Page 6 of Soldier Cowboy
“My perspective is the miles. Look it up.”
“Are we going the fastest way?”
“Yes.”
She peppered him with more questions such as how long he’d lived in Stone Ridge.
He’d been three when he and his brothers became foster kids and were later adopted. His parents were dead.
Did he have any other family there?
His mother’s best friend, two brothers, a sister-in-law, two nephews and a niece.
God forbid he volunteer any information not requested first.
Never even the slightest elaboration. He obviously resented being begged to take this job, feeling he couldn’t say no simply because he felt a deep loyalty to her father. Not love.Loyalty. There was a difference. Loyalty was the military way. Decisions were made and actions taken from a place of blind allegiance. From the beginning, Jennifer hadn’t fit into her family. She couldn’t believe in anything or anyone without first knowing all the facts and making an informed decision.Herdecision. She was the antithesis of the military complex and definitely her mother’s daughter.
Sometimes the ache for her hit at odd and quiet times of reflection. Such as now when Jennifer wondered what her mother would have to say about all this.
Jennifer fell asleep somewhere between Utah and New Mexico, waking several times to find Colton still wide awake.
“Don’t you want to let me take a turn driving so you can nap?” She yawned and stretched.
“No.”
“Icandrive. You can trust me with your precious truck.”
He snorted. “It’s not precious.”
“Even better.” She sat up straighter and rubbed her eyes. “Can I at least get some coffee?”
“I didn’t bring any,” he said, heavy on the sarcasm.
“Or, you could pull over to any one of these many truck stops along the way.” She watched with longing as one after another they passed by them, leaving rest stops in their rearview. “Plus, I have to…you know. Use thefacilities.”
He sighed deeply, and made her wait twenty more minutes, while she squirmed in her seat and complained. Finally, he pulled over at a twenty-four-hour station and snack shop off the interstate. One look at the gauge and she realized he’d only done so because he neededgasoline.So, she refused to appreciate the fact she had an actual toilet instead of squatting by a thicket on the side of the highway.
But when she walked outside, she found him leaning against the truck, holding two coffees.
He held one out for her.
“Thanks.” She took a sip, not caring it was too sugary and creamy for her taste.
It was the nicest thing he’d done for her.
Other than agree to sacrifice his time alone to possibly save my life.
She should be grateful. And she was. She’d simply find a way to make friends with him for the next couple of weeks until it was time to go home to California. During that time, she’d plan how to get her life back. She missed the way things used to be, when she’d easily walk to the farmer’s market on Saturday mornings or meet for drinks with friends. Gradually, her friends had slipped away when she stopped attending parties and events. She’d tried to explain her situation, but no one seemed to understand.
Just tell him you’re not interested. What’s the problem?
But she had, many times, and Dan didn’thearher. She had been prepared to take time away from the podcast, but wasn’t warned that she’d be going all the way to Texas.
At least this surly cowboy was someone who she was certain would grow on her. Eventually. It helped that he was the opposite of Dan. She now understood that scary people came in all shapes and sizes. Dan was a handsome and tall broker who wore suits and wingtips.
And he’d once tried to break down her door.
The coffee, as always, managed to keep her awake and she had her eyes wide open when they rolled into town well after midnight.
