Page 66 of Training Rain
“It will take me out of action for six months, but I think it will be worth it.”
“I have a friend in New Jersey who can help. You’ll have to take the exam, but I don’t think you’ll have much trouble. You can probably get into the July class and be done in December.” Joshua stood up. “In the meantime, we have work to do. Tessa and I are heading home to sort out a few things. We’ll be back tonight. Do either of you need anything?”
They both said they were fine and Joshua left the cabin.
“You’re upset with me.” She looked down into her teacup.
Jess sat down, cradled his coffee mug between both hands and let the aroma wake him. “No,cher. I really do think it’s a great idea. You’ll feel more confident after you’ve gone through the academy.”
“But?”
He smiled at how perceptive she was. “But I’m going to miss you. You’ll be in New Jersey for six months and I’ll have to work. It will be difficult to see each other and I’m a selfish bastard.”
A musical bubble of laughter tumbled from her lips and hit him square in the heart. He leaned across the corner of the table and captured her lips in a long kiss. Rain sighed softly. “I’m going to miss you too.”
Kane stepped out of Troy’s bedroom. “Rain, he’s stirring.”
She got up from the table and headed for the bedroom.
“What are you doing?” Jess had that tightness in his gut again. It was the same feeling he had every time she put herself in danger.
She was halfway across the room by the time she spoke. “I’m going to try to heal his mind.”
The knot tightened and he rushed across the room to cut her off. He took hold of her arm. “Wait a damn minute. You are not going poking around in a damaged kid whom we know nothing about.”
The sadness that filled her expression was completely unfair. He was trying to protect her. Couldn’t she see that? The way she looked at him made him feel like an asshole for doing what he was meant to do.
“He’s in pain and I can help. I won’t put myself in danger, Jess. I’m a healer. It’s what I do.”
“What if the cause of his pain is too much for you?”
She touched his cheek. “Then I’ll back away.”
He had to take three deep breaths before he was able to force himself to say the right thing. “Fine, but I’m coming in there with you.”
“It would be better if you stayed out here.”
“This is not negotiable, Rain. I’m coming in or you’re not going in.”
“All right, but no mind bending. He’s been manipulated enough.”
“I will only use force of any kind as a last resort.”
Kane stayed in the room too. Both men watched helplessly while Rain’s face twisted and the color drained from her cheeks.
It was unfair. She’d made him promise not to probe inside her mind and now he’d sworn not to manipulate this kid. She’d taken all his weapons away and left him helpless.
He looked over at Kane. A small smile lit his face. Kane was a talented telepath and a healer in his own right.
Without speaking a word an agreement was struck and Kane’s focus turned toward the healing. Jess was able to relax if only slightly. He knew if things went bad, Kane would sever her connection.
An hour later, she stood up on rickety legs. “I think he’s going to be okay. I need to sleep for a while.”
She stopped between the two men standing sentinel at the door. “I know you were there on the fringes and I know it was your doing.”
Rain didn’t really sound angry. Maybe annoyed, but not angry. That was a good sign. “I didn’t break my word and we only want to keep you safe. We are a team and you are going to have to get used to that. You don’t work alone anymore, Rain.”
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