Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 241

Xena's POV

Xena Logan caught my attention, giving me a meaningful look. Logan had obviously noticed it too. But I was still caught up in various emotions at that moment, my mouth felt dry, and I had forgotten to respond to Logan entirely.

"I think it smells amazing!" Ryder placed his hand on my lower back saving me from having to answer. I instinctively looked toward Ryder, who gave me an innocent smife. I reached out and touched hand resting on my back.

"Let's eat!" Dad said quickly, starting to put small burgers on his own plate. Martha took one with an expressionless face, leaned down to smell it, then pushed it aside with a disgusted expression.

I put some bread, salad, and pasta on my plate until the small burgers were passed to me. Not sure how hungry I actually was, I put one on my plate and continued passing them. Logan took three, as if he knew he loved eating them.

"So, Ryder. Were you able to eliminate the tunnels?" Dad asked.

I grabbed the small burger and took a bite. The moment the flavors hit my tongue, recognition flooded through me like a dam breaking. This was it. This was that taste. My body remembered, even though my brain had blurred the details. The special flavor of the BBQ sauce, the pepper seasoning on the bread... these were all Mom's. Tears gathered in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Not here. Once or twice, I saw Ryder glance at me.

"We did it. It went much smoother than I expected. Obviously, we lost a few trees, but no damage to the walls. I might get some soil

to fill the holes," Ryder answered.

"I have some soil I can give you. Penelope started building a new pool, and we need to extend the old one," Dad said.

"Ama wants to build a new pool too," I said, smiling at Penelope. I took a deep breath silently, adjusting my mood to continue the normal conversation. My heart was particularly fragile today, and if broke down now, I didn't dare think about how I would manage

later.

night.

that made her roll her eyes and look away. Not sure what he said to her,

should we do next?" Dad asked, as if wanting to ignore Martha's presence. “Xena has a brilliant idea,” Ryder said, taking

was watching me, waiting for an answer, Putting down my fork, I suddenly felt uncomfortable being put

um... didn't Penelope tell

Dad gave me a smile, one that I used to hate. It

I

the phone company, we can find his files based on his service location and download his call records. Then

can dig deeper. The rest

did you come up with this idea?"

1/2

Chapter 241

a sarcast

actual Idea. Then it just snowballed

really quite good," Logan said with his

it works. Has Galen

of the firewalls, he's moving slowly, not

he operating from?" Ryder

abandoned coffee shop a few miles

image of that shop flashing through my mind. Broken windows, peeling paint, little mice that had made it their home. Perfect place – no one would think to look

had barely touched any food, just