‘You’re beautiful, Rafe.’ She gave his cock a firm stroke, pleased when he bowed up, his head thrown back, exposing his throat. She kissed him under his chin, on his throat, on his mouth, vaguely tasting herself.
‘Not gonna take me long,’ he gritted out.
She kissed down the column of his throat, stroking harder and faster. ‘Let me see you. Let me see if you’re as beautiful when you come as I imagined.’
That was all it took. He ground out a guttural cry and came all over her hand, his cock pulsing with aftershocks. He shuddered, then relaxed, his lips curving into the most smugly satisfied smile she’d ever seen.
‘I think that was an unqualified success,’ he murmured, his breathing unsteady.
‘I think you’re right.’
He reached over the side of the bed, scooping his T-shirt from the floor, and cleaned off her hand. ‘You’ll get all sticky.’
‘I wasn’t complaining,’ she said, more than a little disappointed when he pulled his sweats back up. She settled her cheek against his shoulder, sighing happily when his arms came around her like a vise. ‘When do we have to wake up?’
‘We don’t leave for Santa Rosa until ten, so we can sleep a few more hours. You wore me out.’
She wriggled closer, inordinately pleased. ‘Go me. Oh, and thank you.’
He laughed quietly. ‘You are most welcome. And thank you, yourself.’
Reno, Nevada
Tuesday, 18 April, 6.25 A.M.
Amos twisted his clenched hands around the steering wheel, so stressed that he thought he’d throw up. It was barely dawn, but there were cars everywhere. People everywhere. The cars were all different. The signs advertised things he’d never heard of.
He felt like Rip Van Winkle, waking after a twenty-year sleep. Only I’ve been asleep for thirty. He couldn’t begin to imagine how the world had changed. He was afraid to even consider it. It was all too much.
He kept his eyes focused forward as they passed the sign proclaiming Reno only ten miles away. At least he knew where he was now. He’d only been to Reno once, with his grandfather. They’d gone ‘silver mining’, panning in a creek that Amos, with the awe of a five-year-old boy, had thought was real. His grandfather had found a small pebble-sized chunk of silver and with a deep, affectionate chuckle had handed it to him.
It was now snuggled at the bottom of Amos’s backpack. Worthless, really, from a monetary standpoint, but priceless in memories.
His grandfather would be heartbroken to learn that Pastor had lied to them. That Eden was a fraud. His grandfather had been one of Pastor’s most devoted parishioners, had defended him staunchly. Had raised Amos to respect the pulpit and the man who stood there.
Yes, his grandfather would be devastated about Pastor. Amos could only hope the old man who’d raised him would be proud of him now. I’m trying. But I’m so scared.
He glanced down at Abigail, startled when she blinked up at him, her large gray eyes round as saucers. She was still lying where he’d placed her, so quiet he hadn’t realized she was awake.
‘Hey, Abi-girl,’ he said lightly, hoping she couldn’t feel his fear.
She yawned. ‘Can I talk now, Papa?’
He returned his attention to the road, forcing a smile. She’d been so brave, obeying every command he’d given. ‘You can. But I have to drive, okay?’
She perked up at that. ‘Drive? You’re driving?’
‘I am. But I’d appreciate if you’d stay down for now. Just a little longer.’ He had no idea who was watching. He knew he was being paranoid, but it was better safe than sorry at this point.
‘Okay, Papa. But I’m hungry.’ She hesitated. ‘And I need to use the potty.’
His panic returned. Where could they stop? And then he saw a sign he did recognize. Golden arches. His lips curved. Some things didn’t change. ‘I know a place.’
He took the next exit and pulled into the parking lot of the McDonald’s. ‘We’re not in Eden anymore, Abigail.’
She stared up at him with her old-soul eyes. Her mother’s eyes. ‘I know that, Papa.’
Amos chuckled, a tiny piece of fear dropping away. He was so lucky to have this child. ‘Of course you do. Well. This place is one my grandfather used to take me to.’
‘Back in the olden days,’ Abigail said sagely.
‘Indeed,’ Amos replied gravely. Then he smiled. ‘You ready for some breakfast?’
‘I can get up now?’
He turned off the engine and pocketed the key. ‘Yes.’ He held out his arms. ‘Want a ride?’
She sat up primly. ‘I’m seven, Papa. I can walk.’
‘Of course you can.’ He got out, shouldered his backpack, and then opened her door. ‘After you, my lady.’
She giggled. ‘Silly Papa.’
He held out his hand. ‘Even seven-year-old princesses hold their papas’ hands, okay?’
Abigail slid from the truck, landing on her feet with a bounce, then went still, staring. At everything. Cars raced by on their way to the highway. One honked and she squeaked a terrified whimper.
They were surrounded by buildings. No forests. The mountains were brown and small, not towering and snowcapped. Nothing looked familiar.
Abigail clutched at his hand, her bravado replaced with fear. ‘Papa?’
‘It’s scary, I know,’ he said softly. ‘Stay with me. It’ll be all right. I promise.’
He hoped. God, he hoped.
They crossed the parking lot, Abigail pressed close to his side. She was taking everything in, barely blinking. He opened the door to McDonald’s and gently tugged her inside. ‘The bathroom is this way.’
He took a moment to inhale. This was familiar. The aroma of breakfast. Of McDonald’s breakfast. They had a little food in his backpack, but he needed this. The connection. The anchor to something he actually understood. This had been his first job, flipping burgers at Mickey D’s, and this restaurant looked remarkably like the one he’d known before.
Abigail was tugging at his hand. ‘Papa, I need to go.’
And then he realized she’d never experienced plumbing. He blew out a breath, trying to figure out what to do. She was scared enough without sending her into the ladies’ room by herself. Plus, the restaurant wasn’t full, but there were enough people inside. He wasn’t letting her out of his sight.
‘Okay. This is going to be new for you,’ he said, leading her to the men’s room. ‘Next time, maybe you’ll want to use that bathroom.’ He pointed to the door with the outline of the woman. ‘But for today, you can stay with me.’