by Cyndi Raye
“I haven’t eaten in two days,” he told them. He looked up at Jake. “I’d be grateful for some leftovers.”
“Come on, kid,” Jake reached out and grabbed his shoulders, which were bony.
The kid ate his ham, eggs and a stack of pancakes in two minutes flat. He gulped them down like he hadn’t eaten for ages. Jake could see Maggie took pity on the kid and something wretched at his own heart. She would be a good Mother someday.
Jake went to the desk at the truck stop to see if he could buy a bus ticket for the kid. The result was not good, no bus until eight that evening. “Sorry sir, the noon bus cancelled about five minutes ago. Want the eight PM bus?” the attendant asked.
“Not sure yet,” Jake answered and went back to the table. If he got him the ticket, the kid would have to wait over ten hours to board a bus that would take him over eight hours to get to a major city near Vero Beach. He’d have to switch buses at a few stops along the way. They could have him there in less than eight hours. Maybe in time to see his dying Mother.
“What’s your name, son?” Jake asked when he came back to the table. He wanted to call a friend of his, Josh Eden, who was at one time involved in a private agency. The guy had every gadget in the world of mystery and spying and could find out if the kid was telling the truth. He needed a phone to call and he couldn’t ask Maggie for her cell in front of the kid or she’d suspect him of calling his company.
“It’s Daniel, sir. You can call me Danny.”
“Do you have a last name Danny?”
“Yes, it’s Rivers. Thanks for breakfast.”
“Want a milkshake or something?”
“That’d be great,” he said and a smile lit up his face.
“What are you doing here by yourself Danny?” Jake needed more information before he would help the kid. He had to be about fifteen.
“My Dad lives in Maryland. I was visiting for the summer. I knew my mom was sick, but she never told me it was this bad. My Dad got called out, he’s a long distance truck driver. I couldn’t get a hold of him when the nurse called to say Mom took a turn for the worse.”
“You enjoy your milkshake. We’ll be right back, I want to get some souvenirs and then we’ll talk about getting you to your Moms, all right?”
The kid nodded as Jake and Maggie went towards the gift shop. As soon as they were far enough away, Jake told her. “I need to call Josh and see if the kids being honest with us. There’s something about him I can’t put my finger on.”
“Are you serious? He’s trying to get home to his Mother. We can’t leave him here.” She stopped and turned to him, anger in her voice.
“Maggie, he’s pulling at my heartstrings too. But I am the one who’s responsible to make sure you are kept safe at all times while we’re on this road trip. I won’t put you in danger, it’s how I am.”
“Danger! From a teenager! That’s crazy, Jake. You’re taking this too far.” She began to walk away when he grabbed her arm and pulled her close.
“Maggie, my phone is dead in the glove compartment. Let me have your phone to call Josh. I need a photo too so I can send it to him. It’s the only way I’ll help the kid.”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. “Okay, you win. Except you’re not the only one who can help him. I can too.” She dug in her pocket and handed him the cell phone. “I can’t believe you’re being so cautious over a poor, bedraggled teenager. Have a heart man!”
Jake watched as she stomped to the gift shop. After a while, she came back with a few shirts and some shorts. “I know these are not what you wear on a normal basis,” she nodded towards the clothes Danny had on. “But they’re clean.” She dished out a few dollars from her wallet. “Take this money and these clothes and go back through the gift shop towards where those truckers are standing back there. You’ll find a lounge and a shower. You need one before I’ll let you in my car.”
Jake snapped the shot of him and for a moment Danny looked startled. A look of anger crossed his face but disappeared the moment he realized Jake watched him. “Sorry kid, I didn’t mean to snap that, not sure how this cell works. I’m not real gadget savy.”
Maggie gave him a look as if he were the biggest liar in the world. When Danny left the table to change his clothes and get a shower, she spun on him. “You, not computer savvy? Oh Jake, you need to trust people sometimes. The kid is getting a ride from us whether you like it or not. Besides, it’s my car.”
“You’re going to use that one on me? You do what you got to do Maggie McCoy and I’ll do what I have to.” He walked away with her cell phone, pushing in the number of his friend Josh.
Jake got right to the point. “Josh, I don’t have a lot of time to talk.”
“Hey, heard you were off on some kind of road trip.”
“Yeah, it’s fun. Except we ran in to a kid who needs a ride down 95. He’s pathetic and his Mom is supposed to be dying, but there’s something about him I don’t trust. I have a name and a photo, can you check it out?”
“Send it to me and don’t turn your back on anyone.”
“He’ll be riding in the back of a pink Impala with us for the next few hours at least. I’ll send you the info. Call me at this number when you have something.”
“A pink Impala? What did you get yourself in to this time?” Josh’s voice sounded incredulous.
“Never mind. I’ll tell you later.” Jake hung up before having to explain about the pink car because he had no doubt Josh texted everybody anyway. He’d be the laugh of the day until they saw the classic Impala for themselves. Jake grinned as he sent the photo and info of the kid to Josh, then slipped the phone in his pocket.
