They’d been on the road for nearly seven hours now. Zack had driven some of the time, but then they switched. Now he was asleep.
She slanted a glance at him. His head rested against the back of the seat near the window, and his mouth hung slightly open. Right after they had both changed their clothes and she saw him for the first time with short hair, a beard stubble, and wearing jeans, a tee-shirt, and boots, she about lost her breath. He definitely didn’t look like a billionaire now. Unfortunately, she found him more attractive when he looked like anormalman.
Thinking of him that way was unacceptable, and she should figure out how to stop it now. Being attracted to him would be distracting, and she really needed to focus on her assignment.
She glanced in the rearview mirror and driver’s side mirror again. Nobody had followed them, thank goodness. The further away from New York City they drove, the better she’d feel.
Zack stirred in the seat and turned toward her. His eyes were closed, but a soft smile bracketed his handsome face. Was he dreaming? She knew exactly what she’d been dreaming about when she’d drifted off for a little cat nap when Zack had been driving. She was so thankful that he couldn’t read her thoughts or she’d be in big trouble.
Whitney focused back on the road. The sun had disappeared, and darkness covered the land. The glare from the streetlights stung her eyes. Yawning, she shifted in her seat. Maybe she should crack open her window just a little. The cooler air would help wake her.
“I’m hungry. How about you?”
Zack’s deep voice breaking the silence in the car made her jump. Her heart beat faster. Did he know she’d been taking quick peeks at him while he was asleep?
“Yes, I’m hungry, too.”
“I’m in the mood for a steak smothered with sautéed mushrooms, and a baked potato loaded with all the toppings.” Zack stayed in his relaxed position as he stared at her.
Her stomach grumbled, and her mouth watered. “As much as that sounds delicious, we’ll need to find someplace a little cheaper to eat.” She glanced his way briefly. His big, brown eyes were still on her. “We can’t use our bank cards, remember?”
“I have cash.” He sat up and stretched his long legs in front of him. “When I went into hiding the first time, I withdrew a lot of money to help me live.”
“That’s very wise of you, however, we don’t know how long we’ll be in hiding, so we need to save what we have.”
“You know, I got to thinking earlier, that while we’re on this horse ranch, maybe the owner will let us work for him. Then we’ll both get a paycheck.”
She nodded. “That’s a good idea. Hopefully, Joe will be able to hire us.”
“Joe?”
“Yes, Joe Robbins. He’s the owner of the horse ranch.”
“How well do you know him?” Zack’s voice took on a worried tone. “If Senator Sterling’s hitman asks around, will he know you have taken me there?”
“There’s nothing to worry about.” She shook her head. “Joe is my stepfather, but my mother divorced him when I was ten-years-old. Joe and I have kept in touch over the years, but it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.” She glanced at Zack again. “You’ll like Joe.”
“Okay, so then let’s go get us some steak for dinner.”
She chuckled. “Fine.”
She turned down Main Street. The last time she was here, there was a steak restaurant down this way. But as she drove slowly through Greenston, she noticed there were several more restaurants. The small town wasn’t so little any longer, and that worried her.
“There’s one,” Zack said, pointing toward the red-bricked building on the left side of the street.
She pulled in the parking lot, stopped, and killed the engine. As she reached for the door handle, Zack grasped her arm lightly.
“So, what’s our story?”
“Story?” she asked.
“I know we won’t be able to use our last names, so how do we introduce ourselves? Are you going to be my sister? My girlfriend? My... wife?”
“Oh, that. I haven’t really thought of it. I suppose we can go as brother and sister—”
“I was thinking,” he quickly interrupted her, “that we could be husband and wife.”
“Really...” She narrowed her gaze. There was only one reason for him to want to do that, and that was something he wasnevergoing to get from her.
