Fear gripped me. “Dad is going to kill us.”
“Daisy has sons, right? Call them.”
Alarm bells went off in my head. “Uh, no. We don’t want to call them. They’ll think we’re idiots.”
“We? You’re the only one taking pictures of a fucking cloud.” Her hands popped on her hips. “Who do we call then?”
“You know what? Daisy is really cool.” I dialed my phone. “I think she could help.”
As the phone rang, a rock suddenly flew out of the forest and landed on the highway. We both screamed, dove into the car, locked the door, and raised the roof when I finally heard Daisy’s voice.
“Hello?”
“Hi, it’s Madison and Zoey.” I focused on slowing my breathing. “Are you alone?”
“Uh, yes. Your dad ran to check on the cattle. What’s up?”
“Well, everything is fine, really. But I was hoping you could drive east on Highway 370, about five miles until you see us.”
“Oh honey, are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, totally. We just got the car a little stuck in some mud. Don’t tell my dad. If you just bring a shovel, Zoey and I can get it out, for sure.”
“A shovel?”
“Yes.” Another rock flew from the forest onto the highway. “And a gun!”
“What?”
A tense laugh escaped me. “I mean, it’s just kind of rural out here, probably a good idea. We’re still totally fine.”
“Okay, sweetie, I’ll see you shortly.”
We held hands in the front seat, preparing our strategy if a serial killer—or bear—came barreling out of the forest. Our strategy was basically to die. The only thing we could think of was to beat whoever or whatever this menace was with our boots. An option? Yes. A sucky option? Again, yes.
A vehicle appeared over the horizon, and dread filled me as it came closer; it was Jax’s truck.
“Oh, no.”
Zoey stretched her neck. “What? Is that Daisy?”
That was the moment Icould’vetold Zoey about Jax. A quick rundown of the amazing chemistry, kisses, hands everywhere, and the invitation to stay here forever. I opened my mouth to say something, but it was too much too soon.
“No, uh, that’s her adopted son, Jax.” I sighed. “He’s going to think we’re ditzes for getting into this mess.”
“Is he a jerk or something?”
“No, but that doesn’t make this any less embarrassing.”
The truck pulled in front of our car. Zoey and I climbed out as he walked over to us.
“Madison, what happened?” Jax walked around to the back of the car to have a look.
“Where is Daisy? She was supposed to come.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Well, anytime I see her leaving the house with a shovel and a gun, I try to stop her.”
Zoey laughed.
