AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We’ve been driving on this winding mountain road for an hour. Claudette has gone to sleep in the backseat, her soft snoring drifting to the front.
Aiden and I have been quiet for a while, but it’s a comfortable quiet. My gaze is riveted out the window, enjoying the ever-changing scenery.
But sometimes, I can’t help but steal glances at Aiden. My eyes are drawn to him like an addict looking for her next fix. And every time it sets off little explosions in my stomach, taking me on a little high. It’s most annoying.
The sun is dipping lower in the sky. Nightfall will be here before we know it. We’ve agreed I’ll take over then to give Aiden a break.
Suddenly, the old Taurus jolts violently, its engine wheezing like an asthmatic on a steep climb.
I grip the edge of the worn, cracked vinyl seat as my stomach jumps with every lurch.
Oh no. This can’t be good.
We’ve been taking roads less travelled to avoid detection and are in the middle of fricking nowhere.
The scent of gasoline fills the air.
Beside me, Aiden tightens his grip on the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white.
“Come on, baby,” he mutters, coaxing the vehicle as if it’s a temperamental child refusing to cooperate.
A screech erupts from beneath the car’s hood, shattering the tense scene. Aiden slams his foot on the brake pedal and the car shudders to a halt.
We sit there for a moment, before Ade exhales a curse under his breath.
“Why did we stop?” Claudette’s sleepy voice comes from the back as she sits up.
“Because the car had an asthma attack and died.” I’m aiming for humor but it falls flat.
“Oh…” is all she says. “What now?”
“We’re gonna fix it,” Aiden and I reply at the same time.
That breaks some of the tension that’s crept into my body since this new complication. I think I’m getting used to having curveballs flung at me.
“You can fix cars?” Aiden lifts an eyebrow in question.
“Don’t underestimate me, Mr. Ex-Special Forces,” I say indignantly. “I’m good for a few surprises.”
Glancing out the window, I add, “We better hurry… or we’ll lose the light.”
The once blue sky is transforming rapidly into a masterpiece of golden and amber tones, creating a warm glow that spreads across the horizon. It imbues everything around us with a sense of warmth and tranquility.
Well, everything but me. I’m anything but calm. Not with the prospects of being stranded in the wilderness with bears and God knows what other creatures.
“Come on. Let’s do it,” I say to Aiden with a new sense of urgency, and he pops the hood.
Chapter Ten
Aiden
EllaandIstepoutside the car and look around. We’re on a secluded road through the forest and haven’t come across another car in twenty minutes.
Taking a side road seemed a good idea at the time, but I should have considered the state of our car before going down that route. Too late now.
Crisp air fills my lungs, as the temperature plummets with the soon disappearing sun.
The last rays bathe everything in a magical glow. The fiery red foliage of the maple trees, in particular, gleams.
