Page 54 of Dream Weaver

Finally, the air stopped crackling, and Cooper lurched forward when the invisible pressure halted.

His wide-eyed glance asked,That’s your father?

I sighed. Unfortunately, yes. Not that I said that aloud.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded.

“Can’t a guy check in on his daughter once in a while?”

I crossed my arms. “Is that what you’re doing?”

Because Claire, I’d noticed, hadn’t made his list.

The thought made my heart ache, but it was better that way. She already had one self-centered, unhinged supernatural trying to intrude on her life — Jay. She didn’t need a second one.

Ed shrugged. “Yes, to check in. And also to…” He trailed off with a look that said,Walls have ears, you know.

Ha. Especially the bear-sized wall standing a few inches away, ready to claw my father to shreds.

I’d never been more inclined to hug Cooper. But I couldn’t. Not with my father there.

“Out here.” I waved to the back door.

Cooper took a step to follow, but I put a hand on his chest.

“I’ll make this quick,” I whispered, hoping it was true.

That night at the pizza place, Cooper’s eyes had glowed softly. The light that shone in them now was about a thousand watts higher and hotter. More dangerous. He crossed his arms, still glaring at my father.

I patted his chest softly. “Thanks. I mean it. But I have to do this. It won’t take long.”

Thiswas hearing out my father’s latest rant, then sending him on his way before I got dragged into one of his crazy schemes.

Cooper leaned forward, pushing against my hand. Did he even feel it there?

“Are you sure?” His eyes searched mine.

Sure about getting rid of my father? Absolutely. Yes.

Sure about that hug I owed him later? That too.

I nodded, then followed my father outside. Cooper remained in the doorway, every stiff hair on his body communicating,Try something, and you’re dead.

“Stupid bear,” my father muttered when I covered the twenty steps to his side.

My blood pressure doubled. “Do you ever have anything nice to say about anyone?”

And, ouch. I winced at my own pot-calling-the-kettle-black moment.

Maybe I took more after my father than I’d thought. Or maybe I was just jaded. Either way, I made a mental note.Say nice things to other people. Especially Cooper.

My father shrugged. “I tell it like it is.”

I crossed my arms. “No, you judge based on one look.”

Ouch again. I made a second mental note.

Then I made an exasperated sound. “Good to see you and all…” (another lie) “…but as you can see, I’m at work. You know, work? The way I earn a living?”

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