chance at something more. She would still face the threat of arrest. But a fugitiveâs happy-Âever-Âafter was better than nothing.
She glanced at the man whoâd traded his go-Âto flannel for a dress shirt. Sheâd heard him talk about his siblings. His brothers and sister had their ups and downs on their way to happy-Âever-Âafter. But now they were living the dreamâÂJoshâs dream. There was even a rumor that his oldest brother, Brody, planned to adopt a child soon. And she knew for a fact his sister was expecting her first child in five or so months.
Would her constricted version of love be enough for him?
Â
Chapter 8
W HAT AM I doing driving to California on a pseudo-Ârescue mission?
Josh mulled the situation as he raised his travel coffee mug to his lips. His brothers had asked that question ten different ways when he informed them of his plans to take a road trip.
Sure itâs a vacation when your girlfriendâs carrying a loaded gun?
His oldest brother, Brody, had added that one to the pile. And no, Josh wasnât sure of a damn thing other than the fact he couldnât let Caroline run off to help a woman sheâd met for five minutes. If that truly was her number one reason for heading back to the part of the country sheâd run from once.
Plus, he wanted a third date.
The door to Noahâs old farmhouse swung open and Josh focused on the porch. His girlfriend appeared with her backpack slung over one shoulder. Sheâd tied her long dark hair back in a bun. And sheâd selected cargo pants, her combat boots, and a plain black T-Âshirt for their adventure.
âFor the record,â he said as she pulled open the door to his truck, âI liked your fitted jeans better. Although I suppose those pants offer more room for your gun.â
âThey do.â She settled into the passenger seat, her pack nestled between her feet.
He held out the box of doughnut holes. âIn that case, Iâll let you have first pick. Take all the chocolate ones if you want.â
âI prefer the ones with the jelly filling.â She reached into the box and took three white powdered doughnuts.
âReally?â He set the box down and handed her a cup of coffee. His fingers brushed hers and he thought that âs why Iâm here. He wanted to touch her, talk to her, and learn about her doughnut preferences.
He put the truck in gear and backed out of the long gravel drive. âI hate the jelly-Âfilled ones,â he added.
âAnd I know you love chocolate,â she said in the same sensual tone sheâd used the other night when she told him to strip.
He slowed to a stop at the top of the drive and glanced at her. âTell me youâll marry me.â
âSo that we can spend the rest of our life sharing boxes of doughnut holes?â
Yes, he thought. And moonlit walks through vineyards. And dirty movies. . .
She popped a jelly-Âfilled one in her mouth and shook her head.
âToo presumptuous for the third date?â His grip tightened on the wheel as he turned onto the road and headed for the highway.
âLetâs see if we survive the road trip first.â Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her look at him. âDid you map out the route?â
âWe could do it in one day,â he said. âNine to ten straight hours in the car. But I thought it might be nice to pause and stretch our legs once or twice.â
She nodded as she stretched out her legs in the passenger seat and turned her gaze to the window. âI need to make a stop about an hour, maybe two, south of the state line. Iâll direct you once we get closer.â
Tell me more about how you like your doughnuts. But he knew he had to ask about the little side trip sheâd dropped into the conversation.
âTo see your sister?â And yeah, he wished he could see her expression, but he had to keep his eyes on the road.
Marian Tee
Tori Kiss
Veronica Henry
Lynda La Plante
D. H. Sidebottom
Sue Margolis
Randall Wallace
Roman Gitlarz
MAGGIE SHAYNE
Randy Wayne White