Chapter Two – Gary and Paige Drive East Along the Columbia River

“Which drink do you want?” she asked.

 

“Doesn’t matter to me, you pick.”

 

She kept the Mango Tango, took a drink, opened the Superfood for him, and put it in one of the holders. As she picked at the sandwich, she reached over and turned up the music, GeoM’s remix of ‘Dancer in The Dark’ surrounded them, and she looked up and smiled. “I love this song!” immediately, putting her hand over her mouth because she had talked with her mouth full. She smirked. “Sorry,” she mumbled.

 

He chuckled at her. “Yeah, I pulled this soundtrack off of a House Mix video and put it on my phone. This mix is my favorite; you will probably get tired of it.” He wound their way through traffic and onto 84 eastbound. The car accelerated smoothly, and they settled back into their seats for the ride.

 

She was looking around and studying Gary. She looked at the car, enjoying the music. “If this is the worst of it, I’ll just suffer through,” she said between bites of tomato and turkey.

 

He glanced over at her, and their eyes met briefly. There it was again, that indescribable chemistry which happens so rarely, an unspoken but completely communicated connection between two people.

 

She averted her eyes with a blush. It was natural and enchanting. “Thanks again,” she said, just more than a whisper. “If it had not been for John and now you, well, I was in that room imagining what was going to happen to me. I’ve heard stories about that kind of thing, but you never think it will happen to you. I was so terrified. I’m still trying to get my head around it. Everything happened so fast. It was horrible, and now I’m here with you. I don’t even know you, but I feel safe. It makes no sense, and I’m trying to take it all in.”

 

Her softness, the curve of her cheek, was attractive, even with the bruises. The way her eyes met his in that second of connection, her vulnerability, and, at the same time, strength. Gary felt his emotions responding on their own, out of his control. This girl could hurt him or save him. The thought was unbidden and a bit shocking. Not being the kind of guy who gets out of control, he was surprised he was giving up a piece of his to this girl. It surprised him even more that he was ok with it. They rode in silence for a couple of miles and when he finally got settled into the drive; she handed him part of the sub, and he took a bite.

 

“Why are you doing this?” she asked between bites. “I’m so grateful, but you don’t even know me!”

The answer did not come quickly. It was not simple, and for some reason, it was important to him she understood. She waited, knowing he was considering her question.

 

He started slowly. “I’ve been blessed with a lot. I have more than enough, no matter how you measure it. I feel the need to make a difference, to balance out my wealth. For me, life can’t be about accumulation. It has to DO something. Beyond that, I hate what people do to other people.” He paused and looked at her. “I’ve seen some things. Horrible things.”

 

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