Drake Sisters 07 - Hidden Currents

needed to use the most and worked on them. Everything takes practice and work. It’s not automatic.â€
    â€œBut you could connect on some level with Bomber?â€
    She frowned, realizing he wasn’t just making conversation. “I might be able to. Why? What are you thinking?â€
    He took the stick from the dog and threw it again, watching as Bomber happily chased it. Bomber had a strong prey drive and would play for hours with his favorite work toy, a bal on a rope that Jackson used to keep him in good shape along with his other training. “Just that if you can connect with Bomber, and he can sense a psychic attack, we might be able to strike back.â€
    El e stopped. Overhead seagul s skimmed over the water, throwing dancing shadows along the sand. The wind carried the sound of the dolphins chattering back and forth as they played in the water. “How?â€
    â€œI haven’t figured that part out yet, El e, but so far, he’s been having things his own way, mostly because you need to heal. In another day, you’l be strong enough to let Kate and maybe even Libby real y work on you. Once you’re at ful strength, I’m certain when I’m not in your mind, you’l be strong enough to keep him out, but when we’re together, we’l be able to attack him if he comes at you.â€
    El e bit down on her lip as they began walking again. “You have a lot of faith in me.â€
    â€œI keep tel ing you, you’re down, baby, you’re not out.â€
    She inhaled the scent of the sea and once more slipped her hand into his. “I love Sea Haven, Jackson. I love everything about it.â€
    â€œWhen do you want to move back home?â€
    She glanced at him quickly. “Not yet. Give me a little more time. I want to make certain I’m strong enough that when al my sisters are around me, I don’t accidently slip up and let them feel what I’m feeling. My emotions are al over the place. Sometimes I feel like I’ve cried so many tears I don’t have any left. And other times I want to fight someone, or just scream.†She took a deep breath, her fingers tightening around his.
    â€œI’m afraid to be without you, Jackson.†She made the admission in a low voice. “I can’t remember ever being real y afraid in my entire life.â€
    â€œI’m stil afraid to be without you,†he said, “but probably not for the same reasons.â€
    In the distance a couple walked toward them, just coming around the rocks, their footprints in the wet sand. When they spotted Jackson and El e, they changed course to intercept them, although they walked at the same slow, leisurely pace.
    â€œWhat does that mean?â€
    â€œIt means sometimes I want to take a gun and shoot people I think don’t deserve to live. Like Gratsos. And maybe without you in my life, I’d do it.â€
    â€œJackson the badass.†She smiled at him. “You’re not at al like you think you are.â€
    He brought her hand up to his mouth, kissing her knuckles. “You keep thinking that, honey. I don’t mind.â€
    The couple approached them as they walked along the dunes, the sand soft under their feet. As they neared them, El e recognized Clyde and Marie Darden. Clyde was wel -known for his beautiful garden and his entries in the fair each year. He was fiercely proud of his hybrid flowers and guarded his gardening secrets careful y. More than once, as a child, El e had gotten in trouble for taking a dare to climb over the fence and walk through Mr.
    Darden’s garden. She’d even picked one of his prized flowers one time. She’d real y gotten in trouble for that. Darden had marched her home to her father, threatening to box her ears every step of the way.
    She gripped Jackson’s hand tighter as the couple came straight up to them, blocking their way, obviously meaning to talk. Jackson stopped, drawing El e under the protection of his shoulder.
    â€œClyde. Marie. How are you?†Jackson asked, shocking her. No one cal ed the Dardens by anything other than Mr. and Mrs. Darden. Mr. Darden demanded respect at al times.
    â€œWonderful, thank you, Jackson,†Mr. Darden said. “I see you have our girl home at last. We kept our ribbon on the tree for you the entire time you were gone, El e.â€
    Mrs. Darden nodded. “We had a candle lit in the window,