Search Me(33)

I leaned against a tree, panting and wheezing to get my breath back. Sweat formed along my hairline and at the base of my neck before trickling down my back in salty rivers. It was barely seven in the morning, but the heat was already intense. I pulled up the corners of Barbie’s borrowed shirt and wiped my face. “I can’t believe they showed up,” I moaned.

Maddox snickered. “Talk about fate working against us with that whole plane rerouting thing.”

“Maybe the universe is trying to tell us something,” I murmured, more for myself than for him.

“Yeah, that Delta’s a shitty airline,” he replied tersely.

We stood in stony silence for a moment. I pulled my hair back in a sweat-slickened ponytail. I started to open my mouth, but Maddox held up his hand to stop me. “Lemme guess. You’re going to ask what do we do now?”

I grinned. “At least I’m consistent.”

“Yes, you are consistently irritating,” he replied, rolling his bandaged shoulder. He met my gaze and winked. “I say we hitch into town, find the nearest used-car lot, and then get whatever heap of junk our money can buy.”

My stomach rumbled. “And breakfast. Don’t forget that.”

“Okay, breakfast and a heap of junk it is.” He glanced left and right before stepping off the road and into a thicket of trees. He then bent over and started digging in his bag. He took out the pair of jeans he’d swiped from Eddie’s closet along with the polo shirt. “There’s no way in hell anyone is going to pick us up with me in these shorts.”

I laughed as I watched him stick one leg into the jeans. I glanced down at my own attire. I probably didn’t want to meet the Cherokee language expert wearing an I Got Shucked at Nooky’s T-shirt. “I guess I’ll change too.”

As I was finishing up, I caught Maddox staring at me. His eyes roamed from my head past the tighter than I usually wore shirt to the practically painted on jeans. He then gave an appreciative nod. “You wearing that just may get us a ride into town.”

“Oh, whatever.” I stuffed the shirt and pants into his bag since my purse was already bulging. We then stepped out of the woods and started ambling down the road. I swiveled my neck to gaze up and down the road. “Think there’ll be much traffic coming by?”

“Hope so.”

Hideous thoughts of murders and mayhem flashed through my mind at the thoughts of thumbing a ride. After all, Dad’s second Harrison Baylor novel dealt with a serial killer targeting hitchhikers. I swallowed nervously. “Do you really think it’s safe to hitch?”

Maddox chuckled. “There goes that imagination of yours again, Lane.” He patted his bag. “Have you forgotten we have amo on our side?”

“No, I haven’t forgotten the guns…or you allegedly being Rambo.”

“Dude, I am so Rambo.”

I surmised his muscular, tattooed form, and I couldn’t help agreeing with him. But of course, I wouldn’t let him have the satisfaction, so I merely replied, “Dream on!”

The sound of a truck rumbling down the road caught our attention. Tilting his head to one side, Maddox murmured, “Hmm, classic Chevy Cheyenne…76’, maybe 77’.”

I rolled my eyes and pushed the stray strands of hair out of my face. “Why am I not surprised you know the make and model?”

He didn’t respond. Instead, he started stroking his chin in thought. “Listen, if he pulls over, you need to really play up the sweetness. The outfit’s good if it’s a dude, but some chick is probably more likely to pick us up because you look like an innocent goodie girl.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“It just means that if you look lost and pitiful, you’re less likely to look like you’re going to rob or car-jack them!”

I cocked my head at him. “Since we are lost and our situation is totally pitiful, I think I should be able to pull it off.”

At the sight of us, the pick-up started slowing down. The driver resembled your typical stereotyped mountain man—long, bushy beard, faded overalls. Basically, he could have been part of the family on Duck Dynasty. He cranked the hand-rolled window down. “You kids need a lift?”

Chapter Ten

I plastered the sweetest smile I could muster on my face. “Yes, sir. You see, we lost two tires going off-road, and there’s only one spare. Do you think you could give us a lift into town?”

When I dared to look back over at Maddox, he was staring at me in disbelief. The man merely smiled. “Why sure. I’m going there myself. Hop on in.”

Maddox hastily shoved me in front of him, so I would end up sitting next to the man. Reluctantly, I slid across the seat. Since Mom had always pressed the importance of manners, I held out my hand. “I’m Lane Montgomery.”

He took my hand in his paw-like one and shook hard. “I’m Byron Sutton.” He leaned forward to peer at Maddox. “What’s your boyfriend’s name?”

I bit my tongue to keep from shouting, He’s not my boyfriend! Instead, I said, “He’s Maddox.”

“Nice to meet you,” Maddox said, reaching across me to shake Byron’s hand.

“Nice meetin’ you two as well.” Byron then pulled the truck back onto the road. “Said your name was Montgomery?”