Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 79749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
I have only taken a single sip of my milkshake before he pulls the vehicle into a secluded but empty parking lot. I can see the hint of the sunrise kissing the edge of the sky, but we're still probably a full hour before it's fully visible.
He seems cautious as he pulls closer to the only other vehicle in the lot, rolling down his window as he approaches the man standing outside of it.
"You got a fucking problem?" he snaps, and I start to shake at the aggression in his tone.
Why would we meet with someone who would cause us problems?
"No, sir, " the other man answers, completely unoffended by Nolan's tone. "I'm here to help you with your problem."
Nolan relaxes beside me, and I have to guess it is some sort of test or code. Whatever it is, I don't understand it at all.
"Come on, Peach," Nolan says as he shifts the SUV into park. "Let's get this over with."
Every muscle in my body trembles as I climb out of the vehicle and make my way around to his side. The man pulls a larger machine out of the back seat of his car and walks toward me with it. Instinct has me taking a step back until I feel the warmth of Nolan's body against mine.
"You got this, Peach," he says, lifting my arms up and holding them while the guy runs his scanner along every inch of my body.
He looks up at Nolan, not me, when it's time for me to turn around, and I get the feeling that he's doing it because he's scared of the man and doesn't want to step over some invisible line.
It makes me feel like I'm in a protective cocoon, and I turn to face Nolan, looking into his eyes as the man scans the backside of my body.
"She's clean," he says as Nolan urges me to turn back around so I don't have my back to the man.
I feel like a fool in these oversized clothes, but it's so much better than having to stand in front of this man in nothing but a towel.
Nolan steps around me, handing the man a thick envelope which I presume has money in it, but instead of us getting back into the SUV, they exchange keys and Nolan escorts me to the passenger side of the sedan the man arrived in.
The other man wastes no time getting behind the wheel of the SUV and driving away.
"Who was that?"
"I don't know. Someone we can trust," he says before closing my door and walking around the front of the car to climb into the driver's side.
He doesn't speak again as we buckle our seatbelts. I feel his gaze on me as he pulls out of the parking lot, but I don't know what to do with the attention, so I close my eyes.
I sleep off and on for what feels like days, as if my body hasn't had rest in longer than I can remember.
We stop for bathroom breaks and to get gas three times, grabbing gas station snacks to tide us over rather than any form of real food. As much as I hate it, I don't say anything. I'm not in a position to complain about the things he has to do to keep me safe.
I still can't help but think about Eli and what all of this could bring to his feet. My sweet little seven-year-old boy deserves so much more than the life I brought him into. I have to trust that Nolan and the men working with him are doing everything they can to make sure that he gets back to me safe and sound.
The quick turns and curves shift my body back and forth, making me open my eyes and sit straighter in the seat. I look out the window, seeing through the leafless trees. It's a beautiful sight even in the bareness of winter. Since I was sleeping so much, I know we're in Tennessee but I don't know if we're in the Smokies or the Appalachian Mountains.
"Where are we?" I whisper.
"Gatlinburg," he answers, his voice sounding as weary as I still feel even after several hours of off-and-on sleep.
A couple more turns in the road brings us to the driveway of a massive cabin. The house I grew up in was big, but it's a real possibility that this house could be even bigger.
"Have you heard anything about Eli?" I ask, praying I missed a call with good news and he was letting me sleep instead of waking me to tell me.
"Nothing new."
My chest caves in, tears burning the backs of my eyes.
Warmth covers my hand, and I glance down to see his big hand in my lap, right over mine.
"Look at me, Peach."
It takes a minute before I feel strong enough to look him in the eyes, but, eventually, I manage it.