“She was acting all weird-”
“I noticed. ”
“-and was not telling me what was up-”
“She tends to do that. ”
“-and I basically ordered her to tell me-”
“A very stupid move on your part. ”
“-and out the door she went. I think she's heading your way.
You're not naked and doing anything sweaty with Travis right now, are you? Cause Loca will need you to calm her ass down. ”
“I'm not naked or doing anything sweaty with Travis. He's actually about to head out and meet with Eric to work on some plans for Main Street. ” Katie sounded worried and bemused all at the same time.
“Okay, so you will take care of my girl?”
“Absolutely,” Katie answered.
Juan sighed. “Take care of her, Katie. Please. ”
“I will. ”
Hanging up, Juan closed his eyes to rub his eyelids. He was weary.
His eyes felt like salt had been poured into them. Jenni not being with him was disconcerting. He felt lost without her. Surprised to feel tears in his eyes, he slid onto a stool tucked beside a small bar next to the kitchenette.
The music in Jason's room was still pounding away and it did nothing to calm his nerves. Letting out another weary sigh, he swept a tear away with his rough fingers.
Loca would be okay. He knew it. She was too tough to let anything drag her down. He just had to wait for her to come back to their little home.
It would be okay.
He hoped.
***
Katie hung up the phone and stared at it, deep in thought.
“What's wrong?” Travis emerged from the bathroom, his face and hair a little damp. He was feeling tired, but still had a few more hours of work. A splash of cold water on his face had him looking more alert.
“Jenni is on her way. Juan says she walked out on an argument. ”
Katie folded her arms over her breasts. “I noticed she was abnormally quiet tonight, but I thought she was just tired. ”
Travis walked over and kissed her cheek. “If anyone can calm her down, it's you. It'll be fine. ”
“If she talks to me,” Katie grumbled. “She's been evasive on a lot of stuff lately. ”
“She's haunted. Maybe a little more than a lot of us. ” Travis rubbed Katie's shoulders. “I better go before she lands on our doorstep. ”
Katie's fingers brushed over his hand and she gave him a worried smile. She was sincerely worried about Jenni. She remembered the near catatonic woman in her truck. No one else in the Fort had ever seen Jenni that way, but Katie knew how fragile Jenni's condition had been on that first day.
Travis pressed a kiss to her lips, then moved toward the door. “See you at breakfast. ”
“I'll miss you,” Katie said with a slight smile.