Tori sighed and stared out through the glass. She watched the truck's cab fall back into place over the engine. Alongside the truck, Zach stood with his hands in his pockets, shaking his head. His face mirrored his concern and frustration. He kicked a few pebbles with the side of his work boot while the attendant spoke to him.
She didn't know what they were saying, but judging by Zach's actions, she knew the news couldn't be good. She turned away and sat in one of the plastic orange chairs that lined alongside the paneled wall. She saw no sense in wondering what the two men spoke about since she knew Zach would eventually have to tell her. The office door opened with a blast of wind, followed by Zach's entering and arguing with the attendant.
"It would just be a couple of days before you have your money. I promise you. It's Christmas for crying out loud." Zach tried to keep his frustration out of his voice.
"I'm sorry, mister. We got no manager on duty today. With the holiday coming up, we've got no one here to authorize something like that."
"I understand that, but can't you do something?"
"What do you want me to do? You ain't even got a license or ID on you."
Tori stood up and threw herself between the two men. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"The fuel pump went out on us. No fuel pump, no driving."
"Can't we fix it?" she asked.
"You need a replacement, miss. It'll take about twenty-four hours for one to show up here. You can keep your truck here just for tonight, but you better decide about ordering the replacement soon before the warehouse closes," answered the attendant. He bolted out the door to tend to a car waiting by the filling pump.
"Twenty-four hours? Zach, what are we going to do?"
"I don't know. There's nothing I can do except sit and wait." Zach eased himself in one of the plastic chairs. "But that's only half the problem."
Tori sat down next to him. "What do you mean, half?"
"Even if they do get a replacement, it costs a few thousand dollars—tax and all. And they want payment up front. I guess they've been burned before." Zach slumped even lower into the chair.
"Do we have any collateral? Isn't there something they can hold until we come back?"
"We?" Zach looked at Tori.
"I mean until you come back." Tori corrected her choice of words. Her words came naturally—more naturally than she cared to admit. After all, they began the journey together almost from the start and so it felt natural that they would end it together. But Zach's quick correction had been a sharp reminder that she wouldn't be part of his return trip.
"No. I have nothing on me worth that kind of money. Let's face it, this time we have no way out." Zach knew that time would eventually catch up with him and that his luck would run out when it came to this annual trip.
The trip certainly hadn't run as smoothly as other years, nor had he ever had a passenger tagging along. Tori had slowed him down a little, but she too had to be someplace. This time, he had been the one responsible for holding them up.
He glanced through the glass and over at the truck that had been so dependable all these years. He felt rotten about letting down the kids at the shelter. Even the inevitable reality of losing his job didn't sound as bad as the disappointment of those kids waking Christmas morning to find nothing from Santa. But he felt even worse that Tori wouldn't make it back to see her son. He hated the fact that Tori's boy would wake up alone. The cheerless thoughts bombarded him, making him swallow hard.
He raked his fingers through his hair and blew out a frustrated groan. He dreaded the moment his boss caught on to this. And that man surely would. After all these years, the Great Christmas Conspiracy would have to end. He would let down those kids. He would let down Tori. And he would let down all his fellow conspiring truckers. Once word got back to the top players in the transportation industry, no trucker would be able to pull off any scheme like this again, and all because of a fuel pump gone bad.
"What would you do if this happened to you on a regular work day?" Tori asked.
Zach stopped his brooding and zoned in on Tori's words. "On a regular work day? What do you mean?"
"If you were on the road with a legitimate delivery and you broke down, what would you do?"
"I'd call work and have them wire me the money. I have a cheap boss. A real Scrooge. He has a couple of gas cards we can use, but for big problems like this, he'd wire the money to keep on top of finances."
"That doesn't make too much sense with so much done online. That's a lot of extra work."
"Tell me about it. It's a small company and he's old school. Doesn't trust the Web where your finances can be compromised. He likes the feel of his cash on hand and thinks he's saving a bundle of money this way."
"And is he?"
"Not that I can see. But like I said before, I can't call this in or he'll definitely know I took the truck out without authorization. That's why I have to do everything in cash with this haul."
"And how have you paid for gas when we've stopped?"
"Let's say I've been taken care of temporarily since most places know what I'm up to. But this wasn't exactly a designated stop. I don't know these people. And they don't know me."
"Can't you just alter the date of when this happened and have your office wire you the money?"
Zach sat forward in his chair. They were talking more than two thousand dollars, not a few bucks to buy breakfast or surplus toys. "Do you realize we're dealing with a ton of money? You couldn't hide that kind of cash from Old Man Parsim, my boss. Money like that needs his approval. Twenty-five hundred is the max he'll wire you for a truck. How am I going to explain that?"
"But this would have happened anyway at some point, right?" Tori asked.
"Right, but why now?"
"Just bad luck. All we have to do is figure out our next plan of action."
"I know one thing that has to be done. We have to get you out of here. The bunker will have no heat tonight and you can't be any later for your holiday than you already are, Tori."
