OCR Text |
Show 103 couldn't be sure. The long yellow hair was hers, the parka and jeans maybe. Hitchhiking! She'd never learn, would she7 "Do you mind if I drive back to Timber line tonight?" Parker asked in the next breath. The quick decision startled him. "What do you need, Son? We could have stopped on the way," said his dad. "They're showing those slides of Fitz Roy tonight, the ones I've been waiting for. I still might be able to see some of them." "Oh dear!" his mother said, reaching over and patting his leg. "I'm sorry you had to miss because of us." After distributing the suitcases and running the car in the garage, Parker and his parents exchanged warmer goodnights than they had in years. "I won't be late," Parker promised. His mind was already back on the boulevard with the girl thumbing a ride in the dark and the cold. If it was Dyna, what was she doing here in his neighborhood? Had she been at Jan's? He remembered the bag she carried, unusual because it wasn't a day pack. She wouldn't be running away, would she? No, Dyna and her Gram were plenty tight. Parker grinned, backing his pickup out of the driveway. She'd really come unglued seeing him! Lucky Eddie, she was still there! A small figure in his headlights. Parker slowed. He recognized her profile immediately. She looked cold, pumping her arm up and down in sharp, imperative movements. She's starting to get desperate. Parker pulled off onto the shoulder, leaned across, swung open the door. She hurried to the pickup, a big smile of relief on her face, but she hadn't recognized him yet with the lights right in her eyes. "Hey, thanks!" she said right off, slipping the bag off her shoulder. "I was beginning to think-" She stopped short. "Parker!" "In the flesh," he said, laughing. "Hop in." "You!" She took a backwards step, looking as if she might run. He was still laughing-couldn't help himself, in fact-but she wasn't. She looked so surprised. "What's the matter? You waiting for something better to come along?" |