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Jeremiah rolled down his window. “Sorry for blocking the road—we’re just trying to figure out where we’re going next.”
“Maybe I can help you out,” the man said. His voice sounded like a wheel needing to be greased.
“I don’t think so,” Jeremiah went to roll up the window, but the man tapped on it with one knobby-knuckled hand.
“I overheard you talkin’ with Nancy up there. She ain’t the type to give out information, but I heard what you said and you seem like a good guy.”
Jeremiah didn’t respond, and Liv leaned over the gear shift toward Jeremiah’s window. “Yes,” she said, eager for any help. “We’re looking for his brother and my niece. We have an important message for them.”
The man nodded, his craggy lips turning up in a slight smile. “And would this man happen to be a tall guy with shoulders like a linebacker and a little dark-headed girl, driving the prettiest old Westfalia I ever did see?”
“That’s them!” Liv nearly shouted.
“Do you know where they are?” Jeremiah asked.
“Well, I maybe do,” the man said. “But he sure seemed like a fella who didn’t want to be found.”
Jeremiah huffed in annoyance. “Great. Thanks for that.” He went to put the Jeep in gear, but the man spoke again.
“He was here, though. Four or five hours ago, but Nancy was all full up.”
Liv leaned forward. “And?”
“Well,” the man said, his eyes shifting to the right. “I did happen to notice Nancy ended up with a ten spot after giving you some valuable information.”
He paused, licking his lips wetly. Jeremiah rolled his eyes, but Liv dug in her purse and pulled out a twenty-dollar bill. “Here,” she said, handing it to the man.
“Sweet of you, honey.” He stuffed the bill in his pocket, then fixed his eyes on Liv. “I watched him walk away with that little girl, holding hands. He said something to her like, ‘We don’t want to stay here anyway, too many people. How about I take you to my secret place. The best place to see the stars in the entire state of Colorado.’” The man grinned. “I remember what he said exactly ’cause I asked him where he was going. But he wouldn’t tell me—that’s why I figure he don’t want to be found.”
Liv turned to Jeremiah, her breath catching.
“Go,” she told him. “Let’s go.”
The car was silent, the darkened highway lit only by the glow of the Jeep’s headlights and the occasional car passing in the opposite lane. A flash of lightning illuminated the sky behind them, followed by a rolling rumble. Liv jumped.
They were heading to the red rock valley where Jeremiah had brought her just a few days ago, back when Liv had stupidly thought everything was going to work out. The best place to see the stars in all of Colorado. She pressed her forehead against the cool of the window and watched the raindrops move along the glass. She didn’t want to remember the last time they had driven on this highway.
“I’m sorry,” Jeremiah said.
She sat up, confused. He kept his eyes fixed on the darkened road in front of them. “I know sorry doesn’t mean anything, but I am.”
“I don’t blame you for what happened to Kristina. I know it was an accident.” Her throat felt swollen, the words difficult even though they were true. She was still angry her sister was gone, angry for all the tragic choices and circumstances leading to her death, but she wasn’t angry at Jeremiah.
Jeremiah’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “I’m also sorry for... how things went between us.”
That was harder to forgive, because it hadn’t been an accident—the lies, the manipulation.
She rested her head against the window, and he started talking again, as if he could speak more easily when he couldn’t see her face.
“I want you to know that even though I initiated contact with you because I recognized you, I did enjoy... spending time with you.” He paused. “It wasn’t all a lie, is what I’m trying to say.”
“Thank you, Jeremiah,” she said, keeping her voice toneless. “I’m glad to know that while you were kissing me, sleeping with me, and taking me on weekend trips, at least you were enjoying yourself.”
Silence for a few moments. “I guess I deserve that.”
As much as it hurt, though, Liv knew she had done the same thing to Molly, pursuing a relationship with an ulterior motive. But it had become a real friendship—or at least, Liv liked to think so. Maybe she was deluding herself. Maybe it had never been real.
Jeremiah spoke again, quietly, like he was thinking out loud.
