mail it.”
“I’ll look forward to it.” She smiled. “Good night, Luke.”
“Good night.” He nodded and went back to watching the movie.
She went up to her room and threw herself back on the bed. Dammit! Why did life have to be so complicated?
Chapter Nineteen
It was only an hour’s drive from Scrap to Paris, and although they were a little crowded with four of them in the truck, Carmen grabbed Tootsie’s knee only one time when she was reaching for the gearshift on the floor.
“Where’d you learn to drive this kind of thing?” Diana was amazed at how smoothly Carmen shifted the gears.
“My granddad taught me to drive. He didn’t believe in all those gadgets and geegaws, as he called extras on a vehicle, and that’s what he considered automatic transmissions. I was surprised that he even bought a vehicle with air-conditioning, but it was West Texas, and it gets hot out there,” she answered.
“Well, I never learned to drive this thing, but I can drive that motor home if I need to,” Tootsie said. “Smokey said that since I was the one who wanted it, I could drive it. So I proved to him that I could when I drove it home and backed it up in the yard.”
“What’d he say then?” Diana asked.
“He said that he was going to sleep the whole way to Scrap this fall,” Tootsie answered. “I guess he did in a way, but I’m real glad he woke up every now and then to talk to me.”
“He’s talked to me a few times, too,” Diana admitted.
“And me,” Joanie said. “When I was worrying with this move, he came to me in a dream. He was younger and looked a lot like Luke, and he said that all y’all would be fine and for me to think of my marriage.”
Carmen took one hand off the wheel and raised it. “I’ve only heard his voice once, and it was yesterday when he said that we should definitely make this trip.”
“I’m glad he’s visited with y’all. You are all like daughters to us,” Tootsie said. “Now make this next left, and park as soon as you find a place. Our first stop is that little pastry shop on the corner.”
Carmen snagged a parking spot close to the door. Diana was the first one out and held out a hand to help Tootsie up the two steps into the shop. “Did you and Smokey come to this place when y’all were in this area?”
“At least once or twice every year.” Tootsie went to the counter, laid her credit card out, and said, “We’ll have four pumpkin spice lattes, and I’ll have two apple fritters. Y’all come on up here and tell the lady what you want. Joanie, you should have chocolate iced doughnuts.”
“That sounds wonderful. Can I have two?”
“You ought to order three. They’re that good,” Tootsie declared.
“Two is enough, especially with a latte.” Joanie took a sideways step so that Diana could order.
“One of those bear claws.” Diana pointed.
“Make that two,” Carmen said right beside her.
“I’ll bring them out as soon as I get your lattes made,” the lady said.
“What’s the plan for shopping?” Diana asked when they were seated around a table near the window.
“We’re skipping the stores and going out to the fairgrounds. The first weekend of November, they have vendors that come from all over the United States and set up for two days. There’s food of every kind, and there’s all kinds of places to buy everything from leather to jewelry. If you can imagine it, we’ll be able to find it there,” Tootsie answered.
“Kind of like the state fair, only without all the animals?” Joanie asked.
Tootsie nodded as she wrapped up her second apple fritter and put it in her purse. “We’ll shop until we drop and then go to the hotel. They serve breakfast in the morning, starting at six thirty. I figure we’ll be back at the fairgrounds by seven thirty and start all over again. And I’ve brought each of you a big tote bag to keep your purchases in.”
“Did you and Smokey do this every year?” Diana asked.
“Yep, it’s where I always found something unique for y’all and the kids,” Tootsie said. “I hadn’t thought to go this year, but Diana and Luke need a couple of days apart right now.”
“Why would you say that?” Diana asked.
“I’m an old woman even if I don’t look a day over fifty.” She winked. “But my gut never lies to me. Something isn’t