I chuckled. “What do you mean? What did you do?”
“I almost lost this.” He said gesturing toward me and Ayana. “I’ve been blessed with the two most beautiful girls in the whole world and I almost lost them.”
Blushing I looked away before my gaze came back to him.
“It’s a good thing the Heavenly Father is merciful, huh?”
He grinned at me. “Yes, indeed it is.”
Chapter Sixteen
Sealing the Deal
Journey
“Are you trying to kill us?!”
Jo yelled as he clung to the door of his brand-new Range Rover that had just been delivered this morning for dear life.
I clutched the wheel with both of my hands, my adrenaline was pumping overtime. The last time I’d drove was when Rome was teaching me so that I could take my driver’s test. His temperament at the time had been very similar to Jo’s now. It was the only time I had ever seen my big brother afraid.
Okay, so maybe driving wasn’t my strong suit. And I may or may not have failed my driver’s test the first time I took it. But I eventually passed. And do y’all know Rome never let me drive his car a day after that? He said he would’ve bought me one, but he feared if he did, I would kill myself or someone else.
“Don’t be a baby!” I told Jo as I jerked the wheel to change lanes. “I just need to get use to how this car drives that’s all.”
And boy did it drive. I barely had my foot on the gas and this baby was moving.
Jo threw both of his hands out, drawing his body up and screeched like a girl when I was forced to slam on the brakes because some butthead had decided to turn at the last minute. The car in back of me laid on the horn.
“Come on, people!” I yelled hitting the steering wheel. “Drive like you have some sense! A signal would have been nice!”
Jo looked over at me with real fear on his face. “I’ve made a horrible mistake.” He whispered. It looked as if he was close to tears.
Nobody was as surprised as I when his Albert phoned upstairs and told us to come down to see Jo’s brand-new truck that the dealership had just delivered. Talking about a beauty. It looked like something that belonged in a museum for luxury cars. Jo spared no expense on the extras. There were several televisions inside. The seats were real leather and felt like heaven to sit on.
The inside was lined in a wood trim that matched the tan seats perfectly and contrasted beautifully with the sparkling black paint job. There was even a matching car seat for Ayana. I didn’t even know car companies made custom made car seats.
Then Jo had looked at me and asked if I wanted to go for a ride.
I shrugged. “Sure.”
But then he handed me the keys. “You want me to drive?” I tried to keep the excitement out of my voice.
He gestured to the cast on his foot. “I can’t do it. I know this really nice bistro; we can go grab something to eat.”
I had to bite my lip to keep from smiling as I took the keys from his hand. This was so cool. Albert even agreed to baby sit Ayana so that Jo and I could have some alone time. I’m telling y’all, it’s something about wearing the yellow dress. This day was turning out to be AWESOME!!!!
Well…awesome for me. By the time we pulled up to the restaurant, Jo practically jumped out the car, thanking the Heavenly Father for not letting him die.
I folded my arms and shook my head at the heathen.
“You’re moving pretty good for just having your leg operated on.”
He didn’t even miss a step. “You’ll be amazed what a man can do when faced with death.”
I smacked my lips. “Being a little dramatic, aren’t we?”
He took his keys out of my hands. “Dramatic my a**, you are never driving again. You’re a menace to the road!”
My mouthed opened. “That’s not fair—”
“Mr. Warren, it’s good to see you up and about after the accident. May I have a second of your time?” The voice came from behind me cutting me off. Jo looked over my head.
“Dusty, the gossip extraordinaire? Whose life are you going to attempt to ruin today?”
The man Jo had just called Dusty held a microphone in his hand, standing next to him was a man with a camera that was pointed at us.
My heart skipped a beat. Oh no! It’s the media! I went to step away from Jo, but right then he took my hand in his pulling me back towards him as he handed the keys off to the valet.
Dusty chuckled. “If I promise to keep it clean, will you answer a few questions, sir?”
Jo pointed at him. “No questions about the campaign and you only have till I get to the door.” With my hand firmly in his he started toward the door. He had ditched his crutches all together, claiming he could walk better without them. I don’t know who he thought he was fooling; he didn’t even try to walk with a limp.
Excited that Jo was going to give him the interview Dusty fell into step with us.
Joseph
I chose this bistro because I knew the media liked to linger here in hopes of catching an interview with some of the legislators that frequent the spot. My baby felt that I was hiding her. After today, she will no longer feel that way.
Although I wasn’t going to allow Dusty to talk to her, I didn’t want to feed her to the piranhas. I am going to allow him to capture her on film. This would send a message to all parties involved about my feelings for
