Drake Sisters 07 - Hidden Currents

was gruff and now his entire ears were red. Jackson pushed El e ahead of him, hoping to make it to the safety of the grocery store before anyone else stopped them.
    The day was a little overcast, with floating clouds, but it was bright out, the sun shining off the water, making it necessary to wear sunglasses. He shoved them on his face.
    â€œThis is worse than walking with a fu—a . . . er . . . a celebrity,†Jackson hissed between clenched teeth. “No wonder Joley is marrying Ilya.

    She needs a ful -time bodyguard to get her one block down the street.â€
    â€œYou wanted to walk.†There was a hint of laughter in her voice. Now that Jackson was uncomfortable, the walk might turn out fun after al . Bomber must have agreed with her, because he looked up at her with a wide, toothy grin, his eyes laughing as wel . “You didn’t tel me you helped Drew go to a camp for Alternate Education week.â€
    He shrugged. “The kid’s never been able to do anything, he’s always been so sick. And the other kids come back talking up a storm about al the places they’ve gone and the experiences they’ve had and I just thought it might be good for him.â€
    â€œI’m sure it was.â€
    â€œHe’s stuck with his mom al the time and she fusses over him until the kid wants to explode. He loves her, but he’s a teenager, he needs a little freedom.â€
    Jackson sounded a little defensive. El e looked up at him. “What else have you done?â€
    â€œNothing. There’s just this program I’ve been working on getting him into for the summer. It’s kind of like a foreign exchange thing.
    He’l tour four countries and see a bit of the world. He needs that, El e.â€
    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.â€
    â€œI’m kissing you.â€
    â€œWel , cut it out.â€
    â€œI like kissing you.â€
    â€œNot in public. I mean it, El e, get that wicked little smirk off your face.â€
    â€œBig 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.
    â€œIs 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 El e today. With a sense of relief, he reached over El e’s head and shoved open the heavy door, stepping back politely to al ow her through first. He fol owed her—straight into hel .
    Jackson stopped dead, half in and half out of the doorway. Half the vil age was crowded into the store. He instinctively tightened his hold on Bomber’s leash and the dog came to instant attention.
    â€œJackson!†Inez cal ed out sharply. “You’re letting flies in.â€
    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.
    â€œYou look like a deer caught in the headlights,†El e 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.
    â€œCongratulations,†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 El e to overhear. “That one’s got a little fire in her. You’re going to have your hands ful .â€
    El e laughed. “Keep it up and I’l be spil ing every bad story I know about you to my aunt