Panic tightened his chest as he glanced around the field of cars once more, this time looking for his best friend’s Jeep. Brad had arrived at the church late this afternoon, so there was a good chance he’d parked on the street.
Lady Luck seemed to be on Justin’s side as he spotted the red Jeep Cherokee parked alone. He glanced over his shoulder. Nobody followed him yet, but he needed to hurry to make sure they didn’t.
As he reached the Jeep, the first frigid blade of snow stabbed his cheek. Cursing the weather, he climbed in and closed the door. Keeping a keen eye on the church’s front double doors, he groped under the seat for the key. Not there.
His mind drifted back to his wilder days when he could hot-wire a car in less than a minute, but before the memory broadened, keys already in the ignition brushed against his hand.
Whew.You’re one lucky man, Monroe.
He started the Jeep and took off, switching his focus between the street and the rearview mirror until he reached the freeway. Nobody followed, and hopefully his friend had been right when assuming they would guess where to find him once news broke out amongst those gathered inside the church.
Justin glanced at the clock on the disc player and swiped his fingers through his hair. He heaved a sigh. Within five minutes, everyone would know, especially the people who wanted him dead.
Letting out a mock laugh, he shook his head.I must be crazy.Yet, a death threat was no laughing matter.
Most men dreamed of having Robin Pierpont to claim as their own. Although Justin had been dating her off and on for the past two years, he really hadn’t known her at all. She acted as if she just wanted to be friends until she discovered how much was in his bank account. It didn’t take long before his meddlesome mother did her best to join the two families.
Each mile closer to his destination, the tightness around his chest lessened. And with each jolt from the rough, slippery climb up the road as he entered the canyon, he breathed a little easier. He hadn’t thought about what he’d do once he settled himself at the cabin. How long could he stay there before someone discovered his hideout? Then where would he go? He couldn’t run forever. But Brad promised he’d collect the information needed to get Mr. Pierpont and the hit man arrested. Hopefully, that wouldn’t take too long. Justin had a billion-dollar company to run.
Pulling away from his thoughts, he stopped at a gas station to purchase some food before he made the trek up the snow-covered mountain. Knowing Brad, he probably wouldn’t have a lot of food stocked at the cabin.
By the time Justin left the store, the storm had arrived in full-blown fury. He switched the Jeep into four-wheel-drive and began to climb. At least he could anticipate his weekend alone in the cabin. The relaxation and solitude were dearly needed, but he wouldn’t be able to unwind until he figured out how to save his hide.
Why hadn’t he seen the signs of Robin’s father being involved with bad people? Of course, Justin was too busy running his own company to worry about other people’s mistakes. Dating Robin had been one of his worst mistakes.
An unexpected sound whispered through the vehicle, and Justin’s thoughts ground to a halt. He switched his gaze to the disc player but knew it hadn’t come from there. Strange as it seemed, it sounded like someone sighing.
He shook his head, dismissing the improbable noise, but within seconds he heard it again. It came from the back seat. He glanced behind him. A brown blanket covered the lumpy seat.
Then the blanket moved.
Grumbling, he maneuvered the vehicle to the side of the road and stopped. He turned in his seat and touched the blanket. From beneath came another sigh.
“What the...”
Justin jumped out of the Jeep and yanked opened the backdoor. The fierce wind blew the snow against him. Whipping the blanket away, he stared in disbelief. Sleeping curled on her side was a petite woman with waves of white-blonde hair streaked with gold cascading down the middle of her back. A fur-lined jacket wrapped around her shoulders, and a black miniskirt stretched tight around her hips. Black heels hooked onto shapely bare legs. Curious, he ran his gaze up and down her curvy form.
The woman sighed again and rolled to her back, stretching her legs on the seat, brushing against him. Her face was delicate with high cheekbones, full lashes and heart-shaped lips.Crap!He didn’t need this right now. And why was she in Brad’s Jeep? His friend was happily married – and not to this woman.
He shook his head, grumbling under his breath. What was he supposed to do with her? Darkness was nearly upon them. Traveling back down the slick mountain roads to return her to civilization was out of the question, especially if someone noticed him and informed Robin’s father. The storm was already too fierce. Yet, Justin didn’t want to take her with him to the cabin, either. He needed time alone to re-evaluate his life and to think of a way to save his neck.
The woman sighed again, and her eyelashes fluttered. Justin closed the door before throwing himself behind the wheel again. After slamming his door, he turned and glanced over the seat. The noise must have jerked the woman out of her sleep and her eyes came fully open. As he waited for her to attain full consciousness, he mumbled a curse at Lady Luck for messing up his weekend.
