Drake Sisters 07 - Hidden Currents

her sharp eyes inventorying El e as she emerged from her hiding place in the bushes. “Hi, honey, I didn’t think you’d be up so early. I was going to leave the box on the deck.â€
    El e felt her color rising in spite of her efforts to control it. She couldn’t stop herself from looking down, to see if al the wounds were adequately covered. Jackson’s sweater was long on her, but it was white and some of the bandages showed through. There were a couple of spots where blood had wept through, staining the material. She lifted her hand to touch the tangle of dul red hair, stil matted from lack of care.
    Jackson caught her wrist and tugged, pul ing her beneath his shoulder, his body shielding hers just slightly, making it more difficult for Inez to get a good look at her.
    â€œThat’s so sweet of you, Inez,†Jackson spoke into the brief silence.
    He could feel El e’s discomfort, her sudden irrational fear, and her distress at treating an old friend with such a lack of warmth. He rarely talked to anyone in the vil age for more than a couple of terse sentences. But, if El e couldn’t visit yet, then it was up to him to cover for her. He flashed a friendly smile and indicated Inez precede him up the stone path to the deck. He kept his arm firmly around El e’s waist, urging her to walk with him.
    â€œWhen did you put etchings on your stones, Jackson?†Inez asked, looking down at the path. “I never noticed that in al the time I’ve brought you groceries.â€
    El e glanced quickly up at Jackson’s face. She brings you groceries?
    The moment she used telepathy, her brain seized, squeezing her skul like a vise. She gasped and clung to Jackson to keep from fal ing. He put his hand on the nape of her neck and pushed her head down so she could draw in deep breaths to keep from fainting.
    Libby told you not to use telepathy. You have to let your brain heal, Elle. If you keep this up you’ll destroy your talent completely. Fear made his voice edgy and gruffer than he intended.
    El e tried to jerk out from under his hand, glaring up at him. “I know that. Don’t you think I know that? I forgot.â€
    â€œForgot what, dear?†Inez turned with a smile on her face, but gasped when she saw El e’s face. “You’re bleeding, El e.â€
    â€œAm I?†El e touched her mouth and nose. Her fingers came away smeared with blood. “It doesn’t hurt, Inez. I’l just go in and wash up and be right back.†Keeping her head down, she hurried into the house, sliding the screen closed behind her. Bomber just managed to slip through at Jackson’s signal before the screen slammed shut.
    â€œShould you go in with her?†Inez asked. “I can leave, Jackson.â€
    Jackson’s first reaction was to have her go. He’d always been uneasy around people, but Inez had known El e from birth, she’d attended the baby shower for her. He could see concern in her eyes, and the lines in her face deepened as she put down the groceries and regarded him.
    â€œPlease stay. Have a cup of tea with us this morning.†He sent her a smal grin. “Or coffee. Don’t tel El e, but I have coffee in the kitchen.â€
    Inez smiled back. “Coffee would be fantastic. I haven’t had my quota for the morning yet.†She glanced at her watch as she settled into a glider. “I have just enough time before I’m supposed to open the store.â€
    â€œI’l just take these inside and bring you out a cup. Sugar and cream?â€
    She shook her head. “I like it black and strong. And maybe we shouldn’t mention that to El e either.â€
    Jackson gave her a thumbs-up and hurried inside to check on El e. She had already scrubbed her face and was desperately trying to tame her hair.
    Tears ran down her face. He caught her frantic hands and held them stil . “Tel me.â€
    â€œLook at me. I’m a mess.â€
    â€œNo, you’re not, El e. You’re the most beautiful woman in the world. Pul your hair back and do that thing you do—you know, twisting it up and sticking a pencil in it. It real y brings out the shape of your face.â€
    He was thinking about her skin and mouth and her bone structure. Not even in a sexual way, she decided, her tears drying up instantly. Just in an abstract way and he truly did think she was beautiful.