Drake Sisters 02 - The Twilight Before Christmas

from Kate to the person she was speaking with. He was also aware of her absorbing the negative energy, taking it in and holding it away from its victim.
    “That’s a relief. I thought this time I was real y losing my mind. I have nightmares, and I can deal with them, but this was something out of a horror film.” Jackson shook his head. “I’m not going into an institution.”
    “You’re the only one who ever thinks that way,” Jonas said quietly. “So do your sisters have any ideas, Kate? This is more your field than ours.” He nodded toward the other two Rangers. “We can be your soldiers, but you’re going to have to give us a direction.”
    Kate leaned back in the chair, fatigue in every line of her body. “We’re working on it. Abbey and Sarah and Damon were going through the diaries this morning. We’l find the reference and at least have a starting point.”

    “I notice you didn’t mention Hannah,” Jonas observed. There was a chal enge in his voice. “Is she il ? Is that what’s wrong with her?” When Kate didn’t answer, Jonas swore. “Dammit, Kate, if she’s il , you owe it to me to tel me. Something’s wrong with her.”
    “Something’s always been wrong with her, Jonas, you just never noticed before.” Kate folded her arms.
    “I’m not going to be bul ied into tel ing you something that is Hannah’s private business. Ask her.”
    Jonas swore again and stormed out. Kate rol ed her eyes. “His temper hasn’t improved much with age.”
    “Come on, Kate, I’m taking you to dinner at my house. I’m a great cook.” Matt reached down and drew her up from the chair. “I think it’s the only sanctuary left to us.”
    “I should go home and help the others.”
    Jackson stood up too. “You made me feel better. How did you do it?”
    Kate smiled at him and offered her hand. “It was a pleasure final y to meet you, Mr. Deveau. Jonas and Matthew speak so highly of you.”
    He hesitated but took her hand. “Please cal me Jackson.”
    Kate felt the jolt of his heavy burden go up her arm. It was difficult to maintain her smile when she felt the brooding darkness in the man. She wasn’t Libby. She couldn’t heal the sick, and in any case, she didn’t sense that Jackson Deveau was physical y il so much as spiritual y so. “I wish you peace, Jackson,” she murmured softly, and al owed Matthew to draw her from the house out into the cool air.
    “He didn’t have a Christmas tree up, or any decorations at al ,” she said sadly. “If anyone needs Christmas, it’s that man.”
    “He’l work it out, Kate,” Matthew assured her. “He has his demons, but the bottom line is, honor and integrity rule his life. He would never do any of the things he’s afraid he wil , and, just like Jonas, he would protect this town and the people in it with his last breath.”
    “I’m glad you brought him to Sea Haven. You were right about this place. There’s just something about the way the people are here—they’re welcoming to outsiders.” The interior of his car was warm after the chil ing wind blowing in off the ocean.
    “Did your sisters real y cal me a Neanderthal?”
    She burst out laughing. “Wel , yes, but in a good way. I think they could easily picture you beating your chest and tossing your woman over your shoulder to carry her off to somewhere private.”
    He nodded. “I can understand that. I do have those urges. Often.” He looked at her, his hand stil around the key. “I real y want to take you back to my house, Kate.” He waited a heartbeat before starting the engine.
    “Are your brothers going to be there? Because, honestly, I think I’m too tired to have them al laughing at me today. I’d probably burst into tears.”
    He pressed a hand to his heart. “Don’t even say that. I think I’d rather take a bul et than see you cry. And my brothers don’t laugh at you.” He glanced at her to see if she was serious.
    “They always laugh at me,” she said. “I’m always doing these idiotic things whenever I’m around you. Like the other day when you had that accident and you tried to get out of the truck and I was standing too close.” She looked down at her hands. “Danny just about fel out of the truck laughing.”
    “At me, Katie, never at you. My entire family knows how I feel about you, and they think it’s a riot that I can make such a complete fool of myself every time you’re near.”
    Kate sat very stil , her gaze fixed on his face. “How do