Quinn touched my arm. “Jack. We’re traveling all the time now. We’ll spread the word, if it’s okay with you, Tess. We might hear something, somewhere, about a way to cure you of this … ability.”
Tess’s eyes shone. “Yes. Please. When it’s convenient. I know you’re out there saving lives, so this isn’t that important.
This time, Alaric answered her. “Friends are always important. In my more than half a millennium of existence, this is one lesson I have learned very well.”
Tess grinned at him, her lashes damp with the tears she wouldn’t let fall. “Alaric, I have to tell you something. You would fit in perfectly around here. Anytime you want to move to Dead End, let me know. I’m friends with the mayor.”
Quinn hugged me. I shook hands with Alaric, and Tess waved goodbye to them. And then we walked out to the pool, and Alaric called to the portal.
“To France,” Quinn said. “But we’ll visit as soon as we can.”
“I’d love that,” Tess said, and something passed between the two women that convinced me they were already friends. A tightness in my chest eased to see it. I hadn’t been sure how to approach the conversation with Tess about Quinn, so I’d figured I’d just introduce them. Women have a mysterious way of figuring out emotional stuff long before most guys ever can.
After they were gone and the portal vanished, I caught Tess’s hand and pulled her onto my lap on the swing.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I know you hoped …”
She buried her face against my chest and shook her head. “It’s okay. I’ve survived it this long. But maybe it’s time to find more and better ways to cope with this ability. I’m tired of feeling trapped and isolated. I’d like to travel. I know you can’t take me on your missions, or even tell me about them, but—”
I touched her cheek and waited for her to look up at me. “Tess. That’s over. I told Quinn and Alaric, and I’ll be telling everyone, that I won’t ever keep a secret from you again.”
“Really?”
“You’re my life.”
After that, we didn’t talk for quite a while until I finally lifted her up into my arms and carried her into the house. I’d missed herverymuch.
She pushed the back door shut, giggling, and I kissed her again.
“I think we need a nap.”
“I love naps,” she agreed, just before she kissed my neck.
I made it all the way to the doorway to the bedroom before I heard the sheriff’s car, sirens blaring, turn onto the gravel road that led to Carlos’s and then Tess’s house.
“Oh, no,” I groaned.
“What?”
“You know how I have Superior Tiger Hearing?”
“Yeah?”
“The cops are coming.”
“Oh.” She blew out a long breath. “Put me down. I’ve got a lot to tell you.”
“I was only gone for two days!”
“Yeah. Alotto tell you.”
“I’m not going to like this, am I?” I put her down, and she headed for the front door, where the sheriff’s car was now barreling up to the house.
“Nope. Not even a little.”
25
Tess
