Lifeline by Christy Barritt

Author:Christy Barritt
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2013-08-16T04:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

Bradley kept one eye on his rearview mirror as he drove back to Virginia Beach. The police had shown up rather quickly, taken their statements, and then they’d gotten back on the road. An hour into the trip, Julianne had closed her eyes and her breathing had evened out. She’d fallen asleep, and Bradley had no intention of waking her.

He hated to think of Julianne living in such a rough area. Groups of people hung outside the apartments with beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other. They weren’t the type of people you wanted to invite over for dinner. No, gang activity was rampant there and he’d bet most of them had a rap sheet.

Still, she’d done what she could to stand on her own two feet. He had to admire her for that. She’d done her best with her given circumstances. However, his mind ran through possible ways of keeping her from ever having to go back there to live again. Maybe she’d accept a position at Eyes permanently? Or perhaps Rachel or Elle could use her at their nonprofits? He didn’t know anything for sure, except that the thought of her moving away caused a strange ache to pierce his heart.

He glanced in the rearview mirror. A black sedan followed them. Every time he switched lanes, accelerated or slowed, the sedan mirrored him. The dark glass on the car’s windows didn’t allow Bradley to see the driver.

Spontaneously, he pulled off the interstate and cut onto an exit ramp. He watched in his rearview mirror as the car zoomed past. Good. Maybe he’d lost them.

Julianne raised her head, blinking as if trying to gather her surroundings. “What’s going on? Where are we?”

“Just a little detour.”

“Detour? Why?” she asked drowsily.

“I thought there might be someone following us.”

She suddenly gripped the armrest and pushed herself upright. “Did we lose them?”

“It looks like it. I’m going to keep my eyes open, though.”

She yawned and rubbed her hands over her eyes. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

“You must have needed your rest.”

“That was probably the best I’ve slept in a couple of weeks.” As soon as the words left her mouth, her cheeks filled with color. “I haven’t felt very safe lately, I guess.”

The sun had set now, and darkness surrounded the car. The nighttime would make it harder to see a vehicle behind them, but he hoped if he continued on the back roads it would be easier.

“What was your fiancée like, Bradley?”

Normally, he shut down when people wanted to talk about Vanessa. But, for some reason, he didn’t mind talking about her with Julianne.

“She was spunky and animated. She had a good heart. She put up with me.” He grinned.

Julianne laughed softly. “Big job, huh? How’d you meet?”

“Through a mutual friend.”

“You were never married before?”

He cast a quick glance her way. “No. Why?”

“I bet women were knocking down your door to get dates with you.”

“And why’s that?”

He smiled when he saw the blush stain her cheeks again.

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