Page 40 of Mr. B

“Nah. She likes the boy I used to be.”

“Do you really think you’ve changed that much?”

“I hope so. I was an idiot when I was your age.”

Bailey laughed. “I doubt that.”

“I’m afraid it’s true.” He glanced over his shoulder at Cassandra, and she waved at him. He sighed. Maybe he was still an idiot.

Chapter ten

“Music, ghost stories, and s’mores.”

Wes headed to the chip aisle and grabbed a bag of Fritos along with some hot Doritos. Bailey came up beside him. “Can I get some chips?”

“Get whatever you want.”

She took a bag of salt and vinegar chips. “Mom brought soda in the cooler, so we have that.”

“Okay. How about some jerky?”

“Yeah.”

“And…” He spotted an endcap with packaged pastries. “Some snowballs.” He took two packs.

Bailey laughed. “I thought you ate healthy. Or you look like you would.”

“I do. Except on a road trip. Do you want anything else?”

She studied the pastries, then picked up a pack of chocolate donuts. “Just these.”

Wes went to the coffee station and poured a large coffee, then took their bounty to the cashier. He used the twenty he had in his pocket, then took two more from his wallet and handed them to the cashier.

“I’ll put the balance in the tank.”

“Yes, sir.”

They returned to the car, and Bailey got into the backseat with the bag while Wes filled the Wagoneer with gas. Once they were back on the road, Bailey handed Cassandra the bag of Fritos.

“Thank you, honey.”

“What do you want, Mr. B?”

“Snowballs.”

Bailey handed them both to him, and he held one out to Cassandra. She looked at it for a moment, then smiled and took it from him.

“I didn’t know you liked those, Mom.”

“Well, it’s been a while.” She unwrapped the package and took a bite, then glanced at Wes. “Quite a while.”

Snacking helped the next two hours go by faster, and even though conversation was minimal, it wasn’t awkward. When the road narrowed, and they started climbing, Wes looked at Cassandra. “Almost there.”

“What’s the elevation?”

“Around 3000 at the lake.”

“Is it going to be cold?”