26. West
CHAPTER 26
WEST
“We’re going to have to return the rental, aren’t we?” Sydney asks sadly as we pull off the highway.
“I’m afraid so.”
She pats the door. “And I was just starting to like this thing.”
“No, you weren’t.”
She grins at me, and it’s slightly maniacal. “It’s as slow as a boat.”
“Just can’t make you happy, can I?” I tease. She’s on the verge of snapping, but she’s keeping a game face. She’s been a great sport for someone who isn’t used to having people try to kill her.
“How are we going to return it? Will we just ditch it, and call the company, and tell them where it is?” she asks.
“No, are you kidding me? We used my credit card for this. They’d tack on a towing fee.”
“Aha. And now I know why you’re willing to help me find this money. You’re a cheapskate.”
I click my tongue. “Take that back.”
“You’re one of those people who stands in the grocery store with a stack of coupons, aren’t you?”
“Of course not,” I try to defend myself.
She looks at me knowingly. “You use the app, don’t you?”
“Yes. How’d you guess?”
She laughs, and I decide it was worth it to pretend to be a Frugal Fran.
Twenty minutes later, we return the rental car then stand in the parking lot, waiting for the taxi. I reach over and touch Sydney’s shoulder. “Your clothes are still wet.”
She looks at me in wide-eyed surprise. “And how did that happen again?”
She’s getting better at hiding her real emotions, but I don’t get a chance to tell her so because a taxi pulls into the parking lot. It jerks to a stop in front of us, and I open the door for her.
“I charge extra for dirty passengers,” are the words he greets us with when Sydney climbs into the car. The man stares at her as if she’s going to give him something scary.
Sydney reaches over to jab me in the stomach with a finger as if to say, This is all your fault.
“Don’t worry, I’m not dirty. I just got caught in a torrential downpour.”
He looks unimpressed with this fabrication, and Sydney turns to glare at me. “Someday, I’ll get even with you for this.”
“I’m shaking in my deck boots,” I say with a chuckle. I turn to the man at the wheel. “Can you take us to a decent hotel?”
He shrugs and starts the meter. I’m left trying to dodge Sydney’s poky elbow that keeps finding my ribs.
Eventually, she leaves me alone but starts shivering. I hesitate a moment before I reach an arm around her shoulders, offering her what warmth I can.
Sydney sighs and snuggles into my side.
She fits perfectly.