Page 28 of Haven

I get out to peer at the engine with him, although there’s no way I’ll be able to identify anything in it. “That doesn’t sound too serious. Can you fix it?”

“It’s not really something that can be fixed at this point. We need a new one.”

“Oh.” I swallow, suddenly realizing what this means. “Oh. So we’re stranded in the middle of nowhere?”

He wipes sweat from his face with the bottom of his T-shirt and closes the hood. “I bet I can find one at that Tractor Supply store. They always stocked a few ATVs in those stores, and they don’t need to be working. Just have a belt we can use. Should have thought of it when I was back there.”

“Oh. Okay. It’s only a couple of miles back. Should we just walk?” I’m immediately relieved since it’s a pain but clearly not a crisis.

“I don’t want to leave our vehicle here on the side of the road, especially with the tractor parts. Do you mind staying here? I’ll get there and back as quick as I can.”

“No, that’s fine.” I don’t like the thought of us splitting up, but I’m more concerned about him walking all that way alone than I am about me sitting here doing nothing.

His face twists as he straps his rifle to his back. “I’ll get back as soon as I can. Take out your gun. Don’t wander off. Don’t pee. Don’t close your eyes. Don’t do anything but sit here and keep guard.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m not a child, Jackson. I know how to defend myself.”

“I know.” His jaw is still working with tension. “Shoot anyone who gets anywhere close. Don’t take any chances. We don’t know what’s out here.”

“As far as we’ve seen so far, no one is out this way, but I promise to be careful. Now get moving so we can get out of here. It’s going to be dark in an hour or so.”

Despite my calm tone, Jackson still looks uptight as he strides off in the direction we came. At first he’s moving at a kind of speed walk, but after a minute I see him pick it up to a run.

The big dummy is going to run all the way there and back.

He’s been gone about fifteen minutes when I hear an engine in the distance. At first I think it might be him. Maybe he found a working vehicle and is driving it here. But then I realize it’s coming from the wrong direction. It’s coming from ahead of me on the road.

I stand up and aim my pistol toward the faint blur of an approaching vehicle.

After a minute, I can make out the shape of an old Jeep Wrangler.

When it keeps coming my way, I fire a warning shot. It veers off the road, clearly giving me a wide berth. I relax slightly at the display of courtesy, but I don’t lower my gun.

I relax even more when it gets close enough for me to see it’s driven by a man and there’s a woman in the passenger seat. The woman has both hands up, and the man is driving with one hand and has the other extended out the window, palm up.

They’re making it clear they’re not a threat, but I’m not silly enough to trust they mean me no harm.

“Do you need help?” the woman calls out when the Jeep has pulled up level with the ATV. They’re still far off the road, giving me plenty of room. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I don’t need help. I’m not alone. My man will be back any minute.” I aim my gun. My hand doesn’t shake.

The woman is extremely pretty with a sweet, heart-shaped face. She’s probably about my age, but she’s wearing her hair in two long brown braids that make her look even younger. “Are you having engine trouble? Travis is a mechanic. He can help you with your engine if you’ll let him.”

Her man, whose name is evidently Travis, looks older than her. Not bad-looking with his piercing gray eyes and longish hair, but also not safe. Tough and efficient and observant and strong. Maybe even a match for Jackson. “We’ve got it covered. I told you. My man will be back anytime, and he’s not going to like seeing you here.”

I’m telling them the truth. I like the looks of the woman, but I’m not sure I trust the man. And I know for damn sure that Jackson isn’t going to give them the benefit of the doubt if he returns to find them lingering.

“We’ll head out if you really want us to,” the woman says, leaning over Travis so she can talk out the window at me. “But you can come with us if you want.”

“What?” I’m so surprised I just stare.

“You can come with us. If you don’t want to be with your man. If he doesn’t treat you right or if you think you don’t have a choice except to be with him. You do have a choice. You can come with us right now. Travis might look kind of rough, but he’s a really good man. No one will touch you. No one will expect anything from you. We can keep you safe. We’ve got a lot of friends, and we can help you have a life where you don’t have to rely on a man to stay alive. I’m Layne, and I’m telling you the truth. You can come with us right now, and your man will never know where you went. You’ll be safe.”

I’m surprised but oddly touched by the earnest offer. I didn’t think it was in me to trust strangers anymore, but I trust this sweet-faced woman. Instinctively.

“Thank you,” I say in a gentler tone. “I mean it. But it’s not like that. My man isn’t like that. Really.”

“Okay. I’m glad. Is it all right if we stay here until he gets back? You look like you know what you’re doing, but it’s really not safe for anyone to be alone.”

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