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“Close enough.”
“I see you got the wheel back on the car. Any problems?”
“Nope.”
“Good job. Your grandfather would be proud.”
Just like Portia said. I smile inwardly.
Not long ago, I’d felt like a failure who’d let my granddad down, struggling to fulfill his dying wish and then losing his dog. Now life seems to be filling with exciting new possibilities.
He kisses the tip of my nose. “Ready to hit the road?”
“Sure am. I’m driving.” With a flourish Vanna White would envy, I open the passenger door for him.
“Déjà vu,” he mutters with a chuckle and climbs in. “Works for me. I don’t have a problem hiring you as my chauffeur.”
I snick the door closed and walk around to climb into the driver’s side. “So, does that make you the boss?”
His mouth spreads into the full-on smile that sends delicious shivers all through me.
“Hmm…Or since it’s my car and I’m driving, does that make me the boss?”
“Interesting questions. We can discuss them on the way to Denver.”
I go through the steps Granddad taught me for starting up his lovely old car. The engine rumbles, then purrs.
When we’re back on the road, I say, “You could have taken the Interstate with Taylor, you know.”
“And leave you behind? No way.” Ash clicks his tongue and gives his head a woeful shake. “I’m sorry to tell you that your solitary travel days are over.”
My heart swells with happiness, but I give him my best skeptical, side-eye glance. “Is that so?”
“Yes. Too bad if that’s a problem for you.”
“No, it’s no problem. Not in the least. I understand that good travel buddies can be hard to come by.”
“Fortunately, you’ve found one.” He gives another soft chuckle and adjusts his sunglasses, settling deeper into the passenger seat. “By the way, I have it on good authority that we have lots of roses to stop and smell along the way. You up for that?”
“Ask me after our round trip to Denver.”
“You and Miss Myrtle are going to love each other.”
My eyes widen. I hope she likes me. Portia’s description of her is intimidating.
He reaches out to squeeze my hand. “Here we go. Off on our journey of new beginnings, rather than endings.”
My mouth curves gently. “A journey of appreciation, rather than accumulation.”
His answering smile is as private as a caress. An affirmation of the journeys that brought us to this point. “A journey we make…together.”
He leans in and kisses my cheek, as if to seal the vows we’re making. Although I’m tempted to pull the car over, a proper kiss will have to wait until we get to Denver.
Our backseat passenger rouses just long enough to blink her bloodshot eyes, tilt back her wrinkly head, and make the moment her own with a soulful, heartfelt “Aooooo!”
Ash laughs with abandon. “Drooly-Julie, old girl, I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
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