"I'm not going anywhere. One cold night won't bother me and I still have no other way home." Tori rested one hand on Zach's arm. "Zach, I want to stay."
Zach felt the warmth of her touch, and the feel of her fingers on his skin sent his senses skyrocketing. To think her mere fingertips had that sort of power over him was maddening. She could bring him to his knees if she wanted to.
Did she have any idea what she did to him when she touched him? Just hearing the soft insistence in her voice when she told him she wanted to stay made him want to draw her closer to him. But if she weren't careful, she might get her wish and he'd make her stay.
"You need to see your family. I'm really stuck here. This is the end of the line." Zach sat upright to look again at the truck that had always been so faithful. Somehow, he felt betrayed by its breakdown.
Zach dwelled on his own situation once the consequences of his past actions sank in. The fact became evident that he could no longer take care of Tori and had to make that clear to her. He saw no reason why she should have to share this burden with him. "You better call home and find some other way back. I just can't keep you around here."
"But, Zach, I said—"
He kept his tone sharp. "And I said you have to go. I don't want you around anymore, you hear?" How could he make her understand their little adventure had ended? How could he make her see that it was over? "You have to find your own way to St. Louis because I'm not going to make it there. I can't be worried about you or your precious Stephen or even a passel of homeless kids. My trip ends here. That's it. I have to think about myself for once."
If being tough on her was what he had to do, then damn it, he'd do it. It was the only way he could get her to see her son in time. Zach stood up and stared out the large plate-glass window. He couldn't face her after speaking to her like that. Those big brown eyes already haunted him enough, both in his dreams and in his thoughts. Although he didn't face her, he could feel her gaze on him.<
br />
"Why are you saying these awful things to me? And why are you giving up?" she asked. He felt her hand braced against his arm, sending a wicked pulse through him. He brushed her away. He had to. Or he was a goner.
"I'm not giving up, but the decision's been made for me, don't you see that?" He turned and fixed his gaze on her. Surely, she must know he meant business. She had to believe he was serious. Dead serious.
As though sensing his ire, Tori pulled away from him. He could see the mounting confusion whirl in her eyes. Good, he thought, then she'll go and see her son in time.
She sat back down in her chair and crossed her arms. "We'll come up with a solution. I know we will."
Damn. Zach wasn't about to lose this battle. Not yet.
"I only know I need to get rid of you. I don't want you here anymore." He still couldn't face her—he feared what he might see.
"I'm not going."
How could one woman be so stubborn? How much verbal abuse would it take to finally force her to make that call home? He'd acted as cruel as he possibly could toward her but she refused to take the bait. His patience ran out. He forced himself to dish out more brutal words. It was the only way to ensure she'd get home.
"You've been nothing but trouble for me. I could have been there by now. But because I stopped to help you, I lost my license and lost good driving time. If I hadn't lost my license, we wouldn't have to be stuck here."
He didn't mean it, but if he made Tori believe him, maybe she'd make that call and go on home. He had to see that much accomplished so he'd feel better.
"I told you I was sorry about your wallet, but—"
"I don't care," he snapped. He kept his tone firm and clenched his fists. "I want you out of my hair, got it?"
Chapter 7
Silence.
Zach finally turned toward Tori and saw exactly what he feared when she brought her sorrowful expression up to his. The tears that lined her lashes magnified the sadness he saw in those brown and amber flecked eyes. He could also see her resisting the impulse to cry.
She certainly was a fighter. He knew she'd make it on her own and would be better off without him. He had taken her this far and now she'd just have to fend for herself from this point forward.
His gaze traveled along every curve of her petite body. How was it that she could still stir up a longing in him even when he tried to bully her right out of his life? As he took in the sight of her, he saw through to the sweetness in her moistening eyes. Her features softened as she gave up the fight. A single tear fell and Tori slowly brushed it away. But then, more tears followed.
"No. Don't. Aw, not the waterworks." He was a sucker for her tears every time. "Please don't do that. I didn't mean to make you cry." Zach knelt on one knee by her side. He brought her hands down away from her cheeks and used his own hand to brush the tears away.
He had intended to make her want to run; to run away from him in anger. But he didn't want to see her cry. His own scheme of pushing her away had backfired. Instead, he found himself drawn closer to her. As her tears subsided, he gently drew her hair away from her face.
"Please. No more crying," he whispered. He watched one final tear roll down her cheek and pool on the sweet curve of her lip.
He drew her near and found his lips on hers, wanting to kiss away the hurt he had inflicted. Her own lips parted slightly as he tenderly stroked her mouth with his to wipe away the salty traces of the tears; to wipe away this bad dream that had descended upon them. Once he felt her accept him, he pressed harder.
She welcomed his kiss. With a slight tilt of her head, her hair fell forward again and brushed against Zach's skin. He broke away for a moment to stare at the auburn hair that streamed down around him. He finally knew what it felt like to be surrounded by that hair. It was bliss.
"Don't make me leave you," Tori whispered back as she allowed him to caress her neck with his lips. She cupped his head in her hands and forced him to look her straight in the eye, something he hadn't been capable of doing on his own until this moment.
