She stopped right there on the sidewalk, circled his waist with her arms and went up on her toes, pressing kisses over his chin up to his mouth.
His hands settled on her hips, half holding her away from him. "What are you doing? Everyone's looking."
"I'm kissing you."
"Well, cut it out."
"I like kissing you."
"Not in public. I mean it, Elle, get that wicked little smirk off your face."
"Big badass Jackson. What a baby," she taunted. Laughing, she caught his hand and began walking toward the grocery store, Bomber keeping pace.
Jackson heaved a sigh and ran his finger around the crew neck of his T-shirt. "It's hot today." Speeding up a little he guided her at a faster pace, hoping to reach the door before anything else happened.
"Is it?" The teasing note lent her voice a little lilt.
He glared at her, hoping for intimidation. She was in a "Drake" mood. When the seven sisters got together nothing stopped them from teasing the crap out of anything and anyone in their line of fire. He seemed to be lined up in the crosshairs with Elle today. With a sense of relief, he reached over Elle's head and shoved open the heavy door, stepping back politely to allow her through first. He followed her--straight into hell.
Jackson stopped dead, half in and half out of the doorway. Half the village was crowded into the store. He instinctively tightened his hold on Bomber's leash and the dog came to instant attention.
"Jackson!" Inez called out sharply. "You're letting flies in."
There were no flies. But she certainly knew how to draw attention to him. Everyone in the store turned around to stare at him with wide grins on their faces.
"You look like a deer caught in the headlights," Elle whispered, sounding smug.
He reached for the back of her shirt, half intending to drag her back out of the store but she had already slipped just out of reach as if she'd anticipated his reaction. A spattering of applause went around the store and he could feel the color rising under his shirt and up his neck.
"Congratulations," Reginald Mars said to him and clapped him hard on the back. "Good to know someone in this town had the sense to snap that girl up." He leaned close and lowered his voice, just enough to sound conspira torial, but loud enough for Elle to overhear. "That one's got a little fire in her. You're going to have your hands full."
Elle laughed. "Keep it up and I'll be spilling every bad story I know about you to my aunt Carol."
Reginald Mars had his own hydroponic farm and his vegetables were sought after and considered the best. But the man could be very difficult and before the Drake sisters' aunt had returned to town, he'd just as likely throw his produce at a person as sell it to them.
He winked at her. "Don't buy any of this mass-produced, poison-covered garbage, Elle. I already left a box of vegetables on Jackson's deck. I owed for--"
"That was kind of you, Reginald," Jackson interrupted. "I'm trying to feed Elle as healthy as possible. I particularly like those tomatoes you gave me a couple of weeks ago."
As a distraction, it should have worked. Mars could talk tomatoes almost as well as Clyde Darden talked flowers, but nothing was deterring the man. He simply acted as though Jackson hadn't spoken.
". . . helping me with the paperwork for the permits. I couldn't have gotten through them without you. I was pretty sure you talked them into letting me extend my building and Darryl, over at the courthouse, told me you had."
"I don't sell poisoned tomatoes," Inez denied in the background, hands on her hips, glaring at all of them. "My vegetables are every bit as healthy."
Jackson wanted to sink through the floor. Elle was beaming at him. He gritted his teeth and forced a semblance of a smile. Don't say a word. Not one word.
Elle gave him a wide-eyed look of innocence that he didn't buy for one minute.
"Elle!"
Trudy Garret rushed Elle, nearly knocking her over so that Jackson reached out a hand to steady her, keeping it on her back to let her know he was there supporting her. He stepped close, crowding her body when he felt her instant withdrawal. She steeled herself and hugged Trudy back. Jackson helped her stem the flow of information, holding a shield for her to prevent invading Trudy's privacy. Beside Trudy was her little boy, Davy. Trudy was engaged to Matt's youngest brother, Danny Granite, and she worked at the Salt Bar and Grill.
"How are you doing?" Trudy asked, taking a firm grip on her son's hand. He tugged at her, trying to get to Bomber.
Jackson shifted the dog a little closer to give the boy access. Instantly he was petting and talking to the German Shepherd.
"Good. How are things?" Elle responded. She leaned back into Jackson.
