his bald head barely came to Valerie’s chin when she wore heels. He reminded her of a jolly walrus with his mustache and blubberous body.
         “And you. It’s been too long.” He smiled at her with his yellow teeth and kissed her hand.
         As the doctors walked past her, she breathed in their scent. Both men always had a strong, earthy human smell attached to them. Neither doctor lived in town; both owned ranches in the desert where they raised humans for relaxation. The cattle’s smell