Hitching a Ride

Cori has only one thought in mind, escape. Finding the solution in a crowded truck stop parking lot is the only way she can protect her brother Billy from the state taking him from her. Will the trucker discover them hidden in his trailer before reaching Chicago or is this their chance to start a new life and gain freedom? Will Cori find love when she reaches her destination?

Excerpt
The truck cab faced the plate glass window of the diner and the trailer stretched out toward the highway. Cori's quick look toward the diner proved to her that the owner couldn't see the two of them climbing into the trailer.
"How do we know where the truck's going?" Billy asked, crawling over the boxes in the way and making his way toward the front.
"I overheard the driver talking to another man in the diner,” she answered, carefully following behind him. "He's headed for Chicago and we may as well take advantage of the free ride. Are you willing to give it a try, or do you think it's too risky?"
If Billy refused to agree with her plans, Cori didn't have any idea what she would do next. She crossed her fingers and held her breath while she waited for his answer.
"I'll be a part of whatever you want to do, but what's going to happen once we get there?" He fumbled around the cargo and moved two of the crates out of his way so they would have room to lie down.
"I'll figure something out,” she answered more confidently than she felt. Cori reached down to the floor of the trailer and picked up a metal bar. “Help me wedge this across the door so it doesn’t fly open once the truck starts moving.” Once they secured the door, Cori and Billy stretched out trying to get as comfortable as possible.
She could only make out the outline of Billy moving the canvas carryall to put under his head. There were tiny air vents in the sides of the truck, letting in little streams of light. She felt grateful they wouldn't suffocate in the enclosed trailer.
Cori leaned her head against a box and closed her eyes. Everything was happening too fast for her. The world came crashing on her a month ago and she hadn't taken the time to slow down since then.
She still felt the heavy grief filling her over losing her parents. Why had they had to die at such a young age in an automobile accident? She questioned to no one in particular.
She had received the letter a month after the funeral, informing her that they were sending Billy to a foster home. The state had found she had lost her job and couldn't support him. Losing their home to the bank was another element in the state's decision.
This was a big step in running across the country with her brother, but there weren't any options left open for her.