Page 90 of To Catch a Latte Thick as Thieves

“Uh-huh,” he answered dubiously.

“Oh, come on, let me drive,” she pleaded, looking squashed between him and the seat. With her big eyes and pointy chin, she appeared so eager and earnest, Jared felt himself begin to cave. Damn it!

“On one condition.” He tried to sound stern. “You obey all of the traffic signs and drive the speed limit.”

“Of course, I will.” She snorted in disgust. “Sheesh, you make it sound like I’ve never driven before.”

“Have you ever driven anything this big before?”

“Well, no, but I’m anxious to try it.” She beamed at him.

Terrific. On top of being a meddler, she was a daredevil, too. Was any man ever so cursed? Jared slipped from the driver’s seat and walked around the van. If she did one thing, just one thing, wrong he was going to take over.

Cat winked at him as he slid into the passenger’s seat. “Now was that so tough?”

He glared at her.

A bang from the back of the van sounded, and they both started.

“I haven’t even started the engine yet.” Cat raised her hands in innocence.

“I’ll check it out,” Jared offered. He disappeared and Cat adjusted her mirrors and tightened her seat belt.

“Something must have shifted,” he said as he climbed back into the van. “I think it was that purple box back there.”

“What purple box?” Cat asked. “I didn’t pack a purple box. Are you sure it was purple?”

“Yes, I’m sure,” he said. “It was purple.”

“But I don’t remember packing a purple box,” Cat said. “What size was it?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “Smaller than a bread box, bigger than a shoe box.”

“Are you sure it wasn’t blue?” she asked.

“I think I can identify the color purple when I see it,” he drawled. “Come on, we’re burning daylight here. Let’s go.”

“But I’m sure I didn’t pack a purple box,” Cat said. “Maybe I should go look at it.”

“Too late,” Jared said. “I stuffed it in another box for safekeeping. Besides it’s probably a present from Cam and Julia that you’re not supposed to find until you get to Arizona.”

“Oh, I love presents!” Cat grinned.

“Well then how about you give me the present of getting this van in motion?” Jared asked.

“Fine, you big spoilsport.”

“Hey, I’m just trying to maintain your schedule,” he said. “We wouldn’t want to fall behind, now would we?”

“Hmm.” Cat switched on the ignition and pulled out of their parking spot. The van was bigger than anything she’d ever driven before, and contrary to her blithe appearance she was a teensy bit nervous. The large steering wheel wobbled in her hands, but determined not to lose face, she reached back and patted the puppy on the head before she cruised down the on-ramp.

Once she’d merged with the westbound traffic, Cat cast a swift glance at Jared and sighed in feminine appreciation at the way his jeans clung to his lean hips and his blue T-shirt stretched to accommodate the movements of his muscle-hardened shoulders. He was masculinity personified.

Too bad he had a white-knuckle grip on the edge of his seat and his face was set in stiff lines as if he were bracing for a ride on a roller coaster. Humph! He was definitely one of those strong silent types. Well, strong was nice, but silent was boring. Cat was determined to have him gossiping like an old woman before the week was out.

They reached a motel in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania just after nightfall. It had been a push but they’d caught up to the schedule Cat had mapped out. Cat’s eyes were burning, her arms and legs were shaky with exhaustion, but she was pleased with the way she’d handled the van. Even Jared had relaxed his death grip on the dashboard.

The sign outside the motel blinked VACANCY in vintage red neon. Cat had never been happier to see anything in her life.