*****
“Shadow took Brianna home. Hopefully they got there before her parents noticed she was missing,” Seth explained as they left Sunburn. “He said he’d come by later.”
The space beneath the big billboard on the edge of town was empty now. Officer Wallace had more important criminals on his mind today than locals pushing the 30mph speed limit. He was probably back at the station putting out an APB on a tan or maybe white car, larger than a breadbox but smaller than a semi.
Jael rolled her window down and with eyes mere slits, leaned her head through the opening and let the cool morning air blow through her hair. She wondered what Brianna thought now that she had been thrust into the middle of her personal war. Would she want to stay in touch after this or be too afraid to remain friends with a vampire slayer? She couldn’t blame her if she never spoke to her again. After all, she’d been kidnapped, used as bait, beaten, and threatened with death all before daybreak.
Seth glanced over, a worried frown creasing his forehead. “Are you all right?
“Sure.”
Thankfully the accident site was on the other side of town and they didn’t have to drive past it on the way home. She didn’t think she could have remained all right in that situation. Whatever all right meant these days.
The rising sun glared through the windshield and she flipped the visor down. “Did you go back to the railroad station to check and see if all the vamps were…?”
He nodded, a slight smile on his lips. “Did one better than that. Brought them home for a bonfire.”
She sniffed. “I thought I smelled something. In the trunk?” she asked.
“Yep. I checked their pockets for phones and I.D. as well. Jacob was apparently the one who communicated with the Bishop. None of the others had a cell phone on them except for the one they stole from Brianna.” He slipped it out of his pocket. It was covered in pink rhinestones. “Here. You can give it back to her.”
She took the phone with two fingers and placed it in the cup holder. “Probably should disinfect it first.”
“I already did. Used a wet wipe at the clinic.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
They turned off the highway, but before they were even halfway down the road to the house, she saw Bruno galloping toward them. His shaggy coat rose in the wind and his ears were pressed back against his head like a greyhound in a race.
“Let me out,” she said, her hand on the door handle.
Seth didn’t argue, but ground to a stop and waited as she opened the door and stepped out. Bruno charged up and nearly sent her toppling over, licking her face and hands in his exuberance.
“I missed you too, Bruno,” she said breathlessly, pressing her face into the thick fur around his neck. His tail wagged madly, his whole body vibrating with excitement. She leaned against the car for support when he placed his big paws on her shoulders to give her a thorough welcome. Finally, she made him get down, stepped back and shut the door. She held onto the dog by his collar so he wouldn’t get in the way.
“When you’re ready, come up to the house. We need to talk,” Seth said through the open window.
She watched him turn into the driveway, get out of the car and go in. Bruno pulled against her arm and she released his collar. He started for the house and then stopped, looking back expectantly, his tail flopping slowly back and forth as though his engine was in idle.
It was much too soon to talk. She wasn’t ready for decisions to be made, plans to be set, and the future to be decided. If only they could put everything on pause. Take a really long breath and… She started walking.
Bruno followed along beside her, staying close, turning now and then to lick the back of her hand. He whined when they passed the driveway, but made the decision to stick with her... until he spotted a Jack Rabbit and was off running across the desert field like a shot. She smiled after him but kept going. A mile more and she realized it was getting stinking hot and a blister was forming on the back of her left heel from her boot. She reluctantly turned around and headed home.
Bruno apparently lost the rabbit after a long chase because he joined her, panting hard, his jowls dripping slobber. She patted his back. “No rabbit for breakfast, huh?”
At the porch he whined again and looked up at the door. Her dad always fed Bruno and this morning his bowl remained empty. She put her hands on each side of his big head and looked him in the eye. He was smart. He would understand. At least as well as she understood.
“Mom and Dad aren’t coming back, Bruno. It’s just you and me now. And Uncle Seth.” She sniffed and laid her head against his side. A tear slipped out. “I promise to take care of you just like Daddy did. Only the best beef cuts for dinner and apple slices for dessert.”
Bruno lifted his head and licked away the salty tears slipping down her cheeks.