"I can't use this."
The prickles of a headache started in her temples. "Why not? It's a Visa."
"It's prepaid. We need a traditional card."
"What fuc... difference does it make?" She struggled to control her temper, and cussing at the guy wasn't going to help the situation.
"We don't accept prepaid cards. It's that simple."
Valerie slapped her hand on the counter. "Listen. I can only imagine how much an Uber would cost to Manitou Springs. I suspect it would be double what this car rental is for two weeks. Just run that card, and I'll be on my way."
"I'll lose my job."
"You don't even like your job."
"True, but it's a paycheck. If I get fired, my wife will beat my ass."
Valerie paused. "Not if you got a better job somewhere." She felt horrible even saying it, but desperate times called for desperate measures.
"I'm telling you, I can't use this card."
Tears sprung in Valerie's eyes and clogged up her throat. Londyn wandered over and looked up at the guy. "Listen, mister, we're going to ride horses because I've never seen a real life horse before. And we're going for adventures on the mountain. Please give my mommy the car."
He leaned down to her. "Where are you going?"
"To the ranch place."
"The Hale ranch? Outside Adventures?"
Londyn's face lit up. "Yeah. That's it."
Valerie frowned. "You know the Hales?"
"Ty was my best friend all through school. I only moved to Denver a year or so ago because of my wife's job. I've spent many summers at that ranch."
Valerie's eyes widened. She suddenly knew exactly who he was, and she needed to get out of there before he remembered her. "Small world."
"The Hales are good people." He sighed and turned back to Valerie. "Okay. I can't have them mad at me. Ty would come here and beat my ass quicker than my wife if I screwed around with one of his clients." He tapped on the keyboard before he slid the car through the machine and handed it back. "Maybe my boss won't notice." He glanced around the lobby to make sure no one else was nearby. "And I upgraded you to the Tahoe and added a coupon to give you a better deal. Just be sure to tell Ms. Vinia that I helped you out."
Valerie promised and could have kissed Londyn, but she also recognized the irony that she had been back in Colorado for less than an hour and Tyson was already saving her ass. Life was amazing sometimes in the way it worked out.
She took the keys and thanked the man. He directed them to the lot number and told her to pull up to the door to get their luggage. Once they were loaded, Valerie's headache had settled in for the night. She glanced in the rear-view mirror. "How about we stay in Denver for the night? We can go to the zoo."
Londyn's eyes lit up from the backseat. "Yay!"
Driving down the highway, the skyline was much different than in New York City. She seemed a world away from the place that had been her home for so many years, and she just hoped that it was far enough to escape the long arm of her husband. Nothing seemed far enough away for that.
They found a hotel near the zoo, and with the discount on the car, Valerie wasn't any further in the hole after she paid for the room. She was suddenly exhausted and popped two Tylenol as soon as she found a cup for water. Spending the night would help with her reservation at the ranch, which didn't start for two more days. Valerie hadn't calculated in running into the bank president when she made them. Now she only had to beg for one early night instead of two.
"How about we take a nap, and then we'll go to the zoo after a late lunch?"
Londyn was already half asleep sitting in the chair and nodded. "I want to be awake in case there are elephants."
Valerie tucked her in, not having a clue if there were elephants or not. Ever since watching Dumbo, her daughter has been fascinated with the creatures. "Sleep well, my love. We have a big afternoon ahead."
She laid down next to Londyn and was asleep almost as quickly as she closed her eyes. She dreamed of riding a white horse up the mountain, laughing and carefree, and a man lifting her down and kissing her senseless. Happy. She couldn't remember being that happy in a long time.
She awoke with a start and momentarily panicked as she tried to figure out where she was. Her brain finally kicked in and she remembered. She glanced at her watch, surprised that she had slept for two hours. Londyn was still sound asleep, but if they were going to the zoo, they needed to get moving.
