Chapter 3 #2
Once inside the store, he gathered all the items she had asked for and decided to grab a few candy bars for himself. He was headed toward the counter when two men dressed in suits walked in. He thought they looked like federal agents or something.
Instead of buying anything in the store, they went straight to the counter, getting in front of him.
He was about to tell them to wait their turn in line, but he decided to let them skip since he had a handful of items and figured they were likely only buying something from behind the counter. Probably cigarettes or chewing gum.
“What can I do for you guys?” the store clerk asked.
The guy threw a copy of a magazine on the counter. “We’re looking for this woman. Have you seen her?”
Drew’s ears perked up, although he pretended not to overhear the conversation going on in front of him. The clerk picked up the magazine and studied it closely, then shook his head. “Sorry. Haven’t seen her.”
“You sure?” one of the men asked.
“Positive. A woman who looked like this, with those green eyes? I would have remembered.”
The men nodded and then asked a woman who appeared from the back. She hadn’t seen her, either. Then, for some reason, they turned and asked him, “What about you?”
He met their gazes. “What about me?”
“Have you seen this woman?” one asked, holding up the magazine.
He took the magazine and studied it. Eden hadn’t lied.
She was on the cover of Vogue, and she looked absolutely gorgeous.
And with makeup, she definitely appeared older than seventeen.
Still, though he thought she was more beautiful without it, the image on the magazine cover was flawless.
He’d be thinking about that red lipstick for a while.
He handed the magazine back to the guy. “Yes, I’ve seen her.”
That got both men’s attention. “Where?”
“Why do you want to know?” he asked in a menacing tone.
“She ran off from her husband.”
“Oh, one of those.”
“Yes, one of those,” one of the men said. “He wants her found. Where was she when you saw her?”
“At a diner east of here. About fifty miles back.”
“Was she alone?”
“No. She seemed to be getting friendly with an older couple. I heard them say they were headed to Salt Lake City, then on to Idaho. They offered her a ride.”
The other man eyed him curiously. “You heard an awful lot.”
“I was sitting in the booth next to theirs. Evidently, the old man had a hearing problem and was talking a little too loudly. I figured he thought everybody’s hearing was just as bad as his.”
“Did she leave with them?”
“I have no idea. I left before they did.” He then asked, “Is her husband offering any type of reward?”
“No.” Then they walked out of the store, without even thanking him for the information.
It had all been lies anyway. He watched them get into their car and drive away, heading east. He was glad they’d believed his story.
“This will be all for you, mister?” the guy behind the counter asked.
“No, I need to gather a few more things.”
“Okay.”
Drew grabbed a knitted cap off the rack, a pair of sunglasses, additional granola bars, and more water. After paying for the items, he walked across the lot and back to his truck. Opening the door, he climbed in the back. “Eden?”
“Yes?”
“Here are the things you asked for. By the way, I’m sorry I doubted you. You were right ─men are looking for you.” He saw the exact moment panic appeared in the depths of her green eyes.
“You saw them?” she asked in a shaky voice.
“Yes, two of them walked into the store, flashing around a copy of Vogue and asking people if they had seen you. They claim to be working for your husband.”
“I don’t have a husband.”
“I guess they figure people would be more sympathetic to a man looking for his runaway wife than a father looking for a runaway grown daughter. When they asked me, I told them I had seen you with an older couple who were heading toward Salt Lake City. Hopefully, that will send them searching in the opposite direction.”
“Thanks.” She pulled the knitted cap and sunglasses from the bag. “I appreciate all of this. Now what’s your address so I can repay you when I can.”
“Repayment isn’t necessary. Just take care of yourself.”
“I will,” she said, stuffing the granola bars and water into her backpack.
Now the thing looked too darn heavy, and Drew could just imagine her experiencing shoulder and back pain tomorrow.
“Here,” she said, handing him the bag that contained his candy bars.
“Thanks. Come on, it’s time for you to go.”
“Okay,” she said, putting on the knitted cap and sunglasses.
Making sure no one was around, he helped her out of the truck.
“Thanks,” she said.
He studied her disguise and thought that instead of making her inconspicuous, she stuck out like a sore thumb. Who wore sunglasses when the sun wasn’t shining? “Do you have any idea where you’re going?”
“No. To be honest, Drew, I don’t even know where I am, other than in Phoenix.”
He could give her the key to his apartment, put her in a cab, and send her there.
As usual, his refrigerator was stocked so she wouldn’t starve.
He released a frustrated breath, not believing he was even contemplating doing such a thing.
He’d never, ever given a woman access to his place.
Never. Besides, it was apparent she didn’t eat the same things he did.
She seemed to be surviving on granola bars.
Another reason for not letting her hide out at his place was his nosy neighbors.
“Goodbye, Drew. It was nice meeting you.” She turned to leave.
“Wait!”
She turned around. “What?”
“I’ll give you a lift as far as Escondido.”
“There’s no way I would let you jeopardize your job for me.”
“I won’t be jeopardizing my job,” he said.
“What about those rules and regulations you told me about?” she asked.
“Once I explain things to my boss, I’m certain he’ll understand.”
A hopeful gleam appeared in the depths of her green eyes. “You think so?”
“Yes.”
She smiled, and his heart skipped a beat. She had been smiling for the camera when she’d shot the magazine cover, but this smile was personal, and he found himself absolutely mesmerized. “Thanks, Drew.”
He knew he had to pull himself together. Being around Eden had him acting out of character. It had to be those damn green eyes that were bewitching him, stopping him from thinking straight. Now that he knew what had him acting all foolishly, he would put an end to it.
“Let’s be clear about something, Eden. Escondido is as far as I will take you. After that, you are on your own. Understood?”
She nodded. “Yes, Drew. And…thanks.”