Page 28 of Trailer Trash

“I never said that.”

He gave me a no-nonsense look. “You didn’t have to, Neely Kate. It wasn’t hard to figure out, just like I figured out that you were heading to the bus station.”

“You knew I was coming to Oklahoma.” It was a statement, not a question. I still hadn’t figured out the how of it.

“Before you took your first step down the porch.”

In hindsight, that duffel bag was a pretty obvious tell. “But how’d you know I was taking the bus?”

He put the sugar packet down on the table. “That part was a gamble, actually. I knew you were headed to Oklahoma, but I also know you don’t have a lot of money. We both know your car would never make it to Little Rock, let alone another state. If you were considering not returning to Fenton County, you would want to make the money last. The cheapest way to get to Oklahoma would be to ask a stranger for a ride, but I was hoping you wouldn’t resort to something so dangerous. The fact that you escaped the hospital by bus was additional evidence.”

I shook my head. “You saw me.”

“I almost didn’t. By the time I figured out your escape plan, you’d already run out the back door. I’d just gotten outside when I saw you getting on the bus.”

“How’d you know it was me?”

There was that grin again. “I’d recognize those sexy legs anywhere.”

I sucked in a breath, surprised he wasn’t hiding his interest.

He rested his forearm on the table, a nonchalant pose that didn’t quite match the hungry look in his eyes. “You made it painfully clear at the bus station that you don’t want to sleep with me—and I suspect I made it painfully obvious to you, when you were plastered against me, that I am veryinterested in sleeping with you. That being said, I respect your choice, Neely Kate. You are infull controlof what happens on this trip. I’m not going to try anything, so you don’t need to be on edge. You have enough to be anxious about without worrying about fending off advances from me. Nevertheless . . .” He smiled at me again, and this time it was full of promise. “I’m a red-blooded man who has the eyes God gave him, and as long as I’m not being lecherous, I see no reason to hide my attraction to you.”

My body flushed. “And if I change my mind?” I asked before I could stop myself.

“Then you’re in control of that too.”

My mouth parted in shock, but the timely arrival of our food saved me from having to respond. When the waiter left, I picked up my fork, ready to dive into my enchilada.

This time the interruption wasn’t so timely. My phone rang before I could take a bite.

“Do you think that’s Rose?” Jed asked.

“Yeah.” I could feel my heart pounding in my ears.

“Do you want me to go outside or to the bar so you can get that?”

I’d considered continuing my evasive maneuvers, but she deserved better, and if Jed was taking a no-secrets policy, I could at least be open with this. “No. Stay.”

I grabbed my phone out of my purse, answering the call seconds before it went to voice mail. “Hey, Rose.”

“Thank God.” She sounded like she was about to cry. “Where are you?”

“I’m safe.”

“And I’m grateful for that, but where is that?”

“Rose . . .”

“You said you’re taking care of things. What exactly does that mean? Does this have to do with Kate? Are you in Little Rock?”

I gave Jed a defeated look, but I couldn’t bear to hold his gaze, so I glanced down at my plate. “Yes, I saw Kate, but there are some other things I need to see to.”

“This has to do with your past, doesn’t it?” Her voice was teary again. “What is Kate holding over you? I’ll tell Joe, and the three of us can deal with it together.”

“No! Don’t call Joe!” I said in a panic. I hadn’t even considered the possibility that she would, which was pure carelessness on my part. I’d convinced myself well and good that I’d managed to outrun everything . . . so much so I’d lost my survival instincts. It was a wonder it had taken so long for my past to bite back. “He won’t understand.”

“Because he’s in law enforcement?” She paused. “I know you think we’ll turn away from you once we find out your deep dark secrets, but we won’t, Neely Kate. We love you. No conditions. No strings. Just come home, and we’ll face it together.”

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