Appalachian Abduction

James opened the console and pulled out a pair of black leather gloves. “Here.”

“Thanks, but that’s not nec—”

“Go on. No sense suffering.” He laid them in her lap.

Charlotte slipped on the overlarge gloves. They were lined with fleece and felt comfy and toasty against her skin.

The truck sped through the night, and they were in town in ten minutes. Charlotte rubbed the passenger window, scrubbing away the condensation to peer at the street. “What motel do you recommend?”

“Neither of them. There’s only two.”

He turned the wheel sharply, and the lights of the Dixie Diner blazed in front of her. “Why are we stopping here?” she asked.

“I’m starving. I’ll pick us up a couple plates to go.”

She frowned. He could have got his own meal after he dropped her off, but the rumble in her stomach couldn’t argue with the need for food. Real food. Eating nothing but crackers and apples and granola bars for two days had gotten old. Charlotte followed him in, and her knees went weak at the smell of fried chicken. James ordered a meat-and-three plate for each of them, and her mouth salivated. She couldn’t wait to check into her room, eat and then enjoy a long bath with no fear of intruders.

Back in the truck, James turned sideways in the seat and didn’t start the motor. “This Jenny you’re looking for—was she caught up in some kind of pornography ring?”

“You could say that.”

“How about being a little more specific?”

It might have been framed as a question, but she knew it was a demand. Hell, if he knew this much, he might as well know the rest.

“A human trafficking ring. She’s one of many girls who have been caught in its trap.”

James nodded, but he didn’t say a word as he started the truck and backed out of the parking space. He retraced his route and kept driving until downtown was visible only in the rearview mirror. They were far from anyone, on a lonely backroad where anything could happen.

A small frisson of fear chased down her spine. Stop, just stop, she chided herself. If he were one of the bad guys, he would hardly have stopped for fried chicken before doing her in. Or loaned her his gloves. Still, her hand sought the passenger door handle. “Where are we going?”

“My place.”

“Now, wait a minute,” she protested. “If you think—”

James held up a hand. “I have a spare bedroom. It’s just a precaution.”

She studied him—the hard planes of his face and his aura of calm command. Okay, she would feel safer staying with him. But he could have at least asked before assuming she’d follow along.

“I can’t read you,” she admitted. “Half the time you act like there are other explanations for the shootings, and the other half, you’re extremely cautious.”

“Blame my army training. I imagine all possible scenarios and then prepare for the worst.”

Curiosity sparked to learn more about James. “What was it like in Afghanistan?”

His fingers drummed the dashboard as he considered his answer. “Lot of extremes. Hot during the day, cold at night. Periods of boredom followed by bursts of danger.”

“I understand the boredom–danger thing. Lots of that with undercover work.” Charlotte wondered if the experience had left him scarred. “What did you do in the army?”

“IED patrol.”

She gave a low whistle. The man had put his life on the line with every mission. Lucky for him, he’d returned home in one piece. “Must have been tough. Do the memories ever bother you, now that you’re home?” Charlotte bit her lip. This was none of her business. “Never mind. I have no right to ask. I thank you for your service.”

He was silent for so long, she didn’t think he was going to respond, and she stretched her right leg, trying to find a position that didn’t hurt.

“It only bothers me sometimes at night,” James said quietly. “Insomnia’s a bitch.”

* * *

JAMES SHOOK OUT two of Miss Glory’s herbal pills on the kitchen table along with a glass of sassafras tea. “Drink up.”

“I’m fine. My leg’s not—”

“Stop it. I’ve seen you wince whenever you stand up or sit down. The way you favor your right leg. Are you always this stubborn?”

Charlotte picked up one of the pills and held it in her palm, frowning. “I don’t like feeling out of control. Like I could fall asleep and not wake up when there’s a possibility of an intruder lurking.”

“Remember that insomnia I mentioned? I’ll be up all night.” He felt his mouth twitch. “Let my problem at least benefit you.”

She bit her lip, obviously debating the wisdom of taking the pills. “What the hell.” In one swift motion, she popped them in her mouth and washed them down with tea. “I don’t have much faith they’ll be that strong, anyway.”

“Hope they work. Others swear by her herbs and roots.” He knew how to make her see it his way. “Besides, get a good night’s rest, and you can work longer and harder tomorrow.”

“Every day Jenny spends with that ring is torture for Tanya and Jenny. I never forget that. Not for a minute.”

“I don’t doubt your dedication. One night’s sleep will help you think clearer, and means you can bring her and the others home sooner. I saw the photos on your laptop. The ones of those girls for sale.” Disgust roiled in his stomach. Hungry as he’d been, he started regretting the fried chicken and gravy.

“When did you look at my laptop? How did you—”

“When we were back at the cabin.”

“Seems like I’m not the only one with a suspicious nature.”

“Comes with the territory in our line of work. Never know when it might save our ass.”

She shook her head, a bemused smile lighting her green-blue eyes. “Next you’ll have me thanking you for doubting me.”

“Good. Now let me use my influence to get you to shower and then let me take a look at your injuries.”

A tinge of red crept up her neck and face. “I can take care of myself.”

“A little late for modesty. The first time we met, you weren’t wearing pants.”

Charlotte groaned and lifted her hands to her face. “I forgot about that.”

He hadn’t. Sure, at the time, he’d been a little distracted by the gun she’d aimed at him, but yeah, he’d noticed the bare, shapely legs. James rose from the table. “Go on. I’ll see to cleaning up.”

Charlotte rose, and again a slight wince crossed her face.