Page 64

A thin layer of snow began to cling to the road and Wes reduced his speed as the wipers worked steadily now.

After another hour or so, road signs and buildings began to cluster more closely. A green highway sign announced an upcoming exit, listing gas, lodging and, most exciting, a golden set of arches.

“There’s a McDonald’s at the next town,” Wes said. “Do you want to stop now for lunch, or press on? We’re about an hour and change from Salt Lake.”

“Lunch,” Carter said instantly. “I hope they have a play place.”

“Up to you,” Hannah told Wes. “We’ve got more snacks if you think it would be better to get there before the storm gets worse.”

“The worst of it isn’t supposed to hit northern Utah for a few more hours,” he said. “We’re fine either way. I’m sure Kodi wouldn’t mind a longer break. I can walk him while you eat and then grab something for the road.”

She nodded. “Okay. Lunch it is.”

A small cheer rose from the back seat. Wes pulled off at the exit and into a lot shared by a McDonald’s and yet another gas station. Snow blew in gusts across the asphalt, but the promise of warm French fries lured the kids out of the truck without complaint.

As Hannah herded them inside, she realized something surprising.

She could do this.

She could survive hours on the road with the man who had once broken her heart. As long as she kept her focus on the children and their mother and not on the entirely too delicious man out in the parking lot walking his dog through the snow, she would be fine.

It was only a few days. Less than thirty-six hours now. She had survived much, much worse.

Chapter 19

When Wes finally drove into the Salt Lake Valley, his wound was aching as if he had been stabbed all over again.

He shifted in his seat, trying to get more comfortable. At the edge of his vision, he could see Hannah watching him, her forehead furrowed with concern.

“How are you doing?”

“Fine. Nothing a few ibuprofen won’t help.”

“Thank you so much for doing this. It did make everything better to have someone else along so I could entertain the kids.”

“I enjoyed it too,” he said, surprised to realize he meant the words. “Having you all along made the drive much more fun. I hope we get to finish the story tomorrow on the way back.”

She smiled that warm, luminous smile that had always undone him. His chest felt tight. Once, years ago, he would have simply reached across the console, linked his fingers with hers and held on. Now he tightened his hands on the steering wheel to keep them to himself.

“What’s the plan?” she asked. “Do you want to drop us at the hotel and then I can Uber up to the hospital with the kids?”

She had found a hotel willing to take his dog not far from the University of Utah campus where the Huntsman Cancer Institute was located.

“No. I’ll drop you off at the hospital. I need to pick up the fireplace by six, so I’ll do that and then see if I can find a dog park or something for Kodiak. By that time, he’ll probably be ready to sleep for a while. He enjoyed every minute of driving with the kids, but I don’t think he slept much.”

She shifted her gaze back to the dog, who was gazing adoringly at the children.

“He’s a really sweet dog, Wes. I know he must have been vicious on the job, but I’ve only seen gentleness.”

“He can be tough when he needs to be, believe me. I wouldn’t be here right now if not for Kodi. I think the guy would have poked me several more times if he hadn’t intervened.”

For a second, the memory flashed hot and sharp. The neon from the bar reflecting on the puddles around them, the glint of metal, the shock of pain.

He pushed away the dark memory, one more in years of them. “You said your friend doesn’t know you’re coming?”

Hannah shook her head. “I just texted the nurse I’ve been working with. She said everything is all arranged. Morgan is probably feeling lousy, but I hope seeing the children will bring a little light to her.”

“I am sure it will lift her spirits immensely. You’re a good friend, Hannah.”