Page 76 of Kiss Across the Universe
The doors unlocked. Kit opened the back door and slid his pack onto the big seat and over, then stepped back and indicated Alannah should climb in. She hoisted herself up to the seat and Kit closed the door and climbed up into the passenger seat next to his uncle.
When all the doors were closed, warmth bathed Alannah and she sat back with a sigh, enjoying the first artificial heat in days.
Joe got the truck moving again. “Miss,” he said to Alannah, his gaze on her in the rear view mirror.
“Alannah,” she told him.
“Pretty name for a pretty lady.” He glanced at Kit. “You two come over the Orient Point Pass?”
“Good guess. Or did someone rat me out?” Kit asked.
“All Maryann heard was you’d gone off grid for security reasons. Some asshole chasing you in Canmore. Hard to make out the details from the fragments Maryann collected. You’ll be able to fill in the gaps, I’m guessing.” His gaze came back to Alannah in the back seat. “Something to do with you, Miss Alannah?”
“Something like that,” she admitted.
“There are some real bastards in the world,” Joe said, his tone neutral. “The two of you look in need of a shower and food.”
“And heat. I’ve got my toes up against the heater vent and can’t feel anything yet,” Kit admitted.
“Heat comes with the other two,” Joe said. “Phone Maryann, tell her to put the kettle on.” They were drawing close to the trees now.
Kit pulled out his phone. The screen was dark, the phone powered off. He hesitated, his thumb on the power button. “We can wait until we’re at the house,” he said, putting his phone away again.
“Thatsort of trouble. ‘kay,” Joe said. “Good to know you’ve got friends running around for you in Canmore.”
“It’s not a family thing,” Kit said, his tone apologetic.
“It’s the lady’s thing,” Joe said, his tone one of agreement. “Should we be alerting anyone in the family, anyway. Your father, maybe?”
Alannah could feel Kit stiffen, even though she could see nothing much more than his left shoulder. “No need for that yet,” he said.
Joe just laughed. “You haven’t changed allthatmuch, then.” He steered the big truck in among the trees, going slower on the slope down the valley. A big house with white walls and balconies on all the front windows seemed to beckon like a lighthouse in the darkening day. All the lights were on, including outside lights that illuminated a well-ploughed driveway that circled a flowerbed that was a series of humps beneath snow, with a birdbath that dripped icicles in the center.
“I’ll park the truck later,” Joe said, halting beside the house. “Let’s get you two settled and comfortable first.”
Inside the house, more warmth bathed Alannah’s cheeks. Joe led them through the foyer, straight into a kitchen/living/dining room combination. Delicious cooking smells washed over them—a soup, Alannah guessed, and roasting meat.
A middle-aged woman with long black hair tied in a French braid was working at the range, stirring a stock pot. She put the long spoon down and smiled at Joe, then at Alannah and Kit. She had dark eyes and a high forehead.
“Kit, my goodness, you’ve been keeping me awake a couple nights now!” she said, coming over to him.
Kit put the pack down quickly and hugged her. “Not intentional, Aunt Mary. But you guys have a landline still, and you’re closest to the pass.”
“You came over Orient Point?” she asked. “That’s a hike and a half.”
“Three very solid days,” Kit said with feeling. “And we were light on everything, too. We left in a hurry.”
“Your truck was found, by the way,” Maryann told him. “We had it towed back to Canmore. It’s in Clay’s garage. He said he’d fix the gas tank for you while he was waiting to hear the rest of the story.”
“Thanks,” Kit said with feeling.
“Hold your questions for now, Maryann,” Joe said. “These two need food and a shower. And fresh clothes, too, I’m guessing by the smell.” He laughed loudly.
Alannah could feel her cheeks heating.
Maryann smiled at her. “You look about my daughter’s size and she left a lot of her stuff behind when she went to college. And Joe has jeans he’ll never fit into again that you’re welcome to, Kit. I’ll get them out for you. You can use our ensuite, and Alannah can use the guest bathroom. Then you don’t have to wait, either of you. Come along.”
In the next thirty minutes, Maryanne efficiently shepherded them both to their respective bathrooms, dug up the promised clothes and added them to the fresh towels and wash cloths she’d already supplied, added soap, shampoo and conditioner, and after eying Alannah’s hair, a clean hair brush and comb. “I’m guessing you don’t have a lipstick or powder on you, either,” Maryann said. “There’s deodorant in the medicine chest besides other bits and pieces. Help yourself to whatever you need.”
