by Maira Dawn
Dylan held in a chuckle as she flustered through her story. He wasn't sure she was breathing now.
Skye took a deep breath and eyed the gun rack spanning the back window behind her. "You seem to have a lot of weapons."
It surprised Dylan she kept bringing this up. Where does this girl think she lives? "Yeah, of course. And under the seat." Several hard knocks sounded underneath her when the truck bounced out of a large dip in the road.
"Oh, that's what those are. So this truck is like a rolling arsenal?"
"Just about." Dylan dragged the words out. "That a problem for you?"
"Well, I don't think most people carry this many weapons around."
What do I say to that? Is she blind? There's more trucks with gun racks than not. At first, Dylan offered no answer but came back with, "Depends on who ya know."
Skye raised her eyebrow, then offered a broad smile, flashing him a dimple. "Well, I'm very grateful you're who I know. Thank you for helping me get Jesse."
Dylan swallowed and coughed. He could count on one hand the amount of times he'd heard a thank you. "No problem." It came out gruffer than he intended.
Skye looked away for a moment, then turned back to him. "You were right. I needed more help than I thought I would. I had a plan. I did, but well... that didn't work."
This time Dylan softened his voice. "You did all right."
Skye smiled. "Yeah? Well, thanks." She grew serious. "I don't like that I hurt someone... but... well, it is what it is. I did what I had to, right?"
"You did."
Skye coughed and picked at the seam in her jeans before looking up at Dylan. "I don't know how you will take this, but if I could make one small suggestion. If we have another... difference of opinion, perhaps we could... just talk about it. Instead of, well, yelling. I'm better with a calm discussion."
Dylan flushed. I knew I went too far. He was quiet for a minute as Skye continued to shoot him looks and fidget. There was more than one way he could take this. Go his normal route and let his temper rule or try something new with her, for her.
He raised an eyebrow as his mouth twitched. "Who was yellin?"
A small tremor shook Skye's voice despite her bold words. "You. You were yelling."
"I wasn't yellin. I was instructing."
Dylan almost burst out laughing when Skye's mouth dropped, and she stared at him for a minute. "You didn't consider that yelling?"
Dylan shrugged the shoulder closest to her. "Not much."
"Okay, well... maybe try instructing with less volume and force. Would that work? It would be a little less... alarming."
Dylan snorted. "I can try, but I can't say you seemed all that alarmed. You were holdin your own."
"Was I? That's good."
Unable to hold in his amusement over her discomfort any longer, Dylan uttered a low chuckle. Skye looked over at him and added her light laugh to his deeper one.
Yeah, she did all right.
The cab got quiet as they drove, but that was okay. Dylan felt something building inside him. Something he'd rarely experienced in his life. He shifted to high beams to see the dark road better and put a hand to his chest. He felt happy.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The Cabin
Staying overnight at a stranger's house was not something Skye made a habit of doing. Surprised and uneasy about it from the moment Dylan suggested it, she had almost rejected it out of hand. Skye glanced at Dylan before returning her eyes to the window. I don't know these men, and they scare me, more than a little if I'm honest about it.
But Skye had tossed the idea around. On one hand, he was right. It could be, probably was, dangerous to be out after dark, and she was certain she didn't want to start her trip to Ohio now. On the other, the two men were strangers. Although, if they planned on hurting her or Jesse, they'd already had plenty of opportunities. And they had helped rescue Jesse, so that was a massive plus for them. They didn't need to do that, not at all.
She supposed that it was okay, that their intentions were fine, but her mind kept coming back to the fact that she didn't know what kind of men they were. And they were taking her into the dark, to some unknown place in what seemed to be in the opposite direction of her car and her path home. But she wasn't even sure of that, she was so lost.
Skye's heart raced when Dylan pulled off the road. The truck rocked as it bumped over the shallow ditch. The headlights lit up nothing but grass and trees. She leaned forward and peered into the darkness looking for a house.