"Awesome. Danny and I are thinking we might buy the Grill. It's for sale. His parents said they'd help us." She grinned. "Of course, I think they want us married first, which would be logical."
"Is anything holding you up?"
"I see. Now that you're taking the big plunge, you're going to get the rest of us to do it," Trudy teased, but her smile faded. "I just want to know that Danny really loves Davy. I don't want Davy to be pushed aside in any way."
"All Danny does is talk about Davy," Jackson supplied. "He's a good man."
"Nervy," Reginald supplied, "real nervy."
Elle patted his arm. "You're not helping the cause here, Reginald. We want Trudy to marry Danny."
"In that case then, stop living in sin in front of the boy," Reginald advised.
Inez glared at old man Mars. "Shame on you!"
"Well, she shouldn't be," Reginald said. "In my day that boy would be taken out behind the barn and taught a lesson. You don't play with a lady's affections."
"Danny asked her," Inez said.
Reginald's bushy brows came together and he turned his piercing gaze on Trudy. "You don't dally with young men unless you're serious. Not at your age. And not when you have a boy to look after."
Trudy blushed wildly. Jackson coughed behind his hand.
Inez leaned over the counter, taking matters into her own hands to get the attention off Trudy. "I've done a lot of planning, Jackson, and everyone is helping. It's going to be a wonderful celebration." She blushed a little and turned toward the quiet man sitting with her behind the counter.
Elle's eyes widened at the sight of Frank Warner, who must have just gotten out of jail. "Frank, how nice to see you."
He looked pale and much older, his silver-gray hair closely cropped, but still thick and wavy. He gave her a half smile, a little surprised, as if he expected her to ignore him. Inez moved in close--protectively. "It's good to see you as well, Elle. I hear you're about to get married."
Jackson put his arm around Elle's shoulder and held out his other hand to Frank. "Inez has been working on it for us. Hopefully you'll be able to come. We'd love to have you. It's not formal . . ."
"Formal enough," Inez said. "I've had Sarah send for one of those couture gowns for beach weddings."
Jackson's eyebrow shot up. "I thought a beach wedding meant bathing suits, Inez."
She sniffed disdainfully. "You know better than that, Jackson Deveau. You will dress up decently for Elle."
He leaned down to whisper in Elle's ear. "I was looking forward to the bikini."
"I heard that, young man. I may be old but my ears are sharp." She cleared her throat and took Frank's hand. "Frank and I have been talking about getting married ourselves. We've known each other for too many years to count and thought we might grow old together, sitting in our rocking chairs on our front porch."
There was something on her face when she looked at Jackson, a need for approval, a hope that he would agree with her. Whatever she was feeling, she wanted something from Jackson. Elle understood then, the dynamics of the relationship were more than Jackson helping Inez out with her store, or Inez helping to plan his wedding. They were more like mother and son, or at the very least, a great beloved aunt.
Jackson's smile was slow in coming and his eyes drifted specula
tively over Frank Warner's lined face. Fresh out of prison, he seemed an unlikely candidate for Inez to fall in love with, but everyone in the village knew she'd stood by the man and visited him regularly in spite of the long distance she'd had to drive to get to the prison.
"Well, Frank, you're getting the second most wonderful woman in Sea Haven. I hope you appreciate her and always take good care of her." His chin nuzzled the top of Elle's head, but she could feel a faint tremor running through his body.
She moved her mind through his. He was worried. He knew how much Inez loved Frank, but he didn't know Frank Warner, not at all, and it bothered him that Inez was making the decision so quickly.
Inez doesn't do quick. She will have thought about this for some time.
Women in love aren't rational, baby. Believe me, my mother loved my father and he was the worst kind of man. There was a small hesitation before he made the confession. I loved him, too, but that doesn't mean we should have. We both would have been far better off without him. I don't want that--what my mother had--for Inez.
Without hesitation Elle leaned across the counter and held out her hand to Frank. "Congratulations, I think it's wonderful."
Frank put his hand in hers and Elle closed her fingers around his. For a moment there was only the warmth of human contact and then Frank's emotions spilled into Elle's mind--into Jackson's.
