“August suggested going for a hike,” Jeb said. “And having a picnic.”
“Nothing like sunshine and fresh air to clear the mind,” August said.
I blanched a little at the idea of hiking.
“I could use a distraction.” Jeb pinched the bridge of his nose. “And I wouldn’t say no to physical exertion. Might help me sleep.” He lifted his bruised blue eyes to me.
“What do you say?” August asked.
What do I say? Let me see… That you’re sadistic, August Watt. Besides, I would need to be physically dragged along the trail considering the state of my body.
Obviously, I went with, “Um. I have an appointment to pass my driver’s permit today.” It wasn’t a complete lie. If they could fit me in at the DMV, then I’d take the test. Could I just walk in?
The amused glint in August’s eyes dimmed, and he grunted. “How convenient.”
I lifted a scone off the plate and took a bite.
“We can leave after you’re done,” Nelson said. “What time’s your appointment?”
The bite went down the wrong hole, and I coughed. August pushed a glass of water in front of me, and I downed it.
No rest for the injured.
What time was it now? I looked around the room for a clock. Found my answer inscribed on the cable box: 9:15. “Eleven-thirty.”
“We’re not in any hurry. We can leave straight after,” August said.
Oh, goodie. I shot August a death glare, which put a glimmer back in his eyes.
“Great.” I ripped off a large chunk of dense, flaky dough and stuffed it inside my mouth. Hopefully my werewolf gene would miraculously heal my aching bones and tattered skin within the next three hours. “Can’t wait.”
August cocked one of his thick eyebrows.
“I’ll call Izzie to confirm the picnic.” Nelson rose from his seat, cellphone already pressed to his ear.
Jeb laid his hand on my forearm and squeezed it. “Thanks for being such a good sport, Ness.”
“Of course.”
My uncle got up and brought his mug over to the sink. “I need to call the inn. I’ll be right back.”
I watched him make his way to his bedroom. Although his shoulders were hunched and his eyes puffy, he was far from the specter he’d been just a few days ago. It hadn’t even been a week, I realized, yet it felt like it had been a month since the pledging ceremony. Time was a strange thing. Some days lasted seconds, and some days lasted weeks.
The heat of a hand on my knee made me look away from Jeb’s closed bedroom door.
“I was just picking on you, Ness,” August said quietly. “You don’t have to come. Besides, you can’t even walk, can you?”
August dragged his hand back to his thigh, the circumference of which equaled both my legs.
“I can hobble, and don’t you dare say I told you so.”
He raised both palms in the air.
“But maybe in three hours, I’ll be better.”
“Are you sure? You really don’t have to come.”
“It seemed to make Jeb happy that I was joining.” I finished my scone, chewing on it thoughtfully. “If I really can’t take it, I’ll just sun myself until you guys are done traipsing through the woods.” I wiped the crumbs off my palms. “Is your mom going to hike?”
He shook his head. “She’s going to drive over. Actually, why don’t you just hitch a ride with her and meet us at the lake?”
“That sounds incredibly more appealing.”
Nelson came back toward us, stuffing his phone into the back pocket of his high-waisted jeans. “I need to stop by the warehouse. Christian wants to go over the blueprints of Mr. Sommerville’s lodge. Again.”
August sighed and rose.
“Oh, you don’t need to come with me, son. I can handle Christian.”
“I don’t mind. Besides, I’m sure Ness needs to study for her big exam.”
“Why don’t you help her study?”
Father and son exchanged a long look. Something passed between them. What, though, I couldn’t tell, but I was most definitely going to find out the second Nelson walked out our front door.
The second it shut, I asked, “What was that about?”
“What was what about?”
“That look.”
“What look?”
“Oh come on, August. I grew up with you guys.”
August rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, glancing toward Jeb’s door. “Dad doesn’t want Jeb to be left alone. Not for the next week anyway. He’s worried.” August shrugged. “He’s worried he might… ” More neck rubbing. “Try to kill himself.” Those last few words came out whispered.
“Oh.” Goose bumps scattered all over me. “I’m here,” I said finally.
“I know. We know.”
“But you guys don’t think I can handle him?”
“No. That’s not it. My parents are also worried about you.”
My heart squeezed a little that anyone besides Evelyn cared how I was doing. “Tell them they don’t have to worry.”
He grunted as he sat down again and leaned back in his seat. I was a little afraid the rungs would snap right off, but the chair surprisingly held.