On the Road to Love

On the Road to Love

WINDMERE series – book eleven

Michelle Tschantré

Smashwords Edition

On the Road to Love

Copyright © 2018 Michelle Tschantré

All rights reserved.

Cover Design & Formatting by: Laura Shinn Designs

http://laurashinn.yolasite.com

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This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with other people, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you are reading this ebook without purchasing it and it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

On the Road to Love is a work of fiction.

Though actual locations may be mentioned, they are used in a fictitious manner and the events and occurrences were invented in the mind and imagination of the author. Any resemblance of characters in this story to any person living or dead is strictly coincidental.

Dedicated to:

Proceeds dedicated to the education of Adelaide.Isabella Myers.

CONTENTS

Preface

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

About the Author

Preface

Rich Borders, a single man doing his job, stops for a few minutes to help a woman stranded in the early morning on a lonely road. Rescued from the frigid night, Lindsey falls asleep in his cargo van, but not before making an impression on him. She was on the road because she works late at a road house, needing the temporary job to help make ends meet. He could not explain why she stayed in his mind, but she did.

At a later time, when he is looking for temporary help in the office of his trucking company, Rich remembers her talking about her own abilities in that area and makes the call. As events occur, she becomes more and more immersed in the office and in his life, with her mother eventually joining the group as a driver. As events unfold it is discovered people may not be all they seem...

Chapter One – Meet and Greet

The distraction of flashing emergency lights got his attention, easily done at 3 AM on an otherwise deserted stretch of road. It was the only sign of life he had seen in several hours, but at that it was not necessarily a reassuring sign. Rolling to a stop behind the distressed car, he left the high beams on, climbed out, and walked up for a look-see. The sound of door locks snapping down didn’t dissuade or dishearten his act of kindness; he would have been similarly cautious in the situation. Peering through the mildly fogged driver side window he noted the woman’s face looking back at him with widened eyes, concern for her own safety clearly showing on her face. Had she known this man she would have relaxed, but she didn’t and caution won out. Driver’s license and another form of ID pressed against the window so she could see them brought a bit of relief and the window opened just enough for her to be heard.

I’m sorry but I’m sure you can understand my caution. Her voice sounded a bit high and strained, but then, she still had every right to be concerned, so far.

Rich Borders did understand, and said so. I’d do the same thing myself. But, look, um…I can’t stop long; gotta get back on the road. Can I take you somewhere? I don’t think there’s much chance of the car getting fixed at this hour of the night and you’re gonna get pretty chilly dressed like that if you wait until sun-up. He had quickly scanned her being as much as he could see and knew she was hardly dressed for the cool night air; she did appear to be wearing some sort of uniform, but not of the industrial genre, more like a hostess, someone like that. She remained unsure.

I guess I need a ride but where are you going in such a hurry? You said you had to get back on the road, couldn’t wait around. I guess I’m still…I mean…I don’t want to sound ungrateful, and I don’t want to be left here but….

I would be happy to tell you everything you want to know, my entire life story, but I’m already edging toward being late; can’t let that get any worse, so if you want a ride, jump in and we’ll get down the road. Sorry but I just cannot take the time to explain while I’m stopped. Coming?

It was her only opportunity at the moment, the sole event in an hour of getting colder while sitting and waiting for someone to come along, and it was fading fast. The door locks snapped up. Yes, please; sorry to cause you a problem; I’m just a little scared is all…

Understood, but we still aren’t moving. Let’s go and I’ll start the narrative of why I’m out here at 3 AM which, by the way, doesn’t explain why you also are out here at 3 AM, does it?

She closed up the car after exiting, then walked back to the cargo van and climbed into the passenger seat. Within seconds they were flying down the road, putting a dent in the posted speed limit, as he started with the explanation.

I’m Rich, Rich Borders, like it says on my CDL ticket; Rich is a name not a condition by the way. You may note the stack of bundled newspapers in the back…sorry; do you need to call someone, anyone about this situation? I know the direction you were headed but not the end point; it will take some time before I get you home, wherever that may be.

I just feel so dumb in all this, getting stranded; my cell battery needs to be replaced but that’s just more money and they always want some sort of expensive upgrade I can’t afford. I’m sorry; I’m Lindsey like in Lindsey Carson.

Here, take my cell, make the call. I will get you home but have to run the route first. Okay?

Yes, thank you. I need to let mom know I haven’t been kidnapped, just running late. She watches my kidlets for me when I’m working. I guess you can tell from the outfit I do bartending at the Rojo Roadhouse; pays good but it sure isn’t a place to drop ones guard. Sorry; I’m rambling again; I’ll make the call

Phone in hand she called her mother, awakening her just after 3 AM, and received maternal thanks for making the call. Rich had indeed noticed her uniform and was somewhat familiar with the roadhouse she mentioned. It wasn’t a bad sort of place, no significant history of police calls on any one given evening, had a well stocked bar and good food with a diverse menu, much of which involved vats of screaming hot grease. Still in all, if she had a job it was a job, even if the hours were long and late. The other thing he noticed, as he had earlier, she wasn’t really dressed for the night chill; he guessed she depended on the car getting warm fast and keeping her comfortable on her ride home. This night she wasn’t in her warm car but in his rather cool delivery van, kept that way to ward off any sign of sleepiness while he ran the route. Reaching behind his seat he pulled out a significantly sized stadium blanket and passed it to her as she returned his phone.

