Page 25 of Fae Devoted

“Yeah, and although I can’t say why,” she held up her hand when Johnnie opened her mouth to protest. “Can’t, not won’t. But—”

“But?”

“Tucker may be trying to protect you by delaying the Dance. And Johnnie,” she said, seeming to choose her words carefully. “His reasons have validity.”

“That only makes sense if he has doubts about us being truemates. A failed mating would put a serious damper on our friendship.” She almost snorted at the massive understatement.“Or…Jacob’s waiting until after he returns from finding his brother to ask me to start the Dance.” Johnnie frowned, thinking out loud. “But if Jeremiah’s been spotted in our Clan’s territory, how long could it take for him and the Guard to find him? And why not ask me to wait?”

A strange noise came from Abby’s throat, the sound somewhere between a hiccup and a gurgle.

“Abby?”

“Hmmm?” She grabbed the discarded towel and scrubbed at her hair, her face hidden by curling locks not yet tamed by a blow dryer and strategically placed terrycloth.

“Abigail ColleenMacCarthy,”she said the last quietly although the pool area was empty of all but the two of them. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“I shouldn’t say anything.”

“Shouldn’t,” Johnnie persisted, pouncing on the subtle distinction. “Not can’t. If there’s anything you can reveal without endangering the Na’fhuil or breaking Samuel’s trust, anything at all, please tell me.”

Abby was going to chew her lip raw.

“Please.”

“Okay, maybe there’s something.” She looked over her shoulder, then scooted closer before saying, “Samuel’s concerned that Tucker is insisting on finding Jeremiah on his own.”

“He’s not taking a team with him?” Didn’t Jacob say he was earlier at the apartment? Or had Johnnie just assumed?

“No, he’s not.”

“I can understand wanting to speak with Jeremiah alone under the circumstances.” Jacob would need assurance his brother wasn’t still with the rebels before relaying Samuel’s offer to join the Walker Pack.

“Yes, but…” Abby shook her head, strands of damp hair sticking to her cheeks, her frustration palpable.

“But what?”

“Samuel’s worried he’ll get caught before he finds him.” Her unearthly blue eyes stared into Johnnie’s hazel ones, trying to convey something, but what exactly?

“Why would he worry about Jacob getting caught in his own terri…tory?” No, he wouldn’t, would he?

Abby started drying her hair again, a satisfied smile on her pretty face.

“I gotta go,” Johnnie said, jumping to her feet and bolting toward the exit.

“What are you gonna do?” Abby shouted at her.

Johnnie slapped the double doors open. “Talk some sense into a stubborn Ferwyn.”

Johnnie didn’t havetime to knock, the door cracking open before she reached Jacob’s front porch.

“Jo, what are you doing here?” Longing flashed in his coffee-colored eyes but was gone in the next instant, making her doubt it’d been there at all. He stepped outside carrying an old leather duffle and closed the door behind him.

“I was hoping to catch you before you left.” She spoke to his broad back, his big body hiding the keypad as he set the electronic lock. It engaged with a soft burring that sounded like a death knell. The revelation Jacob might not be rejecting her out of disinterest gave her hope for the future, but even if it turned out she wasn’t his truemate, Johnnie couldn’t let him go after Jeremiah alone.

I can do this. I will do this. If Abby thinks Ferwyn males are stubborn, she ain’t seen nothing yet.

“I’m heading out now.” He avoided her eyes and skirted past without touching her, walking toward his truck. He didn’t look back.

Johnnie took a deep breath and followed, her eyes adjusting to the darkness beyond the reach of the bright porch lights.