“Thanks,” I tell her once I’m buckled in. “You’re a life-saver.”
The woman gives me a bright smile as she pulls back onto the highway. “I’m just doing a sister a solid. Are you running away?”
I blink a few times at her blunt question. There’s no judgment behind it, simply curiosity. “Uh… Yeah, I guess I am. I’m just not sure where exactly I’m running to.” I’m not why I told her that last part. I suppose she’s earned what little trust I have left by giving me a ride into town.
“I get it. I’m sort of on a self-discovery journey myself. The mountains feel like a good place for a fresh start.”
I nod, not wanting to crush this bubbly woman’s dream. I don’t have the heart to tell her all the same problems exist here as the rest of the country. At least it’s pretty, though.
“I’m Acacia, by the way,” she continues. My new friend isn’t short on words, that’s for sure. “You said you don’t havea destination, right? You’re welcome to join me! I’m headed further up into the Rockies. I just feel like nature will reset my soul, you know?”
Her auburn hair falls over her right shoulder as she turns her head to look at me briefly. Acacia is adorable, with a little button nose, round cheeks, and freckles dotted over her nose. I’m not sure why she’s looking for a fresh start, but I have a feeling I’d only bring her down.
“Thanks for the offer, but I have my own journey to go on. It’s for the best that I do it alone.”
“Oh. Right. Of course.” Acacia gives me another smile, though it doesn’t reach her wide, doe eyes. Even in the dim lighting of the car, I can see her blushing from embarrassment.
“It’s not you,” I’m quick to say. As soon as the words leave my mouth, I know they are cliche and hollow.
“I get it.Toooootallyfine. I was just offering. We could be road trip buddies or something, but of course, you have your own stuff going on.”
“Acacia–”
“No need to explain! I’m the weirdo here. Inviting a stranger to drive with me into the mountains. You’d think I have no survival skills at all!” She laughs at herself, but it’s only to cover up her insecurities. It takes one to know one.
“Could you just drop me off at the first motel we see when we get to the next town?”
“Absolutely.”
“Thank you,” I tell her sincerely before resting my head against the window. We ride in silence until the lights of the upcoming town shine on the horizon. “It’s been a long time since anyone’s been this kind to me,” I whisper.
To my complete shock, Acacia gives my hand a squeeze. “I’m so sorry to hear that. Everyone deserves a friend. Maybe we could exchange numbers before you go?”
I squeeze her hand back. “I’d like that.”
Acacia pulls into Rick’s Roadside Rest Stop, a tiny motel surrounded by a large gravel lot. Half the lights in the sign are burnt out while the other half flicker on and off at random intervals. Perfect. This will be right in my price range.
“Are you sure this is where you want me to leave you?”
“I’ve slept in worse places,” I tell her with a wink. Acacia furrows her brow in concern. “Anyway, give me your number. I have a temporary phone right now, but I promise to call when I’m settled in.”
“Sure. I just…” She bites her bottom lip, looking from me to the motel outside. “Can you send me a text when you get to your room? You’re the first person I’ve met in my new life. I can’t have anything bad happening to you!”
Her sweet, expressive smile is contagious. It’s been a long time since I’ve had the urge to smile, but damn if I’m not grinning right back at her. I sense my new friend’s loneliness. Hell, I feel it myself. But she doesn’t deserve to be chased down by my father and his men. I’d only be putting her in danger by keeping her around.
We exchange phone numbers, and Acacia waves excitedly, wishing me luck. I hope she finds whatever she’s looking for. Maybe if I survive all of this, we can build a log cabin together up in the mountains. That sounds kind of nice.
The older lady behind the front desk in the motel is flipping through a tabloid magazine, a cigarette hanging dangerously from her lips. One wrong move, and it could fall, causing a fire. I’m not confident this place is up to code, or that there is even a working fire extinguisher nearby.
I clear my throat to get her attention.
“Huh?” she grunts, not bothering to remove the cigarette. “You here for a room?”
Well I’m certainly not here for the company.
“Yes. I have cash. Just one night, please,” I say with all the confidence I can muster at the moment.
The woman sighs, finally setting the fire hazard down on an ashtray so she can complete the transaction. She looks me up and down, taking stock of my scratched up face, wild hair, and baggy, ill-fitting clothes. I hold my chin up and square my shoulders, trying to project someone in control of the situation.
