7
J ake watched the string of emotions play out across Heather’s face. He couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking, but from the smile she finally settled on, he decided not knowing was okay, at least for now.
“I’m glad it was me too.” He found himself smiling down at her. He fought the urge to pick her up, sling her over his shoulder and haul her to his bike and away from here. He wasn’t particular about where they would go as long as it could be just the two of them. He wanted to talk to her without having to worry about what someone else saw, what someone else thought, or having her worry about either of those.
But he wouldn’t. She was having some kind of trouble, he wasn’t sure what yet, but he knew Iceman was watching out for her and he wouldn’t leave her without that safety net, at least not until he was sure she had something in place to replace it.
He ignored the voice in the back of his head screaming that he wanted to be that thing in place to replace the safety net that was her cousin. He hadn’t seen her in too long. He wasn’t in a position to take on what could be a big responsibility, depending on what she was so afraid of.
“How do you like it up here?” he asked, looking to keep the conversation light. He wanted to see her smile again. He liked that far more than the haunted look she wore now.
“So far, I like it. The weather is mild, not the sweltering steamy heat I left behind.” Her cheeks turned pink, and he wasn’t sure if it was because she was happy or because she’d thought of whatever had driven her out of Alabama.
“That’s one thing I never missed about Mobile.”
“The heat?”
“No, the humidity.” He reached down and wrapped one hand around hers, then tugged her up and along as he continued walking along the perimeter of the park. He was afraid if they stood still too long then they’d draw someone’s attention, and he got the feeling Iceman didn’t like him talking to Heather.
Jake didn’t know if it was because he was a Demented Soul or if Iceman was just that protective of her. And just like that he was once more wondering what kind of trouble she’d managed to find.
“It gets hot in Arizona, and I got used to that heat but it’s different, and I know this is said all the time, but it’s a dry heat. It’s hot yes, but without the humidity, it’s different. Not that it doesn’t get warm here, but again, it’s different. Here it doesn’t stay hot long, you might get a few days of it then it cools off again. Not the months of heat and humidity you get on the gulf coast or the months of steady scorching heat in Arizona. I’ve found I really like the variety.”
“I guess I understand that,” she said after a moment. “It’s still a novelty me, and I don’t know what I’m going to do, long term. Only that I’ll have to figure something out. I can’t stay on Matt’s couch forever.”
He was about to ask if she wanted to talk about it when someone called his name across the park. He looked up and saw Iceman headed their way.
“Speaking of, isn’t that him?” Jake tilted his head toward the man coming toward them at a jog.
“Yeah. Wonder what’s up and while I’m wondering, why do they call you Jake? That’s not even your middle name.”
He turned and smiled at her, wondering when she’d ever heard his middle name. It had probably come up in some discussion in their group of friends in school, but he didn’t remember when, but now that he thought about it a moment, he knew hers was Linnette. Why it popped into his head now, he couldn’t say or when he’d learned it. But he did recall calling her a shortened version of her middle name back then. She’d probably learned his middle name at the same time he’d learned hers. Before he had a chance to ask, Iceman came up beside them.
“There you two are.” He looked back and forth between Jake and Heather, as if trying to figure out what they’d been talking about then, after a moment he turned to Jake. “Lurch is looking for you.”
Jake scanned the park, looking for the man he had to remind himself was president now.
“Did he say what for?” Jake asked, not spotting him right away.
“No, just that he needed to talk to you.” Iceman pointed to one side. “He was over there a few minutes ago.”
“I better go see what he needs.” Jake turned and looked at Heather. “Can I look for you after I figure out what’s going on? We can talk a little more about those plans we were talking about?”
Her cheeks turned pink, and she met his gaze for a moment before looking down at where their hands were still clasped.
“I’d like that.”
“Me too. I’ll find you before we head out today.” He lifted their joined hands and kissed the back of hers before releasing it and going in search of Lurch. He didn’t spare her cousin a second look as he headed in the direction Iceman had indicated.
“What do you mean plans?” Iceman asked as Jake walked away.
He didn’t hear her respond, though for a moment, he wished he hadn’t been moving so fast and caught what she’d said. But no, he’d been in a hurry to get this done so he could get back to her. Either way, she wanted him to find her again. He would take care of whatever Lurch needed then do just that.