The stranger kinda reminded me of Jacob. Except I knew Jacob and felt comfortable around him. There was a warm comforting feeling you got from being near Jacob, but I didn't get that feeling from the stranger. Jacob was like sunshine and this man was like shadow.

He wore a heavy black jacket and tall black boots, along with grey jeans. He wore a cowboy hat which cast a shadow over his smirk. I wondered if that was just a Montana thing or if he was just really into westerns. He almost gave me a Clint Eastwood vibe.

His style was a mix between bad guy in a urban fantasy movie and cowboy. He looked to be somewhere in his mid forties.

"Hey, kiddo," his eyes met mine only for the briefest moment before he turned to JJ. "Where's your uncles?"

"Hey, Rick!" Jake waved. "They're inside. Want me to tell them you're here?"

"If you would, please." He was surprisingly polite.

Next thing we knew we were all sitting around the coffee table in my uncles' living room, trying not to stare at him.

"So... You can get us across the border?" Jacob asked.

I shot him a glare.

"What?"

Rick chuckled. "I can."

"What'll it take?" Jacob asked.

"Jacob!" I hissed. It was rude to ask things of strangers before properly introducing yourself.

Rick leaned back. "I'll need time to forge some passports, just in case we do get stopped. I mean I doubt we will, but I can't take no risks. I can be back in four days, maybe less."

"I have my passport already!" JJ piped up with excitement.

"Jake, you're staying here."

"Aw." He slumped in his seat.

"Four days. That's quick. What's your secret?" Jacob asked.

Rick smiled. "If I told you I'd have to kill you."

I shivered but Jacob laughed.

Nicole narrowed her eyes at him. "What's the catch?"

"I owe John and Freddy a favor. Plus I like the thrill."

"I thought you didn't need any papers for the part of the boarder you run across?" I eyed him with suspicion.

"It's just in case. I haven't needed them yet, but I ain't getting caught doing something less than legal you know." He tipped his cap to me.

"So I'm just supposed to leave their lives in your hands?" I crossed my arms.

"Locke, chill. He's plenty capable." Jacob assured me.

"You could always come with. If you need to keep an eye on me." He quirked his head in Nicole's direction. "Or them."

"I— No, we will not be doing that." I eyed JJ. "We're safe here."

"And they'll be just as safe 'cross the border."

"You swear?"

"Every damn day."

He thought he was being funny. Jacob laughed, which didn't help.

"Great now I wanna watch The Mummy. Locke, do you—"

"No."

"You're quite uptight, aren't ya, kiddo." Rick said, raising an eyebrow at me.

"I prefer the term protective."

Jacob slung an arm around me. A month earlier I would have probably punched him for that. Now I didn't try to have him remove it.

"Aw, Locke, you really care."

"Rick, it's good to see you!" My Uncle Freddy cut through the tension by choosing just then to stroll in the room.

Rick stood up, shoot his hand, and the two ran off to the kitchen to catch up.

I stood up, letting Jacob's arm hit the couch.

"I need some air."

Hope you're still around! What did you think? Where do you think the story is headed next? I truly hope you enjoyed and please comment and like if you enjoyed. Hit the star! ⭐️ (if you're an invisible reader you should know I get very few likes and comments so I don't get that much encouragement to continue, if you enjoy PLEASE LET ME KNOW) (If you regularly comment and like thank you you mean everything to me and I'm doing my best)
~Oz