Dylan seemed to be going up a grassy path as it a bit smoother than the rest of the field looked. Once they made it to the tree line, she saw a break in the forest. Turning into it, some areas were so narrow, the truck's mirrors almost brushed against the trees.
What have I done?
Skye was almost hyperventilating before Dylan noticed her distress. He reached out a hand and grabbed at her arm, but she jerked away and pulled a sleeping Jesse closer to her.
"Hey," Dylan reassured her again, ”I said you're okay."
Skye turned her white face to him and snapped out, "Oh yeah? Then where are you taking us?"
"To our cabin. Our cabin is up here."
Skye punched her finger toward the dark path. "Up here? There is literally nothing up here."
"Yeah, that's the point."
Skye barked out a hard laugh and ran her hand over her hair. "That is my fear."
Dylan shook his head. "Stop it. You're okay."
But all she could imagine was a rough, broken-down cabin with outbuildings filled with rotting animal carcasses and who knew what else. So when the lights fell on the Cole's little home, she was more than relieved, she was pleasantly surprised.
It probably had started out as a dilapidated cabin but was now fixed up and cared for. Although small, it seemed a sturdy structure. Off the grid, two solar panels provided electricity, and the roof's skylight would brighten the place during the day. Cords of chopped wood laid stacked on the deck and along the edge of the cleaned forest line. A big stone chimney ran up the outer wall of the cabin. A small, welcoming light peeking through one of the two front windows under a small front porch brought a smile to Skye's face.
Whatever I had been expecting, it was not this.
After seeing Skye's expression turn from terror to relief, Dylan said, "See? You settled now?"
"Still, could you be any further out?" Skye griped at him, still disturbed by the isolated drive back here.
"Probably, but we didn't look."
Skye rolled her eyes. "Oh, so you just stumbled upon this. Out here? In this wilderness?"
"Yeah."
"I can't even begin to understand your life."
Dylan grunted his agreement. He eyed his cabin and said, "I know you're used to more. It ain't much, but it's what we got." Somehow both apology and pride filled his voice.
Skye was used to more, but she wondered how he was so sure of that. Her father was from this area and claimed he'd lived a simple life, but she'd seen no evidence of that. Also, she had to acknowledge that her grandfather on her mother's side would be mortified, perhaps even horrified, that she would have stepped foot in such a place.
But Skye didn't feel that way. It was clean, pleasant and welcoming. And considering her situation, a godsend. Now she'd calmed down, she was eager to relax for the evening.
"I like it. I like it very much." Even if she hadn't, after insulting his truck, Skye certainly would not offend his house.
Dylan looked at her as if he was trying to gauge her sincerity. Skye shot him a little smile and then turned to wake Jesse.
"Don't," Dylan said putting out a hand.
"I want to get him in the house."
"I'll carry him."
Skye frowned. "He's heavy."
"Pfft." Dylan shot her a glance and shook his head. "You think I can't carry him?"
I'm getting the look again. The one that says I can't possibly mean what's coming from my mouth.
Dylan rea
ched into the truck and as gentle as possible lifted Jesse. There was a slight stir from the boy, but he continued to sleep.
"No, I know you can do it. I only thought..."
With a sigh, Dylan said, "Woman, stop."
Still unsure how she felt about his manner, Skye stopped and stared at him.
Dylan raised an eyebrow. "Hey, I'm tryin to instruct with less volume and force."
Skye puffed out a little breath, stirring her hair. I can't stand in the way of the very thing I asked him to do.
"Well, don't let me prevent that!" Skye uttered a small laugh and waved him on. "Thank you."
Wade jumped out of the back of the truck, his feet hitting the ground with a thud. He ran ahead to open the front door. Dylan walked through and laid Jesse on one of the two double beds that sat in an alcove on the left side of the cabin. The whole place was one open room except for what Skye hoped was a bathroom. Please, please don't have an outhouse!
