Ozark Retreat by Jerry D. Young Page A

You said there were twin beds. You’ll just have to keep your eyes closed at certain times.”
    Brady was feeling fatigued. It had been a tiring job from which he’d just returned, and on top of that he’d stayed up late the previous night. He really didn’t want to look for another place or sleep in the Suburban. And Star was persuasive.
    “Okay. Okay. We’ll share the room. Come on.”
    Star followed him out to the Suburban, smiling slightly. They took the Suburban to the far end of the row of two story rooms. Brady had to park it some distance from the room. Star hopped out, opened the rear passenger seat door and took out two of the three bags she’d set inside from her quick shopping trip.
    “You need the other bag?” Brady asked as he got his grip out of the back of the Suburban.
    “No, but thanks. It’s the outfit I had on before.”
    Brady led the way to the second floor room. He wondered if Star was cold. All she had was the light jacket and it was starting to get cold. That front was traveling faster than first predicted.
    After he set his bag down on one of the beds, Brady turned on the television while Star went to the bathroom. There was live coverage from one of the carriers bound for Taiwan. Brady watched the news while Star took her shower and prepared for bed. Though he was turned away from the bathroom door, when Star asked him through the slightly opened door to close his eyes, he did so.
    His sharp ears could hear her pad to the other bed, pull back the bedspread and sheets and climb in. “Okay,” she said.
     
    Brady got up and went to the bathroom himself, taking his grip, keeping his eyes averted from the other bed. He didn’t see Star smiling at him. When he came out of the bathroom several minutes later Star was laying on her side, apparently already asleep. Brady turned off the TV, slipped out of his silk robe, slid into the second bed. He fell asleep almost immediately.
    He woke up at his normal time the next morning. Star was still asleep, her long red hair spread over the pillow and her face. Brady shook his head, went to the bathroom, and then went to start the Suburban. A light snow began to fall as he went back to the room.
    The television was on and Star was in the bathroom when he got back. The Taiwan situation was taking a back seat this morning on the local channel. The approaching blizzard was headline news. Not only was it faster than predicted, but much stronger. Brady was frowning when Star came out of the bathroom.
    “You look worried,” she said, seeing the expression on his face. “China start something already?”
    Brady shook his head. “No. It’s the weather. That blizzard may hit before we get to KC.”
    “Why not just stay here until it blows over?” Star asked. “Seriously. I’ll see that Daddy reimburses you for the expenses.”
    “It’s not the money,” Brady said. “I just… had somewhere I wanted to be as soon as possible.”
    “Oh, my! I’ve really interfered with your plans. I’m sorry.”
    Brady thought she looked about to cry. “It’s all right. It wasn’t a rigid timeframe. Just as soon as I could. It’s still the same way.”
    “Look. Why don’t you just take off? I’ll make it the rest of the way on my own,” Star said, very quietly.
    “Not likely. I said I would get you there and I will.”
    “One of those, huh?”
    “I’m afraid so. The Suburban should be warm by now. We can leave as soon as you’re ready.”
    “I’m ready.” She gathered her coat tightly about her when she stepped outside. The light snow was being blown about by a strong wind, but she didn’t complain about the cold. They stopped and got a fast food breakfast and then headed for Interstate 70 again.
    Traffic was already flowing fairly heavily, despite the weather, much of it commercial trucking. “The goods have to move,” Brady said aloud as he merged alongside one and behind another as he got on the Interstate.
    “What?” Star asked.
    “All the