The Conduit The Gryphon Series - By Stacey Rourke Page 0,6
was a sixty-year-old grandpa?
“I am so sorry.” He stated, struggling not to laugh.
“No problem. I was hoping I would get to play in traffic at some point today.” My tone was bitter enough to taint the joke.
“I was just going to ask if you needed help. But once you got that thing moving at Mach 10 I figured you were just gonna jump on and take off.” The stranger’s voice was thick with the amusement he failed to hide.
“I didn’t even think to try that. It may’ve been easier.” I laughed, grateful to see some humor in this.
He held his hand out to me. “I’m Alec Jeffries with Channel 4 News.”
“Really?” The shocked word slipped out before I could stop it. If I had any embarrassment left in me, I may have blushed. Thankfully, I was maxed out. “I’m sorry. That was rude. You just don’t look like a reporter.”
Reporters on television always looked neat and professional. Alec didn’t. His long strawberry—blonde hair was pulled back in a tight pony—tail at the nape of his neck. The shirt and tie he wore obviously weren’t his. His tall, lanky frame swam in the oversized clothing. The tie was loosely knotted around his neck. The shirt untucked. Clearly he went for the comfort angle, not style—a fashion sense I could relate to.
He smiled at me in a relaxed, carefree way that added to his boyish charm. “I’m not. I’m actually a cameraman, forced in front of the lens against my will.”
“How’d they rope you in?”
“The station I work for is out of Nashville, but I was born and raised here. When they heard about the cat story, they decided to send the local boy out. Much to his dismay.”
“What cat story?”
“Haven’t you heard?” He pushed his cuffed sleeves further up his arms. His crystal blue eyes sparkled with delight. “There have been panther sightings in the mountains.”
“Panthers?” I repeated, not sure I’d heard right. “Did one escape from a zoo?”
He shook his head. “No zoos have reported missing animals.”
“Panthers aren’t indigenous to this area. Isn’t it more likely to be a mountain lion or something like that?”
“That’s what I thought, too.” He shrugged. “Seems a heck of a lot more plausible. But there have been eye witnesses that swear it’s a black panther.”
I couldn’t help but shiver. The idea of coming face-to-face with a carnivorous predator like that creeped me out. My reaction didn’t go unnoticed.
“Don’t worry. It hasn’t eaten anyone…yet.” Alec smiled mischievously. “So, are you going to tell me who you are, or do I have to guess?”
“Oh, sorry! I’m Celeste Garrett.” I wiped my hand on my jean shorts before extending it to Alec.
“A relative of Gladys Garrett?”
“She’s my grandmother.”
“She was the school nurse, right?” Alec glanced down and realized he still had a hold of my hand. A pink glow filled his cheeks as he released it.
“Yep.” I tried my best to suppress the grin that tugged at the corners of my mouth. “She’s retired now.”
“I remember her. She’s a really nice lady.”
“I think so.”
Awkward silence. Then, “You never answered me. Would you like some help getting your tire home? Or, are you just gonna get it going again and see if you can fly there?”
“As much fun as that sounds, I would love a ride home.”
We were tossing the tire into the back of the news van when Alec commented offhandedly, “By the way, I got some great footage of you and your tire.”
Damn it.
As soon as we pulled into Grams driveway, I climbed out of the van and slid the side door open to retrieve my tire.
“You sure you don’t want me to change that for you?” Alec asked for the third time.
“No, but thanks. You’ve already done more than enough.”
The front door squeaked as Gabe stepped out onto the porch. Alec didn’t miss his entrance. “Your boyfriend looks ticked.”
“That’s my brother, Gabe. He always looks like that.” I set the tire on the ground and slammed the slider shut. “Thanks again for the ride.”
“I guess I’ll see you around.” Alec’s face expressed a mix of hesitancy and hope. We suffered through yet another awkward silence before he gave a brief wave and drove away.
Tire in tow, I shuffled my way to the garage where Gabe intercepted me. “Did you just get dropped off in a news van?” His lips were taut as he fought back a grin.
I felt straightforward was the best approach. “Yes. I was rolling the tire home and he offered to give