Yeah, lets see if you feel that way after youve been stuck inside a bus for sixty hours, Kieran said. Or you come back six weeks later to find your office buried in paperwork.
Sixty hours? Look at mine, Ronan said. Sibleyville, Maine. Thats about as far away from Seattle as a guy can get. Three and a half days. Thats one day more than any of you guys have.
Dermot held up his phone. At least youll be near water. Maybe youll be able to find a decent job doing something you know about.
What am I supposed to do in Vulture Creek, New Mexico? Cameron asked.
Well, at least that makes sense. Dinosaur bones. Remember? After you saw Jurassic Park, you started digging up the garden. Dinosaurs were all you ever talked about. And then you found that bone and Da told you it was from a pork chop.
They all started laughing. Kiernan and his brothers had teased Cam for weeks about that adventure, but their mother had shushed them all, insisting that Cam should do whatever he dreamed of doing.
Listen, I have to get home and pack, Kieran said. Im the first off. You guys dont leave until tomorrow. He looked at the envelope of cash theyd each been given for the trip. Are you guys going to take some extra money?
Grandda said we had to stick with what he gave us, Cam said. I figure we ought to play by the rules, dont you?
Yeah, but Ive got an extra day on the bus, Ronan said.
You know what it is, Cam said. He came to this country with a hundred dollars in his pocket. I think he wants us to experience what that was like. It forces us to be creative.
Ronan cursed softly. The old man is nuts. A hundred dollars went a lot further fifty years ago.
I suppose well just have to use our wits rather than our wallets, Kieran said. Were all smart lads. Im sure we can figure something out. And he did give us the credit card in case of an emergency.
What constitutes an emergency? Dermot asked.
Imminent death? Ronan said. Starvation? The pressing need for a shower and a shave? He shook his head. Three and a half days on a bus.
Kieran got to his feet. I need a ride home.
Why dont we all go out? Cam suggested. We can have a beer and give Kieran a decent send-off. We wont be seeing each other for six weeks. I think a drink or two is in order.
OLearys? Ronan asked.
OLearys it is, Kieran said.
THE BUS HAD pulled into the station in Denver at precisely 6:45 a.m. Kieran glanced down at his watch through bleary eyes. His layover was just a little longer than two hours and he wasnt sure he could keep his eyes open long enough to make his transfer onto the next bus headed to Indianapolis.
After his first restless night on the way east from Seattle, he had actually been grateful to change buses in Missoula and Billings, using the opportunity to stretch his legs. But the trip was starting to wear a little thin now and he found himself getting crankier by the mile.
Over the past twenty-four hours, Kieran had managed to read both the books hed brought with him. Hed tried to check his emails on his BlackBerry, only his grandfather had disconnected his internet access. And the scenery was only interesting when it changed, which happened every hour or so during the daylight hours.
With only a hundred dollars in his pocket, his budget didnt allow for new reading material, so hed picked up leftover magazines and newspapers from his fellow passengers. Hed read a two-month-old Sports Illustrated and a current issue of InStyle from cover to cover before finding a copy of some silly tabloid with an alien baby on the cover.
Kieran glanced around at his surroundings. The station was bustling with travelers making their way onto morning buses. He grabbed his bag and walked over to the digital display to check on his departure time and noticed that his bus would start boarding in thirty minutes.
His stomach growled and Kieran reached into his pocket and withdrew his wallet. After careful budgeting, he still had about seventy dollars left as well as the credit card.
Theyd been charged with finding a different life and living it for the next six weeks. So far, Kieran had been bored out of his mind with this new life. Though the bus ride had given him time to think about his future, he hadnt really found himself drawn to anything different. He liked his job. It was predictable and interesting and provided a decent living.
Whatever was waiting for him in Bitney, Kentucky would never match what he had in Seattle. Kieran adjusted his bag on his shoulder and headed to the food court at the far end of the station. He found a sandwich shop and ordered a turkey sub and a large Coke.
What he really could use was his usual breakfast of orange juice, oatmeal and an egg-white omelet. Everything seemed off without his routine.
The cashier totaled up his purchases and glanced up at him. Ten-thirty, she said.
