Page 67 of Midnight Ride

“You sure about that, Tammy?”

“Yep, pretty sure.”

“Go ahead. I want to hear the rest of it.”

“Those two guys hauled my stupid ass over the border and took me to a place where they raped me for two days until theycouldn’t get it up no more, then they tied me up with those fuckin zip ties and threw me on a bed.”

I winced and rubbed my scabby wrists wishing I had some salve or something to heal the mess.

“Don’t like the sounds of that, Tammy. Not fond of rapists myself. Talking about them brings back bad memories for me. Three welders raped my wife Emma, and I had to kill those fuckers. That’s why I’m hauling in Canada now. I’m wanted for doing the right fuckin thing, and I can’t go home either.”

“Uh huh. Yep. I get that, Eldon. Anyhow. I got loose during the night, and I killed their asses, and that makes me a murderer. I left the worst one to bleed out. Shot him in the nuts to teach him a lesson. Ain’t going back to Montana.”

“Huh. I think Fate put us in the same truck for a reason, Tammy. You hungry?”

“Ain’t ate nothing for two fuckin days, Eldon. You talk a bit like my daddy. You from Texas?”

“Long time ago, when I could go home.”

“Aw, that’s sad. I know exactly how you feel.” I reached over and patted Eldon’s leg—like I use to pat Harlan’s.

“How about this truck stop?” He pointed to the one coming up on the right side of the highway. “I could use some gas and we’ll get us some dinner.”

“Big Wheels. Sounds good to me,” said Tammy. “I’ll treat you, Eldon. You picking me up n’all. I’ve got barrel racing money in my account and that’ll last me for a while.”

“Best offer I had all day, Tammy. Didn’t picture you as a barrel racer, but I’ll think on it a little more and try to picture you on a horse. You got a fast horse?”

“Yep. Bonnie Grace. If I ever went back to Montana that would be the reason—to get my horse.”

“Huh. Let’s go in and see what the special is.”

“I like you, Eldon. Thank you for being nice to me. Me being a raped-up mess of a murderer n’all. I don’t deserve too much consideration.”

“I’ve got to give you lots of room, Tammy. Like I said, I’m a fuckin fugitive and I can’t go home neither.”

“You’re a cute guy, Eldon, and I’m feeling kind of attracted to you. I think we make a good couple.”

Eldon laughed. “Yeah, we sure do. You’re one of the most beautiful girls I’ve ever seen, Tammy. This has got to be the luckiest day of my life.”

Chapter Thirteen

Saturday, September 14th.

Rest Area. Trans-Canada Highway. Saskatchewan.

I woke up in the sleeper in Eldon’s arms and it felt right to me. He was warm and gentle and kind to me when I was in the worst mess of my life.

“I love sleeping in your truck, Eldon. It’s so cozy and warm.”

“I think it’s your body keeping us warm, Tammy. You’re radiating a lot of heat.” Eldon smiled at me, and he was so cute, it was downright criminal. Okay, he was a criminal, but so was I.

“If we hit a mall today, I could use a change of clothes, but I don’t want to put you off your route or your schedule, or nothing like that.”

“Right. You don’t have any clean clothes, being on the lam.” He laughed. “I can spot you a clean T-shirt, but that’s all I’ve got that might fit your beautiful body.”

“A clean shirt will be great.” I rolled closer to Eldon and kissed him. “Thank you for being so sweet to me.”

“How could I not be sweet to you, Tammy? You’re like a little angel that jumped into my truck off the side of the road. I wasn’t expecting it and you kind of blindsided me into thinking I might be able to start my ruined life over again.”

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