Chapter 36

The windshield and windows were still intact. The front end looked pretty bad, though, all crooked and crumpled.

Asher reached around his deflated air bag and started the car.

Or he tried to. All he raised was a click, after which the headlights went dark.

The whites of his eyes gleamed at her through the shadows. “Don’t worry. I’ll try again,” he said. He did. Another click. And again. More clicking, but not even a hint of a response from the engine.

“Uh-oh,” she said softly. And she thought of that poor old man again. “Asher. We have to get out of this vehicle and get back up to the road. We have to make sure that man is all right,” she said.

He regarded her steadily through the gloom. “You’re shivering,” he said softly.

The engine wasn’t working – and that meant neither was the heater. She wrapped her arms around herself and ordered her teeth not to chatter. “It’s nothing. I am fine,” she said.

His iron jaw was set. “Your high-heeled shoe