Page 70 of Tempting Jupiter
“I’m sorry, Toby. But if you really don’t like it, Farmer Augie will help you find another place. The whole planet isn’t a farm, I promise.” She accompanied her words with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.
Toby’s scowl said he didn’t buy it. “I want to go with you.”
Her smile slid away. “Maybe you’ll find you like it, if you give it a chance.”
Seneca squeezed her shoulder. “Feeona… the boy is old enough to know his own mind.”
She shot to her feet. “You know we can’t take him with us. Where we’re going is no place for a kid.”
He was solid stone with no intention of being detoured, but he was also calm. “Let me speak with him.”
Fee took a page from the kid’s playbook and jutted her own chin in Sen’s direction. “Toby, give us a minute.”
Seneca remained relaxed and unriled. “No, stay Toby.”
She bit the inside of her cheek. If he made her say things in front of Toby that would hurt the kid, she’d make him pay. “Can’t you just trust that I know a little more about this than you?” Her vision was on the edge of turning red.
Before Sen could answer, Toby pushed between them and turned his determined gaze on her. “It don’t matter what you say. I belong with you.” He paused a moment. “With Seneca.”
Fee’s spine softened. She hadn’t anticipated that. It wasn’t uncommon for some of the kids to want to stay with her. She was their savior. The mythical Angel come to life. They felt safe with her. But of course, it wasn’t safety Toby would want. He wanted the loving father he’d lost. He’d made a connection with Seneca on the journey.
Sen watched her as if he could read her racing thoughts on her face. “Please Fee, let me deal with this.”
She met his gaze and wished she could read him better. “You can’t make promises we won’t keep.”
Sen dipped his chin in agreement.
Fee bent and kissed Toby’s cheek. The little guy was wound tight. “I wish you all the best of life.”
***
Seneca watched Fee walk away, surprised she’d given in so easily.
“You’re not gonna take me with you.” Toby sounded resigned and disappointed.
Seneca lifted the boy and sat him on the top slat of a nearby fence. “Not now, my friend.”
Toby’s gaze slipped to the ground. “Because you think I can’t take care of myself.”
“No.” Sen waited for the boy to look up. “Because I need time alone with her. We have things to work out before we take on what comes next.”
“The slaver.” Toby’s face twisted in a grimace.
“You shouldn’t be listening to other’s conversations.”
“I know,” Toby agreed. “It’s not good manners. That’s what Alfred said.”
“Did he?”
Toby nodded once. “Yep.”
Seneca refocused the conversation. “Not because of the slaver. You could well be a help there.”
Toby straightened up with pride. “Then what?”
“The man we’re going to take back from the slaver.”
Toby nodded again.
