“Yes. You can trust your heart. I’m happy for you. It’s okay to not put all your eggs in your career basket. You work too much. You need to live.”
“Work is safe. I’m in control of that. I’m scared.”
“Being scared means you care.” Natalie got up and came back with a glass of water. “Here. Take a sip and settle down. This is all wonderful. You do not need to worry.”
Sheila took in a breath.
“So, you’re leaving tomorrow night?”
“No, we’re going to drive early Saturday morning, but we might stop in Richmond at my house on the way back.”
“That’s good. It means he wants to understand where you live too.”
“You think?”
“Absolutely. Or that might be the point where you can’t trust yourself. Heissuper hot.”
“I know! Oh gosh, but it’s not the superficial stuff. It’s him. All of him that is so amazing. I mean, he’s coming with me to see Mom, and you know how depressing that is.”
“I know. I’m so sorry you’re going through all of that, and it’s been such a long struggle for her. Do you want to stay here tonight? We have an extra bedroom here at Randy’s. You know that.”
“No. I’m more comfortable in my room at Orene’s.”
“I thought you and Tucker were getting close. I could see it in his demeanor, but I just wasn’t sure what was in your head.”
“Too many things, apparently,” Sheila said. “Hopefully, I can clear it a little on my way back. Wish me luck.”
“You don’t need it,” Natalie said.
On Saturday morning, Tucker drove over to Orene’s.
“You’re right on time.”
“You ready?”
“I am.” She tossed him her keys. “You’re driving so I can sleep, right?” She was only teasing, but he caught the keys mid-air.
“My pleasure.”
She hadn’t really expected that response. Dan had always complained about early morning driving, so she’d always been the one to drive on family trips.
Tucker took the wheel, and they headed east.
He was a good driver and she had no problem drifting off to sleep. By by the time she woke up, they were already halfway there. “You’re making good time,” she said, looking at the navigation panel. “Need me to drive some?”
“Not unless you want to. I’m fine,” he said.
She opened her bag and handed him a protein bar. “Hungry?”
“Thanks.” He opened it and took a bite.
“I appreciate you driving. The worst thing about visiting Mom is the long drive.”
“Driving is relaxing for me,” he said.
“Whatisyour schedule for work? I can’t seem to figure it out.”
“That’s probably partly because I hang out around the fire station when I’m not on duty, and when I’m on duty, I’m still out and about town keeping tabs on things. We work one day on, day off, second day on, day off, third day on, then four days off before starting the whole cycle all over again.”
