“That’s true,” Greg said. “But he also has a soft spot for people in need. But you might end up having to work on the farm for a bit. I know he won’t be willing to give you ahandout.”
“We’re not asking for a handout,”Andysaid.
“I know. Which is why you’ll probably have to work off the debt. If you’re not okay with that, then there’s no point in me talking tomydad.”
“We’ll do it,” Daisy said. When Andy’s head whipped toward her, she held up a hand. “Hear me out. We really don’t have a choice right now. West Yellowstone’s too small a town for our usual hustle. There aren’t enough people. River could probably play night and day for a month and we still wouldn’t have the amount we’d need to buy theparts.”
“Daisy’s right,” Meadow said. “Unless we want to ditch the bus and hitch rides, we don’t have achoice.”
“I can’t promise anything,” Greg warned. “But I’ll do whatIcan.”
“Thanks, man,”Riversaid.
Andy mashed his lips together as he studied the forest floor. Greg held his breath. Was the guy stubborn enough to put his sister and their friends in a bad position just to prove his alpha malestatus?
“All right,” Andy said. “We’lldoit.”
“Wait here. I’ll go talk to my old man and come backforyou.”
“Thanks, Greg.” Daisy rushed forward and wrapped her arms around his waist. Every muscle in his body clenched with animalistic need. He ignored Andy’s furious look and pulled her hard againsthisbody.
When he released her, she gave him a quick peck on the cheek which shot bolts of electric sparks straight to his groin. The innocent kiss ignited more than just his libido. He silently vowed to do whatever it took to make her happy, even if that meant facing downhisdad.
* * *
Greg foundhis father squatting between two rows of peas. He plucked a pod off the vine and pulled it open with his nails. After scooping the peas out, he offered them to Greg. Nerves crackled in his belly as he popped the fresh vegetables into his mouth. He chewed slowly while trying to formulate a plan for the conversation. Upon realizing there wouldn’t be a good way to broach the subject, he launchedintoit.
“I went up to check the car,” Greg said. “It’s got a busted clutch. The clutch cable’s about tosnaptoo.”
“Sounds like a mess,” hisdadsaid.
“Yeah.” Greg ran a hand throughhishair.
“What’s on yourmind,son?”
“I was hoping we might be able tohelpthem.”
“You can borrow the truck. Run them up to Gunther’s,” hisdadsaid.
“They have a slightproblem.”
“Yeah?” His dad popped another pod’s worth of peas into hismouth.
“They don’t have anymoney.”
“Whynot?”
“They’re…” His mind raced. If he told his dad they were hippies on a draft-dodging run, he’d never get him to agree to help them. “They’re on the road to see theirparents.”
“How many arethere?”
“Four,” Greg said. “A brother, sister, and their twofriends.”
“And they’re all on their way up to their parents’ house?” his dadasked.
“I didn’t get all thedetails.”
“You have to ask questions, son. You can’t go through life only knowing half of what you needtoknow.”
