Last Chance Hero Read Online Free PDF Page B

were the same everywhere, but maybe that was restricted to basic wants and needs. Because the people she’d met in Last Chance were different from the people back home; there was no other way to put it.

    Jess stepped out the door of her motel room and lifted her face to the predawn breeze. Only a little more than a week had passed since her arrival and her feet-first leap into Last Chance society at the Red Chile and Bluegrass fiesta, but Last Chance was beginning to feel like home. Something about these early mornings in the desert reached deep inside Jess and filled her with well-being. Maybe it was the coolness of the air or the vivid colors of mountains, sage, and sky, all of which would soon be sucked up by the sun just cresting the peaks to the east of town. She leaned against the post just outside her door with one hand and pulled her leg up behind her with the other, holding it a few seconds before repeating the action with the other leg. After a few more stretches, she headed across the parking lot for the side of the road at an easy pace. This was going to be a big day, and she couldn’t wait to get started.
    Despite the lack of running trails in Last Chance—despite, in fact, the lack of anything but a few paved and dirt roads—running was easy. Traffic was light, almost nonexistent once she turned off the highway that ran through town, and she fell into an easyrhythm as she pounded past small, flat-roofed houses still silent except for the occasional sprinkler sparkling in the early sunlight as it watered a small patch of lawn. On days like this, she felt as if she could run forever.
    â€œTo your left.”
    Jess heard the voice behind her about the same time she heard the approaching steps, and she moved to the right.
    â€œMornin’.” Andy appeared at her left elbow and matched his pace to her own. “You’re out early.”
    Jess glanced at him before turning her attention back to the road in front of her with a little smile. “Yep. Every morning if I can possibly make it.”
    â€œReally? I’m surprised I haven’t run into you before this.” From the looks of him, Andy had to have been running quite a while, but his voice came clear and easy. “You sure you didn’t hear from someone that I go for a run every morning and decided to try to run into me? ’Course, I’m used to stuff like that, being a big football star and all, but I just hadn’t expected it from you.”
    â€œWhat?” Jess may have been getting a little winded, because her protest came as more of a squawk than she intended, and she slowed down to stare at him.
    Andy didn’t slow his pace, and Jess had to quicken hers to catch up. “You sure think a lot of yourself, don’t you?”
    â€œMe? Nah. I’m just a local boy who caught a few breaks. But you fans just won’t leave me alone.”
    â€œFans? Leave you alone?” No doubt about it, talking and running was leaving Jess puffing a bit. Or maybe it was talking, running, and indignation. “Give me a break.”
    â€œSave your breath. We still have two miles to go.” Andy’s eyes were on the road ahead. His pace hadn’t changed since he caught up with her.
    Three things kept Jess running along at his side. In the first place, even though she hadn’t known Andy very long, she had seen him say the most outrageous things with an absolutely bland expression, and she was beginning to believe this was one of those times. Second, in case he really did think she was stalking him, she wanted to set him straight in no uncertain terms at the end of this run. Finally, she had no idea where to go, and clearly Andy did. He led her through the awakening streets of Last Chance and down a dirt path that ran along the top of the irrigation ditch.
    Everything had appeared so barren at first look, but as she ran, Jess became aware that there was life everywhere. White blossoms bloomed