Page 77 of Caged By the Ruthless Thief

“No, what if I crash? Yes, I mean. I can keep my eyes on the dashboard, but what do I do?”

“Do you know how to drive a car?”

“Yes.” Her braid bobs with her nod.

“Have you ever crashed?”

“No. I mean, someone hit me once when my car was parked.” Her voice rises like I suggested she hurt someone.

“So, no?”

“No.”

“Well then, darling, I think you can have a lesson.”

“Do mermaids drive?”

“Do you think it should be allowed?”

“Yes. A woman can do anything a man can do. I even taught myself to pee standing up.”

I laugh. “Of course you did. It’s not illegal for a mermaid to drive. My mom drives. I’m not saying you pilot downtown during a silt storm. But it’s clear here, and I can show you a few things.”

“Okay.”

“Yes, that’s what I’m talking about, Sunshine.” I rub my hands together. “Let’s do this.”

She slides into the pilot’s seat.

“See this pedal right here?”

“Yes.” She places her foot on it.

“Don’t push it unless you’re ready to go.”

“Got it. Don’t push unless I’m ready to go.”

“Now buckle up.” I reach across her and pull the harness in place, doing the same for myself as I settle in the passenger seat. “My mother taught me how to drive.”

“Really?”

“Yes, she’s a better driver than all my fathers, but don’t mention that to them. It’s a bony subject.” I give her more instructions. “Take it easy and stay on the pad.”

“Pad?”

“Yes, we’re hovering over a building pad.”

“Oh, what do you think it’s going to be used for?”

“I don’t know... Focus on what you’re doing.” I point out the signaling lights, hover features, and the emergency stop feature. “Easy on the throttle.”

We jerk forward. Her eyes are glued to the windshield, but her face is alight with delight. “I’m doing it! I’m driving anomada. My dad would be so proud. Well, if he knew what anomadawas.”

Twenty minutes of circles later, we switch positions. When she’s snapped into place, I point us to the green dome I know she’ll like the most. There’s a tickle in the back of my head, but I push forward.

We’re almost to the dome when my stomach flips. “Sorry, Sunshine, I forgot about my errand.” I turn the rudder hard and zip past the green dome.

“Oh, you said you had an errand. We got caught up in the piloting lesson.” She bites her lower lip, and suddenly I don’t care about the assignment or my never-ending debt.

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