Echoes in the Wind (20 page)

She closed in behind Eric to get a better view. “I guess it’s okay to lift his head and uncover him now. You want to do the honors or should I?”

“Be my guest.” He pulled out his cell, thinking phoning the authorities would be the best route.

Darla inched her way toward the backseat. “So finding dead bodies really freaks you out, huh?”

A corner of his mouth lifted. “I don’t know what gave you that idea, luv.”

Darla turned to him and laughed. He did too, for the first time in a long while. Their eyes met. For a brief moment everything in the world was right.

Darla broke the stare to gaze down the highway and frowned. “That car is coming toward us kinda fast, isn’t it?”

He swirled in the direction of the road. “Yeah. Is it heading—?”

Out of nowhere the vehicle was upon them, barreling in their path. Eric seized Darla and flung her down. He dropped next to her, releasing a loud oomph when he hit. He landed on the ground the same moment the car swerved at them, missing them by mere inches. He held her in a tight embrace. They rolled farther away. Chunks of rocks and gravel bit into his skin. They slid coming to a standstill into the lowest point of the crevice, Eric lying on top. He lifted his head to view the taillights of the would-be assassin vanishing into the dark.

Darla was buried under his weight shoved at him and screeched a muffled, “Damn, I wish people would quit trying to kill us.”

The second he rolled off her, she sprung to her feet. Eric eyed her to make sure she was okay. “Are you hurt?”

She didn’t answer, but broke into a run. She appeared to be chasing the car. He perched onto an elbow with a low groan. His body ached from yet another tumble. Pushing up to sit, he leaned over, spat out a wad of dirt he’d picked up when he’d sank to the ground. He needed to learn to keep his mouth shut whenever he was diving away from would-be assassins. James fucking Bond, he was not.

Curious, he surveyed Darla’s darkened outline as she raced down the road. “Where the hell are you going?”

She skidded to a halt and spun around. “I’m trying to get the license plate number for the police.”

“By running after them on foot?” He chuckled. “They’re drivin’ about eighty miles an hour, luv. I don’t think you can go that fast.” With his good arm, he maneuvered to his feet, picked up his cell phone and motioned at her. “We need to get out of here. Whoever that is may turn around to come back for another try. We’re a target as long as we’re not moving.”

Darla jogged to where he waited. “You think that was on purpose?”

Eric gave her an impatient look.

“Oh. Yeah, maybe. I thought possibly we were dealing with a drunk driver. Did you notice the way the car weaved up and down the road?”

“I suppose the person might be sloshed or high,” he conceded. “I don’t want to take any chances, though.”

“You’re right. We can’t keep letting our guard down. Sooner or later someone may get lucky.” She leaned closer to him. “Are you all right?”

He pulled his lip between his teeth with a nod.

Darla looked up at him. “No, you’re not.”

“The crash to the ground got me a little rattled.” A gooey wetness seeped from his upper arm. He ignored the blood and touched her elbow. “Come on.” He walked her to the SUV.

She gestured at the still sleeping guy as they approached the car. “What about him? Are we going to wake him?”

“Fuck it.” He broke into a trot, hurried to the driver’s side, and climbed inside. “We’ll deal with him later.”

“I love the eloquent way you put things.

“Just get in.”

Darla didn’t question the driving exchange and jogged to the passenger seat. “We’re going to have to do something with him soon.”

“I was about to call the police when we were attacked by the NASCAR wannabe.”

“Maybe this guy is here for a reason, and that car swiping at us was a form of divine intervention to keep you from doing that.”

“I doubt there was anything celestial about it.” Eric turned the ignition. He hit the gas as she shut the door. “You sure I can’t smoke in here? I could use a cigarette.”

“I’m almost tempted to let you. Or more like join you.”

They drove in silence for a stretch. She slightly rose to peek over the steering wheel. “You can slow down now.” Darla relaxed into her seat. “I’m all about making up for lost time, but you’ve been cruising at nearly ninety for the last fifteen miles.”

“Closer to a hundred.” He let his foot off the accelerator and reduced his white-knuckled grip on the wheel. “Not a great idea for the police to catch us right now.”

She threw a glance at the backseat. “No, it isn’t. I’m sure there’s a hefty fine for going that much over the speed limit.”

“Plus, I’m not allowed to operate a motor vehicle because of an incident in my past. Blaine does all the driving.”

