The Road Home

  THE

  ROAD

  HOME

  ANNIE REYNOLDS

  Copyright © 2016 Annie Reynolds

  All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of events to real life, or of characters to actual persons, is purely coincidental.

  ISBN-13: 978- 1542328432

  DEDICATION

  The Road Home is for anyone who has ever

  found something so special in someone else that

  not only is the heart full but the soul as well.

  Gary, my home.

  My sister, Cassie, this one is for you – Gabe is for you because he is who you deserve

  .

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Gabe and Emerson came along at the right time because they are pure and good and sweet and exactly what I needed after finishing Behind Enemy Lines.

  My family and Sandy, again you have been instrumental and understanding of the process.

  Of course, my husband Gary who without realizing it lends a piece of himself to so many of my male characters because of how perfect he is for me. Gary, who graciously keeps me on track with this dream with his encouragement and silent support, who never complains, who is my light and my home.

  Cover Photo Credit © Maryia Bahutskaya

  ~ CHAPTER ONE ~

  “Come on, baby. Don’t give up on me now.” Pumping the accelerator pedal again I twist the key in the ignition and pray. I wouldn’t say I was a religious person but desperate times lead me to desperate measures and right now I was desperate to get my endearing death trap of a car started and back on the road. I loved my Volkswagen, I really did but I loved her more when she wasn’t being a total temperamental old cow. It was raining and it was cold so I couldn’t really blame her, but right now I needed her to fire up.

  “I promise when we get home you will…” I had no idea what to say to bribe my car to start, although a wash and service wouldn’t go astray, she’s been neglected for the entire time we’ve been away from home, so I figure it was a good place to start. “Get a nice oil change and a warm soapy bath. That would be good, right?” Maybe it was the calming and nurturing tone I used to speak to her with, or she really wanted that warm bath because the next turn of the key brought her to life.

  “Well done, baby, now let’s get the show on the road.”

  Reversing out of the motel car park I gun the engine toward the highway. The hotel looked less seedy now in the daylight hours than it had last night when I checked in. Looking for an available room past midnight had limited my choices and at that time of day I wasn’t about to get choosey, I needed a hot shower and at least eight hours of decent sleep. Besides, spending six months travelling around had a certain way of desensitizing my needs for soft pillow-top mattresses and a decent water pressure. The sheets had been clean enough, the water was hot and there was a vending machine for snacks directly outside of my room. It really was the small things in life. I smile to myself at the thought.

  A horn blares at my side, bringing my attention back to the road. Correcting the wandering line of my car I jerk it back into my own lane. My heart racing a little at how close I had just come to causing a collision. I mouth an apology at the passing driver, genuinely sorry for my lack of attentiveness and in reply he flips me the bird. Well, fuck you, buddy, very much.

  “Stay on the road, Emerson. Crashing your car into a ditch or light pole or another car won’t do you any good.” After giving myself a little pep talk, I fix my gaze on the road ahead and continue on, I had a plan, a well thought out plan and crashing my car didn’t come into it. Three more days on the road with carefully scheduled rest stops and I would be getting home two days before Amelia’s wedding. A little squeal escapes my lips at the thought of my little sister getting married. I was happy for her, I reminded myself, just because my own love life had fallen apart and turned me into the bitter spinster sister, it didn’t mean Amelia shouldn’t get her happily ever after. She’d asked me to be maid of honour and I was going to honour the shit out of that title even if it killed me. So here I am, on the road heading home for my little sister’s wedding, yet completely dreading arriving.

  The sense of dread was like a wave of uncertainty washing over me every time I thought back to the reason I started on this road trip in the first place. It had nothing to do with my sister’s engagement but more to do with my own broken one. I thought I was going to get my happily ever after as well, I was naively all bubbles, rainbows and unicorns, in the beginning, I was head over heels in love. Blind to it in fact, blind that my now very ex-fiancée, Mark was a self-centered, egotistical, manipulative and arrogant jerk. Clearly, there was still a level of resentment there for him. I had got wise to him and made the decision to do the complete opposite of what he wanted me to do. All in a matter of two days I had ended our engagement, gave notice at my job and loaded my car with my world possessions, I’d told my parents I was taking some time for me, I needed the escape and they told me I was running away, the Delaurentis family did not run away. So the day I left, my parents were disappointed in me. to say the least. My mother especially.

  Now, here I was driving back into the eye of the storm of my previous life. My mum had been less receptive than dad and Amelia, of the news I was coming home so close to the wedding, after all, there were dress fittings, hair trials and rehearsals I needed to attend she’d pointedly reminded me. I could imagine her pursed lips and the eye roll as I told her when I had expected to get back into town. I had practically heard it through the phone.

  Checking the time on the dash I had another hour of travelling before I could stop for a break, I was cramped and desperate to stretch my legs and find a decent cup of coffee but I still had a while to go to keep the schedule and no amount of internal debate was going to make me stop.

