Aspen Read Free Page A

to let him know what is going on, but he’s on a case. Please, I have nowhere else to go!”
    The driver flicked his finger across the pump and set it on automatic, then turned to look at Aspen. “Kid, you’re talking about two thousand miles in a truck with a man you don’t know.”
    Aspen shrugged. “How is that different than on a bus with fifty people I don’t know? Besides, I have a feeling about you, you’re a good man.”
    The driver snorted. “My ex and daughters wouldn’t say so. Okay, look, kid. I have a job to do in Wyoming and this truck is part of it. You can ride, but I make no promises as to how far. If things go south, you walk. Are we clear?”
    Aspen smiled. “Yes, sir, we’re clear. Thank you!”
    She made to hug the driver and he stepped back. “No hugging! You said you had some cash, run get me a burger and fries from the ‘stop while I finish filling this beast up.”
    “Yes, sir!”
    She started across the lot to the restaurant, picking her way through the ruts and around spots of diesel.
    “Hey kid, what’s your name?” the driver called.
    Aspen turned and walked backwards. “Aspen, what’s yours?”
    “Mack. Hurry up with that burger!”
    Aspen saluted and hurried into the restaurant, relieved to have found a ride that would get her home with a minimum of fuss. She didn’t know who Mack was, but her magik said he was a good man going in the right direction; her magik had never let her down before and she didn’t think it would, today. With a smile, she took a seat at the takeout counter and waited for the busy waitress to take her order.
    II
    I-80 West, Somewhere…
    Miles clicked by and Aspen watched out the window as the countryside changed, little by little. She’d never seen very much of the country and it was interesting to see what changed and what remained the same as they moved along. Mack was quiet, as companions went, only speaking as necessary to share information or place orders at the many truck stops and restaurants where they stopped for food and fuel. Aspen dutifully placed the orders and brought food back to the truck where Mack was either busying himself with fueling the hungry diesel engine or talking on the phone in hushed tones.
    It was early morning and the sun was a haze beneath the heavy clouds that stretched as far as Aspen could see. She watched them while she stood in line inside yet another truck stop, waiting to order breakfast for the two of them. She was still looking at the grey storm looming behind them when she stepped back out into the cold. The truck was parked across the lot and she moved toward it at a slow walk, her attention on the clouds; she’d never seen a storm like that.
    When she looked back it was to see Mack talking with a young woman with long black hair and exotic blue eyes that were striking even at this distance. The woman was dressed in some kind of black military uniform and had a weapon holstered on her left hip. She spotted Aspen, said something to Mack and moved off to a black sedan parked away from the pumps. Mack turned and lit his cigar, his eyes on Aspen, who felt her stomach go cold.
    “What’s going on?” she asked, offering Mack his coffee.
    Mack took the foam cup and sucked at contents greedily. “Nothing. Just someone asking for directions. Did you get the donuts?”
    Aspen held up a white paper sack. “Two powdered jelly, two plain, two glazed and something called a longjohn for me.”
    Mack took the bag and opened the truck’s door. “Let’s hit it, we’ve got miles to cover.”
    Aspen let him help her back into the cab and settled into her seat. From her vantage point she could see the black sedan and the woman within. It looked as if she had two other people with her, an older man and, maybe, another woman in the back seat. They drove off heading west and Aspen lost sight of them in the early morning traffic.
    Mack climbed into the truck beside her. He flicked the controls and the engine coughed to