In the distance, a faint purr slowly grew to a soft rumble. Headlights flashed briefly as Rance’s black truck slowly rounded the curve. He shut those off, leaving only the parking lights on.
Then he cut the engine and Midnight Thunder rolled down the slight incline toward the house, stopping a few yards from the front porch.
Her chest tight and her movements jerky, she managed to tap the flashlight on her phone and scanned the ground ahead as she hurried down the steps.
He met her halfway, the light from his phone also directed at the ground. “I have an idea.”
If he hadn’t been right in front of her, she wouldn’t have heard his low murmur. “What?”
“You should drive.”
Her breath caught. “Why?”
“Because it’s fun. You’ll like it. And with me there, you won’t be scared. Wanna do it?”
She glanced up at him and grinned. “Yeah.”
“I’ll walk you to the driver’s side and get you situated.”
“Okay.” She fell into step beside him as they approached the open driver’s door. “Why isn’t the dome light on?”
“I turned it off before I drove over. An extra precaution.”
“You’re wasting your talents working as a bartender. You should be a CIA operative.”
“Nah. Doesn’t fit into my life plan.”
“You have one?”
“Absolutely. Climb on up and I’ll adjust the seat.”
She swung up behind the leather-covered wheel and settled into the cushy seat. “Ready.”
“Tell me when.” The seat moved with a soft whine.
“That’s good.”
“I’ll be right there.” He gently pushed the door closed.
While he came around to the passenger side, she snapped on her seatbelt and surveyed the dashboard. It was more high-tech than her car at home, but she could probably figure it out. And wow, the view out the windshield was awesome.
Rance hopped in and quietly pulled the passenger side door closed. “So how do you like Thunder so far?”
“I love him. Sitting up so high is fantastic. If I had this in Trenton, I’d rule the Black Dragon.”
“That’s the New Jersey Turnpike, right?”
“Right.”
“You drive it?”
“Sure.”
“Does Lani?”
“Of course.”
“That’s crazy. You’re way safer driving Thunder on ranch roads than risking your life on that turnpike.”
