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They rode for a few minutes, then Jacob peered at Annie. "She's asleep," he said quietly. "Big day for her."
Phoebe nodded. "Yep. I don't think she'll ever want to go back to school after being here."
"I get that." He looked around, scanning their surroundings, reminding Phoebe of their reality. "I didn't like school. Dropped out when I was twelve. Made my own way."
That didn't surprise her at all. "Was that when you met Brody and the others?"
He shook his head. "I was on my own for about three years before I hooked up with them. I think I was fifteen when I first met Brody."
"You were homeless and alone from when you were twelve?"
"Yeah. It was better than the alternative. But when I met Brody, I knew I had a chance to make it. Until then, I wasn't sure."
Phoebe thought about that. "What was the alternative?"
Jacob glanced at Annie, then shook his head. "Later."
Later. He wanted to tell her. That made her feel so good. But also, wow. Whatever he'd experienced was bad enough that he didn't want to take the chance that Annie would overhear it. Because he was a protector.
"I'd like to hear about your history," he said. "What makes you the way you are. Later, of course."
Again, a warm feeling inside her. She didn't like talking about her past, but it made her feel good that he wanted to know. That he cared enough to know. "Okay."
He smiled at her. "Okay, then."
She smiled back, her heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time. She was definitely feeling things about Jacob, for Jacob, things that scared her much less after the conversation with Bella. Of course, she wasn't ready to admit or commit to anything, but knowing a little more about Jacob made her more willing to experience what she was feeling, instead of trying desperately to hide it from herself.
A shadow passed over him, and they both looked up. A huge bird was flying overhead, and she saw a flash of a white head. "Is that a bald eagle?"
He grinned. "Yeah. I was hoping they'd be out. The spot we're going to is a place they love to go fishing. I was hoping we'd see some."
Excitement rushed through her. "Really? That is amazing! How far away are we?"
"A few minutes." He grinned. "Want to go faster?"
"Yes!" She locked her arm tightly around her sleeping daughter, then urged her horse into a slow lope. Cupcake ran alongside them, his tail up and his ears flapping, clearly in absolute doggie joy. Jacob stayed right beside her, close enough to grab Annie or her reins if anything happened, but giving her the freedom to do it on her own.
And when she thought the day couldn’t get any more perfect, the river came into sight. She gasped in stunned surprise to see all the majestic, elegant birds soaring high above the wide river. "How many eagles are there?"
He paused, then said. "I counted eleven. You?"
She nodded her agreement. "Magic. It's literally magical." She nudged Annie awake as they reined to a stop. "Annie. Eagles! Watch—"
As she spoke, an eagle swooped out of the air, dove straight toward the river, and hit the water with a big splash, then came right back up into the air with a fish in its talons.
Magical. Literally magical. "I never want to leave," she whispered in awe. "I could stay here forever."
"Good," Jacob said.
She looked quickly at him, but he was watching the eagles, not her.
But he was smiling.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Phoebe didn't want to go teach her class.
She wanted to continue sitting on Jacob's couch and watch Annie and Bella playing Go Fish, while Lucas and Jacob moved in more furniture that Lucas had brought. Another bed, so she didn't have to sleep with Annie. A kitchen table. An adorable pink dresser and an art table for Annie, along with a whole bunch of art supplies.
