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Reagan shakes her head, and, if I’m reading things right, might be relieved. “That would be fine, Ms. Carpenter.”
Maybe this is my moment. The last thing Hollie or the girl needs right now is arguing and squabbling for the five-hour drive ahead. I place my hand on Jacob’s shoulder. “Ride with me, Carpenter.”
He glares daggers.
“The ladies need a break. Besides, you can keep me awake.”
“Mom?” He turns a childish plea toward Hollie.
She considers us both. “John’s right. I want you to ride with him.”
Atta girl.
Carpenter hugs his girlfriend like a few hours apart is going to be the death of him. She returns the embrace, but looks ready to get moving.
I place my hands on Hollie’s arms. “Are you sure you’re alright to drive?”
She half-smiles. “Me? What about you?”
“Eh, I’m fine. Sleepless nights are my jam.”
Her eyes roll. “If you say so. Anyway, I’m kind of hopped up on adrenaline. I couldn’t rest if I tried.”
Yep, but adrenaline fades. “Okay, but if you need a break, call and we’ll take one.”
Nodding, she falls into my arms when I open them and squeeze tight.
Hollie is just so…amazing.
∞∞∞
The kid steams and stews for a solid half-hour. Slowly, his mood turns to more of a sulk.
At last, he shifts his mass slightly in my direction, and his stare is palpable.“ So, you’re with my mom now?” It’s as much concession as question. He saw the embrace.
“For now I am.”
“For now?”
“For as long as your mother allows it.” I slant my head. “She needs someone, don’t you think?”
His quiet lasts a few seconds. “Hey, she’s tough.”
“She sure is—but everyone needs somebody. And looks to me like you’ve got your hands full.”
His shoulders edge lower. He nods.
“You know you did a dumb thing, right?”
He grunts. “You sure know how to pick your moments.”
“Can you think of a better one?” I say what needs to be said. Somebody needs to make sure he sees the error of his ways. This night didn’t have to happen. “Running off to get married was a stupid move.”
“Why, ’cause I’m a kid?”
“That and the fact that even in Vegas you’re too young to legally marry without parental consent.”
He huffs. “Yeah, we already covered that, didn’t we? I told you, Reagan looked stuff up on her phone after we left.”