He wanted to help the kid. It looked like Maggie already decided they would do so. He had some reservations but maybe he was being a bit too old school, although it never hurt to be careful. Was Maggie right, he didn’t trust people? On the other hand he didn’t run a major company by being a nice guy. Jake always went with his gut feelings, which never seemed to fail him.
<><>
Jake was starting to make her angry. Why couldn’t he see the kid was out of money and luck? She knew he was a bit skeptical of people but the teenager was in dire straits and she’d do whatever it took to get Danny back to his Mother.
When he came out of the trucker’s lounge, she shuffled him to the car. She stood at the passenger door and let the kid in the back seat, while Jake stood at the driver’s door, watching the kid get in. Then he looked up and smiled, an absent minded one, not like his hot one that caused her to melt.
Maggie reached over and turned on some music. She didn’t want to ruin this trip with her love, but there were some things she had always been so stubborn about. One of them was to help the underdog. She looked back at the kid. His head leaned back in the seat and he appeared to be asleep. There were dark circles under his eyes which looked as if he hadn’t slept in a while. The gauntness about him told her there was more to this story. If he were staying with his Dad, why did he look as if he weren’t being taken care of? Maggie decided to ask him when he woke up. Was this a case of neglect and if so, she had to make a decision. She couldn’t let this boy go back to a place where it may be dangerous.
If his Mother was dying, there had to be another relative to take him in. She would have to get the answers and soon, before they dropped him at his destination. The poor kid even looked like he had some bruises. She scrutinized his arms. An alarm went off when she noticed the welts. They were up and down the one side of his inner arm. She didn’t notice them inside but now they stood out in the light of day.
“Jake,” she whispered. When he turned, she leaned close, hoping the music would cover her words. “I’m afraid he may be abused. His arm has bruises all over.”
Jake lifted his brow and turned his head but couldn’t see the boy from the driver’s spot without being too obvious. Anger lined his face. “I’ll look when we stop again. Perhaps you were right, Maggie. Sorry I made this such a big deal.”
“Oh my love, don’t apologize. You’ll learn that I’m always right.” She kissed him square on his cheek and sat back in her seat, her hand lingering on the spectacular muscled arm under her hand. She ran her fingers up and down his arm enjoying the feel of him. A slow smile crept on her face.
“Remembering the last few nights, baby?” Jake said, his voice low, husky.
“You got that right. I’m sure tonight there will be some more fun memories to make. I’ve got several ideas I’ve planned for one of my novels, but maybe I’ll have to see if they work before hitting the computer keys. You know how I like to do my research.”
“No writing on vacation, baby. Research only.” The smoldering look he gave her made her want to rush to their next destination. Driftwood Resort was a hotel made out of the driftwood from back in the day when pirates and ships travelled the oceans. She couldn’t wait.
But first they had to get this poor abused kid to his dying mother.
Chapter 6
Six hours and mile after mile of driving without a stop, Maggie’s legs needed to stretch. She leaned over to Jake. “Can we take a short break?”
“Next stop, two miles. Want to get something to eat?”
“No, let’s wait until later. I’m anxious to get there.” She turned to the back seat to find Danny still asleep. “He’s exhausted. I’m so glad you agreed to bring him along. You’re the best.”
Jake raised a brow, amused. “I doubt I had a choice in the matter baby.”
She scooted closer. “I’ll thank you later.”
“I know you will.” His wink made her grin. She thought to herself how no one does that any more, except for him and it made her feel special. He was one of the old school guys who winked, opened the car door and considered her feelings first, even if they didn’t always agree. She reached over and rubbed his thigh.
“Behave yourself, the kid is in the back seat,” he teased.
Maggie leaned in and nuzzled his neck. “I’m thinking about the act of how kids are made,” she whispered, letting her warm breath linger on his skin.
Jake turned the steering wheel towards the ramp that led off the highway. “Next stop, make it quick. I’m in a big hurry,” he told her and grinned.
Maggie began to get impatient. She gazed back at the kid, who stirred and opened his eyes. She couldn’t wait until they dropped him off at his mother’s and got to Driftwood Resort. The room she reserved overlooked the ocean. She had big plans for them on the motel along the private beach.
The pit stop lasted fourteen minutes and twenty seven seconds. She timed herself and laughed out loud as Jake sped on to the highway once again. He seemed in a hurry himself. One look from him told her she was right, he wanted to get to the hotel. He looked down at his watch. “Two hours at the most,” he said and winked again.
What kind of parents would they be, she wondered. Here they had an opportunity to help a kid yet all they wanted to do was drop him off and get to their hotel so they could fall into each others arms. It was because Jake had become a beast of passion. He couldn’t get enough of her and wanting him made everything else take back seat. He was always passionate but this road trip changed them both somehow. His work kept him busy most days and her writing kept her unaware. Maybe they both needed to slow down and enjoy each other more.
