“Is that pot?” hedemanded.
The guy was mid-toke when he burst out laughing. He choked on the sweet smoke andsputtered.
“Of course, man,”hesaid.
“Want to smoke with us?” Daisy asked. “This is my brother Andy and my friends Meadow andRiver.”
Greg grabbed the blunt from between Andy’s fingers and then flicked it intothefire.
“What the hell, man?” River snapped. “You just threw away some California Gold. That shit’s notcheap.”
“I don’t care,” Greg said. “You need to pack up andleave.”
“Or what? Your old man’s going to shoot us?” Andyasked.
“Hey, everyone just chill,”Daisysaid.
She stood and walked over to where Greg stood. Her soft, earthy scent curled into his nose to awaken his bear. The creature stretched and yawed before turning its attention to Daisy. Then he clawed at his ribcage. Greg gasped at the sudden pressure in hischest.
“Are you okay, man?” River asked. “Cop a squat before youpassout.”
Daisy grabbed his arm and helped him to the ground. She sat cross-legged beside him. The edge of her skirt draped over her thigh, revealing her long, sexy legs. He swallowed andlookedaway.
“Want some water?” Daisyasked.
“Sure,”hesaid.
She handed him a Thermos of liquid. He sniffed it before pouringacup.
“It’s not booze,”Andysaid.
“I know,” Greg said. “But can you blame me forchecking?”
“No,” Daisy said. “We don’t have much, but if you want some beef jerky, I can get you some fromthebus.”
“No thanks. I already had dinner,”hesaid.
River pulled a Zippo lighter out and lit the end of a new blunt. Greg sighed. Trying to reason with a bunch of hippies was pointless. As soon as his bear calmed down enough to allow him to get up, he’dleave.
“Where are you headed tomorrow?” Gregasked.
“Yellowstone. We’re taking the road up toGardner.”
“Do you have family there?” heasked.
“No,” River said. “Meadow and I don’t have family. We’re each other’s family.Right,babe?”
“Mm-hmm,”shesaid.
“What about you?” Greg askedDaisy.
“I have my brother Andy, but other than that, I don’t really have a familyanymore.”
He detected a hint of sadness in her tone. He wanted to ask her about it, but didn’t want to be rude. Prying into other people’s business wasn’t hisstyle.
“What about your family?” Daisy asked. “Are you closetothem?”
“Definitely,” he said. “I have a greatfamily.”