Kieran frowned. For a sandwich and a Coke?
The girl shrugged. I dont set the prices. Ten-thirty.
He reached into this pocket and grabbed the credit card, then handed it to her. Though it wasnt an emergency, he didnt want to waste any more of his cash. A few seconds later, she handed it back to him. It was refused, she said in a bored voice.
No, that cant be. Its a company card. Try it again.
She sighed dramatically and ran it through again. Nope. Still refused. Do you have cash?
Kieran looked at the sandwich and soda. At this rate, he wouldnt have enough to feed himself until he got to Bitney. He could wait until breakfast. Never mind, he muttered.
Ill get it, a soft voice said.
Kieran looked at the person standing behind him in line. There wasnt much he could see. She wore a baggy sweatshirt with the hood pulled up over her hair. Dark sunglasses hid her eyes. But when he glanced at her hands, he saw perfectly manicured nails and long, slender fingers clutching an armful of junk food. Thats not necessary, he said. I have cash. Im just not as hungry as I thought.
No, take it, she replied. I insist. When he refused, she sighed impatiently and gathered up his purchases then ordered a soda for herself, before giving the cashier two twenties. That should cover it. Keep the change.
She turned and handed him the sandwich and Coke. Thanks, Kieran said. I can pay you back.
No problem.
No, I mean it. I have the cash. He followed after her and when she sat down in the lobby, he took a spot nearby, setting the sandwich and soda between them.
He watched as she unwrapped one of her candy bars and took a bite. She chewed thoughtfully, then shook her head, setting it aside. Those used to taste so much better. She ripped open a bag of BBQ potato chips and plucked one out. I havent had these in years.
She held out the bag and he shook his head. No, thanks.
Eat your sandwich, she said.
Kieran picked it up and started unwrapping it. So, are you some kind of health-food nut? he teased as she picked through the purchases on her lap.
What?
Breakfast of champions, he said, pointing to the pile of candy.
She shook her head. I can never decide what to eat. I usually just get anything that strikes my fancy and then nibble through it until I find something satisfying.
Thats kind of a waste of money, dont you think?
She held out a candy bar. You can have this. I dont know why I bought it.
You dont want it? he asked, taking it from her.
No, Ive already lost interest. Oh, peanut butter. That sounds really good. She opened the candy bar and took a bite, then wrinkled her nose. Nope, thats not it either. She wrapped the candy up and handed it to him. I dont have any communicable diseases. Dont worry.
Kieran took a bite of his sandwich, not quite believing this stranger. So, where are you headed?
Dont know yet. I havent bought a ticket. I thought I would think about it while I ate.
With all that sugar, you wont need a ticket. Youll be able to run wherever you want to go.
She giggled. Very funny. Where are you going?
Bitney, Kentucky, he said.
Kentucky? Really? Thats where I was thinking about going. I love Kentucky. My grandparents live there.
Kieran watched her suspiciously. Who was this woman? And why had she chosen to entertain him with her presence? Could he really believe her story? Whats your name?
Whats yours? she asked.
Kieran, he said. Kieran Quinn.
Hmm. Strange name. She held out her hand, the fingertips stained with melted chocolate. Noticing, she wiped her hand on her sweatshirt. Maddie. Im Maddie. She paused. Maddie Smith.
He took her hand in his and the moment they touched, Kieran felt an odd sensation race through his body. Nice to meet you, he murmured, Maddie Smith.
He grabbed his sandwich and took another bite. She had a beautiful voice, strangely melodic with just a tinge of whiskey rasp in it. Though he couldnt see her eyes, her mouth more than made up for that. It was a perfect Cupids bow, lush and kissable, stained a deep berry color. He imagined that shed taste of cherries if he kissed her.
A strand of hair teased at her templea warm blond color, like honey. Well, she was intriguing, that much hed give her. But after twenty-four hours on a bus, almost anyone with a personality would be intriguing.
I noticed that you were a little short of money, she said. I was wondering if youd like to make a little more?
How? Kieran asked.
I need you to go to the counter and buy me a ticket. If you do that, Ill give you a hundred dollars.
