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Tori did a double take, looking first at Russ, then back at the truck.
“She’s…?”
Russ chuckled as he nodded. “She sure is.”
Xander gave them both a puzzled look.
Tori couldn’t wipe the smile off her face as she explained. “The first time we came to visit Mom here, it was so freaking strange to see her sitting in the passenger seat of Russ’s truck. You know what she’s like. Most of the time at home in Napa, she had a driver, and when she drove herself, it was her Lexus. Never in a million years did I think that I would see my mom driving a pickup truck.”
Xander grinned at her. “I know what you mean. But…” He inclined his head toward her mom as she brought the truck to a stop and climbed out. “But things change, people change – and can you honestly tell me that you’ve ever seen her look this happy before?”
Tori grinned back at him. “I can’t. This is so freaking awesome!”
Her mom came toward them with a puzzled smile on her face. “Sorry I’m a bit late.” Russ held his arm out to her, and Tori loved seeing the way that she went to him and nestled into his side as he pecked her cheek.
“Why do I get the feeling that you were all talking about me – and possibly laughing at me?”
“No! Oh my gosh, no. We weren’t laughing, Mom. We were talking about you, but only because I was fascinated – and thrilled – to see you driving Russ’s truck.”
Tori just couldn’t get over how different her mom seemed as she waggled her eyebrows and said, “I’m having fun. Since I came here, I’ve been trying out all sorts of things – new experiences – and I’ve discovered that there’s so much more to life than I used to believe.” Her expression grew more serious as she continued. “I hope you’ll do the same while you’re here, darling. Up until now you’ve seen the world in a certain way, and you’ve seen your place in it in a certain way, too. At the risk of overstepping, I’d like to suggest that you try something different. Perhaps while you’re here, you could experiment with the thought that life can be whatever you’d like it to be – and you can experience it however you choose.”
Tori met her mom’s gaze and held it.
Her mom’s smile faded, and she waved a hand. “As I said, I don’t mean to overstep. I simply…”
As her mom’s words trailed off, Tori hurried to her and wrapped her in a hug. “You’re not, Mom. I think that’s wonderful advice.”
Xander grinned at them. “So do I. I think it’s a great idea. I’m going to give it a try as well.”
Tori smiled at him. She had the feeling that he was trying to encourage her and reassure her mom at the same time. She was pretty sure that he already believed that life could be whatever he wanted it to – and that he experienced it exactly as he chose to.
~ ~ ~
As they drove away a little while later, Tori slid across the bench seat and rested her head against Xander’s shoulder.
“You okay, sprite?”
“I am. I’m really glad that we stopped to see them.”
He shot her a quick wink before turning his attention back to the road. “You mean that we stopped to bring her the wine this morning or that we stopped in Summer Lake to deliver the truck?”
She made a face at him. “I meant this morning, but you’re right – I’m glad we decided to come here.”
He was tempted to ask if looking at the world in a different way might mean that she would want to stay, but he didn’t want to push. With each day that passed, he liked Summer Lake more and could see himself living here. But he had a feeling that might feel like pressure to Tori if he told her.
He could feel her gaze on him but kept his focus on the road.
When he couldn’t take it anymore, he chuckled and asked, “What? What are you looking at me like that for? I can hear the wheels turning in your head.”
“Are you glad we came here?”
“I am. For one thing, we wouldn’t have had our road trip otherwise. For another, I think it’s doing you good to spend this time with your mom. And last but not least, I like this place, it’s a great little town.”
She was quiet for a long few minutes. Just when he thought that she’d said all she was going to, she sucked in a deep breath then blew it out slowly before asking, “Could you see yourself staying here?”
He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “We already talked about this. I can see myself staying anywhere as long as you’re there.”
“I know, but I mean for you – just for you. Can you see yourself living here?”
