Page 38 (1/2)

"Tell me about Essie"

Taainst the seat "She's smart Everyone in the Crest Society homeschools their kids, but Amelia always found a way to teach Essie a little bit irls on the coh school equivalency degree right before Amelia died"

Pride rang in her voice She sounded like hisabout her kids, no matter how much it would embarrass him or his sisters

"So what do you do with a super-smart sixteen year old when you're on the run?"

Smart kids soured out neays to entertain themselves

"Part of the reason I went to Albert for help is because Hae that would be perfect for Essie to attend" She let out a bittersweet sigh "I thought maybe next year, if we hadn't heard from her father, she could enroll"

It was a sweet—if totally naive—hope "So much for that"

She snorted "Exactly"

After that it was a fast-food drive thru, a fresh tank of gas just south of the Colorado state line, and sht shot north from the state line to Hamilton The GPS predicted five and a half hours At their current pace, they'd be there in four and a half He lowered the sun visor and pushed it against the driver's sideso it helped block the setting sun co in from the west

"So what's the deal with this Albert guy?" he asked, holding the steering wheel a little tighter than necessary "Is he an old boyfriend?"

"Youabout hily, but the question had a punch to it There was no way she was happy baring her secrets

"Since I just found out about his existence today, no I'ed to do a da Essie if I couldn't find her location until you gave it up"

"Fat lot of good it did How in the hell did Jarrod e to find her?"

"If he did" He had to say it even though that sixth sense that warned of so nuts

She brought her knees up to her chest and curled her arht ball on the passenger seat "My gut says the clock is ticking"