Drake Sisters 07 - Hidden Currents

winter, yet he could see the buds forming on the bare limbs. He drew in his breath as he stood to settle El e in the most comfortable glider and tuck a blanket around her slender form.
    â€œDo you often bring Jackson groceries, Inez?†El e asked.
    Inez nodded solemnly, ignoring the teasing note in El e’s voice. “Someone had to make certain he ate properly.â€
    With deliberate intent, El e studied the defined muscles in Jackson’s arms and chest. “You’re right, he looks to me like he’s been starving.†She flashed the older woman a smile and blew on her tea.
    Inez looked stern. “That was sarcasm, young lady.â€
    Bomber pushed his head under Jackson’s fingers for a scratch. El e suppressed another smile. “I think you’ve spoiled him, Inez. Do you have any idea of the big bad reputation he has that’s going to be gone when this gets out?â€
    Inez looked at Jackson fondly. “He just thinks he’s big and bad. Did you know that he looks in on young Donny Ruttermyer nearly every single night and goes over his money with him to make certain he’s paying his bil s?â€
    El e knew Donny had Down syndrome and when he turned twenty had begun doing odd jobs for several businesses, determined to make his own way.
    She could see faint color stealing up Jackson’s neck and he careful y refrained from looking at her. “Does he now?â€
    Inez nodded. “Donny real y looks up to him.â€
    Jackson squirmed in his chair. “Actual y Old Man Mars looks after Donny. He brings him produce and he was the one who persuaded Donna over there at the gift shop to rent the boy a room. And Mars goes over his bil s with him, I just double-check things.â€
    â€œYou give him the money if he’s short.†Inez gave him away without a qualm.
    â€œHe’s not short al that often,†Jackson defended. “The kid makes his own way.â€
    El e exchanged a glance of amusement with Inez. “Yes, he does, Jackson.†She took a deep breath. “So what’s the latest rumor on me, Inez? I’d like to know what the vil age suspects happened to me.â€
    Inez shrugged. “You’re gone so often at first no one had a clue anything was wrong, but then your sisters stopped talking weddings and began gathering in that house of yours. We could see Hannah on the captain’s walk and knew something was wrong. The general consensus is that you were exploring somewhere and were lost.â€
    El e nodded, meeting the older woman’s gaze and holding it for a moment. That “general consensus†had come from Inez, who possessed a knack for influencing the people around her in what she wanted them to believe about the Drake sisters. “I was traveling in South America and I fel while climbing a rather sheer rock face and was injured, but I’m recovering nicely.â€
    Inez glanced at her watch and set down her coffee cup. “Donna wil be wondering where I got to this morning. She’s such a nosy woman, and she’l be cal ing Jonas, reporting I didn’t show up for work this morning. She spends half her life looking out that gift shop window to see what I’m doing.†There was affection in her voice as she groused about her best friend.
    Jackson rose with her. “Thanks for the groceries, Inez. It’s always a pleasure to see you.†He stepped between the older woman and El e, smoothly walking with her down the steps. “It meant a lot that you came.â€
    Inez glanced back at El e. “She looks very thin and tired, Jackson. You take care of her.â€
    â€œYou know I wil .â€
    â€œOne more thing.†Inez caught his sleeve, halting him, lowering her voice even more. “That horrible Reverend RJ person has been in town for a few days. He’s renting a beach house and trying to get fol owers. He brought a few people with him, a woman and her daughter from San Francisco I think. He’s been asking about the ribbons the vil age had up. He was told they were for one of the local boys overseas, but I had the feeling he was real y here to cause mischief with the Drakes. Jonas and you were both gone, so I didn’t say anything until now.â€

    â€œYou’re certain he’s stil in town?†The Reverend RJ had caused trouble for both Hannah and Joley. Jackson couldn’t imagine that he was in