Lacey was on guard duty again dressed in a moss green sleeved shirt with a sweetheart neck line and black slacks. She was partnered with Darcy, a man about her age with such blond hair it was almost white but instead of giving him a washed out appearance it enhanced his blue eyes and sharp jaw. His hair was deeply layered and looked like it had been very lightly gelled to give it that look like he had just gotten out of bed but had really spent half an hour on his hair. I knew the signs because it was a look Jason often sported. His shirt was the colour of taupe, his pants also black. They both had dull coloured clothes that would blend in with the trees and bark but his hair was like a shining beacon. Bet I can guess what colour wolf he was.
My brief encounter with the pair when they reported in once I was awake gave me the feeling that there was a mutual crush between them due to the way they looked at each other when the other wasn't looking and their body language. The little bit I could pick up from their thoughts reinforced this. They had agreeable personalities from what I could tell and part of me wanted them to hook up as long as that didn't interfere with the guard duties and the big bad wolf came and gobbled me up.
I drove through Bon Temps with Hunter in the back seat and the car doors locked. This really was no way to live. There's nothing in town to really stop and look at so I just drove along sometimes slowing down to point out the pharmacy or the post office or a little cafe or the apartments Sam owns. We found the road crew along Hummingbird Lane without difficulty. Hunter was excited with all the Dodge Ram's and construction gear he almost flew out the car.
"Hold my hand please Hunter so I don't lose you," I said before he could run away to far. He huffed but did it anyway. I looked around for the closest person, "Hoyt," I called seeing he was closest.
"Hey Sookie, how you doing?" He said, stopping in his tracks to head over. He'd always been a lovely guy.
"Yeah not too bad," I said mildly. "This is my cousin Hunter Savoy, Hunter this Hoyt Fortenberry."
"We are going to see Uncle Jason," Hunter piped up.
Hoyt crouched down to his level, "Nice to meet you Hunter, last time I saw Jason he was getting something from his truck."
"Thankyou Mr. Hoyt," he said. He began tugging on my arm, "come on Aunt Sookie, lets go already."
I was being dragged off to find Jason. I shot a look at Hoyt that I hope conveyed an apology for abruptly leaving but he laughed it off. Really, he was a lovely guy. His only flaw was that he wasn't my guy and I wasn't trading Eric for the world.
We found Jason where Hoyt said he would be. Hunter let go of my hand and ran flat out to Jason. Jason turned just in time to catch Hunter and throw him up to sit on his hip. I caught up in time to hear the end of what Jason was saying "...because you can never sneak up on a panther."
Jason was yet to reveal that he was a shifter since they came out in public. He had told his ex-girlfriend Michele and she had kept her mouth closed when they broke up. Unless they were already a Supe, no one knew. He'd start letting people know when he was comfortable. I think a part of me slept better at night knowing that no one wanted to gun him down because they knew what he was. I couldn't see Jason telling people until more people had gotten used to the idea of shapeshifters.
Jason was due for a lunch break so I strapped Hunter back into my Malibu and drove to Merlottes with Jason following behind us in his Dodge Ram. That way we could stay longer when Jason went back to work.
"When we drive into the parking lot I want you to try count how many brains are inside," I said when we got closer.
"How do I do that?" Hunter asked.
"Try closing your eyes and focus. Don't listen to the thoughts, just count the spots that they are coming from."
I turned into Merlottes and Hunter's eye closed like I instructed. I was already parked out front since I was a customer today when Hunter re-opened his eyes, "nine."
"I counted eleven," I said.
"Is Sam the funny sounding one?"
"Yup, it's because he's a supernatural."
Who won came down to the head count once we were inside. I helped Hunter out of his booster seat and he was off and running again. I was hoping the main door would stop him but it was propped open by a brick. Damn.
Jason had parked next to me, "energetic kid."
"I'll say," I tore after Hunter with Jason beside me. Hunter hadn't gone in far, just inside enough to have a good vantage point. "Hunter you can't run off like that, you'll give me and Uncle Jason a heart attack."
"Sorry aunt Sookie, but there is ten."
"Did you count the person in the kitchen?"
He scrunched up his face, "No. You beat me."
"Ah, maybe next time buddy." Jason looked inquiringly at me, "we were having a little competition to guess how many were inside." He shook his head and went to get a booth while we trailed behind. "You'll get better with practise," I told Hunter.
We sat down and had our orders taken by Holly. We ordered three burgers Lafayette; two for Jason and one to share between Hunter and I. The full moon was approaching which meant the diet of the shifter's usually increased. Burger's Lafayette had been introduced to Merlottes by one of the cooks years ago before he died. Lafayette Reynolds was still my favourite cook we'd ever had.
Next chapter is picking up straight from where this one left off, otherwise this chapter would be getting on my long side. Not to mention there have been a few filler chapters lately to get from point A to point B and I find they take a lot longer to write. The fun is all in the action :)