Jackson felt the impact immediately, the distaste of knowing someone's private thoughts. Frank was uncomfortable, sitting in the midst of the villagers' scrutiny for Inez. He'd always loved her, but felt unworthy of her. He didn't want others to turn away from her because of him, yet he couldn't quite bring himself to walk away from her. He felt old and tired and worn, and just wanted peace again--with Inez.
Jackson became aware of the stabbing pain in Elle's head, and knew she was using her talent too much. She was going to destroy all the work Kate had done. He tugged at her arm to get her to release Frank's hand.
"Let me know what the two of you need, Inez," Jackson said.
Her chin tilted and quivered for a moment before she steadied herself. "We need a couple of people to stand up for us."
Jackson bent to brush a kiss on her cheek. "It would be a privilege, Inez. Name the time and place and we'll be there."
Relief flickered in her eyes and then Inez ran her hand back and forth over Jackson's beard and clicked her tongue in disapproval. "When are you getting rid of that scruff so I can see your face again?"
He grinned at her and circled Elle's waist with his arms, drawing her back against him. "She won't kiss me if I don't have a beard. I'm not going without kisses."
Inez frowned at Elle. Elle, under cover of the counter, kicked Jackson's shin. "It's my face," she admitted. "I have very sensitive skin and his whiskers rub and I get burned."
"Oh, that's not good," Inez said. She sighed. "I guess you'll have to keep the beard then, Jackson, but keep it trimmed. You go through periods where you look positively awful, like those bikers who come through the village."
He grinned at her. "How would that be, Inez?" Half the village wore long hair and beards.
"Don't give me sass," she scolded, knowing full well he was teasing her. "Mean is how they look. You don't want to scare off Elle before you marry her."
A bell tinkled, signaling someone else had come or gone and Elle angled herself better to keep an eye on everyone in the store. Irene and Drew had slipped in and were at the frozen food section. The Dardens were over by the bread rack talking to Jeff Dockins, another local. The store was filled with her neighbors and she let the talk flow around her, the familiar camaraderie soaking into her like nectar.
She'd always loved Sea Haven and this store in particular where all the locals came and hung out visiting. Some called it gossip, but she knew they were just exchanging news, all interested in each other's lives. They helped one another out often and genuinely cared. She leaned her head back a little, relaxing into Jackson.
Against her leg, Bomber pressed close, his body alert, quivering, fur and ears standing straight up. He was looking around the store, not at her. A chill went down her spine. The hair on the back of her neck stood up and she felt goosebumps rise. Her breath caught in her throat and she shifted, letting her eyes slide around the store. The Reverend RJ was lurking at the meat counter and she knew Jackson had already spotted him, realizing how protective his body posture was.
A young teenage girl stood at the Reverend's side, her lip, nose and eyebrow pierced. She wore dark lipstick and darker eyeliner. Her long hair hung straight to her shoulders, a shiny raven's wing of blue-black. She was very pretty, although she wore all black and there was no animation on her face at all. She didn't look at anyone, but stared at the floor.
Dropping one hand on Bomber's head, Elle let her gaze slide past them. The premonition of danger was strong. Urgent. Dark. Cold seeped into her body, first her skin, then her blood and bones. Jackson began to rub her arms as if to warm her. She let her gaze drift around the store. Several people were donning sweaters or rubbing their hands together as if cold.
Jackson. She whispered his name and tried to shield his body with hers.
"What is it, baby? I see RJ. I'm not going to let him get confrontational." His mouth was close to her ear, his breath warm, his lips brushing her earlobe in a secret kiss.
But it wasn't RJ. The air left her lungs in a little rush as she spotted a dark shadow sliding through the store, crouching near first one person, and then another, sniffing, fingers extending, beckoning. Frank looked toward the shadow and then Mrs. Darden. Elle pushed away from Jackson and inserted her body between Frank's line of vision and the slowly creeping aberration.
As she watched, the shadow crept around the store, lengthening along the wall until it formed a shape she was familiar with. Death. A faceless ghoul, long and thin with outstretched arms and a wide mouth gaping greedily, needing to feed the endless addiction.
