She pulled out of the parking lot, barely missing the curb, but kept between the lines as we headed south. However, her accuracy didn't last long. A few miles after leaving the town behind, she started to swerve. Nothing drastic, but a definite slip in attention. She needed to get off the road.
Ahead, I spotted a country used car lot, the kind of place that sold more farm implements than vehicles and specialized in old pickups and trading. Perfect. Opening the throttle, I came up alongside her. She glanced at me in surprise. Her white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel didn't escape my notice. I pointed to the dealer ahead and motioned for her to pull over. She nodded and signaled. I fell behind her and almost had a heart attack when she didn't slow down enough and fishtailed through the gravel turn.
I pulled in behind her and shut off the bike as I tugged the helmet off my head. She's just tired, I told myself. She wasn't trying to kill herself. Still, it took several moments to calm down enough so I would be able to speak to her without growling. When I knew I had myself under control, I set the helmet on the bike and approached the car.
Her head was on the steering wheel, and she wasn't moving. The boys watched me from the back seat as I knocked on her window. She jumped and fear lit her eyes as she looked up.
Even after she saw it was me, the fear didn't leave her expression. She reached for the window control but only dropped the glass a few inches. Just enough to hear me.
"You were starting to swerve," I said, putting my hands in my pockets in an attempt to look unimposing. "How long since you last slept?"
It took her a moment to answer.
"It's been a while."
"That man, David, hinted this was how he followed you," I said, nodding at her car.
I hoped she'd understand she needed to get rid of the car.
She looked away from me, and her gaze caught on the single, small building on the property. A man stood just outside the door, watching us. When the man noticed he had her attention, he started to walk toward us.
"Come on, guys. Let's unbuckle and get out. Stay close," she said.
I took a step back and glanced at the salesman as she opened her door.
"Howdy, folks. What can I do for you?"
"I need a different car," Michelle said while the boys climbed out and moved close to her. She gently ran her fingers through their hair. Seeing her love and fear for them jacked the urgency to get her somewhere safe. To take her home. Given her reaction when I'd stepped up to the window, that might not be so easy. She obviously didn't trust me, despite saving her.
"A trade?" the salesman asked, breaking my thoughts.
She nodded.
"To be honest, your car is probably worth two of any of the cars I have."
"It's okay," she said.
But, the change in her pulse told me that was a lie. She didn't need to worry about money, though. I'd help her.
"The insurance on this thing is too much for me. I need something worth a little less to bring down the premiums."
The dealer happily led her through the collection of vehicles on his tiny lot.
"I think I have just the thing for you, then."
He showed her a dark blue truck flecked with bits of rust. A truck meant I could put my bike in the back so I could drive and she could sleep. But, it also meant the kids would need to share a seatbelt. While I was trying to think of a way to help prod her to say yes, she surprised me by telling the guy she'd take it.
"Come inside, and we'll sign the papers. Do you have the title with you?"
"Yes, I think so. Let me go get it."
"I'll get it for you and move your things," I said from behind her. It would give me a chance to load my bike without witnesses. The faster we were on our way once she was done, the better.
While she went to the office with the salesman, I jogged to the car. The title was in the glove box. Tucking the paper into my back pocket, I opened the back door. Though the car seats wouldn't fit in the truck, I removed them and her purse from the car, then loaded the seats in the back of the truck along with my bike.
Finished switching things over, I went back to the office and handed the salesman the title. It didn't take him long to sign over the truck and hand the keys to Michelle.
I followed Michelle and the boys from the office, trying to think of a way to ask for the keys. When we reached the truck, she glanced questioningly at my bike in the bed.
I tried giving her a reassuring smile.
"I hope you'll accept my help for a little longer. You need to move from here, but you don't look like you'll be able to stay awake for very long."
Her uncertainty and desperation drifted into the air around us, and I had to put my hands in my pockets to keep from reaching for her.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Emmitt, for now. When you're more awake, I'll give you whatever details you want."
She nodded, and I wanted to grin. Instead, I walked the three of them to the passenger door and held it open while they got in. She kissed the tops of the boys' heads as she buckled them in together then sat in her place. Once she buckled, I closed the door and walked around the hood. The road was still clear of any traffic. I hoped that meant the two who'd come for her were still knocked out. They'd catch up to her car, but, hopefully, we'd be miles from it.
I got in and, unable to stop myself, breathed deeply. The cab was filled with her scent already.
"You two have enough room?" I asked, looking down at the cub sitting next to me.
He nodded hesitantly. I buckled, to set a good example, then started the truck. With a wave to the salesman, we left her little red car behind.
