Part 21 (1/2)
Before Dallas could reply, Genny said, ”No, we don't mind at all.”
”I could give you a jump-start,” Dallas suggested. ”I'm sure Jacob's got some jumper cables somewhere here in the truck.”
”No, no, don't bother,” Royce said. ”You need to get Genny home as soon as possible. I'll catch a ride into town with Jacob later. I'm sure he'll stop by to check on Genny.”
Dallas grimaced, but didn't respond. Once again, for Genny's sake, he'd force himself to be polite. Even if it killed him.
Genny slept all the way home, so when they arrived at her house, she awoke the minute Dallas lifted her out of Jacob's truck and the cold air hit her in the face.
Dallas smiled at her. ”Feeling better?”
”Some.”
”I'm taking you inside, putting you to bed, and then fixing you some breakfast.” He slammed the pa.s.senger door. ”Do you want me to call Jazzy?”
”If you'll stay with me, I won't need her.”
Royce leapt out of the backseat and slammed the door. ”I'll be happy to stay here with Genny if you need to go back and help Jacob.”
”I don't think the sheriff needs my help,” Dallas said. Ignoring Royce, he headed for the back porch.
Genny called out to Royce, ”Please come in and stay until Jacob stops by for his truck.”
Dallas growled.
”I'm sure it won't be that long until Jacob comes by,” she whispered to Dallas.
”It had better not be.”
Genny cuddled closer to the warmth of Dallas's big, strong body. ”I can't be inhospitable,” she murmured softly.
Dallas grunted.
”If Jacob doesn't come by in a bit, I'll call into town to Pilkington's Garage as soon as they open,” Royce said, following closely behind. He had to walk fast to keep up with Dallas's long-legged gait. ”I must admit that I'm pretty unnerved myself by all these killings.”
Dallas tromped onto the porch, unlocked the door, and carried Genny into the kitchen. Drudwyn lumbered toward them. He sniffed Dallas and licked Genny's hand that she held down to him.
”Go on out, boy,” Genny said.
Drudwyn headed to the open back door, then halted when he saw Royce. The bristles on his back raised and he growled.
”That dog doesn't like me,” Royce said. ”He growls at me every time I visit Genny.”
”Behave yourself,” Genny warned Drudwyn. ”Royce is a guest in our house.”
Royce gave Drudwyn a wide path, staying in a corner of the porch until after Drudwyn raced out into the yard; then he entered the kitchen.
Dallas didn't say anything. He simply carried Genny through the house and straight to her bedroom. When he laid her on her bed, he stacked one pillow on top of the other and helped her into a semi-sitting position.
”You stay here and rest while I get us some breakfast. What would you like to eat?” he asked.
”I'm really not very hungry. Maybe just some tea...or coffee, if you prefer.”
”You're eating something.”
”Then just a slice of toast.”
”If you need anything-”
”I'll be fine.”
Dallas turned to leave her bedroom and nearly b.u.mped into Royce, who stood in the doorway.
”You go right on in the kitchen and get Genny's toast and tea,” Royce said. ”I'll keep her company.”
”Genny needs to rest,” Dallas told him.
”I won't disturb her.” Royce looked to her for confirmation. ”Will I, Genny?”
”No, of course not,” she said, when what she really wanted was for Royce to leave. She didn't need or want anyone-except Dallas.
”Go on,” Royce said. ”You're leaving her in good hands.”
Dallas grumbled under his breath. Genny thought she picked up on a couple of less than gentlemanly comments.
The moment Dallas disappeared down the hall, Royce pulled the cane-bottom, ladder-back chair from her dressing table and placed it beside her bed. He plopped down in the chair, then leaned closer.
”Special Agent Sloan is acting quite proprietorial around you,” Royce said. ”Should I be jealous?”
”You and I are friends. Brian and I are friends. And Dallas and I are-”
”More than friends.”
”No, not exactly. We're not really even friends, but I'm not sure how I would define our relations.h.i.+p.” Genny sighed. ”I am not going to discuss how I feel about Dallas with you.”
Genny burrowed her head and shoulders deeper into the soft goose-down pillows. She desperately needed rest. At this precise moment she felt as if she could sleep for days. She yawned. Her eyelids drooped.
”I'm bothering you, aren't I?” Royce gazed longingly at Genny.
”No, of course not. But you understand how tired I am after one of my visions or after I've used the other powers that I inherited from Granny. I used my gift repeatedly while we were searching for Misty.”
”That poor woman.”
”We came so close to saving her.”
”And catching the killer.”