She sketched a quick sign in the air as it crouched over Mrs. Darden and the ghoul spun around, eyes glowing for a moment, recognizing the enemy.
RJ, directly behind the shadow, must have thought Elle was staring at him. His face hardened and he clamped his fingers around the young teenage girl's wrist, yanking her forward toward the counter. Both RJ and the girl flowed right through the apparition as though Death was not there.
RJ set the shopping basket on the counter. "We're in a hurry."
Elle watched the shadow stiffen. His tongue slid out of his mouth as if tasting something. He sniffed the air. Abruptly he pulled his arms in tight against him, as if holding something locked to him, closed his mouth, and then he vanished and took the chill of death with him.
Jackson waited for the Reverend to speak to Elle, but he didn't. The man was notorious for taunting the Drake sisters, trying to get media coverage, offering to exorcise their demons. It was odd to see him without his bodyguards. The girl's mother was nowhere in sight. Jackson had a bad feeling about that girl. And Bomber rumbled a warning, showing teeth.
Deliberately Jackson crowded next to RJ at the counter. "Surprised to see you still in town."
The Reverend cast him a smoldering look of hatred. "You shouldn't be. There's been a cop cruising by my house every half hour. In a town where there's no police, that seems a little excessive."
The girl kept her head down, eyes downcast.
"We suspect a pedophile in the area, Reverend. You want us to make certain all the children are safe, don't you?"
"That's an ugly word," RJ spat out.
"It's an ugly crime."
"And that dog is dangerous. You shouldn't have him around people."
"He's only dangerous to criminals. He particularly hates men who abuse women, rapists and pedophiles. Just a thing he has." Jackson gave a hand signal and Bomber snarled, showing a mouthful of teeth, then subsided at another signal from Jackson, but he never once took his gaze from RJ.
The Reverend glared at Inez. "Can't you hurry? If you weren't talking so much,
you'd get a lot more done."
Jackson looked at the girl. "How old are you?"
RJ yanked the girl close to him, his face a twisted mask of fury. "She doesn't have to answer your questions. Her mother put her in my charge."
"Are you all right?" Jackson asked her.
The girl refused to look at him. She just shook her head.
"Don't make trouble, Venita," RJ warned. His voice seemed soft and soothing, even cautionary, but Jackson felt the psychic push of energy signaling something altogether different. "Your mother will be so disappointed."
The girl stiffened and averted her face further.
"You don't have to be afraid," Jackson said. "I'm a deputy sheriff. If this man has hurt you or threatened you in any way, I can help you."
"I'm a man of God," the Reverend proclaimed loudly and, gripping the teenager's arm, he tugged her away from Jackson, leaving his items on the counter.
Jackson watched them leave the store with a speculative gaze behind his dark glasses.
"Can't you arrest him?" Inez said. "He's a monster."
She looked at Frank. Clearly she believed Frank shouldn't have gone to prison when RJ so clearly should. She believed Frank had been duped, that he wasn't a malicious criminal. Jackson thought maybe a little bit of greed had come into play, or Frank wouldn't have been so easily duped, but he wasn't going to voice his opinion.
"He hasn't been caught committing a crime, Inez." Jackson glanced at his watch. He wanted to call a friend at the office and find out what they could about the teen and her mother and they had to get back to the house soon. Elle's sisters would be coming over to do another healing session with her.
"He's sleazy," Inez declared. "Every time he comes near me, my skin crawls. And Bomber didn't like him." She smiled at the dog. "Good boy. You're a very good dog."
Elle patted Bomber's sides. "He is a good boy. We'll see you later, Inez. And you, too, Frank. We're heading home."
"Elle could use a little more rest, Jackson," Inez advised. "She's still pale and has dark circles under her eyes."
Elle couldn't stop her fingers from creeping up to touch her face. Inez had seen her bruised and swollen face, but her sisters had made her look normal again, hadn't they? For a moment she doubted. She could still feel every punch, every slap, the vicious quick jabs and then the gentle strokes. Stavros's voice whispering to her, pleading and cajoling that she just needed to behave, that this was hurting him to have to punish her this way. She shuddered and turned to bury her face against Jackson's chest, uncaring of the people around her.
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