Page 24 of Brave as It

The Hellions coming here means I can’t stay even though I want to.

I can hold her off and bolt just before they come. If I time it right, I’ll be in the wind before Wes can pin me down and ask questions I don’t want to answer.

That is my plan. While I get her situated at the Oasis, I’ll pack my shit and hit the road as soon as they get close. This was good while it lasted, but this is the life I’ve chosen.

For Wesson to be untouched by my baggage, I’ll stay on the move until I can find a solution for everyone.

Gathering her things, I load them in my car trying to do anything to keep her on the path to stick things out with me. She doesn’t question it. The more I study her the more I don’t think she’s on something. I think she’s exhausted. Without asking for details, she gets in her car with her son and follows me down to Suds for Ya Duds. We put her clothes in the dryers as I give her the directions to my motel and the key card.

“I usually walk. Since we have your clothes, I’ll take you over to Oasis. Leave your car here, when the clothes are done, we can put them in your car. Your son, I’m sorry, I didn’t catch his name or yours, he can swim until they are done.”

She smiles softly, “Hollis, his name is Hollis. My name is Anna.”

“I’m Emmalee, I told you that already, but it seems to fit in as the proper reply.” I try for nonchalance. “Although, I’m not good at proper.”

“Your child? Boy or girl,” Anna inquires, and I’m stuck.

I don’t have a kid. I did tell her that, though, another lie has to be told. “I have a daughter. Sophia. She’s with my mother.” The lies roll off my tongue but inside it burns to do this.

“How old?” She’s really trying to be sincere. I study her son and take a guess.

“Nine, your son?”

She smiles while wrapping her arm around him, “he’s nine too. Maybe they can meet.”

“My mom doesn’t live here,” I explain. At least that isn’t a lie. “She’ll bring Sophia back to me soon though.”

Anna smiles brightly, “it’s never fun to be away from them even with family.”

I nod moving about the task of getting the dryers going for her. Leading the way, I get her and Hollis in my car to go the block to the motel. How am I going to get word to Wesson and how will I know when they get close?

Questions go crazy in my head. How can I convince her to stay overnight? It’s going to be at least ten hours before they can get here driving. And flying, well, I don’t fly enough to know how long a flight will take to book much less arrive.

I’m in too deep.

Anna and Hollis look around as we exit my car. “I’m in lucky number seven,” I explain leading them to my door. “It’s not much but it’s home for now.”

I unlock it and guide them in. “The bathroom is in the back,” I tell Hollis who takes off to it while Anna studies my room.

“Do they all have two queen beds?” she asks, and I nod.

“Two queens in every room, a mini fridge, microwave, and of course a full bathroom. The television comes with basic cable and WIFI included.”

She sits on my bed. “It’s comfortable.”

I smile, “yeah, I do sleep well.”

“I’m so tired,” she yawns. “Drove all night with him. Didn’t actually have a plan. Thought it would be an adventure with my son.”

“I get that,” I concede.

Hollis comes out still watching his phone continually like he has this entire experience. I notice him staring at my door and begin to wonder.

A knock comes to the door Anna jumps. I look to her and her son. I motion for them to go into the bathroom while I answer the door.

I assume it’s Stone, Racer, Hunter, or one of the other Sinister Sons but check out the window as a precaution and habit.

Two crystal blue eyes meet mine as I peek through the curtains. She watches me as hard as I watch her.

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