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voice carried
through the air, nudging at Mick’s back.
    “Would your guest like a sandwich? I’ve got plenty.”
    Mick turned, meeting two sets of inquisitive eyes. He
glanced back at Cara.
    “Did you eat?” he asked, boldly taking her hand,
feeling the urge to take possession of her.
    Cara nodded. “I’m good,” she smiled. “I grabbed
breakfast in the lobby.”
    “Well, I’ll introduce you and hopefully you won’t
get bored waiting around for me,” Mick muttered.
    They sauntered over to Barry’s truck. Barry hopped
off the bed, making room for them. They sat as the introductions were made.
    Russ tipped his oily blue cap, stuffing his face
with a handful of potato chips. Mick looked down at his sandwich, lying on the
white butcher’s paper, and instantly lost his appetite. Not wanting to offend
Barry, he forced the thick bread and wads of ham and cheese down a constricted
throat.
    “Where’re you guys from?” Russ asked. Mick quickly
swallowed, forcing his food down. He hadn’t prepped Cara at all. He needed to
cover that with her later.
    “We’re from the York area,” Mick told them, grabbing
his soda. He doused his throat with the cold carbonation. Cara shot him a
knowing glance and smiled. Mick would not tell anyone they were from the
outskirts of Pittsburgh. While traveling, one had to exercise caution.
    Cara was so in tune with him. She knew exactly when
to jump on the bandwagon and follow his lead.
    “Wow, so what’s your plan?” Russ asked. Stray
strands of red hair stuck out beneath his cap. Russ fussed with the brim above
his brow, his diluted blue eyes pressing.
    “Not quite sure… I’ve got a few
ideas…”
    When Barry interjected, Mick was thankful for the
diversion, not liking Russ’s interrogation. Barry hadn’t asked him a thing. All
he was interested in was Mick’s strong back, and Mick was fine with that.
    “We should get moving. I want to allow extra time in
case we have an issue with the inspector,” Barry said, hastily explaining. His
gaze moved around the circle.
    “Yup, we’re here to get it done,” Mick agreed,
rising to his feet.
    They wrapped up their tailgate picnic and moved
inside the barren eatery. Mick guided Cara to a nearby stool at the bar,
figuring she could hand him the screws and dowels so he could finish assembling
the remaining stools, then head back to the hotel.
    Russ made every excuse to emerge from the back. Mick
didn’t like the tours Russ’s eyes were making over Cara. Of course, Cara was
her polite, usual self, one of the many reasons Mick
loved her so deeply. She exhibited an honest goodness that was way too good for
The Hollow. That’s why, when Mick began to form his plan, he knew he’d never
leave her behind.
    Having Cara with him also gave him the added
incentive to be the best he could be. Leaving was the first necessary element so
he could be successful and make that happen.
    He wanted to be everything to her, the man of her
dreams. Mick knew it was ridiculously cliché. He couldn’t help it. Cara was his
American dream, a warm, sensual dream that filled his heart and soul with
contentment. He wanted to fill every corner of her and reap the rewards of exclusivity.
    Cara had a courageous spirit. If she didn’t, she
would’ve never left with him, Mick chuckled to himself, both entertained and
frightened by his musings. The stool above him swayed, pulling his gaze up to
her.
    Cara grinned, waving playfully. Mick swallowed hard.
There was something in there, something not pretty. He could see it lingering
in her eyes from time to time, something she tried to bury maybe. Mick returned
her smile, feeling his insides light up like a flare. Whatever was there, Mick was
determined to find it and make it his.

 
    Chapter
Eleven
     
    “That’s the best meal we’ve had,” Cara said,
glancing up at him.
    “It was good, worth every penny,” Mick nodded,
clearing the table. “How about a coffee? Wanna walk down with me?”
    “Sure.”