“Good to know.” Darla propped an elbow on the window’s edge and twirled a strand of hair through her fingers. “Now we’re back on the road again, we’re probably out of danger. Any idea of what we should do?” She made a motion with her head toward their unwanted passenger. “About him?”

“Don’t know yet. Let’s find out who he is first. Can you stretch far enough to get the cover off?”

“No. Remember, he’s managed to wrap the blanket around his head. I’d have to climb in the back with him to remove it, and I’d rather not. But we need to do something with him before we get to my parents. We can’t drive into their driveway with some stranger in the backseat. They’re not even expecting you.”

“You didn’t tell them I was coming? I know I’m not staying at their home, but isn’t visiting unannounced against the rules of southern hospitality, or have I watched too many movies?”

“If they knew we were making this trip together, my mother would have already had an astrologist check to see if our signs were a match. And if they did, our wedding would be planned.”

Eric’s mouth instantly dried up as he slightly jerked the vehicle the moment the word “wedding” was mentioned. “Why don’t you tell them the truth?”

“Sure. I’ll explain you’re someone I’ve just barely met, you and I’ve been close to ahm—” She raised her brows. “You know, and I’m helping you run away from a killer. Yeah, that’ll go over real well, especially with my dad.”

“Right. That’s a terrible idea. Okay then. We’ll figure out a reason for my appearance later.”

Darla gave a loud yawn.

“You’re tired?”

“Very. I slept some after you left with Blaine. Not long, because we needed to get ready to leave. Part of me thinks we should have waited to start this trip in the morning after a good night’s rest. But since the Sundays probably want to throw me out and some maniac is trolling around my house trying to shoot us, going now was a better choice. Or it was before the evil death car tried to take us out.”

The edge of his mouth turned up. “If we’d stayed at your place, you wouldn’t be sleeping tonight anyway.”

“Seriously?” She gazed at him with a hint of a smile. “You don’t ever stop, do you?”

“Nope.” He chuckled. “I’ll give you a break because you did stay up to nurse me last night. I’m fine driving for now. Why don’t you lay the seat down for a couple hours sleep?”

“I wouldn’t mind a nap. I think I’ll leave the seat up, though. Strange guy in the backseat is too disturbing. I don’t want to be too close while I’m asleep.” She wiggled further and closed her eyes. “Be sure you obey all the laws.”

“I plan to, luv.”

For the next three hours, Eric drove as Darla dozed quietly. After everything he’d put her through, he was glad she could rest.

The night was dark and the traffic was light. Fortunately, there were no more surprises in store for them. Up until this point, he’d functioned on adrenaline. Now the ache in his arm worsened and he couldn’t relax. The ibuprofen bottle had disappeared when they’d fled out of the SUV. He was sure it lay in a ditch somewhere and his meds from the doctor were still in Darla’s bag in the backseat with the stowaway. If he were going to finish this trip in one piece, he would need something to kill the pain.

Darla stirred beside him. “Where are we?”

“We’re closing in on Yuma. Okay to stop at a gas station? I dropped the ibuprofen when we bailed. My arm hurts like hell and I want to get some more. And would you mind getting the medications you picked up earlier?”

“Sure. Do you want me to check your arm?”

“Later. I just need to get something to ease the soreness so I can finish the drive without coming undone.”

Eric drove into the streets of Yuma, guided the SUV into a station, and stopped by the gas pumps. “We’re fine on fuel, but we should top off.” He opened the door, then put a leg out. “When I get back, we’ll get this guy up and find a way to get rid of him.”

“Maybe I should go inside for you. You don’t want to get recognized.”

Eric grinned. “I didn’t shave for a reason. It’s a part of my disguise.” He stepped out of the vehicle and tugged a baseball cap out of his back pocket, then fitted it onto his head.

She crawled over the seat to lean through the opened door and held out the sack of medicine. “That’s the best you’ve got?”

“It works.” He put the gas nozzle into the hole and pressed the buttons before he hooked the lever to automatically fill the pump. Then he snatched the bag from her. “Thanks, luv. Back in a few.”

“Um, Eric. Are you sure you don’t want me to look at your arm?” She gestured to his sleeve. “You have a huge bloody spot.”

He glanced at the gory mess spread over his shirt then shrugged. “I’ll get my jacket to cover up.”