"Why did you say all those things to me? Please tell me those weren't honest words," she softy begged.
"I just want to be sure you make it home. Being with your family is important. It's not worth staying around here with me."
"So you were only trying to make me go home?"
"I have to try to make something go right on this trip. But now that this trip is over, I have nothing to offer you." He regretted sending her mixed messages, but he still wanted to have her home safely. Kissing her certainly wouldn't help make that happen.
"You have one thing to offer me."
Zach searched Tori's eyes. Before jumping to any conclusion about what she referred to, he took her hand and waited for her to explain.
"You have a date with me, remember?"
Zach did remember, but never hoped to consider it an official date. He had recalled accepting her offer of a massage. And his muscles couldn't look forward to anything better.
As he nodded in agreement, the station's office door opened with the return of the attendant.
"Didja make up your mind? It's getting kind of late for you to want something that size and not ask for it now. If you wait until morning, you might lose your chance."
Zach squeezed Tori's hand and stood. "I made my decision. Give me a minute." He looked at the attendant with renewed determination. He pulled out his cell phone.
"Zach, what are you doing?" Tori sat upright in her seat.
"I'm calling the office to wire me the money," he answered as he punched in some numbers.
"You're calling your boss' office? But what about your job?"
"I'll never make it back before my boss. When he finds out what I've been up to, I'm through anyway. I might as well order and get that part before I do get the ax."
"Are you sure?"
"Hey, I've got a gang of kids to think about. And you. I'd hate to lose my job for nothing." With a renewed spirit, Zach lightly tugged a lock of Tori's beautiful hair just as the call went through.
The old gentleman reappeared in the office with Spike. "He's all happy and fed…ain't ya, boy? The wife gives me leftovers to take to work. God love her."
The old man smiled a toothless smile at the dog and looked over to Zach, who nodded in appreciation then spoke into his cell phone. After ending the call, he instructed the attendant to place the order and told him where the money had been wired locally.
"I'll take care of everything," offered the old gentleman.
"Let's get our things and get freshened up." Zach thanked the man and took Tori's hand to walk her out over to the truck with Spike in tow. As he faced the door of the bunker, the awkwardness from their previous night together had been replaced with a new curiosity and a heightened anticipation.
This night, he and Tori had a date. He didn't understand how he'd pull it off, though. Here on the open road, he had made no dinner reservations. He purchased no movie tickets. He handed her no flowers. He had nothing that could turn the evening into a real date. Then again, it had been so long, maybe the criteria that defined an official date had changed.
After freshening up in the station's rest rooms, Zach and Tori entered into the tiny quarters of the bunker. He looked down to see Spike already curled in a ball on the floor fast asleep.
He remained standing and watched Tori collapse back on the bed and let out an exhausted groan. Zach wanted to do the same, but only stood there watching her, watching how her hair tumbled about her.
"What are you going to do about a job when you get back to Boston?" she asked and propped herself up on her elbows.
"I have some ideas, but I'm not going to worry about it until after this holiday." Zach found his eyes wandering again along the curves of Tori's body. Although she lay fully clothed, his mind began playing tricks on him as though he could see right through her white shirt to her soft skin below. He rubbed his eyelids to be sure the image that had burned in his mind truly matched the young w
oman before him.
He became acutely aware of becoming aroused. He turned away from her before she could notice the spontaneous tightness in his jeans. He reminded himself that they were on their first date, after all.
"Are you hungry?"
He bent over, opened the cooler, and pulled out two sodas, two apples, and a package of luncheon meat. From a small cubbyhole, he pulled out a loaf of bread, and then found a few utensils to prepare dinner. It wasn't exactly a gourmet meal, but it would have to do.
Tori sat up to inspect all the activity and watch Zach create an instant dinner. He threw a small paper towel over one arm and turned to her. "Madam? Reservations for two zis evening?"
Tori giggled and played along with his game. "Yes, that would be divine."
"I do recommend zee filet mignon tonight." Zach stood over her and presented her with an imaginary menu. Tori took the menu from his hand and read over the entrees that existed only in her imagination.
"I'll go with your recommendation as long as you stop that horrible French accent!" Tori laughed and tossed the imaginary menu over her shoulder.
"As you wish." Zach kept his face in solemn character. He put their sandwiches on paper napkins and passed her the meager feast.
"Here we are, Madam. Your filet mignon with dessert and wine."
"Won't you join me?" Tori asked and waited for Zach to sit by her side.
His features changed as he dropped the character acting. He sat beside her and they enjoyed the makeshift meal. They ate in silence and allowed themselves the short rest they'd been longing for all afternoon.
"Here is the check. I'll take that for you when you're ready." He presented her with an imaginary check. Although he began playing the game again, he kept his own voice, his own persona. He didn't want their date to end. He didn't want to admit they were sitting in the back of a rig, not at some fine restaurant. After all, she deserved more. He also didn't want to remember that their time together would most likely end tomorrow when he brought her back to her son.
Christmas Knight (Heartthrob Heroes, Book 3) Page 7