Sorry it’s a bit cool in here but I run that way to make sure I don’t doze off and go wandering through the fences and fields. This should keep you warm enough. Her eyes thanked him for the thoughtful act, as he started the explanation. This is a bit unusual even for me. Like I said, the back is full of newspaper bundles. When the usual route carrier is out sick or on vacation, something like that, I get the call to run his route. The papers come off the press just before midnight, get bundled for each drop point, then head out with the delivery drivers. This isn’t the first time I’ve been called; this time I was hired to run route 3 for a week, but then the driver for route 4 was in an accident. So, I have to run both routes since I do already know the way around them and they almost touch in several places. Normally each route is designed to take about three hours of drive time, kept short to allow for flats, things like that. The local carriers start their routes as early as 5AM, so the crunch is on to get past all those places as soon as possible. I can run the combined routes in around five and a half hours, but that’s also why I couldn’t stand around talking to you. Make sense? Pausing for a moment in his dissertation, Rich glanced over toward Lindsey…and found her with the warm blanket pulled up to her chin and fast asleep.

Eleven more stops on the combined routes and she never opened an eye, at least not that he could discern. Bundle in the box at the last stop, he took a chance and hit redial for the last call from his phone…and got grandma, puzzled but conversant once he explained about her daughter being asleep. With instructions from grannie, he made his way to their home and gently shook her awake. Eyes opened, at least a little, her embarrassment was clear.

I’m so sorry; I was supposed to stay awake and keep you awake.

Not at all. The cold cabin keeps me awake; your job was to hold down the seat cushion on the shotgun seat and keep the underside of the blanket warm, which you apparently did quite well. Not a problem, and it looks like maybe you needed the rest. Been burning the candle pretty hard? Never mind…not my business…not at all. So, here you are, safe, sound and a bit more rested. I need to get on home, check my machine and get some rest myself, but….let me just add….I’m not volunteering mind you…if you need to go after your car I guess I could take you back there, but not for a few hours. I’m pretty sure my number is in your mom’s phone memory by now after two calls. Your decision, okay? For the moment please consider yourself evicted from my ride.

Yes, evicted. Here I am taking up more of your time when I should thankfully get out of your way. Thank you, Mr. Borders, from me, my mom and my kidlets. Bye?

Yes, bye…at least for now. Rich Borders watched her enter the house door before he drove off to his own bed and some well deserved rest. Helping her had taken little effort or time on his part, yet her grateful voice stayed in his mind as he checked his machine messages and drifted off to sleep for a few hours.

Chapter Two – Retrieval

Six hours later, fairly well rested after his late night run, Rich arose, found some food, and rechecked the answering machine. With deliberation he had silenced the incoming message tone, but now reactivated it. There was one message from his office staff: Emerson Tree Service, a company with which he was slightly familiar, wanted him to pick up a log trailer in nearby Johnson City and bring it to their work site here in town, then tow in two utility semi-trailers of some sort owned by a local contractor also for their use at the site. One call back to confirm the requirements of the tasks, and to make sure the respective trailers were over the road licensed and insured, just in case, and Rich let Emerson know he would be on the road shortly to do their bidding. No more had he agreed than the image of a small car with emergency flashers on ran through his mind. He did remember sort of off handedly promising to take the driver back to the car if she so desired. It also occurred to him he had no idea what might be wrong with the machine; on the other hand if it wasn’t an easy fix at least she would know better the situation, it was daylight, and if necessary a tow truck would be easier to contact. Phone retrieved, he looked up the call history and three rings later heard a voice in response.

Hello?

Hey, hi Lindsey. This is Rich Borders…from your car trouble escapade last night or this morning, whenever that was. I sort of recall I made a suggestion about taking you back to the scene today after I caught some rest, so, I’m rested at the moment. We still have some time before the troopers order it towed but the clock is running. Anyway, where are we with going back?

Lindsey Carson was also rested but much less so and it took her a few seconds to get into the moment. Yes, I do remember something like that. Sorry if I seem a bit slow; mom got called to work mid-morning so I didn’t get much sleep. The kidlets only go to daycare when we know both of us will be working. Sorry…again…I seem to be rambling. Would you really take me back to the car….wait....never mind; I have the kids to watch so I guess that’s out. No car seats in your van. I’m just not making much sense or thinking very clearly. I do appreciate you calling.

