Deadline

by Judy McDonough

Caroline didn't see Cade's truck in the driveway. She had a horrible feeling she missed her chance to say goodbye. She knocked loudly and checked the doorknob. It was still locked. Where is he? She hadn't seen him since he retreated from her room while she and Trevor argued. Where could he have gone? She was almost out of time and tempted to wait on his doorstep. She trudged slowly back to the house, dragging her feet in case he happened to drive by. If leaving with Trevor was the right thing to do, why did it feel so wrong?

  She had to stop overanalyzing her feelings. At the house, Trevor loaded his rental car with their bags. Time to go already? Trevor smiled. Unaccustomed to the Gulf Coast humidity, he sweated profusely.

  "You about ready, beautiful?"

  She tried not to look and sound as pitiful as she felt. "I guess so. I didn't get to say goodbye to Cade. Is that everything?"

  "That's everything." Trevor pettily replied, "He's a big boy, I'm sure he'll live." He encircled his arms around her neck and kissed the tip her nose. "Now, are you ready to run away with your handsome prince and live happily ever after?"

  "It's what I've always dreamed of," she mumbled.

  Thirty-Seven