“She
didn’t, but thanks for telling me.”
Kelly returned to the Jeep and handed the two adults their food and drinks through the driver’s window, then she got in the rear seat behind Ike and dug into her food. “Can I have a gun, too?”
Hunter stopped in mid-bite. “Why do you think you need a gun?”
“In case you two get in trouble.”
Hunter glanced at Ike, who chewed a bite of the Hot Pocket, a faint smile showing on his lips.
She said, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“I can shoot. My daddy taught me. He said I was good.”
“I’m sure you are, but there’s more to it than shooting good.”
“I’m not careless.”
“Let me think about it.”
“Okay.” She took a bite of the Hot Pocket, having to use her fingers to catch the dangling string of cheese and put it in her mouth, and looked down the road, already putting the bad things and thoughts in a box in the back part of her mind, so she could deal with them later when things were better.
Hunter drove down the highway, looking constantly for Suretta’s vehicle, but also checking the countryside. As much as she loved far West Texas and the Big Bend, she liked this country as well, with the clear, spring-fed streams lined with pecans and oaks.
Ike seemed to be hurting, and Hunter noticed. “You okay?”
“Sure. Just a little headache.”
“I’m not so sure how little it is. What did the doctor say to you when he discharged you from the hospital?”
Ike looked out the side window, turning his face from Hunter. “He said I’m fine.”
Hunter peered at the back of his head, “Look at me.”
Ike turned, and she noticed a fine, reddish, watery drip come from his nose. “Your nose is bleeding. Now what did the Doctor say?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing, because you didn’t talk to him, or nothing because he was doing sign language at you?” She was irritated, like dealing with a small, guilty boy.
“I knew I was fine, so I left. Satisfied?’
“How bad is your headache? Don’t lie.”
“It’s pretty bad.”
“Are you dizzy?”
“Little bit.”
Hunter’s lips thinned at his stubbornness. “Damn, Ike.”
“I need to be with you to help. The kids are in danger, you realize that, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then let me help. I’m not a hundred percent, but I can still do what needs to be done. Haven’t you ever kept working when you were hurt or sick? Same thing here.”