Page 61 of Maverick

Willow climbed into the driver's seat and started the van. She looked at me one last time before driving down the driveway. I watched as the dirt billowed around her van until I couldn’t see her lights anymore.

I dropped to my knees with tears in my eyes and whispered, “I love you, Willow.”

Chapter Nineteen

Willow

Ikept driving, tryingnot to lose my cool as I raced down the highway. Orion sat beside me with his cold little nose touching my arm.

“I know, bud. I tried my best and he couldn’t say it back. Our time in this town was up. Maybe we’ll drive up to Canada, see another country.”

The tears were trying so hard to burst from my eyes, but I couldn’t let them; not yet. We flew past the town sign and I went a little further until I came to a rest stop.

Pulling into the parking lot, I barely placed the van in park before the tears broke free and started rolling down my cheeks.

Orion crawled into my lap and placed his head against me. I gently stroked his back as I lost control. Tears, snot, ugly crying; I let it all out.

I cried for about an hour before I was finally able to gain my control back. I wiped my tears and sat up.

“Okay, Orion. Let’s keep moving. We need to get away from this town.”

Orion barked and I buckled up then put the van in drive. We drove out of the parking lot and got onto the highway. Signs for Missoula, Montana appeared and I smiled. That’s where we would head.

Before I could get any further, Orion started whining. I sighed and glanced over to him in the passenger seat.

“What is it, boy? Do you need to pee already? Let me pull over and you can go.”

I found a small parking lot with a sign that read,Ranger Station,and pulled into the back. I turned the van off and opened the door. Orion ran out and headed off into the woods. I took the opportunity to look around.

The ranger station looked to be abandoned as I tried to peek into the dirty windows. Dirt and dust covered every surface, broken furniture was scattered throughout the building. Shuddering, I headed back toward my van.

I opened the side door and sat down, pulling my knees to my chest. It was so beautiful here and I wished I could stay. My phone started to vibrate and I took it out of my back pocket. It was a text from Wrench saying to be safe and check my glove compartment.

Climbing to the front, I opened it up and found a small handgun inside. I smiled knowing that he was looking out for me. Orion came back from doing his business and climbed onto my small bed. I sat with him and tossed my cell phone back and forth between my hands.

Sighing, I pressed Lilah’s name and the phone started dialing. On the third ring, Lilah’s sweet voice came over the speaker.

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