Maggie let her head fall back against the seat and lifted her face into the wind. Perhaps wanting marriage and a family was too much. Maybe she wanted that because it was out of her reach at the moment. Perhaps it was good he stalled at asking the question. They were young enough to decide later. After all, it wasn’t like her biological clock ticked away. That was all nonsense, she never did anything by convention.
Maggie dozed off with thoughts of Jake and walking along the beach with him at night. The last time they spent time near a beach, she got drunk on Tequila and passed out. Not this time, she promised. This would be a night to remember.
<><>
“Wake up sunshine.” He nudged her shoulder, picked up her hand and in one gentle swoop, kissed each finger. She cupped his cheek with her hand and gazed at him through sleepy eyes.
“I love you.”
“I love you as well, as I’m sure Danny does too.” Jake nodded towards the back seat.
He watched in amusement as she sat up and twisted her body to find the teenager still in the back seat. “How are you feeling Danny?”
The boy stretched and nodded and as his arm went up in the air, she motioned for Jake to check out those nasty marks. Jake wretched open the car door and stood, then pulled the seat front. “Let’s go Danny, we have to talk.” He didn’t want Maggie involved in the conversation they were about to have.
The teen sat still for a moment and then shrugged before he got out of the car. Jake turned to Maggie. “I’ll be right back. Why don’t you go into the store and get us a cold drink.” She was about to open her mouth and say something, but at Jake’s fierce look, she closed her mouth and left. At least she understood he needed a private moment with the kid.
He couldn’t explain to her right now, but she’d be upset when he told her the teen finagled a free ride from them. Jake grabbed the kids arm. “Let’s talk over here,” he pointed to a palm tree along the street. He wanted the kid out of the way of any traffic in case he tried to run.
“I gotta get going,” Danny said. “My Mom is waiting for me, she’s up the road about a half mile from here. She doesn’t have much time.”
“Bull,” Jake snapped. “Enough lies.” He took the kid by the wrist and turned his arm, the bruises clear as a bell. Except they weren’t bruises from any form of child abuse, but self abuse. “These are track marks and bruises where you didn’t insert a needle right.”
“No, that’s not true. I hurt myself.”
“Save it!”
“Let me go, I did have a problem but I’m fine now. I want to get to my Mom.”
Danny began to pull back, but he didn’t have much strength. The kid was an addict. Jake couldn’t believe he hadn’t seen it at the diner on 95. He was angry he neglected to see what was right in front of him. “Don’t try to fool me, kid. I’ve been through this with one of my employees. Those are track marks and they are fresh. You get yourself in to a rehab or head straight to the hospital ER, you hear me?”
Danny glared. “You can’t tell me what to do.”
“That’s true. I can’t get you off drugs and I can’t make you do anything. Let me tell you something, son. One of the best guys in the business of finding people is looking at your photo right now. If you lie to me, he’ll find out who you are and where you belong. I’d say you may as well be honest right now because I can help you.”
Danny relaxed his arm, but the weary look in his eyes told Jake he would flee the moment his arm was free. Even so Jake had to try.
“You can’t help me. I stole from these guys and they don’t care if I’m addicted or not. All they want is their money.”
Jake noticed Maggie returned to the car. She got in and propped her feet on the door like she did when the biker tried to tickle them. He would’ve smiled about that but was too angry at the kid.
“I did come from my Dad’s place in Baltimore but he was on the road and never knew I was there. I took some of his money. Then I fronted some dope from these guys so I could sell it to support my habit. Now I owe them a couple thousand dollars. If I go to rehab or even to the ER they’ll find me, they’ve been following my trail.”
Jake gripped his arm tighter. “They’re trailing us? You put other people in danger because of your addiction? My woman? You little sonofabitch!”
He wanted to jerk the kid up and clean his clock but he couldn’t. Every nerve in Jake’s body screamed to let the kid go. Let him run and hide and let the dealers find him. It wasn’t his problem. But he saw what it did to Mark Lenton, one of the guys who worked for him. The guy turned himself around even though it was tough. There were times Jake thought he’d have to let the guy go, but after three ti
mes, Mark won the battle. Now he was one of his best workers who could lead a crew blind folded.
The teen cringed. Jake wasn’t sure Danny was at the point where he wanted help. He looked scared and yet there was something about him that said he’d sell his soul to the devil for another fix. It was the drug talking, not the person. Jake had to remember the words of the counsellor who helped his employee. “Danny, do you want me to help you?”
He shrugged. “I don’t see there’s any getting out of this mess. I don’t have any money or drugs to even sell to get more money.”
“Do you live here? Where’s your Mother?”
He hung his head. “My Mom isn’t dying. She couldn’t care less what I do.”
Jake knelt down and looked Danny in the eye. “I think you’re wrong. I don’t even know what your situation is with these guys, but you can’t do this alone. Danny, I’m going to take you to home and you’re going to tell your Mom so she can get you some help. I’m not giving you a choice. It’s that or I’ll take you to the local police. You’re too young to be out here on your own.”