Noah (The Mitchell/Healy Family #1)(17)
Author: Jennifer Foor

When the vehicle honked I turned to see that it wasn’t Kim’s, but the stranger from the bar. He was obviously in the driver’s seat, waving to me. “You look like you could use a ride.”

I ran for that truck like my life depended on it, and once inside I kept quiet as he continued to drive.

A few minutes later he pulled over. “You alright?”

I wasn’t crying. That was the first thing I noticed.

I nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just take this next left up here.”

I gave him directions to a place where I knew Rex couldn’t find me. It was a place that my uncle owned. On the property was a little thirteen foot camper that he went to when he was hunting geese. On the far side of the property was a huge part of the river where he had a goose blind set up.

I think the stranger must have thought I was crazy when we pulled down the deserted road and arrived in front of the dark and dingy trailer. “This where you live?”

I opened the door. “Of course not! It’s just a safe place that nobody knows about. Listen, I’m sorry for getting you involved in that. Just go back out the way you came and make a right. The main highway headed north is about ten miles down that road. Good luck with everything.” I closed the door and walked up to the trailer to go inside.

Once inside, I noticed how gross the place was. I’d only been there once to jumpstart my uncle’s car when the battery went dead. When you walked in there was a small bathroom to the left. A kitchen straight ahead and a queen size bed at the other end. The kitchen table turned into a bed, but it had never been used for one.

I sighed and sat down at the kitchen table, finally letting what had just happened sink in.

A knock at the metal door startled me, and the stranger opening it made me even more concerned. “Sorry, you forgot your purse.”

I jumped up and met him at the door. “Thanks.”

He just stood there staring at me. “I’m just goin’ to sleep out in my truck, if it’s alright with you. I’d rather wait until daylight to get on the road, and since I didn’t see any hotels anywhere around here, I reckon this is my only option. Plus, this pretty lady told me that I had too much to drink, so it’s best I sit tight for a bit.”

He started to walk out. “Wait!” I ran and got him a blanket. “It’s cold. Take this.”

“Do you need it?”

I shook my head. “There’s plenty.”

“Thanks. Well,” he paused. “Goodnight then.”

“Yeah, goodnight.”

I closed the trailer door and walked over to the bed. After plopping down on it I let the tears fall. I’d been saving my money slowly in a jar that was at Rex’s house. He knew where I kept it, and I was aware that after the incident tonight, I wasn’t getting it back. Not only was I losing my place to live, but every ounce of money that I had to my name. That money was my only way out of this god forsaken town, and now it’s gone.

I cried so hard that I could feel the trailer shaking. I didn’t care if there was a guy outside who could hear. Nothing mattered. I just wanted to disappear.

A few hours later, after my sobbing became the second priority to getting warm, I sat up and started looking for an extra blanket. Realizing that I’d given it to the strange man that was out in his truck, I considered what I could do to get warm without it.

The trailer ran on propane, but I didn’t know how to turn it on. I knew the power didn’t work from all of the matches and candles laying around.

A knock at the door scared me for the second time. I opened it to find the stranger standing there. “I saw you movin’ around. It’s none of my business, but I can’t help but wonder if you need help with somethin’.”

“I don’t know how to work the propane. I’m freezing.”

He walked over to the truck and grabbed the blanket, bringing it inside and handing it to me. “Here, take this while I check out the propane tank.”

As cold as I was, I couldn’t hide my excitement as I followed behind him.

Ten minutes later he’d got the heat on and hooked the battery up to the one in his truck. The small camper immediately started to heat up.

He stepped inside again. “I just want you to know I’ll be turnin’ the truck off in a bit. The battery might be charged enough to run for the rest of the night. I can’t be real sure.”

“Thank you. Seriously, I’m sorry for calling you a creep. Obviously, you saved my ass and now you’re stuck here with me.”

He shook his head. “Yeah, I might still be a creep. Never let your guard down.”

He started to leave, and I called out for him to stop. “Wait. The table turns into a bed. We can both stay in here and be warm tonight. It’s the least I can do for ruining your night.” The truth was that I didn’t want to be alone. “If you decide to cut me up into a million pieces I swear to god I will come back and haunt your ass until you die.

He stood there looking at me, scratching his head. “Yeah, I don’t know if that’s a good idea. My parents taught me to never spend the night with strangers.”

As much pain as I was in, I felt like smiling. It always gave me comfort. This guy wasn’t out to hurt me. He’d done nothing but help me. If he wanted to rape or murder me, he wouldn’t have gone out of his way to save me, and provide me with heat. “The amenities suck, but at least you can stretch your legs out.”

The man went out and turned off his truck. When he came back in I had to admit that I felt a little uncomfortable. He could hurt me and nobody would find me. He must have seen the look of fear on my face. “You sure this is alright? I’m fine in the truck. It ain’t like I haven’t slept off a buzz before.”

“Yes. I’m sure. It’s fine.”

We got the second bed set up and were both laying down in a matter of minutes. I kept my eyes open, staring at the ceiling. He thanked me a couple more times and then started to quietly snore.

That is when I finally let myself cry. I didn’t want the stranger to see me weak. He had to think I was in control of my emotions and I wasn’t a helpless, vulnerable woman, all alone with him in a camper.

No matter how much it hurt me to find Rex and Kim together, I had to be brave until this guy was out of my life, and I could figure out my next move.

I looked over at the sleeping man. He wore a pair of jeans and a nice button up shirt. His cologne smelled expensive, and I knew the boots he had on had to cost a pretty penny. After riding in his truck I could tell he liked nice things and took care of them. It allowed me to feel comfortable enough to close my eyes.