Page 60 of Baby and the Beast

The lie—or was it a lie?—slipped out easily. Nash felt Casimir tense beside him, but the big man didn't contradict him.

Earl's face softened slightly. "I see."

"We just want to get our daughter somewhere safe and warm," Nash added, letting his exhaustion show in his voice.

That seemed to settle something for Earl. He nodded, eyes returning to the road. "Got a grandson about two months old myself. Can't imagine having him out in this weather."

The tension in the cab eased. Earl began chatting about his grandchildren, his farm, and the unusual weather patterns this winter. Nash responded politely, while Casimir remained silent, one large hand protectively covering Copper's back.

"Truck stop's just ahead," Earl announced after they'd been driving for about twenty minutes. "They've got a decent diner if you need to warm up."

"Thank you," Nash said sincerely. "We really appreciate the ride." They climbed out of the truck, Casimir adjusting Copper in her carrier, and they both grabbed their bags. Earl gave them a final wave and drove off, leaving them standing in the truck stop parking lot.

“Let’s get something to eat,” Casimir said. “We might get lucky with another ride.”

The diner was warm and smelled of coffee and fried food. They slid into a booth near the back, Nash immediately unbuttoninghis coat while Casimir carefully extracted Copper from her carrier. She was awake now, blinking at the bright fluorescent lights.

"She needs to be changed, Nash," Casimir murmured, glancing toward the restrooms.

Nash nodded. "I'll do it."

"I'll order. What do you want?"

"Anything without meat. And coffee. Lots of coffee."

Nash took Copper and headed to the restroom while Casimir studied the laminated menu. A waitress approached, coffee pot in hand.

"Just you?" she asked.

"My... partner's in the restroom with our daughter," Casimir replied, the words feeling strange in his mouth.

The waitress—Darlene, according to her nametag—smiled. "How old?"

"Four days."

Her eyes widened. "Four days? Honey, what are you doing out with a newborn in this weather?"

Casimir had prepared for this. "Family emergency. Her grandmother's sick."

Darlene's expression softened. "Poor thing. What can I get you?"

He ordered pancakes for Nash, eggs and bacon for himself, and extra coffee. As Darlene walked away, Casimir scanned the diner. A few truckers at the counter. An elderly couple by the window. And a man in the corner booth, watching him too intently.

Nash returned with Copper, sliding into the booth. "Much better," he sighed, then noticed Casimir's tense posture. "What's wrong?"

Casimir kept his voice low. "Man in the corner. Been watching since we came in."

Nash didn't turn. "Cops?"

"Don't think so. But something's off."

Their food arrived, momentarily distracting them. Nash balanced Copper on one arm while attacking his pancakes with the other. Casimir ate mechanically, his attention divided between Nash and watching the man in the corner leave.

"We need to find a ride soon," Nash said between bites. "Copper will need to be fed again in a couple of hours."

Casimir nodded, then stiffened as the diner's door opened. Two uniformed state troopers stepped inside, stomping snow from their boots. They spoke briefly to Darlene, who gestured toward their booth.

"Don't panic," Casimir murmured. "Let me handle this."

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