Chapter 13

 

I stared in amazement at the jet that sat in the middle of Thistle’s miniature airport. Only two crop dusters and a small two-person plane occupied the side of the tarmac.

Gem gave Vance a tight hug. “Thanks for coming out, you guys,” she said.

“Keep an eye on that boy,” Vance said with a nod in my direction. “He’s alright.”

“He is,” Gem replied. She threw me a smile.

“Take care of yourself,” Jaze said. He held out a hand and I shook it.

“You, too,” I replied.

He nodded. “You’ve given me a few things to think about.”

Kaynan and Vance followed Jaze inside. Jet was about to join them when my mom pulled something from her purse and handed it to him. He accepted the jar of raspberry preserves with a surprised expression.

“Like Dray said, it’s good on just about anything,” she told him.

Jet gave a full smile this time. “I’ll test that theory.”

She pointed to the jar. “I wrote our number on it. Call me when you’re out and we’ll send you some more. There’s no shortage of preserves at our house.”

He nodded with an embarrassed smile and disappeared into the jet. A few minutes later, I was surprised to see Jaze pull on a headset and perform the starting procedures.

“Those kids keep surprising me,” Dad said with a shake of his head.

Gem slipped her hand into mine. “We owe them a great deal,” she said.

I thought of Jaze’s words and the burden he carried on his shoulders. “I think he’s just happy to help,” I replied. She nodded and we walked together back to the car.

We found Gem’s parents waiting in the living room. “We wanted to thank you for your hospitality,” Anna said, her eyes bright. “You’ve been so kind to open your house to us.” She swallowed and blinked quickly, “And for cleaning our home.”

“It was our pleasure,” Mom replied. She and Anna hugged. “You call us if you need anything at all.”

“We will,” Anna promised.

Greg and Dad shook hands in the hearty, silent way men express their appreciation. Greg then turned to me. “Dray, that was a brave thing going after that pack.”

I dropped my eyes, my heart heavy. “I shouldn’t have thought I could ask them to leave town. It was foolish and you both were hurt because of it.”

Greg put a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t hold that guilt. Those werewolves were trouble. They proved it with their actions at the hospital. Thistle is better off without them.”

I nodded and he tightened his hold. “You’re a good kid, Dray. I’m glad Gem found you.”

“Me, too,” I said, glancing at her. A smile spread across my face as she grinned at both of us, her feet shuffling as if she was so excited to go home she couldn’t hold still.

When her dad let go of my shoulder, she held out her hand. “See you tomorrow, Dray.”

I laughed and shook it. “See ya, Gem.”

She led the way out the door to her parents’ car Dad had brought over. Her parents walked arm in arm gingerly down the porch steps. Jo pranced around their feet, but was careful not to trip them. I used to be amazed at the dog’s canny ability to sense when someone was hurt. Now I understood that it, too, was a scent, the scent of blood, healing wounds, and the exhaustion that such healing carries. I gave off that scent as well, as much as I hated to admit it. Jo hovered at my feet when they left. I patted his head, touched by the puppy’s concern.