Page 6 of Colby (Tucker’s Pride #5)

At two in the morning, she was released to go home.

Where that was from where she was, Emma didn’t know, but she wanted a good night’s sleep and some food in her belly before she started driving again.

She knew that she could do it, even after the scare, because it was something that she needed to do.

Her mom had found them a home that she loved.

Emma didn’t really care for the house that her mom had found for them.

It wasn’t ugly or anything, but it was too big.

Three bedrooms wasn’t all that large, but after living in the rig for the past five years, it seemed huge to her.

It was the yard that she loved, she told her mom, and she was already putting a garden in so that she could have some fresh veggies when she wanted them.

Another perk was that she could park her rig in the driveway, and it would not be in the way of her mom’s car, which she’d gotten.

Someone had parked her rig in the parking lot of the truck stop. She wasn’t too far out that she couldn’t get to it without going through a lot of darkness, but it was safe as far as she could see. No bullet holes or anything that she could see, either.

“Do you have an extra blanket?” she asked the man, whose name was Colby, if he needed a pillow, too, not having any idea why he’d need a blanket. “I’m going to stay out here in my car to make sure that you’re all right.”

“I’m fine. It’s stupid for you to sleep in your car when you have a home somewhere around here.

” He told her he had a boat, too, that he could sleep in, but wanted to be close to her.

“I don’t want you to waste your time sleeping around here.

I’m going to get into my rig, lock the door, sleep for about forty hours, and get up and start again. ”

“All right then.” She tossed a pillow and a blanket at him.

She was disappointed when he was able to catch them both, but went into her rig and decided to forget all about him.

He was an idiot if he thought that she was going to invite him into her place, especially after what happened that evening.

The bed was cozy and warm. Large enough for her to stretch out in, too.

After getting herself situated, she thought a little about what Bailee had told her about lion shifters.

And when she’d not believed her, she had her husband shift into his and lay across her lap.

Emma had nearly wet herself when he did that.

But he had been beautiful. Never being this close to a large lion, she was told that because he was the leader of a leap, he was larger than his brothers, even the older one.

His mane was wonderfully soft, and his fur along his face and nose wasn’t anything like she thought it would be.

The entire experience with him had been telling and a lot nerve-wracking.

Waking at some time in the middle of the morning, she could hear voices and didn’t bother with getting up.

It was Crumble, and he was talking to one of his friends, she supposed.

The little man had saved her life. The very least that she could do was to allow him to have company when he wanted it.

Rolling to her side again, enjoying the comforts of her rig, Emma closed her eyes and went right back to sleep.

At noon, her alarm clock buzzed, and she got up.

It still boggled her mind that she had enough room in her rig to have a stand-up shower along with all the other things.

Washing her hair twice, she was ready to face the day and to see how many more miles she could get under her belt before she wasn’t allowed to drive again.

“Hi.” She looked at the man before it occurred to her that it was the guy who had wanted to sleep out in his car.

Not that she would have allowed him to sleep in her rig, but she did let him come into her space when he told her that he’d gotten coffee and donuts.

“I got a variety because I didn’t know what kind you’d eat. ”

“They’re donuts. What’s not to like about them?

” She did get herself a glass of juice, not caring for coffee at all.

When she was settled into her seat across from the man, she finally remembered his name.

“Colby Tucker. Crumble got you when I asked him to get one of the Tuckers. I guess I could have handled it myself, but I was freaked a little out.”

“You were a lot freaked out, not that I blame you. It was a close call for you. I’m glad that you’re all right.

” She nodded, finishing off her second donut in favor of conversation.

“I was wondering if I could follow you to your next stop. Taylor suggested it, telling me that you might need a second pair of hands when you get to the last stop. I guess you’re picking up bags for the grocery stores. ”

“Im not sure what I’m supposed to do with them.

I thought I was bringing them back to the warehouse.

” Colby explained to her that they were going to break them down so that no one store would have too many to deal with.

“I guess that makes sense. Yeah, I suppose it’s all right if you follow me.

Or you can just ride in the rig with me.

I’m used to having my mom around, so you being there all the time won’t be too bad. ”

“Gee, thanks.” She finished up her breakfast and told him that she had to get some supplies. As soon as she got out of the rig, he followed her. Whatever floated his boat, she supposed. But she wasn’t going to allow him to bother her too much. She really did have a lot to do today.