Page 32 of The Wayward Son

Sawyer grinned and handed her the keys. “The cop was just doing his job.”

“Whatever.” They both got into the car, and Jade looked at Sawyer. “So, how many tickets have you gotten?”

“Two. But the cop was obviously having a bad day.”

She pushed him. “Shut up.”

When Jade started the truck and pulled out of the parking lot, Sawyer jumped into back seat driver mode. “Turn right at the stop sign. It’s a bit of a blind corner, so be careful.”

Jade approached the four-way stop, then rolled through the stop as she made her turn.

“Shit, Jade. Stop signs are meant to be taken literally. They’re not up for a driver’s interpretation.”

“I paused.”

“Turn left at the third light. There’s a green turn arrow. Which means you only go when it’s lit. Not when you feel like it.”

Jade scowled at him. “Are you going to micro-manage my driving for the next eight hours?”

“No. Only until we get onto the freeway.”

“Which is how far?”

“About three miles. Here’s your left turn.”

“Sawyer.”

“Fine. I’ll stop.” He was quiet for about thirty seconds as she made the turn. “The freeway entrance is in three miles.” She growled, and he decided he’d better stop talking until they were on the freeway.

After Jade merged into traffic on the freeway, she glanced at Sawyer. “Are you okay now? Can you relax?”

“I’m good.”

They reminisced for the first hour, but after a while Sawyer felt himself getting sleepy. He wasn’t sure if it was because he was the passenger, or if it was because he was still recovering from his presumed concussion. He sat up straighter and rolled his window down a few inches.

Jade looked at him. “You can sleep if you want. I’m fine.”

“There’s a town up ahead. Let’s stop and I’ll get some coffee.”

They left the freeway at the town, which was little more than a few gas stations and some fast-food restaurants. Jade drove to a minimart, and they parked in front of the store.

Sawyer opened the door for her. “You might as well get some junk food while we’re here. Then we can stop for lunch in a few hours. There’s a place I like to stop at about fifty miles this side of Billings.”

He got coffee, a bag of peanuts, and a package of jerky. Jade joined him at the checkout counter with chips, a small package of donuts, and a fountain drink.

She shook her head. “You totally don’t get the concept of junk food.” She put her stuff on the counter and Sawyer paid for everything with his debit card.

When they got to the truck, she looked at him. “Should we get gas while we’re here?”

“No. I have two gas tanks. We can make it there and probably halfway back before getting gas. Dad has a big tank at the ranch. I fill up before I leave.”

“Well, that’s convenient.”

“It’s easier to keep gas in everything, having it right there on the ranch.”

“Hmm. I imagine you have to gas those horses up quite often.”

“Just drive.”

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