The heat settled deep in my chest, grounding me.
“Lee’s doing the best he can to protect you,” Jack said, settling into the chair across from me. His eyes were warm, his smile sincere.
I studied him for a moment, then exhaled softly. “I wish I had a father like you.” I took another sip of coffee, letting the words settle between us. “You’re truly kind.”
Jack chuckled. “That’s one way to look at it. I’ve been called worse.” He reached for the blue-and-gold placemat before him, smoothing it out absentmindedly. “So… what’s the plan?”
I shrugged. “I have to do as I’m told. The full moon is in three days. Tristan’s coming with me.”
Jack listened intently as I explained everything about Tristan being a Timebound, the dagger, and the journey ahead.
When I finished, he let out a thoughtful sigh.
“So, you’re going back to Olivia. Goodness, how I miss my strong, beautiful girl.” A wistful look crossed his face before he shook himself. “Tell me something—when you married my daughter, did you get rings to symbolize your marriage?”
I lifted my left hand and shook my head. “I don’t have one.” My voice was quiet, tinged with regret. “We married in haste at a tribal encampment. All we cared about was declaring our love and making it official in the eyes of God.”
Jack’s eyes moistened. He quickly wiped at them with his thumb and forefinger.
“I’d like to take you into town,” he offered. “To buy rings. For you and Olivia to exchange.” He cleared his throat. “I think she’d like that.”
I stilled.
A lump formed in my throat, unexpected and overwhelming. I always wanted to do right by my beloved. And now, Jack—her father—offered me the chance to honor our love in a way I hadn’t before.
I swallowed hard, my voice rough when I finally spoke.
“Thank you.”
Jack wiped his nose and stood up.
I downed the rest of my coffee in one gulp and joined him, grabbing my coat as we stepped outside to Olivia’s Jeep.
The vehicle roared to life, and soon, we were speeding down the road, the trees and houses blurring into streaks of color.
I gripped the door handle, my stomach twisting. “I’m still not used to traveling this fast.”
Jack grinned. “Wait until you fly in an airplane.”
I blinked at him. “A what?”
“An airplane.” Jack glanced up through the windshield and pointed toward the sky. “Look up there.”
I followed his gaze—then jerked back in alarm.
A massive bird-shaped contraption soared high above us.
“What is that?” My pulse kicked up. “A mechanical bird?”
Jack chuckled, flipping on his turn signal. “Sort of. It’s called an airplane. It’s filled with people, traveling 460 to 575 miles per hour.”
I let out a low whistle. “That’s fast. Isn’t it… disorienting?”
“You’d think so,” Jack said, pulling into a parking lot. “But no. It’s a comfortable way to travel.” He cut the engine and turned to me. “Didn’t you ever travel by train in your time?”
“No,” I said simply, stepping out of the Jeep.
We entered what Jack called a “jewelry store.”
