Chapter 696 Chapter 696
Thirty-six hours felt like a month, Deva thought as she walked around the van and stretched. She looked at the field beside the road, and her cat stirred. She hadn’t been for a run since they were all at the house together. Taggart was leaning in the door, looking at the map on the seat. The girls were stretching their hands over their heads and bending from side to side. Deva took that as a good sign, that they were finally showing their discomfort of sitting so long. Her phone ringing startled her. She went around and grabbed it out of the cup holder. “Hello?”
“Deva? It’s Blair.”
“Hey.” She held up her finger to Taggart when he gave her a curious look. “I was wondering when we were going to hear from you.”
Blair snorted. “I’ve been digesting the fact that I have another niece out there.” He made a sound of annoyance. “If Lindon hadn’t been burned, I’d dig him up and kill him again.”
Deva smiled. It wasn’t funny, but it was.
“Look, we’re about ninety percent sure that, Missy?”
“Yes.” She looked at her to see she didn’t have that scared look right now. That was something.
“That Missy is Harrison’s niece also. His little sister was taken by Lindon about thirteen years ago.”
Deva nodded. “The age fits.” Taggart came over and leaned closer. She held the phone so he could hear what was being said.
“Blond, blond hair, good looking?”
Deva smiled. “Yes.”
“You know I’ll swoon if we ever find a nephew of mine. I mean, how many nieces can one guy have?” Someone said something to him. “Moving on. Noah, Kobie, and I are going to meet you and get Missy. So I need to know where you are so we can plan that.”
“Hang on, Taggart was just studying the map. I’ll let you talk to him.” Taggart nodded and held out his hand.
“That works.”
She handed him the phone. He put it against his chest for a second.
“What is swoon? Is it bad?”
Deva chuckled. “I’ll explain later.”
“Yes.” He grinned and put the phone to his ear. “I am Taggart.”
Deva went over to the girls. “How are you doing?”
“Can we stand for the rest of the trip?” Jo asked.
Deva nodded slowly. “I wish we could.” She glanced at Taggart and then looked at Missy. “That’s your uncle on the phone.” She watched the girl look at Taggart and then at the ground. “We think you have another uncle living near Blair. He may be your mom’s brother.”
Missy’s head popped up. “Do they know where she is?”
Deva shook her head. “I don’t think they do, but I know they are looking into the women we’ve found.”
“Am I going to live with that uncle?”
“I think so.” She put her hand on her shoulder, trying to offer some support without crowding her. “I think you’ll love it there. Lots of kids of all ages. Some boys too.” Jo and Julia exchanged a look, and it was the first thing Deva had seen them do that resembled a teenage girl.
“I’ll be safe there?”
Deva laughed. “There are so many tiger clan there, and in the area, you will be the safest girl ever.” She didn’t know how many there were, just that it took two properties just to house the ones that were from Blair’s new clan.
“Really?” She bit her lip. “I’ll have a room?”
“I don’t know the arrangements, but you’ll have a room and your own bed. You may have to share with some of the other girls, but I think you’ll be happy there.” She glanced to see Taggart was still on the phone while looking at the map. “We’ll be going again in a few minutes. Next stop won’t be for several hours.”
She went over and leaned against the door and looked where Taggart had his finger.
“Will be one more day. Could be little more but we be there.”
He was pointing to the area that Leslie’s clan was in. She felt better knowing they’d be back across the border and nearer to home by then.
“We keep you posted.” Taggart nodded. “Goodbye.” He hung up and held the phone out to her. “We meet Blair there.” He poked the map.
“I know the area.” She motioned to the van. “Do you want to take the next shift driving?”
He looked at the driver’s seat and then grinned at her. “I want to run fast but is no happening today.”
Deva drew in a breath slowly and then exhaled. “I know. Maybe when it’s dark, we can find a quiet spot and take turns for a quick run.”
“Is good plan. My cat is no happy with this.”
“I get it.” She went around to the back of the van and opened the door. “We’ll have a snack for now and then stop for food later.”
“Is good plan.” He walked by her and nodded briefly at the girls and then stood with his back to all of them and looked around slowly.
She knew he was checking for anything out of place or anyone following them, but she wasn’t going to say anything and spook the girls. “Pick a snack, and then we’re going to get moving again.”
Missy waited for the other two to take something out of the tote and then grabbed some chips. “How long until I’m at my uncle’s?”
“At least a day.” Deva cringed. “We’re going to be on snow-covered roads by dinner time, so it might be a slower drive.” She glanced at Taggart. “We’ll stop closer to and get some boots for you girls.”
“Thank you.” She bowed her head and then walked with her hands in front of her and got in the van. Deva grabbed a few things out of the tote and closed the door.
“Is sad, yes?”
She turned to see Taggart motion with the jerk of his chin to the van. He was talking about the girls. “It could have been a lot worse.” She knew this to be true after seeing some of the others they had rescued from different locations.
“It could be.” He leaned closer and made no secret of inhaling her scent. “I want for a time just you and me soon.”
She felt her cheeks heat. “I don’t think there’s going to be time like that until we get these girls where they’re going.”
“I know. This makes me sad.” He touched her cheek briefly. “Come, we must get show back on road.”
Deva chuckled. She had no idea where he’d heard so many sayings, but each time he tried to use them, she thought it was cute, even though they were mostly wrong. The baked gooses was forever etched into her memories and would make thinking back on this time a little easier.