Page 91 of False Start

I placed the jerky on the counter. “We’ll take this and a photo with Petey Junior.”

Kit’s head whipped toward me. “Please tell me that’s a child.”

“That would be sort of a weird roadside attraction.” The woman rang up the jerky and shoved it in a bag. “Taking a photowith a kid? Even all the way out here, I’m pretty sure that would raise a few eyebrows. Maybe get the authorities called on us.”

“It’s a python,” I said with a tense smile.

“The largest python in the northern hemisphere!” The woman fished a pamphlet out from under the counter, slapping it in front of Kit. A man, presumably Pete, wore a snake over his shoulders, the weight nearly collapsing him. “Maybe the world, though that’s hard to ascertain, considering the somewhat reclusive nature of the python. She’s a real sweetheart, too, and in a great mood considering how many people have come by to see her today.”

“Why’d Pete name a girl python Petey Junior?” I asked, earning a blank shrug from the woman.

Kit turned pale. “Please tell me only one of us needs to take a picture with the snake.”

I shook my head. “Bad news. It’s a group picture. Don’t worry. Snakes don’t freak me out. She can sit on my shoulders.”

“Hey, Pete! You’ve got another set of visitors!” The woman shouted back at the closed “Snakes Ahead,” door.

“Send ‘em in!” Pete yelled from the other side.

“I can hold your jerky for you. Petey Junior gets a little particular about the smell of snake.” The cashier beamed at us, and I handed over my purchase before ushering Kit toward the door, my hand cradling her back.

“Is this really worth it, Trent?” she asked under her breath.

“Using my actual name? You must be pretty desperate,” I teased.

“Unless someone misses a stop, we’re not winning. Petey Junior isn’t worth it. The picture doesn’t get us anything.”

Her arguments were sound. We weren’t the only team to decode the bonus points, and at least three teams had surged ahead of us, racking up more points for car repairs and bonus stops. Still, I wasn’t giving up.

“Race isn’t over, Kitten.”

She pursed her lips but willingly walked through the door. Not only was she tough, but she was brave as hell. My chest tightened with something akin to pride.

“Wow, we’re real busy today. Is there something happening on this edge of Florida?” Pete greeted us with an outstretched hand and a beaming smile. The pamphlet at the counter must have been at least a decade old, or Pete had aged particularly poorly since opening his shop. “I’m Pete of Pete’s Snakes and Sundries. I’m glad you stopped by to meet our sweet Pete. Tell me, are you snake enthusiasts?”

Kit’s tense jaw gave away her disdain, but I nodded my head. “Enthusiast might be a little much, but sure, I like snakes.”

Pete gave us the VIP tour of his snake-only zoo. With each cage we passed, Kit ground herself more firmly into my side, turning me into a shield when we reached the Pete’s venomous collection.

Finally, we reached the end of the hallway with the nameplate “Petey Junior” above a door. Unlike the other snakes, Petey Junior had her own room, and when I stepped up to the giant windowpane looking in, it was obvious why.

“I can’t go in the room with that snake,” Kit murmured into my ear.

“Your girl doesn’t seem like a big fan of my collection!” Pete observed with a smile.

“Snakes aren’t my thing.”

“But three points is three points,” I reminded her.

“We’re not even winning, Trent.”

“We don’t know that, Kit.” I pressed my palm to the small of her back. “What if the other teams are giant babies and can’t handle a little snake?”

“Like me?”

“Not like you,” I reassured her. “You’re very brave and sort of mean. Petey Junior will be terrified.”

“She’s a big old love bug,” Pete said, hefting up the center of Petey Junior and set her on his shoulders. “She loves getting her pictures taken, too. Why don’t you two sit on the box over there and I’ll get her in place?”

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