Page 67 of The Route to You

Kyle sat there for a moment, blinking, staring at his hands.

This woman would be the death of him.

He glanced back at Charlie, who perked his head up, interested in where they’d stopped. “Don’t worry, you’re the one she’s looking to keep. At least, I think so.”

He pushed the door open and stepped out, already feeling far too awkward for meeting the mother of Cheyenne, Sloan’s friend, who would probably hear all about his long, sordid past with Sloan and then tell said mother.

Sloan seemed to have developed nerves of steel somewhere between the passenger seat and the front steps, though. “Tallulah,” she said in a tone that he didn’t quite recognize. “Let me introduce you to my friend Kyle. He did me the favor of driving me all the way here, isn’t that sweet?”

Tallulah gave him a sharp-eyed, measuring look, then smiled. “Nice to meet you, Kyle,” she said politely, as though she hadn’t decided whether she fully trusted him. “Well, come on in. I’m sure you have quite a story to tell, Sloan. Cheyenne must’ve called five times since—” Tallulah frowned, gaze flicking back to Kyle. “Well. It doesn’t matter. You’re safe, and you’re here, and that’s all that matters.”

“Actually, before we come in.” Sloan glanced back at the Jeep. “Part of the reason we came here is because we came across an injured dog out on the highway. He looks like he’s been outside for a while and needs help. I know you have a vet⁠—”

“Oh poor baby.” Tallulah’s demeanor changed immediately. “Take me straight to him.”

As Sloan led Tallulah toward the Jeep, Kyle stuffed his hands in his pockets, feeling useless. He had to give Tallulah credit, though. She actually sounded genuine. And he’d never met a horse person who wasn’t also a dog person, so she probably was.

His phone rang. Liddy. Despite the cold, he moved a few paces away for some privacy, watching as Tallulah leaned into the back seat of the Jeep.

“Hello?”

“Kyle Winnick.” Liddy’s voice came in, hot and worried. “Tell me why I’m seeing your photograph on the news as a wanted kidnapper. ”

His stomach roiled. “What the fuck?”

“The news! The BBC is reporting that Sloan Carrington —ring any bells? Yes, that Sloan Carrington—went missing in Colorado a few days ago, and you’re wanted in connection with her disappearance. Not just a man who looks like you. YOU.”

“Holy fucking shit.”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself. Apparently, she’s engaged to some hot-shot congressman. Now, where the hell are you?”

“Wyoming.”

“Good.” Liddy breathed out a sigh of relief. “No wonder all your calls have been going to voicemail for the past hour. I’ve called like twenty times. Wyoming is a little too close to Colorado for comfort, but we can work with that. Quinn already has a plane on standby in Nashville to come get you, though. Is there an airport near you?”

Kyle’s pulse raced, his brain spinning.

Wanted for kidnapping?

How?

What?

He needed to call Davy and find out what had happened.

Why hadn’t Evan canceled the missing persons report?

“Kyle? Airport?” Liddy’s voice cut through the fog in his mind.

“I can’t,” he said.

“What? Why not? We need to get you lawyered up, sweetie.”

Oh, she’s not going to like this.

“I can’t,” he repeated. “Because I’m with Sloan.”

Dead silence.