Page 8 of Nomad

“So why do you want to keep the baby so much?”

She shrugged. “It’s not the baby’s fault that the sperm donor is an idiot.”

“Yeah,” he agreed. “Guess not. Why does your dad feel so strong about it?”

“He says it’s cause he had plans for me. College. Blah. Blah. Blah. But the truth is that he thinks teenage pregnancy is trashy and he doesn’t want people to know.”

“What kind of people? Friends?”

“People he works with. My daddy doesn’t really have what you’d call friends, I don’t think.”

Cann took in a big breath and let it out slowly. “So you’re asking me to take you to Austin and what?”

“Just a ride. That’s all. I’ll find a job and never bother you. Swear.”

“Uh-huh. You really want that baby?”

“Made up my mind.”

“You know how hard it is to take care of a baby?”

She cocked her head. “You got kids?”

“I used to. Babies… it’s not like getting a puppy. You have to be prepared to give them everything. Twenty-four hours a day. Whatever dreams you might have, they’ll take a backseat, because the only thing that’s important is the kid. You understand what I’m saying?”

“You a biker or a counselor?”

“Are you a smart ass or a girl who needs help?”

She shifted her weight to one leg and her shoulders sagged a little. “Girl who needs help.”

“You got a driver’s license?”

“Yes.” To her credit, she answered without hesitation then stood waiting, perhaps hopefully, for what he would say next.

“Show it to me.”

She unzipped the bag that was either a giant purse or a small overnighter and withdrew a red wallet. She fumbled a little trying to get the license free of its holder and Cann thought her hand might be shaking a little.

“Bud Slaughter McIntyre,” he read out loud. Without lifting his chin, his eyes came up to meet hers. “You weren’t lyin’ about bein’ named Bud.” She shook her head. “Weren’t lyin’ about your birthday either.” He looked down at the license in his hand. “You’re from El Paso.”

“Lately.”

“What’s that mean?”

“Means we move around every few years.” She shrugged. “Daddy’s job.”

“No brothers or sisters?” She shook her head. “Grandparents? Aunts? Uncles?”

“I have grandparents, but I don’t know them. They’re strangers. So I wouldn’t ask them for help.” She trailed off as she realized that she’d just asked the stranger in front of her for help.

He smirked as he handed the license back. “I’ll give you a ride if you promise you’ll give your grandparents a call when you get to Austin. They might surprise you.”

CHAPTER Three

In less than an hour they were on the outskirts of Amarillo, but dark clouds were gathering overhead. Cannon pulled off and looked at a weather radar app. He looked up directions to the nearest Chevy dealership and headed straight there.

When they pulled in, she said, “Why are we here?”

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