Chapter 225 Chapter 225
He watched Thera run in a wide circle around where Leah stood. He needed to keep his distance after the thoughts that had been in his head for that last bit of the drive. Jesse leaned back against the van and watched as she ate the sub sandwich with small bites. Each time he could see the amazement on her face. He looked at the last piece of his before he put it in his mouth. To him, it was a sub, one of too many he’d eaten in the last five years, to Leah it was a combination of flavors she’d never experienced.
She glanced over her shoulder and smiled. It was the kind of smile that made his heart thud louder in his chest, all while breaking it slowly. She had no idea how appealing she was, her innocence was refreshing, but distracting at the same time. His cat was prompting him to go over closer to her, all they could smell at this point was the sub he’d just eaten. It was going to be a long trip and even afterward if he had to be able to scent her all the time.
Straightening, he denied his cat and opened the door to get the map out. He was hoping there was a route that got them across the border sooner, he just wanted to get across it back into territory he knew and had more backup if he needed it.
There was no way Tomas knew of Leah’s existence, but he still had this nagging feeling that something was going to happen. As he spread the map on the warm hood of the van, he glanced over to see Leah making Thera sit for a small offering of her sandwich. Shaking his head, he forced his muscles to move so he looked at the map. There was that too, the way she communicated with a wild animal like it was a house cat. Everything about her drew him to her.
His phone rang, bringing his head back to focus. Going around, he reached in the window and grabbed it out of the holder on the dash. It was Shaelan.
“Hello.”
“Hi, Jesse is this a good time to call?”
“Yeah, we’re stopped for a quick leopard break.” He grinned as Thera bounced around like a small cub.
“Oh good, I wanted to send you some links that Doctor Collins gave me, they have some good information on them. I thought you might want to read them when you have a chance, maybe share them with Leah and Evanna.”
He glanced over to see Leah teasing Thera with the last of her sandwich and smiled. “Yeah, please send them.”
“Okay then. How’s the drive?”
“We’re making good time, all things considered.”
“Oh good, I know Cal’s been checking the time too often today. “
Jesse grinned, “yeah he still likes to think I’m incapable of doing anything without his backup.” Leah turned and smiled at him, making his heart slam against his ribs. “Listen, while I’ve got just you on the phone, I had a question.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah.” Frowning at the ground, he tried to figure out how to word it. “The doctor you’ve been talking to, she’s one of us, right?”
“Yes, she is.”
“Yeah, okay, uh, can you ask her how it works if your mate has this D.I.D?”
“Oh, Jesse.”
From the compassion in her tone, he knew he didn’t have to explain it later. “It’s a bit a cluster—mess in my head right now. I don’t know how to, or if I should say something, I don’t know how it works with the different personalities, never mind Minn—” he stopped when Leah started walking back this way.
“I will talk to her and see what she knows. I think it’s wonderful though.”
“What is?” He smiled back at Leah.
“That her mate is someone as patient and understanding as you are.”
He snorted, “Yeah, well I don’t understand anything right now.”
“That’s not what I meant. Oh, I have to go, here comes Cal and he has that intense focus look on his face.”
Jesse nodded; he knew that look all too well. “Okay.”
“I’m assuming you don’t want to share this information with anyone just yet?”
“I’d like to know more about everything before I do.”
“I understand. “
“Thanks, Shaelan. Go deal with your broody mate.”
She chortled, “will do. Bye Jesse.”
“Bye.” He hung up and checked to see if the links she sent came through. Hopefully, somewhere along the way he’d get a chance to read through them. Turning back, he watched Thera come charging at him. “No, we’re not going back for more subs, girl.” She slowed just before she reached him and bumped her head against his leg. Reaching down, he rubbed his hand over her head, “next time we’ll try chicken nuggets, you’ll love those.”
Leah walked over to him. “That sub sandwich was really good.” She put her hand over her stomach. “I’m so full now.”
Jesse patted his own stomach. “I could eat three of those before I’m full.”
With eyes wide, she shook her head, “you’re much bigger than I am.” She moved over and leaned on the van beside him. “I suspect Evanna would love to try a sub.”
“The way she dug into the snacks I had; I think she’ll try just about anything. She has a bigger appetite than you do.”
“That’s true, but we share the same stomach, thankfully.” She grinned up at him.
“Yeah,” he frowned, “I can’t imagine how that would feel.” He grimaced, “coming out and feeling full, but not having eaten anything.”
“I’m always full if Evanna’s been around. She takes care of me without even realizing most of the time.” She shrugged, “at least I think she doesn’t do it all on purpose.”
“She’s always thinking, you can see it.”
“Really?” She smirked, “well, she doesn’t like writing down thoughts, that I do know.” She started to walk around him to open the door, then paused, letting her hand rest on his chest. Jesse froze, not wanting to do anything to frighten her. Leaning closer, her face an inch from his chest, she inhaled slowly. Lifting her chin, she looked up at him. “Is that rude? To smell you?”
He shook his head, unable to say anything.
“You smell so good, I’m not sure what it is about your scent, but I feel calmed, yet excited at the same time.” Her cheeks flushed and she gave him a shy smile. “It’s not just me either, Evanna said something about you too in our journal.” Her eyes went wide and she stepped back. “I’m sorry, you probably think I’m strange.”
Jesse’s cat panicked inside him. Reaching, he caught her hand gently before she could move away. Holding it, he reached and tipped her chin up. “I don’t think you could ever do anything that would make me think you’re strange.”
A surprised expression filled her eyes.
“I mean it, Leah, to me I only see a brave, unique woman and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
“Brave? I don’t...”
Gently he placed his thumb over her lips so she couldn’t finish. “You are, I don’t know many that could have survived on that mountain without help this long.” He was afraid to breathe as he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her mouth. His cat went completely still. Straightening, he released her chin. If he stood here much longer, he’d kiss her again, and he didn’t want to frighten her. She stood there, her fingertips on her mouth, a dazed look in her eyes.
Thera bound over and nudged Leah’s leg.
“We should get back on the road.” He inhaled sharply and forced his feet to move back, letting her hand drop from his.
Still touching her mouth, she nodded and moved by him toward the van.
Jesse watched her for a second and then glanced down at the animal. He wasn’t sure what that look was she was giving him, but he hoped there were no plans to take a chunk out of him.