“Did you miss me?” Blake asked, wrapping me up in his arms for a quick hug as soon as he was through the door. We weren’t alone. My dad sat on the couch in the front room, feigning interest in a book. Since I knew he wasn’t really a reader, I wondered what he was up to.
“Maybe a little,” I teased. “Glad you’re back early this time.” My heart ached, catching the scent of his skin. Knowing our words were being listened to, I asked, “How’s your grandpa doing? Any better?”
With my family accepting Blake as my boyfriend, we had to come up with some plausible reason for why he traveled back to “California” so often. At first, it was Christmas break. No one asked questions. Then, as January started and with it, school, they needed some kind of cover as to why he left almost every weekend. The easiest one turned out to not be too far from the truth. Blake’s grandpa was nearing ninety, and his health was deteriorating. He had always been close to his grandfather, so going to see him before he passed away made sense. Of course, my parents didn’t need to know that Blake didn’t visit with him long. They just thought the Knightleys were both thoughtful and very free with their money. Besides, Grandpa was a great code word for Jaxon.
“Grandpa’s going to survive another week.” Blake glanced over at my dad. “How are you doing, Mr. Campbell?”
My dad set his book aside and grinned. “Couldn’t be better. I was wondering if you might lend me a hand today, Blake.”
I cocked an eyebrow at my dad. Knew there was a reason he parked himself on the couch. Five minutes after he’d overheard me on the phone telling Blake I’d see him in a few minutes.
“Sure, be happy to.”
“Great.” My dad stood up, tossing the book aside. I caught a glimpse of the cover. Wuthering Heights? Really, Dad?
Still, I had to grin at the way Blake fidgeted with my hand as we followed my dad through the entry toward the garage door. It wasn’t that Blake didn’t get along with my family. He did, but there was always an underlying fear that my dad would one day forbid me from seeing him. I’d thought Blake had been joking about it before, but it turned out that he was quite serious. Not seeing me again terrorized him. I grappled with the fact Blake could love me so completely.
“Where are we going, Dad?” I asked as he opened the door and flicked the garage light on. “Don’t forget it’s freezing out there.”
“I know. I think it’s high time we put some of Blake’s muscles to work.” My dad patted Blake’s shoulder before jogging down the three steps into the garage.
Blake visibly relaxed. “Sure. What do you have in mind?”
“Last night’s storm left a few driveways and sidewalks in rough shape,” he said, grabbing his winter coat off the power tool he’d strewn it on, probably when he got home from work last night.
One thing I’d always admired about my dad was the fact that he looked out for others. Every winter, he spent most of his Saturdays shoveling our neighbors’ drives.
“You’ve got a warm coat on. Have any gloves?” my dad asked him.
Blake shook his head, and my dad tossed him a pair. “How about boots?” he asked, eyeing Blake’s footwear.
“Got them on, sir,” Blake said, holding up a foot. Sure enough, Blake wore a warm pair of hiking boots.
Sir? I wanted to ask Blake, catching eyes with him. Laying it on a bit thick, don’t you think?
Blake grinned, ignoring the funny face I made at him, and grabbed a shovel from my dad. I glanced down at my bare feet and rubbed my arms with my hands.
“I’ll be right back,” I said, making a dash back to the door.
“Where do you think you’re going, young lady?” my dad asked. “Blake and I got this. You go inside and keep warm.”
“But Dad,” I protested. “I’ve always shoveled walks with you.”
“Yeah, I know, but I think it’s time I find out what kind of stuff Blake’s made of.”
Dragonfly guts, I wanted to blurt. Instead, I met my dad’s gaze. In other words, you want to get to know the young man dating your daughter. “Okay, I’ll stay put, but if you aren’t back by sundown, I’m coming to find you.”
“Worried he’ll turn into a vampire if we aren’t, Samantha?” my dad asked, laughing at his own joke. Blake blanched, and I choked on my spit.
“No,” I sputtered, “It’s just that Blake’s not usually here on Saturdays. I wouldn’t mind going out tonight, that’s all.”
My dad chuckled, oblivious to our reactions. I mean, it’s not like we’re vampires, exactly. Just half dragonfly, half human. No biggie.
My dad waved his hand at me. “Sure, sure. Hey Samantha, mind hitting the garage door opener on your way in?”
I smacked the rectangular button and glanced over my shoulder as the door creaked to life, the pulley shifting into gear. I caught Blake’s eye long enough to give him a reassuring grin. Dad ushered him out of the garage, both of them holding large shovels.
-------------------------------
Four hours later, I had gone from amused, to slightly frustrated, to worried. Where the heck are they? They weren’t answering their phones, and as tempted as I was to drive around to the usual houses we hit, I decided to wait. I’ll give them thirty more minutes, and then I’m hitting the road. Or the skies…
I’d plopped myself on the family room couch, tucked in a warm blanket. Ironically, the book my dad had dropped earlier was the one I’d snatched up. Wonder whose this is anyway? My sisters weren’t huge readers as far as I knew, and I’d only lately discovered the joys of getting lost in a make-believe world. Ever since the cabin, I needed things to help me sleep at night.
I felt my face flush thinking of what lulled me to sleep more often than not now. If my dad knew how many times Blake stole away to my room, tucking himself next to me and stroking my hair back until I’d fallen asleep, he’d wig out. Blake didn’t stay all night though, as much as I wanted him to. I’d wake up in the morning alone, always wondering at what point in the night he’d left me. The smell of autumn mornings still lingered on my pillow.
The sound of someone walking toward the room had me glancing up from the book I hadn’t really been reading. I could tell the footfall was too light for Blake or Dad. Krista was out with her boyfriend of the week and Mom had gone shopping… that left only one other person. I locked eyes with her as she entered the living room.
“Hey Jocelyn,” I said, forcing a cheery tone.
She narrowed her eyes a tiny bit before she gave me one curt nod. Ugh. What is it with her?
Her gaze dropped to my lap. “Oh. There it is,” she said as she walked over to me, her hand outstretched. “Hand it over, Samantha. It’s mine.”
I glanced down, a bit bewildered until I saw the book. “What? This?” I held it up to her. “Sorry, I didn’t know whose it was. Here.”
She snatched it quickly, pressing it against her chest.
“I didn’t realize it meant so much to you,” I said, not sure how else to take her reaction.
“It was a gift,” she said before she bit down on her lip.
“Oh really? From who?” I untucked my leg, staring up from the couch. Jocelyn gave me the feeling she was about to bolt from the room. Realizing how tight my muscles had become, I almost laughed, knowing I was getting ready to chase after her. This is my sister, not a damsel, I reminded myself. If I’m not careful, my wings will bust out.
Jocelyn shrugged. “No one, never mind. You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me. I’d love to know why that means something…”
“It doesn’t. You just shouldn’t be taking things that don’t belong to you, that’s all.”
I sighed. “Joc, what’s really wrong?”
She stared down at me. “What do you mean?”
“Did something happen… maybe something I don’t remember?” I waited, hoping she’d open up. She continued tugging at her bottom lip with her teeth. “Did I do something?” I asked. “Or… did Sammy?” I had barely formed the word Sammy when she stiffened and turned on her heel to leave.
“No,” she called over her shoulder as she practically ran away. “I’ve just got a lot on my mind right now, that’s all.”
Can’t she even look me in the eyes anymore? My heart sank. We’re sisters. Sure, it’s never been perfect, but we’re family. Judging her reaction to my mention of Sammy, I felt pretty confident of at least one thing. Sammy did something. Now I just have to figure out what.