Lightning Game (GhostWalkers 17)

Diego’s eyebrow shot up. “Extraordinary? All muscle? Not one ounce of fat? Is that what you’re referring to? I’m glad you noticed.”

Rubin groaned. “Don’t get him started.”

He sipped at the cider, but Jonquille noticed that while Diego was teasing, holding Patricia’s attention, he was watching the older woman carefully, studying the way she moved. Paying close consideration to every detail of motion of her shoulder and arm. He didn’t appear to be doing so—his legs were sprawled out in front of him, his eyes hooded. He looked casual, and she knew if she asked him, he could repeat what was being said verbatim, but he was really aware of everything about Patricia.

Jonquille realized Diego held Patricia’s attention on purpose. The two men had obviously worked together smoothly many times with the individuals living in the very rural areas of the mountains. They visited and just talked with friends, laughing and getting reacquainted, talking about the things the people loved the most. Their hobbies. Their families.

Jonquille stayed quiet and listened as the two men steered the conversation toward the winter and how difficult it had been. Patricia was cheerful at first and then a few details slipped out. Things were easier now that the boys were home with her. Still, there were a couple of mornings that she had trouble getting her arm to cooperate. She must be getting up there in age. She laughed when she said it, but Jonquille noticed the worried note in her voice and knew both men couldn’t fail to hear it as well.

Rubin’s gentler questions would be interspersed with Diego’s conversation with her. Jonquille was amazed at how much information the two men would draw out while simply visiting. They had incredible skill at knowing the exact topics to introduce, the little snippets of news about their own lives to share, a simple funny story that would draw Patricia into sharing one of her own and would lead to more data on her health in some way.

It came to light that she’d had the flu several times and hadn’t really been eating much since. Rubin had picked up on the fact that while they had shared the apple-walnut bars, she hadn’t. They’d always been her favorites, yet she hadn’t touched them. Rubin paid attention to small details. That was one of his skills. He noticed. Both men did. They applied those skills not only to their tracking and hunting but also to working with patients who might not accept normal doctors.

Jonquille was so intrigued by the way the two brothers conducted the health visit, which really seemed more like a genuine call on a beloved neighbor, that she’d been at the Sawyer home for over an hour before she realized she didn’t have a problem being around Patricia. The energy the woman was giving off, even when she was very animated, Rubin directed away from Jonquille. He did it so quietly, even as he had his attention centered on Patricia, that Jonquille hadn’t noticed. More and more, his abilities astonished her. She had a fast learning curve and she remained as quiet as she could, unless Patricia or one of the men drew her into the conversation, so she could observe.

“Mama Patricia, now that Diego has eaten everything and the boys will get home and want to beat him to a bloody pulp, I’d like to ask a favor,” Rubin said. His voice was extremely soft. Very gentle.

Jonquille recognized that small little push of persuasion in it. Nothing one could track, but it was there.

“Rubin, you do so much for us. You have only to ask.”

“Jonquille is a natural healer, the way I am and my mother was. She is learning our old ways and the medicine plants. I’ve been working with her but only on people we trust. I would like her to see how modern medicine and the old ways can work together to aid someone, but we wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable.” His gaze flicked to Jonquille.

She understood immediately. “Please know I won’t be offended if you say no. I’m just learning and haven’t gotten to Rubin’s level at all yet.”

“You have to learn somewhere,” Patricia said briskly. “Rubin is family. If you’re his woman, then you’re going to be family as well. We best do this before the boys get home. Once they come, the noise will be deafening. Especially with Diego here.”

Diego flashed a grin at them. “Sure, blame me. I can start dinner for us after I take a look around, Mama Patricia.”

“I knew you were coming, Diego. I made your favorite. There’s enough for everyone. The boys will fire up the grill and throw some fish and corn on it. They’re real proud of their grillin’ these days.”

She got up, pushing off the wood arms of the rocker. This time Jonquille noticed one side was stronger than the other. Rubin picked up the tray and indicated to Jonquille to precede him into the house. She wanted to look around as she followed Patricia down a hall into a bedroom, but she’d caught on to the way Rubin and Diego worked. She was aware Diego was taking the opportunity to sweep the area around the cabin for signs of intruders. The brothers were rarely idle.