Mythical Link ▸ Link Neal {Book One}

Thirty Eight

     Rhett fired up the grill while Link went to check on the solar lights. He couldn't tell if they were charged fully, but he was certain they would be given the time they've had to sit out in the sunlight. He was surprised that Christy hadn't asked about them, but glad at the same time so he wouldn't have to make up another lie. The lying game was cumbersome.

     The burgers sizzled as Rhett threw them onto the hot metal in a frisbee tossing fashion. Link turned his head in Rhett's direction. Lily opened the screen door and walked out with Jade in her arms. She set Jade on the ground, who ran over to to Link. "Go potty, Jade," Lily encouraged, clapping her hands to corral the dog away from Link. She led her over to the designated potty area while Link watched. 

     He'd noticed that Jade and his kids seemed to be growing attached to one another, and he had to laugh because he recalled Lincoln saying that he would let Jade sleep in his bed with him, only to have that change when she had an accident on his comforters. Link smiled fondly to himself at the memory, and he approached her. "I see you've been training her well." 

     Lily looked up at him. "She loves me, dad!" After Jade had finished doing her business, she picked her up and squished her cheek against Jade's head. Jade pressed her head into Lily's cheek and Link's heart melted melted to butter.

     "I've almost got the burgers ready. The dogs are going on next!" Rhett flipped the last burger off of the grill onto the designated plate.

     Lily's eyes widened and she hugged Jade tight to her chest. 

     Link laughed. "Don't worry sweetheart, he obviously means hot dogs." He turned around and gave Rhett a look, and Rhett couldn't contain the grin on his face. Lily sighed with relief, and then her curious eyes fell on the solar lights. She walked over to one of them and stooped down to take a look at them.

     The boys paraded out with Locke in the lead. Locke tossed a Nerf football up in the air. 

     Lily released Jade, who ducked between Lincoln's leg to run inside, nearly tripping him up. "What's this, dad?" 

     Link took a deep breath and told himself that he had to keep his cool. "They're solar lights. I thought they would be pretty to have in the yard." 

     Lily gave them a disgusted look, her nose scrunched up. "They look kinda ugly." 

     Link laughed. He had to admire Lily's brutal honesty. "Honey, they light up in the dark after the sun sets. They collect sunlight and convert it into energy when the light source is deflected from the sensor. I might actually be able to show you." He stooped to the ground and popped the top off of one of the lights. He covered the LED sensor with his hand and they watched the light brighten up in a vivid blue spectacle. 

     Lily's mouth fell open and she looked at Link in awe. "I take that back. That's really pretty!"

     "See what I mean? Imagine a bunch of these illuminating this pathway," he indicated the pathway up to the deck where he and Rhett had staked them. Lily followed his gaze, her eyes lighting up. At that point, Lincoln, Lando, and Shepard had joined them.

     "Is that a light saber?" Lincoln asked, and Rhett couldn't keep his composure. He cracked up, nearly dropping the plate of hamburgers before making it to the table. 

     Link shook his head with a grin on his face. "Sure, we'll call it that." 

     Shepard reached for one of the lights and tried pulling it out of the ground. Rhett jogged over to him and gently picked him up. "No buddy, we're not pulling the light sabers out of the ground." 

     Shepard grunted. "But I want to play with the light saber!"

     "Light saber?" Jessie asked curiously as she emerged from the house with a pitcher of fresh made iced tea. 

     Christy followed her shortly after with plates and silverware. She eyed the lights curiously then turned her eyes on Link. "Looks like your idea sparked a lot of curiosity. I'm sure they will be beautiful at night." 

     Link grinned, thrilled that nobody had questioned why he had them all of a sudden. Why would they, anyhow? It wasn't like they knew werewolves were sensitive to solar light like humans were to electricity. 

     His smile faded as he realized they were painstakingly closer to dusk. He looked at his watch, his eyebrow twitching. It was already past 5:30. His heart stuttered in his chest. He clapped his hands together and sprinted toward the deck. "Why don't we dig in!" 

     The boys had run back to play ball with Locke, but had finished when they heard Link calling for supper. They leaped onto the deck and crowded around the table full of food like cats at feeding time.

     Jessie wagged her finger at them. "Ah, I don't think so. You need to head in and wash up first!" 

     Locke threw his head back and groaned.

     "Hey, you need to listen to your mother," Rhett said sternly, and Locke trudged inside with his shoulders slumped. Lando and Shepard followed inside excitedly, Lincoln last. Lily began to head inside when she stopped and looked at the ground by her feet. She spun around in a circle as if she were chasing a string hanging off of the back of her pants. 

     Rhett cocked an eyebrow as he watched her. "Drop something?"  

     Lily shook her head, stepping off of the deck. "No. I could swear Jade was right behind me. Jade!" She cupped her hands over her mouth and called for her. 

     A rush of cold panic ripped through Link's chest and he scanned the yard in search of their little furry companion. "Jade!" He hopped off of the deck and circled around the yard. Rhett followed along shortly after along with Jessie and Christy. They all chorused Jade's name, and Lily had grown increasingly more upset as each second ticked by. Her chest quaked as she struggled to breathe. 

     Link turned toward Rhett and the others. "You guys stay here and I'll check the front yard," he said, then he started to slink off toward the front yard. As he walked, he was stopped by a feeling of somebody following close behind him. "Why don't you try to go eat, honey. I'll find her."

     "No. I lost her, I have to help find her." 

     He saw the same determination and stubbornness in Lily's eyes that he often saw in his own, and he relented.