"So, does this mean we're not going to see the baby raccoons?"
6
Tess
Uncle Mike pushed his chair back and stood. "Come on, Shelley. Let's go see those baby raccoons and check on the pug palace progress. Ruby, want to come with us?"
Aunt Ruby opened her mouth as if to protest, but then caught the intent behind the look Uncle Mike was giving her and nodded. "Right. Raccoons. I'll pick up my barn shoes on the way. Tess, Jack, figure this out. Mr. Mackenzie, it was … interesting to meet you. I'm sure we'll see each other again another day."
Southern manners or not, Aunt Ruby was very good at letting people know when it was time to get the heck out of her house.
Logan clearly got the message, but he only jumped up out of his chair and gave them both a respectful nod. "I'm sure Jack and I can figure this out. Thank you so much for the lovely luncheon, Mr. and Mrs. Callahan."
Moments later, my family was gone, and I was left in the kitchen with a plateful of protein and two shapeshifters.
I sighed and shoved my plate toward Jack. "Go ahead. I'm not hungry. Now, what about this Fae prince? Is he going to show up and smite us?"
"Smite?" Jack's lips curved. "Was Pastor Nash on a rampage this morning in the sermon?"
"Don't change the subject. What is this all about? Why would a Fae prince care about an old statue? What does it have to do with Logan's sister? Why now?"
Logan wouldn't meet my eyes. "Well, I think—"
"And you! You've got a lot of nerve asking for help from Jack after youstabbedhim," I said, pointing a finger at him. "Let alone your smarmy flirting with me. You'd better tell us the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, or you are going to be very sorry you ever came to Dead End."
"I—"
"We protect our family here," I told him, giving him my best "Tess is a butt kicker" glare.
Logan blinked, opened his mouth, closed it, and then stared at me for a long moment.
"Well?" I demanded.
"I was just trying to be sure that it was my turn to talk," he said cautiously.
"Talk!"
The eagle shifter raised an eyebrow and glanced at Jack. "Does she speak for you, Shepherd?"
"Yep," Jack said. "Talk."
"I would if I knew anything else." Logan sighed and looked longingly at the empty lemon pie dish. "Also, I take exception to the word 'smarmy.'"
I narrowed my eyes, and he rushed to continue. "I heard rumors about this place—Dead End—and you, Jack. About the prince. Just the shadowy gossip and rumor that runs rampant through the Fae community. They live for intrigue, palace and otherwise. I was focused on learning what I could about Iona, so I didn't pay enough attention to the details, I admit."
I wanted to punch him, but Jack just nodded. "That's understandable, with your sister at risk."
"No, it isn't," I said, indignant.
Jack grinned. "Thanks for standing up for me."
"Always."
Jack reached over to take my hand, and his warm smile derailed my train of thought for a moment, until the sound of Logan's throat-clearing snapped me out of it, and I shook my head to clear it.
Ouch.
Note to self: Don't shake my head until the headache is gone.
