She shook her head to clear away the useless thoughts. They were here to find out who was killing her people. She was here to take her rightful place as Queen Moran.
He grasped the edge of the boat and tugged hard, nearly tossing Rhonda and Tabatha into the water.
Bobbie, grateful for the distraction, clenched her fist and hit him in the chest. "Behave, Captain Kangaroo, or I'll pluck your tail feathers and make earrings out of them."
He bowed, his chocolate-brown gaze never leaving hers. "As you wish, Madam Luckman." His voice flowed over her like warm silk.
"And stop calling me Captain Kangaroo." He lowered his voice to a rumbling growl.
"Then, cut the crap. I'm in no mood for it." Bobbie closed her eyes and counted backward from ten to one. The last thing she'd planned to do was snap at Kangee. There were so many things she wanted to say to him, but not this and not now. Besides, getting angry with Kangee would only lead to an argument and Lord knows that would take more time than she could spare. "I suppose you've told everyone we have company. Did you by any chance tell them they're-"
"I told them nothing." His dark eyes were as angry as his tone. "The lookouts reported when you came into sight. They aren't exactly planning a party in honor of your return." He paused then leaned down to stare directly into her eyes. "And neither am I."
Shocked at Kangee's anger, Bobbie waved him away for now, but when she had a chance to get him alone... "I'm going home. I'm tired. My friends and I have been through hell." And your anger is breaking my heart, Kangee.
She tossed their backpacks out of the boat onto a mound next to a stand of weeds. Bobbie's disappointment built as she tried to compartmentalize her emotions. She kicked a piece of driftwood across the shore to the tree line trying to send some of her frustration flying with it.
"While the rest of you sat on your butts and complained that I wasn't protecting you, we've been dealing with the troublemakers. They sent a damned hit man after us-we killed him. Rhonda dug up enough evidence to bring down their little club and put them away for a very long time. Tabatha's fiancé is working on that. What have you been doing, fly boy?"
Kangee's eyebrow lifted to an impossibly high arch. "The Tree Lady requested I escort you home, but I believe you can find your way." He did an about-face, took four long strides and shifted before flinging himself into the air to vanish above the tree canopy.