Love and the White Wolf - Book 2

11. On the Road (Sexual content, emotional trauma)

We got on the road about an hour after breakfast after flipping a coin to choose between going east or west. It came up west so we headed for Texas. About two hours out James pulled over.

"I think we have a flat tire," he said.

We got out and sure enough we did. We were in an area that didn't have good cell service and couldn't connect to get someone to change the tire as neither of us could do it. No one stopped for a one armed man trying to wave them down until a police car slowed down and pulled in front of us. An older policeman stepped out and approached us.

"Morning folks, what's the trouble here?" said the man politely.

"Flat tire, sir," said James. "I've recently lost an arm and my wife is six months pregnant. Our cell phones keep dropping the signal when we try to call for help."

He looked at the tire and went to his vehicle, radioing his dispatcher to call a tow truck operator to come change the tire on a large RV. Then he looked at us as he sized us up.

"You're tinier than you looked on TV," he said pointing at me, "but you've got a fire in you. We had a 30% increase in sexual assault reporting this past week, and that's a good thing. And you Mr. Barnes, I'm sorry but you look like a man in a world of hurt."

We both looked at him, stunned that he recognized us.

"I'm the Sheriff of this county, Chris Brandon. Why don't you both sit in my vehicle while we wait for that tow truck. I have some questions for you, if you don't mind. Nothing official, just curious," he said matter of factly.

We sat in the back, leaving the door closest to the shoulder open. He turned sideways while he sat in the front seat to talk to us.

"You're the last people I expected to see on the road today but I'm guessing you want to get away from prying eyes and people in general. Mr. Barnes, I'm a vet of the Gulf War and one tour in Afghanistan so I've seen the same look on soldiers who were abused by their captors. I'm guessing you suffered more than just losing that fancy arm of yours. Damn shame that a good man like you got set up by those criminals."

James looked away then at the sheriff.

"Yes sir, I did. We just want to get away and try to get some normal back in our lives," said James truthfully.

"Well, I have a little proposal for you once Jimmy Mason gets here and fixes your tire for you," he began. "I know a place, it's up for sale but the owners set up an RV station for guests and got some basic work done. There is a pad, power, running water and a sewage dump station connected to their septic system. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you parked there. I would let the realtor know you're there. I'm supposed to be checking it twice a day but I've got two deputies out on sick leave so I'm pressed for time. I'm pretty sure I can trust Bucky Barnes and his wife there for say a week or so?"

James and I looked at each other. This was the weirdest offer we had ever received but he had been perceptive enough to know that James was hurting, and seemingly impressed that more women were reporting sexual assault.

"You must be thinking this is the weirdest offer to receive from an officer of the law, so I'll make a confession to you," he said. "My son and daughter in law were the owners of the place. They were killed in a head-on collision two months ago, drunk driver. I still have trouble going there to see the place. I helped my boy with a lot of the improvements he made and well, it just still hurts."

"We would be happy to take you up on your offer, Sheriff Brandon," said James. "Please call me Buck."

He extended his hand to the sheriff and received his hand in return.