“Too bad you don't have cable. We could test him by putting him in front of ESPN with a bowl of beer and a package of Cheez-Its."Jasper hissed his disapproval.Anica laughed softly. "I don't think he appreciates your stereotyping him like that.""Oh, bite me Jasper."It was a tempting thought.Lily stood. "Enough of this. Let's raid your closet and find us some hot dancing duds." She continued down the hall.Jasper glared after her. Lily was so wrong about him. He didn't like Cheez-Its. Onion rings went way better with beer.”

“It’s not fake is it?” Jasper asked softly and Layne studied his son thinking he had vastly underestimated Jasper too. “It was, Jas, it isn’t anymore.” Jasper nodded. Layne continued. “She doesn’t know that yet, though.”Jasper stared at him then his mouth twitched before, very slowly, it spread into a smile.”

“Dragon! My lord...oh, please, wake up-speak to me! Don't you dare just lie there!" Tears all but blinded her and slid unheeded down her ashen cheeks. Clasping his shoulders, she tried to lift him. "Please...wake up...don't-"He was too heavy, she couldn't budge him. And he just lay there, his eyes closed,all the life seemingly gone from him. A sob broke from her. She grabbed hold of his tunic and pulled so hard that the sturdy cloth came close to rending. "Don't you dare! You can't be hurt! Think of all the battles you've been though, all the adventures! Are you going to let a horse you don't even like do this to you?"One eye opened and looked at her balefully. "Would it be better somehow if I did like him?"Rycca gave a shriek of delight and threw her arms around Dragon's neck, damn near choking him. By the time he managed to disentangle himself, his vision had cleared enough to see that his wife was crying and laughing at the same time. That rather pleased him."It's all right," he said gruffly. "I'm fine.Only let me get up.""Careful," Rycca admonished and stood by to help him. "Here,put your weight on me."Dragon started to laugh and thought better of it when he realized his head was pounding. "Lady,if I do that, I will crush you.”

“Eli's a good kid, Jasper. Too good for the likes of me. He deserves better."Jasper shot him a penetrating look. "What he deserves is a nice dame, but seeing as how that ain't in the cards, you're the next best thing." "Wow." Jessie stared in disbelief. "No one's ever insulted me with a compliment before. That's some talent you got there, Jasper.”

“His eyes widened. Oh, hell, you think I'm going to let him bite me? No way. It's too risky and way too guy.”

“Don't get me wrong. She's a good teacher as long as you don't get on her bad side. She absolutely hates my brother Bryce." he said as he continued to walk straight down the hall. He laughed. "She threw a ruler at him once.”