Alex Kava Bundle - Alex Kava [778]
She was getting hungry and tired and the sun was blinding her. She pulled down the sun visor only to be face-to-face with a gold-framed Jesus pin-tacked to the inside fabric of the visor.
“Jesus!” she grumbled and flipped it back in place. She’d rather have the sun in her eyes.
“I’m hungry,” she said, hoping it sounded pathetic enough for Jared to allow them to drive through at the next fast-food joint. Though out here the miles between towns kept getting longer. She glanced over her shoulder at Charlie, who was sleeping with his head propped against the window. His red hair stuck up in spikes and his right fist was tucked under his chin. No use trying to enlist him in her food dilemma.
“I said I’m—” She was interrupted by a package of granola bars flying over the seat into her lap. “I need some—” The bottle of water missed her head by inches.
“For Christ’s sake, be careful. Geez.” Melanie glanced at Andrew, embarrassed. She shook her head.
Charlie snickered, stretched and then added, “Yeah, can’t we stop? I need to take a piss.”
Melanie hid her smile. Finally, she wasn’t the only one.
“How we doing on gas?” Jared leaned over the seat to see for himself as if he didn’t trust Andrew. “The next town’s Auburn. It should have some kind of convenience store. We’ll get gas and supplies. Charlie can take a piss and then we’ll turn around.”
“Whadya mean turn around?” Charlie piped up before Melanie had the chance.
Jared handed him the map, opening it to the right panel. “We’ll cut back and head for Colorado.”
“I knew it. I knew we were headed in the wrong direction,” Melanie said to Andrew, but the writer hadn’t said a word since they left the farmer’s place. In fact, he’d just been staring straight ahead at the road as he drove, his left hand at the top of the steering wheel, barely moving. His eyes were hidden behind a pair of sunglasses he’d found on top of the visor on his side.
Melanie held off opening the package of granola bars. She could see the town just beyond the next curve. Maybe the place would have slices of pizza or one of those turning roasters with hot dogs. Some of the nicer convenience stores had both. She wanted real food, and only now realized she couldn’t remember when she ate last.
Jared hung over the front seat again, getting a better look at the approaching town.
“Can we buy some toothpaste and a toothbrush?” Melanie asked. “How much can we spend?”
“Isn’t that just like a woman?” Jared said to Andrew, slapping him on his shoulder as if they were best buddies now.
Melanie cringed, thinking an injured shoulder harnessed up like that must still hurt like hell, but Andrew didn’t flinch. He didn’t even move. He just stared ahead, like a robot. She hoped he wasn’t falling asleep. Her bruised ribs couldn’t take another car crash.
“Can we get some Tylenol, too?” she asked Jared.
She figured he owed her big-time for helping him tie up that farmer. She just kept reminding herself that the guy’s wife would be home soon, and he’d be put out of his misery.
“That looks good. Pull in over there.” He pointed to what looked to be a freshly painted Gas N’ Shop. “Melanie, check the fucking glove compartment. I need a pair of sunglasses.”
“Yeah, that’s what I need, too. Can you pick up a pair for me?”
She dropped open the glove compartment and shoved the contents around—map, tire air gauge, matchbook, a pack of cigarettes and finally a pair of dark-lense glasses. She handed them to her brother as she hesitated in closing the compartment. She’d forgotten how wonderful, almost sensual, the scent of cigarettes could be. Her fingers wanted to grab the pack and tap one out. Just one. God! She’d love to have just one.
“Melanie, you fill up. Charlie, go take a piss but don’t take forever. Melanie, did you hear what I said?”
“Can I go in and get what I need?” She turned and glared at him as though he hadn’t heard her before.
“No, you’re not going in.”
“Oh, come on, Jared. I need some things, and I want some