Eric pulled the bill of the cap further down on his head and slid the meds into his pocket. He walked to the rear of the vehicle for his coat and hurried into the store. Inside he cruised the aisles until he found what he was searching for.

After he paid for his purchases and the gas, he took his bag, and left the building. Out the door he did a swift glance over the grounds. The sight at the SUV stopped him short. He looked again.

“Shane?” he almost yelled. “Shit.” Although unsure of the scene playing before him, the situation needed immediate attention. He ignored his pain and took off into a full run. “What the hell are you doing?”

Darla shot him an irritated glare. “He’s about to puke.”

“Is he—?” Eric pointed at Shane.

“Our passenger.” She wrestled to keep Shane on his feet. “And the reason he’s been sleeping so well through all the ruckus is because he’s dead drunk.”

Eric leaned in closer. Shane belched a foul burp. “Shit.” He leaped back, waving his hand in front of his scrunched face. “He’s fucked up.”

“I know.” Her tone sounded annoyed. “He’s not going to throw up in my car. Vomit stink is worse than if he’d been the overripe corpse like we first believed.”

“Listen, we should do something with him fast. We don’t need to draw attention to ourselves.” He took over the struggle with Shane, clutched his shoulder, and guided him toward the men’s room.

Thirty minutes later Shane lay in the backseat, snoring peacefully. Darla and Eric were buckled in and ready to go with Darla set to drive again. Eric wiggled out of his jacket and removed his hat. He then turned and reached behind him and lifted the cooler lid. He retrieved two cold drinks, handing one to her.

“Are you hungry?”

She put the drink between her thighs and opened the tab. “No. A soda will be fine. I need the caffeine to keep me awake. I had a good nap and I should be okay.” She raised the can and took a dainty sip. “This is for insurance.”

Eric stuck his hand into the sack and retrieved several bottles of pain relievers.

Shane released a loud snort.

Darla turned the ignition. “It’s odd that he ended up in the backseat, isn’t it?”

Eric unscrewed the cap, shook out the pills and popped them into his mouth. “Not so unusual.”

She stared at him like he’d grown two heads. “You don’t find it strange that your manager passes out in my car while we’re trying to escape a killer?”

Eric picked up his drink. “He keeps hanging around you, haven’t you noticed?” He slid a glance in her direction as he placed his soda into a cup holder.

Her lips lifted a smidgen. She drove away from the station, maneuvering the car onto the highway, and pressed on the accelerator. “He seems like a nice guy.”

Eric’s fists clenched. Nice guy? “You think so,” he retorted, keeping his tone cool and low.

“Maybe I mean intelligent rather than nice.”

His chest constricted. “So the idea of him liking you doesn’t repel you?”

“Repel me—what?” Her voice elevated to high then altered into squeaky. “Do you think I like Shane?”

“No, I…” How did this conversation turn on him so quickly? He’d made an observation. She didn’t sound as if she was opposed to Shane’s interest, even though he was. And he didn’t seem to matter. His brain stirred into a mass of confusion. “I don’t see why you’re riled,” he blurted. “You said he was a nice guy, no, wait, a smart guy. And you’re a smart lady, so.” The corners of his lips curved up into a sardonic smile. “I’m not understanding the problem.”

Her glare at him was so deathly that he needn’t be worried about a killer coming after him. Her stare was enough to do him in.

“Or am I?”

“I can’t believe after all we’ve been through these past few days that you’d think my interest lies somewhere else,” she hissed. “You totally infuriate me on so many levels, do you realize that, Eric Boyd?”

Okay, he’d messed up. Big time. He didn’t understand his reaction. These sensations she brought on were unfamiliar—like he could be falling for her. Eric’s stomach did a huge back flip as he shoved the thought out of his head. The mere idea scared the hell out of him, and he needed to find the nearest escape route. “Infuriation can go both ways, luv. Even so, this isn’t a forever deal. You’re free to be with whoever you want.” He leaned into the seat and crossed his arms over his chest.

“I get it. Obviously you seem to think me with Shane is a good idea and—you know what—don’t talk to me. Just stop before this goes any further.”

“Darla, I’m just—”

“You’re talking.” She shot out a palm. “I don’t care about anything you say. Seriously, if you speak another word, I might throw you out of this car and run over you with it. And unlike the guy who tried to take us out a while ago, I won’t miss.”