“Okay,” she said, putting on the knitted cap and sunglasses.
Making sure no one was around, he helped her out of the truck.
“Thanks,” she said.
He studied her disguise and thought that instead of making her inconspicuous, she stuck out like a sore thumb. Who woresunglasses when the sun wasn’t shining? “Do you have any idea where you’re going?”
“No. To be honest, Drew, I don’t even know where I am, other than in Phoenix.”
He could give her the key to his apartment, put her in a cab, and send her there. As usual, his refrigerator was stocked so she wouldn’t starve. He released a frustrated breath, not believing he was even contemplating doing such a thing. He’d never, ever given a woman access to his place. Never. Besides, it was apparent she didn’t eat the same things he did. She seemed to be surviving on granola bars. Another reason for not letting her hide out at his place was his nosy neighbors.
“Goodbye, Drew. It was nice meeting you.” She turned to leave.
“Wait!”
She turned around. “What?”
“I’ll give you a lift as far as Escondido.”
“There’s no way I would let you jeopardize your job for me.”
“I won’t be jeopardizing my job,” he said.
“What about those rules and regulations you told me about?” she asked.
“Once I explain things to my boss, I’m certain he’ll understand.”
A hopeful gleam appeared in the depths of her green eyes. “You think so?”
“Yes.”
She smiled, and his heart skipped a beat. She had been smiling for the camera when she’d shot the magazine cover, but this smile was personal, and he found himself absolutely mesmerized. “Thanks, Drew.”
He knew he had to pull himself together. Being around Eden had him acting out of character. It had to be those damn green eyes that were bewitching him, stopping him from thinkingstraight. Now that he knew what had him acting all foolishly, he would put an end to it.
“Let’s be clear about something, Eden. Escondido is as far as I will take you. After that, you are on your own. Understood?”
She nodded. “Yes, Drew. And…thanks.”
CHAPTER 4
Eden glanced over at the man driving the truck. He had gone silent since leaving that gas station, and she knew why. He was risking his employment for her, and she felt bad about it. Was she being selfish about wanting to escape her father, knowing his propensity for retribution against anyone who helped her defy him? It was only fair that she warned Drew, and if he dropped her off at the next truck stop, she would understand.
“Drew?”
He glanced at her. “What?”
He was upset. She could see the agitation in the depths of his dark brown eyes. Was he already regretting his decision to take her to California? “I need to warn you about my dad.”
“You already have,” he said before looking back at the road.
“Yes, but I didn’t tell you that he isn’t used to anyone defying him. Especially me. And if he discovers someone is helping me do it, he will go after them.”
He shrugged. “I’m taking you as far as Escondido, Eden, and if your old man has a problem with that, too bad. What about your mom? I would think she would be in your corner.”
“Mom’s not. She doesn’t see my father’s actions as controlling. She thinks he’s protecting me.”
She shook her head. “My parents love each other very much. They married when interracial marriages were frowned upon. He’s white and she’s black. Dad defied his parents to marry Mom. She wasn’t the type of woman the wealthy Tysons of Boston had wanted for him. I understand that his decisioncaused quite a stir at the time, and his family nearly disowned him. But when they met Mom, and saw how sophisticated she was—not to mention, she was the daughter of a prominent United States senator—they learned to ignore her skin color.”
