Page 10 of Champion

“I've got an SUV.”

“Okay, that'll work. I need to take some supplies to my buddy Harley up on King Mountain. Are you up for that?”

“Sure, yeah. Whatever you need, I can help.”

“We might need to stay overnight because it's a bit of a drive. Is that okay?”

A thousand thoughts race through my mind. An overnight trip with Champ? Hell, yeah. This may not be how I expected to spend time with Champ, but there's no way I'm going to say no to spending several hours and possibly staying overnight on King Mountain with him.

“Yeah, I just need to pick up a change of clothes at home. I can spend the night up on the mountain if it comes to that,” I say, mentally crossing my fingers that it turns out that way.

“Okay, good,” Champ says, some of the tension fading from his face. “Let’s get going.”

CHAPTER 6

You’re a good driver.”

“You mean for a girl,” Opal says, laughing easily. “My brothers taught me.”

“I’m not used to being a passenger,” I admit. “I don’t know the last time someone drove me someplace.”

Opal is silent for a moment as she passes a truck on the freeway, then glances at me. “It seems you do a lot of taking care of other people. Maybe let people in so they can take care of you, too?”

Opal’s comment takes me by surprise. There’s no teasing or malice to her statement. It’s not like we’ve seen each other that much because Opal did most of her training in Jefferson. Yet she seems to see through to the person I am, not the gruff exterior that everyone else sees.

“Mm, possibly. One day.” I look out the window of her SUV, enjoying the sight of the changing leaves. Before she can say anything else, I steer the conversation in another direction. “So tell me about yourself. I know you’re in college, and I know it must be awful to have the twin you do.” I chuckle. “But tell me more about you.”

“I’m not sure what there is to tell,” Opal says, though her cheeks flush with heat. “What do you want to know?”

“What drives you? What do you want to do when you get out of college?”

“I want to work helping the community. You know that Doyle is a firefighter, and my other brothers are, too. We believe in giving back. I’d love to work with Warrior Cares. It would be great to help them expand the reach of their programs, so they can help more veterans. I believe in supporting the community and those who need help in supporting themselves. Warrior Cares is only a local organization now, but what if they could make it regional? Or national? It would be an honor to help them do that.”

Of all the things she could’ve said, I’m both surprised and not surprised that this was her response. “That’s impressive. I know a couple of people at Warrior Cares. I can put in a word for you if you like.”

“I’d appreciate that!” Opal’s smile is instant and bright. “Beth has introduced me to Antonia and Colleen. They host fundraisers for Warrior Cares, but they don’t work for them. Any introduction helps, you know?”

“Of course. I’m happy to help, though that leaves me in the position of finding another person to help in the office.” I suppress a sigh. Sometimes I wish I didn’t have to deal with the business side of running a business, but I’m the first to admit that I don’t like giving control or access to other people, especially strangers.

“I’m sure Shelly or I could help you with that when the time comes.”

Realizing how much I’d miss Opal if she left catches me off guard. She’ll mostly be working in the Jefferson gym when it opens soon, but the idea that I wouldn’t see her at all makes me rethink my promise to help her find a different job.

A comfortable silence falls between us as Opal drives on. Dusk is starting to fill the sky when we take the turnoff to reach the two-lane road that will take us up to King Mountain.

“Champ,” Opal says, glancing at me, “I need you to be straight with me.”

“What’s your question?” I ask, uneasy. It’s never a good sign when a woman asks you to be straight with her.

“Are you going to give me an honest answer?” she persists, gripping the steering wheel tighter.

“It depends on what you’re going to ask me.” I’m not in the habit of lying, but I am in the habit of being private. People spend far too much time these days sharing things that should be kept private.

“Alright. Does this trip and all the stuff in the back,” she jerks her head to the bags piled up in her backseat, “have anything to do with the cash withdrawals you won’t explain?”

I take a deep breath. When I asked her for help today, I knew explaining everything to her was unavoidable. To my surprise, I’m not hesitant to do so. “Yes, it does.”

“Champ,” she says, a hint of exasperation in her voice. “Will you tell me, or are you going to make me grill you?”

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