At Face Value by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

Author:Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: World Castle Publishing, LLC
Published: 2023-04-25T22:16:20+00:00

Chapter Twelve

He hadn’t slept much, but then he seldom did. In her unfamiliar apartment, Nicholas had been on alert and kept watch, so he was tired, but he said nothing about it. Beside him, Belle snuggled close and talked, which helped to pass the time. He half-listened, reveling in the soft, sweet sound of her voice but paying little attention. Between that and the hum of the tires against the pavement, he became drowsy. After he’d drifted across lanes once and veered off toward the shoulder twice, Nicholas realized he needed a break, or he’d fall asleep at the wheel. That could be dangerous and lead to an accident.

“Hey, Belle, do you want to drive a while?”

“What’s the matter?”

“Nothing, but I’m getting sleepy.”

“I can drive.”

He pulled off onto the next farm road, and they switched places. Nicholas scrubbed his eyes with both hands as he settled into the passenger seat. “It’s bigger than your little Toyota,” he warned. “It will handle differently, especially loaded down. There’s a fair cross wind today, too, so don’t let it….”

“Nicholas,” she interrupted.

“What?”

“Don’t treat me like I don’t know what I’m doing. I have a driver’s license and everything. Plus, I drove down here last week alone.”

He shook his head and laughed. “Busted. All right, I’ll try not to tell you how to drive.”

“Will it make you nervous, me driving?”

“Probably, but I’ll manage.”

He could, he thought, he would. Nicholas preferred to be in control, and that was lifelong, not just part of his PTSD.

“Just trust me,” she said and laughed.

He didn’t, but he realized he did, and that was a huge step for him. “I trust you, Belle,” he told her, and there was no laughter in his voice. “You’re one of a very few people that I do, my sister, Timothy, my mom and my grandpa.”

Those were the handful he trusted, without a doubt. To some extent, he could rely on other relatives and a few friends he’d served with, but she made the short list.

“I’m honored. Now shut your eyes and get some sleep.”

Now that his attention wasn’t focused on the road, Nicholas wasn’t as sleepy. Still, he closed his eyes and tried to chill. Belle put on the stereo and began singing softly to most of the songs on his well-worn country classics CD. As she sang about sixteen tons then segued into trailers for sale or rent, he dozed, then he slept.

Nicholas didn’t rouse until they were almost to Carthage, around twenty miles from his house. He adjusted his position in the seat and squinted at the brilliant sun.

“What time is it?”

“Almost eleven thirty.”

“I didn’t think I’d sleep that long.”

“You needed it.”

“Probably so.”

“Do you want to stop for lunch before we get back?”

He considered the question. After a big breakfast, he wasn’t hungry and told her so.

“I’m not either, but there’s not much at the house to eat,” she replied. “If we don’t pull in somewhere to grab a bite, I need to stop at the store.”

A large discount store or supermarket was the last place he wanted to be.

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