I tighten my arm around her, scolding, "Careful."
She lifts her face, and her blues slash me like knives. There's no warning and no mercy. It's just the two of us in a war zone, and she's already decided I'm the only target to strike.
I say through gritted teeth, "Get inside before you seriously hurt yourself."
Her glare intensifies, but she lets me help her onto the porch before wiggling out of my grasp and disappearing into the house.
Ruby holds her arms out. "It's been too long, Wyatt."
"Yes, ma'am, it has," I agree. I embrace her, then retreat. "Best to get inside. It's wild out here."
Jagger opens the door, and Ruby steps inside. We follow.
Where did Willow go?
I glance around, but the hallway and staircase are both empty.
"Jacob! You'll never guess who's here!" Ruby shouts.
As I stomp my boots on the rug, Jacob appears.
His deep voice has the same authority as when I was younger, but it's comforting. "Wyatt." He holds out his hand.
We shake, and he leans in and pats me on the back. "Son, what are you doing in town?"
My gut sinks.
There's the million-dollar question.
I open my mouth and then shut it.
Jacob arches his eyebrows, waiting.
I gather my thoughts, then stand taller, admitting, "I'm not sure, sir."
With a confused expression, he demands, "Meaning?"
"Don't grill him in the hallway, Jacob. Wyatt, have you had any dinner?" Ruby says, stepping between us.
My stomach growls, and I realize I don't know when I last ate.
Ruby laughs. "Come on. Let me reheat some dinner for you."
"Thank you," I reply and follow her into the kitchen, relieved to get a moment to try to figure out how to explain things to Jacob.
She opens the fridge and pulls out containers, nonchalantly asking, "How did you get that shiner?"
I touch my cheek and wince. I state, "Couldn't ever get anything past you."
Jagger interjects, "Nope. Never will. It's like she has a crystal ball and can see everything."
Ruby grins. "Don't forget it, my dear child." She pulls a plate out of the cabinet.
I grunt.
Jacob grabs three bottles of beer out of the fridge and opens one. He hands it to me and then sits across the table.
Jagger takes the seat on my right.
