I worked in the screened-in back porch fo the rest of the day, and since the little room adjoined the kitchen, I could not help but overhear Brian conversations as he called all the rental car companies listed in the phone book. I heard him cajole and even bribe anyone who would speak to him. But to no avail. There were no four-wheel-drive vehicles available at the present -not a single one for rent in the entire state of Texas, it seemed. He even phoned a car dealership and tried to buy one over the phone and have it delivered to my home. But even that desperate scheme did not work Out. Now he was on the phone with the bus lines. Was he trying to hire-or even buy-abus in order to get out of here? He was a resourceful man, that I had to grant him.
While Brian talked on the phone for hours I worked on reupholstering a lovely mahogany ballroom chair, which I hoped to sell in shop. Noah sat in the living room reading a thick volume on penguins, a partng gift from Will a Faith.
Finally I heard Brian's heavy steps as he entered the porch. So, any luck I asked in friendly manner
"The bus company says they'll be up and running again by tonight. There should be a bus headed to ward Dallas stopping in Sweetwater at about seven is there any way you can get me into town by then?"
I considered his request... slightly impossible...and then considered my resources.deinitely pitiful But his expression was desperate. For pity's sake, the man was so desperate to leave he was even willing to take the bus! Had Brian Adams ever set one elegant wing tip on a bus before? I sincerely doubted it. How could I refuse? Well, I suppose we can try our best, I offered in a measured tone
"What kind of car do you have,"he asked eagerly
"I have a truck."
His expression brighiened "Great."
"Don't get too excited yet, Brian. It's twelve years old with about one bundred and twenty thousand miles on it, three bald tires, and low gears don hold all hat well,"
The engine got finicky in damp weather, as well and it might not even start up, i knew but I didn't tell him that part
"I might have guessed," he said gluly He put his hands on his hips "So you don't think we'll make it, do you?"
"There's no harm in trying." I wiped my hands on a rag and began to put away my tools. "There's not much else to do today, and I'm tired of hanging around inside."
"All things considered, you' re all right," Olivia he said quietly.
I grinned and caught his admiring gaze for a second. Long enough to push my temperature up a notch or two. "All things considered...thanks for the compliment."
They were a motley-looking trio, I thought as we headed out back to the truck, wearing every piece of waterproof clothing I could find. While the wind had died down, the rain still fell steadily, despite the predictions of a partial clearing. As we tramped toward my vehicle, I felt the mud suck at my boots and felt a vague foreboding. Even if they made it to town, I wondered if bus would show up at all. If Brian's had thought my couch made an uncomfortable bed, wait until he tried Out a booth in the local café. Was the café even open all night ? I wondered, casting him a glance. He'd probably end up sleeping in the police station, in the single holding cell. Now there was an uncomfortably bed. Well, there was clearly no stopping him. He determined to move on, and I thought it was just as well. The less proximity I had to this man the better it would be for all involved. Then why did I feel so disheartened at his departure? I wondered. It was just the rain, I told myself, and the prospect of another dull night and day closed up in doors, with nothing to do but play gin rummy with Noah -and lose shamelessly to an eight-year-old.
Noah was the only one who seemed cheered by the venture, running ahead and merrily splashing through the puddles. I wondered if my truck would even turn over in this weather, much less cary them the long, mucky distance to town.
But Brian was so determined. And he had no regrets about leaving me. The realization hit me like a dash of cold water
"Climb in, guys," I shouted over the rain as I pulled the driver's side door open. "Noah, you sit in the middle." Once we were all inside de and the doors shut, I turned the key in the ignition and crossed my fingers. The engine sputtered ominously, then finally roared to life
"So far, so good." I cast a glance in Brian direction. But he now looked even more anxious about the prospect of taking off in my truck than he had a few hours belore, when facing the possibility of no ride out of town at all
"How old did you say this truck is?" he asked "Very old. But it's probably best if we skip the math right now," I replied as I threw the vehicle gear. The wheels spun, then miraculously caught, and the truck jerked forward, down the rutted dirt drive. As they bounced through giant puddles that splashed mud up to the windshield, I saw Brains head smack the ceiling of the truck cab and he grabbed on to the dashboard with one hand.
"Whoa, there.. he said under his breath, as if set astride a bucking bronco. "I would like to get there in one piece, if you don't mind."
"But you would like to get there, I'm sure. If I drive any slower, we'll get stuck for sure."
I did not ease my pressure one bit on the accelerator. If there was anything that annoyed me, it was a back seat driver.