Emmitt's Treasure: Judgement of the Six Companion Series, book 2 Read Free Page A

glass a few inches.  Just enough to hear me.
    “You were starting to swerve,” I said, putting my hands in my pockets in an attempt to look unimposing.  “How long since you last slept?”
    It took her a moment to answer.
    “It’s been a while.”
    “That man, David, hinted this was how he followed you,” I said, nodding at her car.
    I hoped she’d understand she needed to get rid of the car.
    She looked away from me, and her gaze caught on the single, small building on the property.  A man stood just outside the door, watching us.  When the man noticed he had her attention, he started to walk toward us.
    “Come on, guys.  Let’s unbuckle and get out.  Stay close,” she said.
    I took a step back and glanced at the salesman as she opened her door.
    “Howdy, folks.  What can I do for you?”
    “I need a different car,” Michelle said while the boys climbed out and moved close to her.  She gently ran her fingers through their hair.  Seeing her love and fear for them jacked the urgency to get her somewhere safe.  To take her home.  Given her reaction when I’d stepped up to the window, that might not be so easy.  She obviously didn’t trust me, despite saving her.
    “A trade?” the salesman asked, breaking my thoughts.
    She nodded.
    “To be honest, your car is probably worth two of any of the cars I have.”
    “It’s okay,” she said.
    But, the change in her pulse told me that was a lie.  She didn’t need to worry about money, though.  I’d help her.
    “The insurance on this thing is too much for me.  I need something worth a little less to bring down the premiums.”
    The dealer happily led her through the collection of vehicles on his tiny lot.
    “I think I have just the thing for you, then.”
    He showed her a dark blue truck flecked with bits of rust.  A truck meant I could put my bike in the back so I could drive and she could sleep.  But, it also meant the kids would need to share a seatbelt.  While I was trying to think of a way to help prod her to say yes, she surprised me by telling the guy she’d take it.
    “Come inside, and we’ll sign the papers.  Do you have the title with you?”
    “Yes, I think so.  Let me go get it.”
    “I’ll get it for you and move your things,” I said from behind her.  It would give me a chance to load my bike without witnesses.  The faster we were on our way once she was done, the better.
    While she went to the office with the salesman, I jogged to the car.  The title was in the glove box.  Tucking the paper into my back pocket, I opened the back door.  Though the car seats wouldn’t fit in the truck, I removed them and her purse from the car, then loaded the seats in the back of the truck along with my bike.
    Finished switching things over, I went back to the office and handed the salesman the title.  It didn’t take him long to sign over the truck and hand the keys to Michelle.
    I followed Michelle and the boys from the office, trying to think of a way to ask for the keys.  When we reached the truck, she glanced questioningly at my bike in the bed.
    I tried giving her a reassuring smile.
    “I hope you’ll accept my help for a little longer.  You need to move from here, but you don’t look like you’ll be able to stay awake for very long.”
    Her uncertainty and desperation drifted into the air around us, and I had to put my hands in my pockets to keep from reaching for her.
    “Who are you?” she asked.
    “Emmitt, for now.  When you’re more awake, I’ll give you whatever details you want.”
    She nodded, and I wanted to grin.  Instead, I walked the three of them to the passenger door and held it open while they got in.  She kissed the tops of the boys’ heads as she buckled them in together then sat in her place.  Once she buckled, I closed the door and walked around the hood.  The road was still clear of any traffic.  I hoped that meant the two who’d come for her were still knocked out.  They’d catch up to