Riven - Jerry B. Jenkins [151]
“Married?”
“C’mon, we’ve been talking around it forever. I’ve got wheels, and I’m ready to go. Where are you?”
“I’m home, but—”
“I’m almost there. Pack a bag and sneak out. I’ll pick you up a block away.”
“Brady, no. My dad and I are half getting along right now, and there’s no sense—”
“I thought you said he didn’t speak for you.”
“He doesn’t, but I’m not ready to just up and—”
“We’re still okay though, aren’t we? I mean, I’m glad if you’re getting along with your dad better. And I’ve got to find a way to do that too, don’t I?”
“Um-hm.”
“But I can’t just show up there after getting his letter,” Brady said. “We’ve got to figure this out, make a plan. You’ve got to work on him for me.”
“Um-hm.”
“I’m pulling into the area right now. I’ll wait at the corner, all right?”
“I can’t go anywhere tonight, Brady.”
“I know. I just need to see you and talk to you, that’s all. We can figure out the rest later.”
“He’s going to be suspicious.”
“What do you care? Tell him anything, but just come and talk to me in the car.”
“How’d you get a car?”
“Never mind, from a friend, who cares? Now I’m parking and I’ll be waiting. You coming?”
“I’ll try.”
“Don’t try! Just do it. Tell him you’re going for a walk.”
“I don’t go for walks.”
“Katie, I’m serious. I am not leaving till I see you. You want me to come there and start something with your dad?”
Silence.
“I didn’t think so. He’s not ready for that and neither am I. Don’t make me come there. Because I will and I mean it.”
“No, don’t come. I’ll see if I can slip out.”
“That’s my girl.”
Brady sat there aware that this had to be one of those neighborhood watch areas and that concerned eyes could be peeking at him from any number of windows. He kept wrenching around, looking for Katie, all the while recalibrating his plans. If she wasn’t ready to run off with him tonight, he’d have to get back to Serenity. But then Tiny would soon know where he was.
Maybe he should pull a heist in this neighborhood. Problem was, who knew if anybody had cash lying around? Maybe Katie had an idea. Brady had never burglarized a home, though he’d heard enough stories from guys inside who had. He would be a lot more comfortable with a partner or even a team.
Katie seemed tentative as she approached, and he realized she wouldn’t recognize the car. He waved and leaned over to open the passenger door, and she slid in. Brady reached for her, but she wasn’t her usual self. She seemed to halfheartedly return his hug, and when he went to kiss her, she turned and took it on the cheek. “Man, I’ve missed you, babe,” he said.
She smiled thinly. “Thanks.”
“Where’ve you been, Katie?”
“Busy. Whew. Dad’s really clamping down, and I guess it’s time to start acting like an adult.”
Brady cocked his head and squinted at her. “Hello? I’m looking for Katie North. Where’s the rebel I knew?”
“Oh, you know. Growing up.”
“In just a few days? It wasn’t that long ago you had me cutting Harley cookies on your lawn.”
“I know. But enough’s enough.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Your dad got to you, didn’t he?”
“I guess.”
“What, he threatened to cut you off?”
“Only if I see you.”
“So we’re both taking it in the teeth from this guy.”
“This guy? Brady, you’re talking about my father.”
“I know who I’m talking about. What do you think, I don’t know? Oh, I know all right. This is the guy who threatened to report me if I tried to see you again. Told me someone like you wouldn’t ever really be interested in someone like me. Well, what does that make me, Katie? What does that say about your taste in men? You gonna let him decide who you’re going to be in love with?”
“In love? Brady, we’ve had a lot of fun, but we’re not in love. At least I’m not.”
“What?”
“It’s been fun, a game.”
“It wasn’t a game to me! I want to get married.”
“Married? Oh, Brady, no. Now, come on.”
“What, so it’s true? A girl like you could never—?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“No, your dad did, and you’re proving he was right.”
“Seriously now, Brady, did you really think there was a future for us?”
“There is!”
“Um, no.