She was right, she didn’t seem to be on top of her game at the moment, but Rich didn’t want her opportunity to slip away. Car seats are not a problem; I’ll be using my blue ride, not the cargo van. I should mention I need to go to Johnson City this afternoon and at the moment I need to get on the road. How about I come by and pick you and the kids up, we make the trip to the car and see what can be done, and then get on with our lives. Sound like a plan?

It did indeed sound like a plan to her tired mind and whether she liked it or not, something had to happen with the car. Okay, okay. Fifteen minutes to get us ready okay with you? Kids are a bit grubby and I’m not much better.

Not a problem. Fifteen minutes and I’ll be out front of your place, okay? Now say goodbye, and maybe this time you could consider wearing a coat, even if I will have the heat on. See you in fifteen. And he rang off. Fifteen minutes later he was in front of her house, with no sign of either her or the two kids she claimed to have. Rich reached for his phone. Hey, hi Lindsey; fifteen minutes not enough? I don’t see you anywhere. I thought we had a deal.

The phone had startled her just a bit. She had been looking out the window after getting the two kids dressed to go outside but just when she though this Rich guy would get there a big semi tractor showed up blocking the view. Driver must be lost and looking for some address. Answer the phone. Oh, hi; no, we’re ready but I don’t see you. There’s this big truck in the street kind of blocking things and….

A blue truck, right? Maybe a bit of teasing was in order. What color truck did I say I would be driving? Blue, right? Let’s go, or do you want me to come to your door in some sort of more formal arrangement? I can do so if you really want.

She was confused, a bit flustered, still tired, and things weren’t making much sense, but he was right; it was a blue truck and it was in front of her house. Okay, is that really you in the semi?

It is and once again I need to get going. Coming?

Yes, we’re coming, right now. Sorry I don’t seem to be making much sense, short nap as if that’s any excuse. and out the door they went. Rich did help matters by climbing out of his side and coming around to open the door for them, telling the two small children to go around behind the big seats and find the jump seats they could use. No car seats and Lindsey did feel she had to bring it up, this violation of the law. Belted into her own seat she opened the topic as they started moving. Um…I don’t want to seem argumentative here but I don’t see any car seats. I know you said you weren’t bringing the cargo van….

Not required. The law specifically applies to passenger vehicles. In fact, it doesn’t even apply to school busses, although it probably should. So, we’re street legal. Besides, this is a bit safer ride than your average soccer mom van. Now, do these kidlets have names or they just thing 1 and thing 2?

Lindsey quickly pulled her wits together, identified her two children who were totally fascinated by the big rig, and managed to settle back in her seat. Within minutes they were on the highway and headed for her car when his phone sounded. With the phone on speaker, Rich recognized the number and opened the conversation.

Mr. Jennings, Brad. I’m on my way to pick up the trailer; is there a problem with it?

Brad Jennings had known Rich Borders for a long time and wanted to give him a heads up on something. No, not really. It’s just that we have this big track hoe coming in by transport in an hour or so and the log trailer is sort of in the way. We’re gonna need all the room we can get for the unload. Guess that won’t be a problem if you’re on your way already; otherwise we would have to take it back to the storage field to make room. But, sounds like we’re good to go. Right?

Rich glanced at Lindsey before responding and heard her say quietly: ‘Your show, we go.’ We are good to go; I’m about 30 minutes out at the most. All I need is some lease papers for Emerson to sign off and all will be well. They must really be into something wanting a log trailer.

That they are. I guess they looked all over hell and gone before they thought to call us, and I’ll admit the thing is here almost by accident, sort of a leftover from many days gone by. We aired up the tires, put on a couple of decent ones and checked out the lights and brakes; all good to go. Anyway, see you soon I hope.

For sure. Rich signed off, then turned to Lindsey. Thanks for the time expansion. It wouldn’t be a big deal if they took it back to storage; the field isn’t that far from the main buildings and not at all hard to find, but if the trailer is on gravel it lessens the chance of the landing gear sinking into the ground and making it hard to connect up. Anyway, I’m glad we got started when we did, sort of just in time. I’ve known Brad for a lot of years; great guy and he runs a top drawer equipment leasing company. You’d never guess the size of the operation sitting in Johnson City, equipment scattered out over several states even. So, settle in for the ride; maybe you can even catch some sleep since the kidlets can’t escape at the moment.

He was right about that fact, the non-escape comment, but the kidlets were too fascinated to be riding in the big truck to be considering any escape plan. It was almost de je vu when he glanced over at her and saw her eyes gently closing in the warm truck cab, perched in a most comfortable big bucket seat. In a little less than half an hour her eyes reopened when she felt the truck bounce around a bit as Rich turned off the main road and headed down a lesser road toward Jennings Equipment. Pulling into the big parking area, he expertly backed under the somewhat elderly log trailer sitting there, hitting the pin with the fifth wheel latch first shot as he heard the pin latch clank shut like the steel trap it was. Cautioning his possy to stay in the cab, he climbed out