Page 43 of One Step Sideways

“A 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible,” Danny said proudly. “It was my dad’s, and it sat on bricks for ten years before Dad gave it to me the day I graduated high school. If I hadn’t been deployed, I would have done what work I could, but I sent money home to them to help with bills, and wouldn’t you know it, Dad used it to have it restored instead.”

I was speechless. It was probably one of the most beautiful things I’d ever seen. I reverently trailed my index finger down the hood. It was a deep metallic blue and reminded me of Danny’s eyes.

Danny grinned, then pursed his lips. “It’s a stick. Actually, a four-speed manual transmission, which is rarer. Standard back then was three.”

“Not a problem,” I breathed out the words. Jay had made me learn to drive four different cars, and only two were automatic.

“Climb in, girl,” Danny said and put Sadie in what looked like a special extended seat in the back and clipped her harness on. By the time I’d gotten my head on straight, he’d put our bags in there as well.

Getting out of Atlanta was predictably slow even after rush hour, but after checking that I was okay with adding another hour to our journey, Danny directed me to the scenic route, as he called it, past the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Apparently, the car would never make the route for at least half the year because of the weather, but we were good now. I’d never seen anything like this in my life. We kept the top down all the way and while Danny bundled up in a jacket as we got near the mountains, his face was alight with happiness. Danny had even brought snacks but advised me that we needed to turn up hungry because his mom was a great cook. After a while I moved Danny’s hand to my lap as I held it.

I couldn’t get over the perfection, and even managed to keep my nerves at bay as we finally pulled into a driveway leading to a sprawling ranch house. “They never farmed or anything,” Danny said, “but Mom kept a few chickens and we had a pet donkey. Mean bastard,” he grinned. There’s three acres out the back that someone from the town keeps their horses on, but they’re friendly if you want a walk tomorrow.”

I pulled into an open garage as instructed, and Danny leaned over to give me a quick kiss before he got Sadie out. I grabbed the bags and by the time we were out of the garage, the door was open, and an older couple stood beaming at us.

Danny’s mom—Elizabeth—didn’t stand on ceremony, and not only threw her arms around Danny, but damn near gave me the same treatment. His dad— whose name was Roger, but because of the kids cartoon even I’d heard of, I was invited to call him Buck like his wife did—was a little more restrained and we shook hands. I managed to untie my tongue long enough to make polite but vague responses, and after washing up as we were invited to do, Danny guided me to the huge kitchen table.

I didn’t think I’d seen so much food in my entire life, and my throat closed in panic. What if I couldn’t eat anything? But after a while, as it seemed like everyone was just helping themselves and no one commented on the fact that Istill had an empty plate, I cautiously helped myself to some pot roast and bread. It was good and my tension eased a little, and while I didn’t go back for seconds, I didn’t embarrass myself.

The first half of the meal seemed to involve Elizabeth updating Danny on the neighbors, his brothers Cornan and Stephen, and his sister Emily. Stephen wasn’t going to be there on Saturday as he was in Europe for the summer for college. He studied art history, apparently, and I mentally sighed with relief that at least one of his siblings would be absent.

“What about you, Kane?” Elizabeth asked. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

“No, ma’am,” I said. “My mom died when I was young, and my father never remarried.” We’d practiced this on the drive over, so I knew what to say.

“And does your dad live close? Is he in Atlanta?” Danny had left this one for me. All I had to do was to squeeze his leg under the table and he would switch topics. “He does, but I’m afraid we’re estranged. I haven’t seen him for seventeen years.” Well, that was a little balder than I’d been planning to say, but I wasn’t comfortable lying to these nice people, even if I had no intention of telling them where I’d spent those seventeen years.

“I’m so sorry,” Danny’s mom said and reached over to pat my hand, then changed the subject herself without needing prompting.

“How’s Sebastian?” Elizabeth asked. Danny grinned.

“I’m surprised they’re not here.”

His dad chuckled. “That’s because they only got back from their trip yesterday. Gray has Sebastian on enforced rest after four concerts in ten days. I doubt if Gray lets him out of the house for a month.”

I thanked Elizabeth for the meal, after being told to sit down when I rose politely as she did. At least Archie had made sure I knew how to behave when I had to. It was funny. Archie always had complete faith I would have a good life out of prison. More than me, certainly.

Danny got up to help his mom clear the plates and bring in a cherry pie, which I had to admit smelled fantastic. Sadie clearly felt she was off duty andwas curled up in her basket after Danny’s mom gave her a bowlful of her own pot roast.

“So how are you finding working for Diesel?” Buck asked after the pie had been served and devoured as if we hadn’t eaten for a week.

I swallowed the last of mine somewhat regretfully. “It’s been interesting so far,” I hedged. “We’re between jobs, so I’ve been getting up to date on a few things.”

“He’s just wowed all the team with his defensive driving skills,” Danny chimed in, and Buck laughed.

“But I bet you weren’t allowed to drive Danny’s baby? He doesn’t let anyone.”

I laughed as if in agreement, but the thought that Danny trusted me warmed me all over.

“And I’m assuming you have a service background like the rest of the team?” Buck asked. Here it was the question I’d been dreading.

“Now Buck, what a question. You know Kane wouldn’t have been able to.” Elizabeth chastised.

“Of course,” Buck said, sending me an apologetic smile. “Damn shame, though. It’s about time this country realized what an asset you guys would be.” And the question was successfully avoided. I knew it wasn’t going to be dodged all weekend, though, and neither Danny nor I were comfortable with an outright lie. We just didn’t know what else to say.

“So, you have a choice,” Elizabeth said after we’d finished seconds. “Daniel, you can take your old room and Kane can have the guest room opposite, or if you want a bit more privacy, you can both have the room over the barn. It will definitely be quieter when the kids arrive.”

I didn’t dare look at Danny, sure my face was scarlet. With everything we’d talked about, sleeping arrangements had never occurred to either of us.

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