  I needed a distraction, and the first thing that comes to mind is Mark. Always at the forefront of my mind ready to consume my thoughts every time I had a weak moment. Silently I curse him and the fact he was born. I needed to get him out of my head, otherwise, I stood no chance of going home and putting on the brave front I’ve been working so hard at perfecting.

  Hopefully flipping the radio stations I find one playing something this century and almost recognizable, to have anything other than static in my car is a blessing. So without wanting to upset her or tempt fate further I hum along to the melodically archaic music. My humming falters when my eyes are drawn to a hitchhiker standing at the side of the road, dressed in a khaki singlet, blue shorts and a pair of hiking boots, he was really quite beautiful. Suddenly and quite involuntary I wave at him. When he waves back I feel the shock and flush creep up my neck and across my cheek.

  Before he completely disappears in my rearview mirror I catch a glance at him as he watches after me. The smile that is on his face almost causing me to stop breathing. For the next twenty kilometers, I intermittently glance back, as if by magic the hitchhiker was going to appear again giving me another opportunity to fill in the blanks of his beautiful face I had begun to conjure up in my mind.

  Eyeing the “Welcome” sign outside the little town almost has my bladder jumping for joy. It had been a sheer battle of wills to hang on for the last five minutes. A parking space outside the toilet block was like the angels were singing just for me and there was a coffee shop directly across the street that would definitely be my next stop.

  The bell jingles over the door of the café as I push it open. The smell of brewed coffee greets me and I can’t help but inhale the sweet aroma. The shop is bustling with patrons, quietly I take my place in line waiting for my turn to order.

  The girl behind the counter greets m
e with a huge smile and a familiarity like we’d met before.

  “Hi, love. What can I get you?”

  Glancing again at the menu board, I order a flat white and a toasted croissant. Glancing around whilst my order is being prepared, each table is set with linen and a small bouquet of wild flowers. Even the outside tables were set up the same way, it was quite endearing.

  Carrying my plate and cup I take a seat at the table in the corner by the window. With the morning rain now cleared, the late-morning sun streaming in, kissing my skin, warming me through like a comforting hug. The coffee warmed my insides, not the entirely best cup I’ve ever had but it hit the spot just like it was the only thing that was going to keep me alive.

  I’m dusting the crumbs from my fingers when the girl from behind the counter approaches me, “Can I get you anything else, love?”

  I finish chewing before answering her, “No, thank you.”

  She collected the empty plate and cup and heads back toward the kitchen. A little envelope at the top of my phone screen tells me I have an unread message. Unlocking the phone I find it is from Amelia. It was so good just to see her name on the screen.

  Amelia: Counting down the days till you get here. Mum is driving me insane and I need an Emmy buffer.

  Reading her message I laugh, what she really means is she needs me to run interference, defer the attention away from her and back on to me with my impromptu and sudden departure, we both knew that would be good for some mileage when it came to our mother expressing how we made her feel.

  Instead of replying, I hit the call button. Amelia answers almost immediately, her voice pitched and seemingly out of breath.

  “Oh, Emmy!”

  “Hey, Amelia. Bad time?” Gathering up my bag, keys and glasses I leave the coffee shop, I really needed to get back on the road if I was to stay on schedule. The road was bustling with cars and trucks passing so I had to wait before I could safely cross to the other side.

  “Pilates, I was doing pilates.” She answers as she tries to catch her breath.

  “Pilates?” I try to hide my shock, Amelia has never been the type of girl ever to do any sort of physical activity, she was naturally skinny without an inch of fat on her so to hear her doing exercise now, begs belief.

  “Yes, but forget that. Where are you?”

  “I’m on my way and don’t worry I will be there in plenty of time to get mum off your back. I’m sure by now she has a whole catalogue of things that I have done that need discussing.” A break in the traffic allows me to cross the road, creaking the door open I climb into the driver’s seat. “Other than going insane, how are you?”

  I sit, chatting with Amelia a few more minutes before I tell her goodbye. She sounded so good and happy but I needed to get back on the road if I had any chance of making my next stop on time. Twisting the key and nothing happens. Not one cough or splutter, a tick is all my old car can muster.

  “Are you freaking kidding me with this right now?” Panic begins to set in when I try to crank it over again, but still, a deathly silent defiance greets me. Hitting the steering wheel with my palm I scream at the car. “WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?” I scold my car. Just as my despair is about to completely consume me there is a light rap on the driver’s side window causing me to jump and my heart to begin to race.

  The sun is shadowing my intruder’s face, all I can see is the silhouette and the gesture to wind the window down. Quickly I consider my situation, it is broad daylight and I’m stranded in my car in a foreign town but surrounded by witnesses, so reluctantly I roll the window down halfway.

  “Can I help you?” My voice betraying me and waivers as I ask the question. Lifting my hand to shield my eyes, the face of the man standing before me is better revealed. My mouth falls open as I recognize the face belonging to the hitchhiker from a few hours ago.

  “I was thinking we have an opportunity to help each other.”

  “Oh, I’m fine. I don’t need any help.” Doing my best to muster up a smile and a blasé tone.

