Truck Stop

– 11-

“Thank you, honey.”

I took the offered wine glass and Latham climbed into bed next to me. The fireplace was roaring, the chardonnay was cold, and when Latham slipped his hand around my waist I sighed. For a moment, at least, everything was right with the world. Candi had been reunited with her children. Taylor was eagerly confessing to a string of murders going back fifteen years, and ten states were fighting to have first crack at prosecuting him. No charges were filed against me for my attack on the pimp, because Fran the waitress had sworn he shoved me first. My various aches and pains were all healing nicely, and I even got all of my things back, including my missing shoe. It was five days into my vacation, and I was feeling positively glorious.

The only loose end was Donaldson. But he’d get his, eventually. It was only a matter of time until someone picked him up.

“You know, technically, you never thanked me for saving your life,” Latham said.

“Is that what you did?” I asked, giving him a playful poke in the chest. “I thought I was the one who did all the saving.”

“After that man called me, I called the police, told them you were at Murray’s and someone had you.”

“The police arrived after I’d already taken control of the situation.”

“Still, I deserve some sort of reward for my cool-headedness and grace under pressure, don’t you think?”

“What have you got in mind?”

He whispered something filthy in my ear.

“You pervert,” I said, smiling then kissing him.

Then I took another sip of wine and followed his suggestion.