How were they to find a way to Dunskirk when even public transportation seemed thin? Walk? Hitchhike? It was beginning to appear those were their only options. Then there remained the journey back.
“Could we rent a vehicle as Scarlett did? Or use the one she left at Dunskirk if we make it that far?”
“Scarlett’s calling the rental company to pick up the car. We couldn’t drive it anyway or rent one ourselves because neither of us has a valid license.”
Disappointment washed over Connor and he mumbled a curse. He’d been looking forward to getting behind the wheel of an actual automobile. He wouldn’t confess it aloud, but driving a car was the one thing he’d anticipated from the future world and one of the primary reasons he’d volunteered for this mission. Quite frankly, he wasn’t about to let an insignificant thing like a license stop him from driving.
Emmy continued, unaware of his unspoken plan. “Maybe a bus or train?”
“Where would we find one?”
They were a minute or two into a discussion of their options when a vehicle pulled up to the curb next to them. Connor braced himself for another histrionic response.
“Ye looked troubled,” the driver said, leaning out the window. “Perhaps we can be of assistance?”
“Thanks,” Emmy answered for them. “We appreciate the offer, but unless you’re heading an hour or so south of town, I doubt you can help.”
“As it happens, we’re going in that direction.”
Connor lifted a disbelieving brow at the driver’s ready agreement. How unexpectedly fortuitous. “Really?”
“Aye.”
* * *
What an incredible coincidence, Emmy thought. The driver appeared friendly enough. Darkly handsome with light blue eyes, the man had a dazzling smile that revealed deep engaging dimples.
Not at all the serial killer type, but you never knew.
Bending, she looked farther into the car at the redhead in the passenger seat. The woman smiled, warm and welcoming. Sympathetic and safe. But again, you never knew.
“I doubt they’d offer us a ride only to kill us along the way,” Connor murmured under his breath, well aware of her tendency to imagine the worst-case scenario in all things.
“That’s just what a psychopath would want you to think.”
The woman in the car leaned across the man behind the wheel and smiled up at them cheerfully. “Don’t worry, we’re normal.”
The sweet American accent soothed away the remainder of Emmy’s wariness. “You don’t mind?”
“Not at all.”
“Dinnae look a gift horse in the mouth, lass,” Connor muttered. “Besides, this automobile looks far more exciting than the bus we traveled on before.”
The car was a sleek, black Vauxhall SUV. There was a reasonable chance it had more horsepower than Connor would ever stand a chance of being in for all his dreams of even owning a car in their future. No doubt the acceleration would slam him back against the seat in a way an A-Model Ford could never hope to.
And this guy behind the wheel looked like he enjoyed a little speed himself.
A wicked grin lifted Emmy’s lips. This could be fun.
For her, at least.
“Sure, if you’re certain you don’t mind the trip.”
“No’ at all.”
Scarlett
“I wish I’d known about this the first time around.” Scarlett looked down at the dark, downy head resting against her chest and gently stroked the soft skin of her newborn’s back.