"Which direction should I head?" I asked when she didn't question where I was going.
"Doesn't matter," she said, closing her eyes.
Within seconds, her breathing evened out. The boy next to her reached up and began anxiously playing with her hair. It made me sad that they were afraid of me.
She relaxed in her seat and shifted so her weight leaned on the door. I reached over and pressed down the lock. The boys watched me closely.
"Didn't want her to fall out," I said.
They continued to look at me.
"I have a younger brother," I said, feeling the pressure of their scrutiny. "His name's Jim. He lives in Montana with a friend of ours. I haven't seen him in almost a year."
The boy next to me glanced at his brother.
"You guys know my name. It's Emmitt," I said, reminding them. "But I don't know yours."
"My name is Liam," the one next to me said. "This is Aden."
"Nice to meet you. I'm glad I have company. It gets a little boring on long drives. Either of you know how to play I Spy?"
They hesitantly shook their heads, and I took a few minutes to explain the game. I tried several times to get them to play along, but they stayed shyly quiet. Undeterred, I kept talking. I told them stories from my childhood and any kid jokes I could remember.
A few times, Michelle's breathing changed, but never enough that she woke all the way.
"Mimi?" Aden said softly, leaning against Michelle.
"Buddy, if you need something, you can ask me. She's so tired and really needs some sleep. Try not to wake her unless you really need her, okay?"
Aden nodded and continued to play with her hair. His uncertainty just made me try harder to get them to relax around me. Eventually, they did. Just enough to say a word here and there so we could play some games.
After several hours, I noticed Aden wiggling in his seat.
"I don't know about you two, but I sure could use a bathroom break. Mind if I find us someplace with a bathroom?"
Neither one answered so I went ahead and pulled into the first motel I found.
As soon as I cut the engine, Michelle sat up. Her bloodshot eyes took in the motel, and panic ripped through her.
"Michelle, the kids could use a break, and I think you'd benefit from some real sleep. How about I get the three of you a room while I stay with the truck?" I said to assure her that I had no intention of joining her, even though it would have been a dream come true.
She turned to meet my gaze, and I saw her mistrust. I tried not to let it hurt. Something had happened to her. Something that had robbed her of sleep and filled her with fear. I didn't know how to help ease any of it.
"You can hang on to the truck keys, of course," I said.
That seemed to do the trick. She hesitantly nodded.
"You two keep an eye on her. I'll be right back."
I got out and pressed down the lock before I closed the door. It wasn't that I thought anyone would try to come after them. I just wanted her to feel safe.
In the office, I asked for a room and paid cash. As soon as I had the key, I went back to the truck. All three were watching for me. I held up the key and smiled at Aden. He gave a small smile in return. When I glanced at Michelle, she looked away.
I sighed and recalled something Dad had said long ago. He'd sat Jim and me down at an early age and warned us that, if we were lucky enough to find a Mate, not to expect our first meeting to go well. He'd said women were unpredictable and prickly. Then, Mom had smacked him on the back of the head and called us to dinner. He'd been telling the truth, and I realized it would take some time to win Michelle over.
After unlocking the door, I apologized to Aden for the delay then moved the truck to a spot in front of their room.
As soon as I cut the engine, I handed the motel key to Michelle and got out to open her door. The boys were quick to hop out behind her. She still moved a little too slowly as she walked toward the room and wasn't able to immediately fit the key, which was killing Aden.
Taking pity on the kid, I went to reclaim the key. Michelle handed it over but then took a quick step back as if she'd given me a weapon. She was so skittish. I needed to find out who David, Blake, and Richard were to her and what they'd done to make her that way. Ideas flipped over in my head. None of them good. Each one made me want to hurt David all over again. The decorative end of the key bent slightly as I shoved it into the lock. With more care, I turned the key and opened the door for them.
"If you need anything, I'll be right here. Yell, and I promise I'll hear you." I moved aside so they could enter.
As she walked past, I caught her hand and placed the room key and truck key in her palm. I could have let her go then. Instead, I took my other hand to wrap her fingers around the keys. I just wanted to prolong touching her, to try to assure her I wasn't someone to fear. I'd take care of her. Protect her. Forever.
She tightened her hold on the keys and stepped into the room. She was quick to close the door. I didn't mind. I could hear her lean against the thin wood, watching me. Giving her the assurance she needed, I went back to the truck and got in. The seat wasn't comfortable, but I leaned back and closed my eyes.
After a few minutes, I rolled down the window so I could hear if any of them called for me, then I watched the sun slowly set.