Chapter 55

Gideon continued to rub Jesse’s back, wishing he could do more. Faint tremors rippled across Jesse’s skin, though for all appearances, he seemed calm. Could JT sense it? Did JT care? It had taken all of Gideon’s control not to play hardball with the other version of Jesse. He didn’t take being told no very well under the best of circumstances. But they needed JT, and in the end, he had a point, even if Gideon didn’t feel too much like being logical at the moment.

David returned with his laptop, and all three of them followed him into the dining room where he booted it up. Jesse hovered at one shoulder, Gideon at the other, while JT sat out of the way. His eyes had softened in the time David had been gone, and now he regarded both of them with more than a little sympathy.

“Before David gets too far,” he said softly, “think about this. What if she’s dead? Are you prepared to get that kind of news twice?”

Gideon knew he couldn’t answer. He looked to Jesse. This was his call.