Page 63 of Longest Ride

Bonaventure Boat Rentals. Louisiana Bayou.

The sun had gone down, and twilight brought a heavy blanket of mist to the swamp. Animal noises I didn’t recognize came from the river and scared me a little. Big grunting sounds and splashing around. Sounded like something big.

Carl pointed to where he wanted me to park the truck, and when I got out he said we’d gone as far as we could go until morning.

“Okay. Me and Eldon can sleep in the truck. Where are you gonna sleep, Carl?”

“In my friend’s house.” He pointed to a house down the road close to the rental building.

“Okay, see you in the morning.”

I climbed into the sleeper with Eldon, and he was full of questions. “Tell me what’s going on, Tammy.”

“We’re sleeping in the truck just for tonight and tomorrow morning, Carl is taking us by boat to a place where nobody will ever find us.”

“I’m not going with you, Tammy. Your plan is insane, girl. I’d rather die right here in my own truck than have a gator drag me by the leg into the fuckin river.”

“Now you’re the one talking crazy, Eldon. We’re gonna be safe where Carl is taking us. No alligators are gonna eat you.”

Eldon shook his head. “You don’t get it, Tammy. There is no place more dangerous than the bayou.”

“I’m not afraid. I have my gun.”

“Give your head a shake, Tammy.”

“I’m taking you with me, Eldon. I got you this far and I’m taking you the rest of the way. This is our final journey together. Just like Bonnie and Clyde.”

“Yeah, well I’m not about to end up like Clyde Barrow, Tammy. You can be dead like Bonnie Parker if you want to. We’ll see what happens in the morning, crazy girl.”

“Shut up, Eldon. Go to sleep. I don’t want to listen to you bad-mouthing me no more.”

“Have it your way, Tammy.” Eldon sighed and turned his back to her.

Chapter Thirteen

Tuesday, October 1st.

Coulter-Ross Ranch. La Grange. Texas.

Taking biscuits out of the oven, Annie set the pan down, took off her oven mitts and answered a call from a sheriff’s office in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.

“Yes, Sheriff. What have you got for me?”

“One of my boys had a sighting of the Freightliner y’all are looking for, ma’am. When he saw it, the truck was driving south on route 90. He was certain there was a girl behind the wheel.”

“Thank you so much for the call. That’s the news we’ve been waiting for. Thanks again, Sheriff.”

“My pleasure to help the Texas Violent Crime Squad, ma’am.”

“I have to go, Riley.” Annie called to Harlan and Virge who were in the middle of eating breakfast. “Finish eating and grab enough clothes for a couple of days. We’re leaving for Louisiana in five.”

“Copy that, Mom,” said Virgil, and shoved the last of his eggs into his mouth.

“I’ll get my stuff and gather up Mick and Argus from the garage. Meet y’all in the truck.”

Bonaventure Boat Rentals. Louisiana Bayou.

I was awake when Carl tapped on the window telling me and Eldon it was time to go. I pushed back the sheets that smelled like Eldon’s sweat, and a little like blood. They needed to be changed but we had to go.

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