The wood-planked front door opened to a small living room area. The kitchen sat directly behind it, a long countertop covering most of the back wall. Cabinets were a hodgepodge of different colors and ages but somehow seemed perfect for the cabin. Between the two rooms was a small, rugged table and chairs that served as a dining area.
Everything possible was wood or stone. The floors were oak-colored as were three of the walls. The fourth was both wood and stone. In the large stone area that covered the same wall as the chimney outside sat a wood-burning stove.
Definitely a man's space. Solid and steady, just like they seem to be. The thought surprised her. It appeared her instincts about the men were right even if her anxiety got in the way. Of course, her nervous side had a parting shot for her. Well, if you're still alive in the morning, then we'll see. Skye shook her head to get rid of the doubtful voice.
Skye sent Wade a questioning look when Dylan walked out the front door and closed it without a word.
"Dylan's first watch," he said. "He's checking out the house and seeing if anybody's been sniffin around. We started since all the--you know..."
Skye nodded, then grimaced as her stomach rumbled loud enough for Wade to hear it and snicker. "Should I make something?" she said a note of hope in her voice.
"Do whatever you want." Wade waved his arm toward the kitchen. "You can have what you'd like over there.“
"Over there" was a long card table loaded with a variety of snack foods. Skye walked over and sorted through the choices. Every kind of potato chip known to humankind seemed to be there, also the inevitable pork rinds in various flavors and jerky out of meat she wasn't aware it was possible to jerk. Lined up in jars was every pickled item she had ever heard of, and then some, including the obligatory pickled eggs and, ugh, she thought, pickled pig's feet. This is like a man's snack food smorgasbord. She chuckled. Of course.
Skye found trying to pick through the best of the worst food on earth was difficult, but she figured she could handle some pickled beets. After dishing out some, she headed to the fridge.
The refrigerator was a treat of its own. First and third shelves were, it seemed, exclusive to beer.
The middle shelf held actual food. A carton of eggs, butcher's paper wrapped around, she presumed, meat or cheese. The few condiments on the door included a variety of hot sauces and a pitcher of tea, milk and a few other essentials.
More man food. Not a lettuce leaf to be found. But one thing is for sure, they won't go hungry anytime soon even if this is all they have to sustain themselves.
Head still in the refrigerator, Wade's voice drifted to her. "If I wasn't so dang tired, I wouldn't mind you cookin up that rabbit Dylan threw in there."
"What?" Her word echoed on the white, cold walls. Skye picked at the butcher's paper until she could see the red muscled foot of a rabbit. Wide-eyed, she rose too soon and bumped her head on the door of the fridge in her effort to stand. Once free of the door, she held the back of her head. "I don't know how to cook rabbit from—from that."
"Um, shame." Wade looked confused, shook his head and fell onto the couch. "Well, maybe we can teach you."
Lord, I hope not. I like meat to seem less like animal. Skye rubbed the sore spot on her skull. "I'm leaving in the morning, so I probably won't have time."
"Where are ya going in such an all-fired hurry?"
Skye made her way to the living room carrying her beets and a piece of cheese. She sat in one of the two chairs opposite the couch. Although both showed wear, Skye couldn't complain about comfort. She sank into the recliner and sighed. "To my parent's in Ohio. It's about five hours to get there, and I want to get started before things get worse."
"Why are you thinkin it's safe now?"
Wade's question made Skye squirm. "I'm aware there could be many people on the street, trying to get who knows where. And that others are taking advantage of the situation, but we still have some structure. Phones, electricity, and water are on for now, though the services are spotty. People are going to their jobs, or helping out, where possible. I don't think things are totally out of control yet. I'm hoping they won't get that way."
Wade eyed her for a minute and grunted something that sounded like 'dreamer.' Abruptly, he turned and settled on the couch, and within thirty seconds, he was snoring. Skye scoffed. She didn't fall asleep in thirty seconds on her best day. How could he do that?
She picked at her food until it was gone, then checked out the bathroom. Although there were compromises since they were off the grid, it was more or less a regular restroom complete with a shower she hoped to use in the morning.