  “Are you sure on that? I kind of couldn’t help but notice that you’re having trouble with your,” he hesitates whilst running his eyes along the car before bringing them back to me, an eyebrow raised. “Car.”

  “Ah, no.” Shaking my head I break eye contact with him, afraid he can read the lies I was telling him in them. “No trouble, we’re just having a break.”

  The smirk on his face climbs to reach his eyes. “A break from what exactly? Starting?” I can tell he’s holding back from laughing at me. Which I kind of appreciate.

  Sighing, my shoulders slump. “Yes. She won’t start and I have no idea why.”

  “Stupid question, but you do have fuel in it right?”

  “Of course.” I snap at him.

  “Right, well let me get into your rear end and have a look.”

  Gasping, shocked by this words and tone my cheeks begin to flush. “I beg your pardon.”

  “Your motor is in the rear. I need to have a look at it to see what is wrong.”

  The hinges creak as I push open the door.

  “Ah, excuse me, are you even qualified to have a look?” I make my way around to the back of the car where the sexy hitchhiker is already in the process of opening the bonnet.

  And there is that smirk again. “Don’t I look like I know what I’m doing?” Standing at his full height he towers over me. “I knew where the motor was, so that has to count for something, right?” Bending forward he turns his attention back to the motor. “Can you try to start it again?”

  Climbing back in the car I twist the key, but still nothing. This guy clearly doesn’t know as much about my car as he pretends to. Without warning, he is back at my window.

  “I’ll be right back.” I watch as he makes his way over to the service station. The view from where I was sitting wasn’t so bad at all.

  The front view isn’t anything to complain about either, sliding my sunglasses on to my nose to hide the fact I’m blatantly ogling him while I watch his approach to the car again.

  Resting his hand on the door frame I can’t help but notice how tanned his skin is and clean his fingernails are. I acknowledge it’s an odd thing to notice, but my reaction to it was downright certifiable. I wanted to press his hand against my cheek to see what it felt like resting there.

  The noise of a throat being cleared snaps my attention away from the hand and back to the face it belonged to.

  “Count to ten and then try the key.”

  Taking a deep breath as the bashing and clanging comes from behind me I follow the instruction given to me. Right before I get to one I cross my fingers and turn the key. I squeal as the engine roars to life.

  Jumping from the seat I rush around to the back of the car leaving it to idle, hugging the hitchhiker in the process of my excitement. He hesitates a moment before hugging me back.

  “Thank you, thank you, thank you. I owe you big time.” I can’t remember a time before that I had been this excited.

  “Whoa. You’re welcome,” He steps back, holding me at arms-length before dropping his hands completely. My hands are forced back to my sides at his action. “If you want to repay me, you could always offer me a ride.”

  Confused, my mouth gapes open before I snap it shut. “But you don’t even know where I’m going,” I cross my arms across my chest, “And I don’t know a thing about you. How do I know you aren’t going to rob, rape and kill me?”

  It was his turn to look shocked now but recovers quickly. “Gabe Carter.” His extends his hand for me to shake, instead, I stare at it. “Born and bred in Brisbane. I’m deathly allergic to mushrooms. I am the middle child which also makes me the best one. My parents are divorced and my dad works as a mechanic in the Army.” He waits for my reaction before rushing on. “I was studying for my masters in journalism but taking a break from that and I’m working my way across the country. And, most importantly, I am unable to resist a damsel in distress.” He thrusts his hand at me again and sm
iles, and my God if that smile wasn’t about to stop traffic. His cheek even dimpled when he smiled causing my lady parts to swoon.

  “Look, I have the knowledge to keep your car going, to wherever it is you’re going. I have money to pay my half of expenses and I need a ride. So given you’re already heading in the direction I am I would say it was a win for the both of us.” His smile falls. “My ride left me while I was helping you out. Please.”

  He does make a few good points, mentally I weigh up my options. It would be good to have some company and keep my car from dying a miserable and permanent death. He is easy on the eye that was for sure but I knew nothing about him beyond the spiel he’d just recited to me, whether it is the truth or not.

  “Fine,” I concede, “Only because you fixed my car. But for the record, I am no damsel because it was only a mild level of concern, not distress. So you don’t get to come along and think you have saved the day.” Storming off, I climb back into the driver’s seat and wait for Gabe to climb in beside me.

  “How do I know you won’t rob, rape and kill me?” He tosses his backpack into the back seat before turning to face me with a goofy grin.

  “Oh, please. It would be your lucky day if I did.”

  I can see he is still smiling out the corner of my eye as I indicate and pull back on the road to home.

  ~ CHAPTER TWO ~

  “Is this something you do a lot?” Eyeing him critically I wait for Gabe to continue. “Pick up strange men.”

  “I wouldn’t say a lot. Only when my car breaks down and I need someone to get it going again. But today, you make my third strange man I’ve picked up.” I shrug off the lie.

  “So what’s your deal, you troll the highway looking for victims?”

  “If you’re so concerned about being abducted and killed, why did you get in the car with me? Or hitchhike at all, in fact.” I keep my eyes fixed on the road ahead but I can feel Gabe watching me.