Page 65 of Exhale
“I’m starving,” Dave said.
“Let’s eat,” Stone agreed.
On the way back to the car, Dave called Kellum on his cell phone, and the techie picked up on the first ring.
“They found Weston,” Dave said.
“I heard!” The relief in Kellum’s voice was thick.
“Can you board a chopper with Creed and Elliott and meet Owen and Jordan in Oregon? I think that Weston would be relieved to have him there.
“We’re leaving now,” Kellum said, and Dave ended the call.
Stone located an all-you-can-eat buffet in a little diner off the main highway. Their arrival scared the staff something fierce, and Dave apologized profusely.
Stone had Secret Service pay for the meals of the few people in the place and send them all on their way.
They had overpaid the customers, and everyone gladly took the money—it was a hefty sum.
“You didn’t have to do that. We could have just come in like two guys having a meal,” Dave grumbled.
“No, we couldn’t have. First, you’re too high profile to go unnoticed, and second, you are not just some guy, and third—.”
Dave held up his hand, cutting off the words. “Save it.”
Stone froze at his curt words, but Dave turned away. He was just too damned tired after the last several days.
Stone caught hold of his hand, and Dave froze. He jerked around, gazing incredulously, and Stone abruptly dropped his hand and stepped away.
“Sorry, I was trying to grab your arm,” Stone said gruffly.
Dave flexed his hand, nodded, and headed to the table to get a plate.
Stone stood silently nearby.
“What? You’re not eating?” Dave frowned at Stone.
“Too distracting.”
“Then just forget it.” Dave slammed the plate down and turned to the door, but Stone was in his way.
“Don’t…go,” Stone said huskily.
“Then…I take it you’re eating?” He had to tilt his head a bit to do it, but Dave gazed into Stone’s blue-gray eyes.
“Yeah.” Stone’s throat moved in a hard swallow, and he lifted two plates from the table and handed him one.
Dave turned away, careful to hide his satisfied smile.
He’d avoided any entanglement with Stone over the years, but now that he was set to retire, it got him thinking.
“Dave, you coming?” Stone said, drawing him out of his distraction, and he hurried to catch up.
Having eaten his fill, Dave followed Stone and the Secret Service out of the diner.
“You ready?”
“What’s next?” Stone asked.
