“Promise,” I said, thinking I was an insensitive brat of a daughter. She was scatterbrained, not stupid, and she had put up with a lot of crap from me. Especially lately.

“’Bye, Mom,” I called out as Marshal opened the door and preceded me down the two steps and to the walk. He’d already eaten a bite of the pie, and his mouth was full. “Thanks for everything,” I added, laughing when Marshal made a noise of bliss. My mom made excellent pie.

“Wow, this is great,” he said, turning to give my mom a smile. I felt good all of a sudden. My mom was cool. I didn’t appreciate her enough.

I eyed the two vehicles at the curb, my little convertible looking like a drop of red lightning next to Marshal’s big, obnoxious SUV. “Marshal…,” I started, thinking I really had to get home and work in the kitchen.

Marshal grinned, looking attractive in the sun. “She’s going to call me. If I tell her you went home, do you know the grief I’m going to get? I have a mom, too, you know.”

I sighed, holding my pie, knowing I’d never get my keys out of my bag with one hand. Taking a bite of pie, I looked at the house. My mom was at the window with the curtain edged aside. She waved but didn’t move from the glass. Yeah, it was probably not worth the hassle.

“Two hours,” he promised, eyes earnest and caring. “And I’ll help you in the kitchen to make up for it.”

Waffling, I looked at our cars. I could spare two hours. “You want to take my car?”

Marshal’s expression brightened when his gaze landed on it. I had made the red convertible mine with a few feminine touches, but it was still masculine enough to avoid being a chick buggy. “Sure,” he said. “I don’t mind coming back for my car. The rink isn’t far away.”

That would make it Aston’s, I thought, cringing. They wouldn’t remember me. Not from that long ago. “Sounds good,” I said, harboring the belief that if we took his car, something would happen and I’d be stranded, unable to get back to my church before sunset. I didn’t know how the undead lived, having to be somewhere before sunrise or risk annihilation. I’d better keep a watch on the time. A freaking demon in a roller rink. They’d ban me for life for that.