Page 43 of Hell or High Water

The door clicked shut behind her, and I adjusted my erection in my jeans. I’d wait thirty minutes and hope she was asleep when I stepped out.

Nineteen

Montana

“Am I going to have to cook for you every morning in order to get you to eat more than a banana?” Than asked me from the driver’s seat on our way to the distillery.

I gave him a tight smile, then took another bite of my banana. He shook his head with an amused expression, then turned his attention back to the road.

I’d slept later than usual because when Than had left last night, I’d assumed it was to go to the stables to shower or use the restroom. But after two hours of staring at the ceiling and out the window, I realized he had left. Then my fears got the better of me, and every little creak I heard had me edgy.

At some point after one, I fell asleep. I woke up the moment he opened the front door though and checked the time on my phone. It was 3:18. Going back to sleep after that was hard because I wondered if he had been with a girl. Then I realized he’d wanted to leave, and that was why he had cut the movie short. He had gotten a text and shipped me off to bed so he could go out.

Being mad at him was silly. He wasn’t mine.

But he’d gotten close and touched my nose. He looked at me as if he wanted to do more. My stomach got all fluttery, and I felt tingles in all the places. For a brief moment, I thought he was attracted to me, and I got excited. Hopeful even. Then he’d left for five hours.

Sighing, I’d stared out the window and finished my breakfast. If I could have stayed in school, it would have been easier. Having to be around Than all the time made it hard to get him out of my head. Especially since he was now being…nice. Which I should probably be more concerned about. His switch had flipped too fast.

“He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones came on the radio, and Than reached over and turned it up, then belted out the next line.

Surprised, I stared at him as he cut his eyes toward me and continued singing. Than Carver could sing. His voice blended in so well with Jones that I was transfixed. I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

He turned on his blinker and slowed, and then we were on a narrow, paved road, heading toward an arched entry that readCarver’s Bootleg Whiskeywith wooden barrels stacked up on each side. Blue flowers were blooming around and on top of them. I had seen the exact same flowers down at the stables.

“What kind of flowers are those?” I asked.

“Blue phlox,” Than replied. “They’re blooming early this year by a few weeks.” Then he glanced over at me with a crooked grin. “Only reason I know that is because one of our vendors mentioned it last week when they started popping up. Anyway, those are a nod to my grandmother. She loved them.”

He had so much family history. I knew so little about mine. I was envious. Those who had a connection with their past were lucky. There was so much I didn’t know. Momma had never seemed to care or dig into her heritage. If I had the means to afford it, I’d research my genetics and find out about the people I had come from.

But for now, my focus was getting my high school diploma. I was still registered for classes in the fall at ULM, but that meant going back to Monroe. Chancing that the writer of the anonymous letters wouldn’t continue when I returned was a gamble. I could very likely be putting my safety at risk if I went back. However, the longer I was away from it, the less scary the notes seemed.

Than pulled the truck to a stop, and I slowly scanned the area. To our left was a large building, and I assumed all the whiskey making happened in there. Large wooden barrels, like the ones on the arch, were stacked up outside. To the right was a log cabin with more of those blue flowers blooming around it and two rocking chairs on the front porch.

“That’s where the magic happens,” he told me, pointing to the large building. “I’ll take you for a tour after lunch if you want to go see it.”

I nodded. “That would be great.”

He opened his truck door and started to climb out, so I did the same, grabbing my backpack. There was a distinct smell in the air, but I couldn’t place it. I sniffed again, then looked around. It was like oatmeal, but different.

“That’s the mash,” Than said, and I turned to look at him. “What you’re smelling,” he explained. “The mash is corn, malted barley, and rye.” He pointed to the barrels. “Those are going to go through the swelling process today. After a few days, when they’re ready, they’ll be seasoned. I’ll bring you to show you the steps, but the swell is boring. They’re just filling them with water, and they have to sit. The other steps are more interesting.”

I walked with him up the stairs of the cabin that contained the offices. “And you’re sure it’s okay that I’m here?” I asked, feeling anxious the closer we got to the door.

Than chuckled. “Yeah, it’s fine. Plus, when you’re done with schoolwork, I’m going to put you on some office filing and shit that we need done. My brother will be thrilled.”

“Your brother works here?” I asked.

He nodded. “Yeah, Ransom. But he’s not as pretty as I am, so don’t be too disappointed,” he drawled, then winked at me while reaching for the door to open it.

I rolled my eyes at him as he waved a hand for me to go inside.

When he stepped in behind me, his body was close enough to brush against mine. I prayed he didn’t see the instant shiver from his nearness, and I quickly moved out of the way, assuming I was blocking him. He walked up beside me and pointed at the U-shaped counter in front of us.

“Front desk. This is where you’ll be. You can sit at the desk and do your virtual school, and then when you’re done, I’ll give you a rundown of the place.”

I followed him behind the counter.

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