Triple Beat-nook(7)

She stuck out her hand, so Dani shook it. “Dani.”

“Well, Dani. I’m at the end of a cross-country run.” Stella pointed her thumb out the window, directing Dani’s attention to the tractor-trailer parked outside. “Had only myself for company for weeks. You mind if I join you?”

Dani shook her head, afraid to kick up a fuss about anything in case it caused a scene. Stella reminded her quite a lot of Mama Lewis. Thinking of the dear woman sent a pang of homesickness through her.

Not that it mattered. The judge had believed her father when he said he’d climbed on the wagon, that alcohol had been his downfall, and he had kicked that demon out and seen the error of his ways. He swore he’d been a good and loving father before his wife’s death sent him to the bottle. And because he’d had no previous arrests or complaints prior to the night he’d tried to rape her, the judge had decided she’d be better off with the sexual molester rather than the loving woman who’d treated her like a beloved daughter. God bless the court system.

Stella raised her hand to call the waitress back. “You drink coffee?”

“I’ve never tried it.”

Stella’s eyebrows rose. “Really? Well, maybe I shouldn’t be the one to start you down that path. Shit is addictive.” She looked at the waitress as she pointed to her coffee cup. “I’d like a top-up on the high octane. And get my friend here a Coke. Oh, and add a cheeseburger and fries to that order of hers. You eat meat, right?”

Again Dani nodded, mentally calculating how much money this meal would cost her. “Yes, but—”

Stella winked. “My treat.”

Tears sprung to Dani’s eyes as the waitress turned back to the kitchen. Mercifully, she didn’t see them, but Stella did. She reached across the table and squeezed Dani’s hand. “Steady, girl. It’s just a burger.”

Dani laughed and sniffled. “Thank you.”

Stella pointed to the guitar by Dani’s seat “You play?”

Grateful for the distraction, Dani shrugged lightly. “A little. I love music.”

Actually, she’d played the instrument nonstop since Mama Lewis had given it to her for Christmas the year before last. After so many years spent listening to music as a form of escape, it had felt amazing to Dani to be able to sing out loud. Mama Lewis told her she had the voice of an angel. A compliment she wondered if the kind woman regretted, since it had encouraged Dani to sing even more.

Stella gave her an approving look. “I live in Nashville. That’s where I’m heading now. Lots of musicians there. Pretty sure I’m the only person in the city who can’t carry a tune in a bucket. Figure the only reason they let me stay there is because I’m out of town more than I’m in it.”

Dani found herself envious of Stella’s life, her freedom to come and go as she pleased. “You must’ve seen a lot of the country.” This past month was the first time Dani had ever stepped foot out of New Orleans. Her world had been so small for so long.

Stella shrugged. “Seen about as much as you can see from a highway. Don’t get many chances to stop and play tourist. Even so, I’ve seen some pretty cool stuff.”

The waitress brought their food and Dani let Stella carry the conversation as she dug into the first real meal she’d had in weeks. Twice, Stella placed her hand over Dani’s to encourage her to slow down so she wouldn’t get sick.

As they ate, Stella told her about some of the places she’d seen, and then had her cracking up as she told funny stories about other truckers she’d met on the road. Stella was a born storyteller.

Once the waitress had cleared their plates and Stella paid the bill, the conversation winded down. “Where you headed?” Stella asked.

Dani clenched her hands in her lap, hoping Stella wouldn’t notice her nervousness. They’d been having so much fun, Dani had almost forgotten about her predicament.

“Um…” She searched for an answer, but the abundance of food had only intensified how exhausted she was. It was all Dani could do not to curl up in a ball on the floor and fall asleep.

“You got anywhere to be, Dani?”

Dani shook her head. She’d probably pay dearly for that honesty, but she could read the concern in Stella’s eyes.

Stella didn’t talk for a long time. Instead, she simply studied Dani’s face. If eyes could plead, Dani’s were begging.

Please don’t call the cops.