He gasped. Just to buy a ticket? Why dont you want to buy your own ticket?
Because I need to get out of town without being noticed, she explained. And Im not sure if theyre going to ask me for I.D.
Hmm. Youve done your best to hide your appearance, you want to get out of town unnoticed and you have a lot of cash. Please dont tell me you pulled a bank job.
She laughed a little too loudly, which caused some of the passengers around her to turn and stare. No. Ive been putting aside some cash for a while. And I need to get out of town unnoticed because Im running away and I dont want anyone to follow me.
Oh, well, that makes much more sense. How old are you?
A gentleman never asks a lady that, she said.
Take off your glasses and let me see your face, he said. Im not going to be responsible for helping some teenager escape a silly fight with her parents.
She took off her sunglasses and tipped her chin up. Im twenty-four, she said.
His breath caught in his throat as his gaze took in the details of her face. She was no teenager. She looked to be in her mid-twenties, exactly as she claimed. Her eyes, a beautiful caramel color, were ringed with dark lashes, but he only caught a quick glimpse before she put the sunglasses back on.
Why anyone so beautiful would hide behind dark glasses and a baggy hooded sweatshirt was beyond him. He found himself mentally undressing her, slowly discovering the treasure beneath.
Satisfied? she asked.
Not entirely, he said, swallowing hard.
Maddie reached into the pocket of her hoodie and withdrew a handful of crumpled cash. Here. Just go get a ticket.
To where?
Kentucky.
Where in Kentucky?
Same place youre going, I suppose, she said.
Hey, I dont even know whats in Bitney. It could be an awful place to
She gave him a gentle shove. Do it, now. Theres no line.
Okay, okay, he said. Watch my stuff. Kieran glanced back at the woman as he walked to the ticket counter. This was turning into some trip.
He gave the agent the necessary information and watched as the man typed it into the computer. A few seconds later the agent handed Kieran a ticket. That will be $196.00, he said.
Kieran peeled off enough cash from the wad Maddie had handed him, then grabbed the ticket. Thanks, he murmured.
By the time he got back to her, shed created a small pile of discarded candy bars on his seat. Licorice, she said. I could really go for some red licorice right now.
He handed her the ticket and her change. How about putting something other than sugar into your system? He tore his sub sandwich in half and offered it to her. But her attention was drawn to the wide entrance doors.
She quickly stood, pulling the hood closer to her face. Save me a spot on the bus, she muttered. And dont let them leave without me.
Where are you going?
Licorice, she said.
With that, Kieran watched as she hurried off toward the back of the station. Then he looked around and noticed two men surveying the people seated in the lobby. They split up and slowly walked through the crowd. Kieran didnt like the look of them. They were wearing dark glasses and were dressed all in black, their sport jackets straining against their broad shoulders and massive arms. They looked like the kind of guys hired to guard the door at a nightclubor commit a felony.
As one of the goons walked by, he noticed all the candy on the chair next to Kieran. He stopped and Kieran looked up at him.
You like candy? the guy asked, pointing to the chair.
Sure, Kieran said.
Is that yours?
Yeah. I kind of have a sweet tooth.
The man reached in the breast pocket of his blazer and pulled out a picture, holding it out in front of Kieran. You see this girl around here? If you have, it might be worth a little money.
Kieran took the picture and studied it shrewdly.
Hed been right about her. She was gorgeous. Who is she?
Have you seen her?
Kieran shook his head. Nope. I would definitely have noticed a girl like that.
The goon tucked the photo back into his pocket, then moved on. Kieran watched him. Had anyone else seen Maddie sitting next to him? Theyd all turned to look at her when shed laughed, but would they connect that girl to the scruffy-looking person in the torn jeans and hoodie?
Kieran cursed softly. There wasnt much he could do for her now. He had no idea where she was hiding and if he got up and left, the guy in the suit might be suspicious enough to follow. Though every instinct warned him that she was in trouble, for some strange reason, he wanted her to make it onto that bus. After all, she still owed him a hundred dollars.
SHE SHOULD HAVE known her mother would send Nick and Rick after her. What she hadnt expected, though, was that theyd start at the bus station. Why not the airport?