Page 77 of Sheltering You

That was the plan—to be careful and to get everyone out of this crazy situation alive and well. The sooner, the better.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Despite the hours of sleep Jasmine had gotten that afternoon, she yawned, trying to keep Derrick from hearing.

But of course he did, shooting her a look from the driver’s seat. “Feel free to close your eyes.”

“It is”—she glanced at the clock on the dashboard—“six thirty. I’m not tired.”

“Mmm-hmm.” He wasn’t convinced, and by the amusement in his expression, he wasn’t irritated with her, either.

“You’re the one who needs rest.”

“I’m fine.”

So he said. But when she’d emerged from the bedroom and her nap, she’d found Derrick sound asleep on the sofa, Rabie curled up with his video game on one of the chairs.

“You two are like little babies,” the child had said. “I don’t need naps anymore.”

“You weren’t up half the night.” Jasmine had ruffled his hair on the way to the kitchen in a quest for a snack.

Derrick hadn’t slept long, and when he woke, he broke the news that they had to leave. She was sorry to say goodbye to the cabin, a safe shelter, but she’d packed her things, and as soon as the sun went down, they piled into the waiting sedan and began the long trek down the mountain.

Finally, the dark and winding road from the cabin ended at a busy highway, this one with streetlights and businesses.

In the backseat, Rabie said, “What road is this?”

Derrick took a right. “A bigger one.”

“What kind of a car are we in?”

“A Chevy Malibu.” Derrick gave Jasmine a quick grin.

“What does the G on the license plate mean?”

“I didn’t even notice it,” he said. “I think that means it’s a government car.”

“How did you get a government car?”

“A friend let me borrow it.”

“Where are we going?”

“Rabie.” Jasmine turned to face him. “Must you ask so many questions?”

He didn’t respond, his gaze catching on all the lights and glitter outside the windows. Greenery and red ribbon wound around lampposts that lined the road. The doors and windows of the downtown shops were decorated with wreaths and fake snow and brightly colored ornaments. A sign had been suspended over the road announcing a holiday festival and parade.

They passed a park where a Christmas tree that rose three stories high twinkled with lights that reflected off a circle of ice, where people skated.

Jasmine searched the dashboard for the outside temperature but didn’t see it displayed. “I didn’t realize it was so cold here.”

Derrick had stopped at a light and followed her gaze. “The temperatures are milder than where I grew up. I’m guessing they have a machine that keeps it frozen.”

“Have you ever done that, Derrick?” Rabie asked.

“All the time with my brothers when we were kids. There was a pond on our property, and we used to clear the snow off it. We didn’t do it like that, though—orderly, skating in circles.”

“What did you do?” Rabie asked.