Free Starseed by Jude Willhoff Page A

subject for me. I was thinking about showcasing how it fits in with the natural surroundings. Rose told me it looks beautiful with the countryside.”
    “ Yeah, it does blend in pretty good with the area. Will you need us to help you?” Sara asked.
    “ No, just be my tour guides.”  His gaze sought out Elle, which gave her another zing of pleasure. “By the way, Rose sent a large picnic basket full of food for us,” he said. “It’s enough to feed us and a dozen more.”  He grinned. “I think it’s fantastic. I like the way she cooks.”  He licked his lips in pleasure.
    “ She didn’t have to do that, but I’m sure it won't go to waste,” Sara added.
    That’s for sure . He eats like he’s never had a decent meal . Elle watched him practically inhale her fries.
    “ I decided you looked extra hungry.”  Dotty placed a large platter of fries and a slice of apple pie in front of Kole.
    Elle couldn’t believe it, but he dove right in as if he hadn’t eaten a bite . The man was like a human garbage disposal. The way he ate he should weigh a ton, but there was nothing wrong with the way he looked. His weight was not an issue.
    “ Thanks, Dotty.”  He watched her hurry away.
    “ She knows I can’t get enough of her apple pie.”  He sat there munching his fries, thoroughly enjoying his food.
    “ How long do you think it will take us to get out there?”  He asked Elle in between bites.
    The man does like to eat . She wondered where he put all that food and stayed so thin. “About an hour or so. It's almost sixty miles from here, located in one of the prettiest high mountain valleys you’ve ever seen. You’ll get some good pictures, I’m sure of it.”
    “ That’s cool. I can’t wait to get started. I have to have my equipment so you two can ride with me.”  Kole swallowed the final morsel of apple pie as if it were his last supper and grinned.
    “ Okay, let's get me to work.”  He threw several dollars on the table as a tip for Dotty.
    Outside, Elle held the seat so Sara could climb in the back of the Jeep, letting her have the front . She knew Sara wouldn’t mind and besides she couldn’t help herself, she wanted to be next to Kole.
    “ So that's how it is,” Sara teased Elle. “You’ve got a thing for Kole.” 
    “ Oh, hush. It's nothing. So what if I want to sit up front. You know I sometimes get carsick if I ride in the back seat too long and it’s a long way out there.”  When she raised her head to see Kole filling up the gas tank she smiled as there was another rush of that . . . whatever across her chest. The man did affect her in strange ways.

 
    Chapter Six
     
    Sitting in the High Mountain Array cargo van across the street, Benny watched the black Jeep pull out of Bruce’s gas station and head out of town . He squinted his eyes to see better. One of these days he was going to have to break down and take the time to go and get some damn glasses. He sighed. His age was starting to catch up with him and he didn’t have time for this crap. He was so close to getting even with everybody in this pit of a town and having everything he ever wanted. He took a drag off his cigarette. “You know, Lee, I don’t like the idea of that kook, Herman, talking to the town psychic so much.”  He knocked the ashes off his cigarette out the window. “I have a feeling we’re going to have to keep an eye on that situation and do something about him. He’s getting too far out there. Maybe we should pay him a visit just to remind him he’s not alone.”  He puffed on his cigarette and then burst out in laughter. Then he started whistling the theme from The X Files.
    “ Yeah, we could do that after work.”  Lee slurped his drink and started speaking with his mouth full. “Are we gonna do it tonight?” he mumbled.
    Deep in thought, Benny took another long drag on his cigarette and stared after Kole’s Jeep . “Yeah. Be ready to go. We’ll fly low over his house tonight if I