Free Getting Lucky by Susan Andersen

sounds and she turned her attention back to the scenery outside the window, determined to hold her tongue for real this time. She would patiently await the next service station if it killed her. She was nevertheless relieved a short while later to see a sign announcing a rest stop at the next exit, for she was beginning to grow uncomfortable.
    Zach whizzed right past it.
    Lily’s temper climbed into the red zone, and she had to clench her teeth against ranting and railing and telling him exactly what she thought of his crummy tactics. For that’s what this was—a way of letting her know he hadn’t wanted her along in the first place and he wasn’t about to allow her so-called “blackmail” to dictate the terms of the drive. She forced herself to breathe deeply until she found a measure of control. Then she stroked her hand admiringly over the fine leather of her bucket seat. “Nice upholstery,” she murmured. “What a shame my bladder’s about five minutes away from destroying it.”
    He looked over at her, and his charcoal-ringed gray eyes seemed to weigh her determination. “Okay, hold your water. I’ll find you a bathroom.”
    Service stations were few and far between along this stretch of farm country, however, and Lily was practically dancing in her seat by the time Zach roared off the exit and rolled to a stop in front of a gas pump. She left her door hanging open in her rush to the restroom.
    When she came out several minutes later, Zach was just reseating the nozzle in its holder. Pulling his wallet from his back pocket, he headed for the small minimart. “You’d better come in and pick out what you want to eat, because I’m not stopping again.”
    Most of the store’s offerings ran toward grease, salt, and sugar, but Lily selected a bottle of water, two apples, an orange, and a small package of presliced cheese. She added a candy bar at the counter. Then she fished through her purse for her wallet, but by the time she’d dug to the bottom and located it, Zach had already paid for everything.
    “C’mon,” he said and strode back to the Jeep.
    She sighed as she picked her way over the cracked concrete parking lot in her needle-heeled shoes. This was going to be a long trip.
     
    Miguel hurried to pay for his petrol, watching through the market window as the sergeant major drove out of the lot. Where the hell was he headed?
    This wasn’t what he’d anticipated. He’d expected Taylor to take his woman out for a meal in the small beach town where he lived. Or maybe up to Los Angeles. He certainly hadn’t expected him to just keep driving and driving and driving. Miguel had nearly run out of petrol before Taylor had finally pulled in here—and then he’d counted himself lucky that this was America, where gas pumps lined two sides of the small market. In Bisinlejo they had one pump—and the truck to fill that only came once every couple of months or so. Here he was able to fill his car at the same time as the commander and still avoid being seen.
    Shoving his change in his pocket, he headed for his car. He didn’t want to let Taylor get too far ahead. If the marine took an exit before Miguel could catch up, this would be a wasted trip, and he’d have to wait for another day to start all over again. He’d just as soon not have to do that. Too bad he hadn’t had the opportunity to talk to the blonde this stop, but Father Roberto used to say that good things came to those who wait.
    And he had all the time in the world.
     
    Lily had no idea what time it was when she awoke several hours later to find the Jeep had finally stoppedmoving. It was pitch dark, and she struggled upright when she heard sounds coming from the back of the vehicle. “What?” she mumbled, trying to shake off the stupor that still had her in its grip. Her bottom was numb, and her neck had a crick in it from falling asleep sitting up.
    “We’re stopping for the night,” Zach’s deep voice rumbled from the direction of