She feigned a blush. “Little ol’ me?”
He washed the pain killers down with the last of the water and gave her a worried look. “How many more have you got hidden on you?”
She gave him an impish grin. “Want to strip search me?”
He laughed. “Yeah, I really do. But seriously…”
She slipped her hand into her pocket again and pulled out four more tablets. “Not enough.”
Simon groaned as he leaned under the shade tree. “I don’t want to risk going back.”
“Then we find another pharmacy.”
He glanced at her shaved head and noted that her skin was turning pink. “I think we need to either get you some serious sunscreen or a hat.”
She laid her hand flat on top of her head then hissed lightly. “Yeah. It’s tender.”
“Give it a few days and you’ll think you have dandruff from hell.” He pushed off the tree and looked up and down the street. “I don’t see a pharmacy, but…hold on.” He walked briskly to the five & dime store and slipped through the broken glass of the front door.
She waited under the tree for him and after a few moments he reappeared with a large, floppy sun hat. She snorted as he handed it to her. “So, let me get this straight. You have me dress goth and paint my lips purple but you bring me a bright yellow sun hat?”
He shrugged. “It was that or pink.”
“Oh, definitely yellow then.” She slipped it onto her head and hissed again as the material scratched at her sunburned skin. “Yeah, that’s gonna hurt like hell later.”
“We’ll find you some aloe.” He turned and extended his hand to her. “We’re off to see the Wizard.”
“Oh god,” she groaned. “I never would have pegged you as an Oz fan.”
He shook his head at her, his eyes wide. “Oh, hell no. That was the first movie that scared the shit out of me as a kid.” They walked hand in hand along the sidewalk. “Those flying monkeys gave me nightmares.”
“You’re kidding?”
He shook his head again. “No joke. I was like four or five, and those flying hairball demons scared the bejeezus out of me.”
She snorted. “I never would have guessed.”
“It’s not exactly something you put on a dating profile.”
She stopped and pointed across the street. “Drug store.” She pulled at him. “Come on.”
He followed her across the street and she cupped her hands to the glass. “It doesn’t look raided.”
“Thank god.” He searched the ground for a rock or something to throw through the window.
Lana reached out and pulled the sliding door open. “Not locked.”
Simon shook his head as he walked in behind her, the stuffy air hitting them like a wall of stale. “In and out, okay?”
“You got it.” She all but ran to the rear of the drug store and hopped the counter. He watched her run her finger along numerous bottles before she hopped up. “Can you tolerate Percocet?”
Simon shrugged. “As far as I know.”
“Great.” She picked up the bottle and slid back over the counter. “Your prescription is ready, sir.”
Simon stared at the bottle in her hand. “Do me a favor, will ya?”
“Anything.” She looked at him hopefully.
“Hold on to those for me.” He looked up at her and she recognized the expression. “I have a thing about pills.” He swallowed again and gave her a sheepish grin. “That and liquor.”
“You want me to meter them out to you as you need them?”
He nodded. “If you don’t mind.”
She hooked her arm through his arm and pulled him around toward the door of the store. “Might as well. I’ve been your nurse and your doctor. I guess I can be your pharmacist, too.”
He grinned at her. “My drug dealer.”
She hiked a brow at his playful banter. “Ooh, I can sell them to you at outrageous prices.”
He shook his head. “Sorry, sweetheart. I’m fresh out of money.” He hiked a brow at her. “Maybe we can barter for them? Feel like taking it out in trade?”
She laughed again then pointed across the street. “There’s an ATM right there, buster.”
He gave her a defeated look. “I lost my card?” She shook her head. “There’s no electricity?” She shook her head again. He growled low in his throat. “Money is worthless these days?”
She narrowed her gaze at him. “Fine. I’ll trade you for them.”
“What would you like?” He asked, his mind thinking of jewelry and furs. “A big house? A fancy car?”
She smiled at him and gave him her best sultry stare. “Toilet paper.”
16
Trevor parked the RV and turned in his seat. “How’s this?”
Patricia slid from her seat and walked up between Trevor and Donna. She stared through the windshield and slowly nodded. “It’s safe to return now.”
Trevor stared at her open mouthed. “What…what did you just say?”
She turned and smiled at him. “It’s safe to return now. They’re gone.”
“Who is, sweetie?” Donna asked.
“The others.” Her face went slack. “Like me.”
“Patricia, honey, they are nothing like you.” Trevor reached out and pulled her close, being careful to keep her skin out of the sun. “You are sweet and smart and caring and…” He choked up on his own words. “You wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
Patricia reached up and brushed his cheek. “I’m not Patricia.” There was a sadness in her eyes and Trevor stiffened, afraid that her memories had returned.
“What do you mean?” He really didn’t want to ask.
“My name isn’t Patricia.” She gave him a soft smile. “It’s Brandy.”
“That’s a lovely name,” Donna cooed.
Trevor let her go and she stepped back, still smiling at him. “You remember, don’t you?”
She shrugged, her smile unfading. “Some.”
Trevor had to fight back tears as his mind tried to tiptoe through the minefield of his little girl’s life. “And you’re okay with me…being…” He choked up again.
Brandy stepped closer and wrapped her tiny arms around his neck. “You’re my daddy now.”
Trevor felt something warm and wet running down his cheeks and it took him a moment to realize that he was crying.
