His eyes flicked to the side before returning to meet her. “Is there candy inside?”
Zach was too predictable. Rolling her eyes, she pulled out the Snickers bar she’d stashed in her jacket pocket and pressed it to his chest.
Wait. That chest was solid. Maybe a tiny bit of fear was healthy in this situation.
Zach grabbed the candy bar from her, swiping his large hand over hers so fast she barely registered he’d taken it. A second later, he was ripping off the wrapper, and his voice softened. “You’re an angel.”
She wasn’t. In fact, he was going to be really upset when he figured out why she was here. His jaw worked back and forth as he chewed. He had a really nice face now that she could see it without the beard.
When his jaw stopped, she jerked her attention to his eyes. “Enjoying your first snack as a free man?”
He pointed the candy bar back at her. “Are you trying to butter me up?”
The wind whipped her hair across her face, and she brushed it away. Good. She wouldn’t have to beat around the bush. “I have a proposition for you.”
A flash of life sparked in his eyes as his gaze dipped to her lips. “Good. It’s been a while.”
“Ugh.” Her hand slapped his chest before she had a chance to run through the repercussions of assaulting a former inmate.
He rubbed the spot on his chest where she’d slapped. “Ow. Rude.”
“Not that kind of proposition. I need your help.”
Zach held his arms out to the sides. “I’m not in a position to help anyone, angel.”
True, but he did have something she wanted. She hooked a thumb over her shoulder toward the minivan. “Get in. We’ll talk about it on the way home.”
Zach’s left brow lowered. “I don’t have a home.”
Letting her chin fall to her chest, Lauren closed hereyes. Great. That was one big point she’d forgotten to account for in her over-planning.
Nothing to do now but figure it out. Lifting her head, she brushed her hair back and set her jaw. “Just get in. I’ll make some phone calls.”
“What kind of phone calls couldyoumake to get me a place to live? Any chance you have a connection for cars too? Because I don’t have one of those either.”
She hadn’t even broached the main subject yet, and the details of her plan were tangled up. He wouldn’t be much help to her homeless and without transportation.
Lauren turned her back and started toward the vehicle. “I’m not your fairy godmother, Zach.”
His heavy footfalls ate up the path behind her. “Nah. More like an angel.”
Oh, how wrong he was. He’d been calling her that for years now, and he’d soon realize his mistake.
She pointed toward the passenger side and rounded the front of the van. “You do the sitting. I’ll do the talking.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
That was easy. Almost too easy. She’d expected at least a little push-back. Then again, he’d really warmed up to her over the last year. The scariest part was that she’d warmed up to him too. The visits weren’t nearly as difficult as they’d once been.
Even now when Zach settled into the seat beside her, she didn’t have the urge to run.
Zach turned to look at her, taking up way toomuch space in the big minivan, and the unease picked up in the enclosed vehicle. “Want me to drive?”
“Ha! Are you trying to tell me that you have a valid driver’s license?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Then how could you drive?”