Skye wandered back to the sleeping alcove and over to the double beds. She pulled the covers over Jesse's shoulder and pushed his hair back. He hauled in a noisy breath. He was a snorer already. She sat on the bed opposite of his, took off her shoes and rolled under the sheets. Skye gave a deep yawn concerned the two snoring males would hinder a restful night. She needn't have worried, she was asleep almost as quickly as Wade.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Sorry
By morning, Skye was still so tired she had to wrestle herself out of bed. Her tangled hair a testament to her restless sleep, her nightmares filled with repeated scenes of the previous day. What she had done was so out of character even her dreams couldn't reconcile it.
Now she was awake, her groggy mind pushed the reminders away. Stealing a child and bashing his father in the face in front of him with all her might wouldn't be something she'd find peace with anytime soon.
Skye groaned as she got out of bed. Yesterday's tense muscles now seemed frozen in place, and Frankie's rough treatment had left sore spots. She raised the bottom of her shirt to find purple bruises covering the side of her belly.
She brushed her hand across the area and winced. Skye looked toward the kitchen accidentally catching Dylan's eye. He looked at her stomach, and his jaw clenched. He is angry again, but this time, not at me.
"You okay?" Jesse asked in a sleepy voice as he peeked up at her from under his covers.
"Yes, I'm fine. Just fine."
He hung his head. “Sorry my dad did that."
Skye sat on Jesse's bed beside him. "Me too. But it's not your fault, and it will go away quick enough." She smiled and tossed his hair. "Hungry?"
Skye breathed in the aroma of coffee swirling around her with the frantic relief only a true coffee lover experiences. Anticipation built as she stumbled into the kitchen, pleased to find a steaming cup waiting for her at the table. Jesse sat beside her, his head over his cup, inhaling the steam.
The men were cranky this morning. The early morning beer they had apparently consumed, if the cans on the sink top were any indication, had not perked them up and they were now on to coffee. Wade leaned against the counter as he drank his while Dylan ruffled through the chip table holding his mug.
Wade started it. Given the mood of the room, someone was bound to, and Skye couldn’t say it surprised her it was Wade. Not that Dylan couldn't start trouble, as she'd already seen, but he seem
ed to need a reason first. Both were scowling.
Wade did what he wanted when he wanted, and right now, he wanted to get someone riled up. "So, what are you going to do now you stole this kid and left his daddy there like that? You gonna go off and be his mommy somewhere? You can't keep this boy safe."
Skye looked up at him wide-eyed. Wade's tone made her question if he was berating or teasing or just wanted to know. Her heart thumped. Regardless of his intentions, these were the same thoughts that had raced through her head over and over last night. The ones she'd reproached herself about.
Now he'd said them out loud, they sounded even worse. To Skye's utter dismay, a tear escaped her eye and cascaded down her cheek, then another one and another.
Not the reaction Wade expected, he took a few of steps away from her and pressed his mouth shut.
Dylan stopped crinkling chip bags and looked up at the silence. He glanced at his brother, taking in his discomfort before his gaze turned to Skye and her tears.
Jesse pulled his gaze from his coffee cup to stare at her. Almost simultaneously, they all looked away and shuffled their feet.
Skye sniffed and almost giggled, wondering if their identical reactions were a man thing or a messed-up childhood thing. But it had succeeded in taking her mind off her own problem. Her bracelets jangled as she scrubbed at her cheeks and apologized.
"It ain't your fault," Dylan said. "Leave her alone, Wade. We left him there."
But Wade ignored his brother. "So, you're sorry you stole him now?"
"No, I'm not sorry," Skye said. "Jesse couldn't stay in that environment any longer. What I'm sorry about is that I hurt his father. I have never physically hurt someone before. And I... I..."
Another tear ran down Skye’s face. Oh boy. I've got to stop.
Her words surprised them. Physical violence had been a constant in their lives, what she'd done hadn't seemed unreasonable to them.