Page 36 of Crimson Storm

I had a decision to make—follow Shane’s suggestion and take the chance he’d ask someone inside the truck stop for help—or stay here to watch him while this guy and who knew who else watchedme.

“I’ll see you outside,” I said and left the bathroom.

Back at the truck, Heather was returning the gas nozzle to its hook. She was clearly surprised to see me returning alone.

“Where’s Shane?”

“He’s getting some food and drinks. He’ll be out in a minute.” I paused then added, “I hope.”

“You trust him that much?” she asked.

“Not really but I didn’t have much choice. A man was staring at me in there.”

She sucked in a breath. “Did he recognize you?”

“I’m not sure. It might have been because I look like a prostitute. Or maybe it was because I was in the men’s room.”

“What?” she asked, laughing and looking far more relaxed now.

Before I could explain, she said, “Oh, here he comes.”

I whirled around, halfway expecting to see Shane accompanied by a highway patrol officer or at least a couple of burly truckers, but he was alone.

Without a word, he opened the cab’s back door and got inside.

I looked at Heather.

“Okay then,” she said.

“Okay then. Let’s get back on the road and get out of here just in case that guy did recognize me.”

19

Spooning

The fresh tank of gas would have lasted beyond dawn, but of course we had to get off the road before the sun came up.

We’d made good time, which in some ways was good, but bad in another way. We had made it through Utah and into Wyoming, which had a policy allowing individual businesses to choose whether they wanted to serve vampires or not.

The first few hotels we stopped at had signs reading “No Vampires” prominently displayed in their front windows.

“I don’t think we can make it to the next exit before sunrise,” Kelly said, sounding worried.

“There’s a rest stop in two miles,” I said. “We’ll park there and sleep in the back.”

I had moved to the front seat to keep Kelly company for a while, and Heather now rode in the back with Shane. As it was still dark, the curtain between the two areas was open.

Shane was obviously awake and had heard us because he responded.

“You know, if Kelly gave me a few pointers, I could drive during the daylight hours while you three sleep back here. We’d get there in half the time.”

“No.”

I didn’t have to even consider my answer. The thought of the three of us unconscious and vulnerable while he drove us anywhere he wanted sent shivers down my spine.

“We’ll all stay in the back together. We can get underway again at darkfall.”

Shane gave me a disappointed look. “I would think you’d trust me after the truck stop.”

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