1. Minnie

CHAPTER 1

Minnie

PRESENT DAY

“ T hank you,” I tell the cashier behind the counter. I’ve stopped this morning for coffee and breakfast. The cute café is exactly what I needed. There’s only so much oatmeal, eggs, and toast a girl can take since she’s been on the road. I needed something hearty that I didn’t prepare myself. Living in a small van with an even smaller kitchen can make for a tight workspace. I also have to replenish my fridge every few days. It’s been a huge adjustment to say the least, one that I’m finding I like a lot.

“You’re welcome. Your order will be right out,” she replies. I nod, grab the coffee mug, and head to the coffee bar. Unlimited coffee as well as grabbing a to-go cup is exactly what I need, as well as the chicken and waffles I ordered. In another couple of days, I’ll be in my resting spot for the holidays. Along the way, I’ve stopped in Georgia, enjoying the mountains and crisp air. The campsite I stayed at even had facilities to catch up on everything you could think of—like a shower and laundry—and they even had an outdoor hot tub. I partook in the first two but didn’t in the latter. There were a bunch of kids, and while they seemed alright, the last thing I wanted was to be the only adult surrounded by a bunch of younger children.

I really should have adopted a dog before going on this adventure. Sure, it would mean stopping more often, which isn’t really a bad thing if you think about it. Then I’d also have a pal to hang out with when the weather gets rough, like it did in Tennessee. My two-day stay turned into three. I was also trapped in my van most of the time. My only saving grace from being bored out of my skull was my sister. The goodie basket she packed for me included a couple of word search books, miniature puzzles, and a new e-reader already synced up from my old one. Lennon is sneaky like that, going above what most would ever do. One day, if she’s ever fortunate enough, she’ll make the best mom ever. After what felt like being pummeled by wind and rain, waking up with the sun shining the next day made it feel like just a usual Florida thunderstorm, minus a lot of the humidity.

“Order for Minnie,” my name is called just as I finish doctoring my maple-flavored coffee with cream and sugar.

“That’s me, thank you.” I grab the tray with food, then hit the cutlery before I make my way to the outside seating. The weather is near freezing in Missouri today, yet it’s not stopping me from heading for the covered patio with outdoor heaters. In Kentucky, I stopped for gas, to take a look around, and then got back on the road. There wasn’t much that piqued my interest with the way I was traveling and knew I had to regain time from the overstayed welcome in Tennessee. Maybe on the way back to Florida I’ll take a detour and hit up a couple of the bourbon distilleries as well as the horse racing area.

I take my seat, pull my phone out, and scroll for a few minutes through my e-mail. Work, work, and more work. My sabbatical is clearly not being understood by my many clients. Which means I’ll have to respond to a few of these once I’m settled for the night. Especially the nine-one-one messages listed in the subject line. Try as I might to talk to every client, wrapping up their project, and making sure everyone is happy with their business, there’s never an end in sight. No one said it’s a pretty job. A lot of people don’t even understand my obsession with analyzing numbers all day, but I love it. Except for while I’m on a much-needed and long-overdue vacation.

I back out of my e-mails, pull up the camera app, and snap a quick picture of my meal before grabbing my fork to dive in. Then I take another one with my mouth full of food to send to my sister.

Me: Chicken and waffles never tasted better after cooking for yourself for nearly a week straight.

My body lets out a growl, causing me to look at my surroundings to make sure no one heard my obnoxiousness. Luckily, I’m in the clear and my stomach eating itself goes unnoticed by anyone. Digging into my plate of food is the only option. The minute the waffle infused with bacon hits my tongue, I let out a low moan, then immediately go for the chicken next. I’m unprepared for the flavors to hit my mouth: fried chicken with a hint of spice. Good lord, it’s so good a girl could orgasm right here in her chair.

My phone buzzes from its place on the table. I should ignore it. But the last thing I want is to make Lennon worry. We have this pact in place: I let her know when I’m on the road and when I’m tucked in at night because she worries, and even with the tracking app on my phone, it’s sometimes not enough. I get it. There have been times my big sister has gone away for work, and for one reason or another, neither of us could get through and our location services decided not to work either.

Lennie: That looks a lot better than my breakfast.

I’m greeted with a picture of a bowl; upon further investigation, I realize what Lennie is eating. Cereal. She’s thirty-five years old and eating a sugary bowl of frosted flakes.

Me: Why would you subject yourself to something like that? You hate cereal.

I take another bite of food, following with it with the coffee while wondering if I should head back to the register and buy some coffee grounds for myself. I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to find this blend anywhere else, meaning I found the answer before I talk myself out of it. This is a vacation, which means splurges are more than allowed. I’ve worked hard to get to where I am. I consolidated everything I own into a small storage unit, a small ten by ten, air conditioned and paid for the next three months even though I’m only going to be gone for one. My lease being up meant if I could find a great spot and wanted to prolong my trip, I could at least work while in the van.

Lennie: You see, my sister foisted all of her extra food off on me. Waste not, want not.

I let out a snort. That is so Lennon. She’s been this way since I can remember. When we were younger and money was tight, we’d have leftover nights where she’d make something different in order for us not to get bored. Now that she can afford to have anything she wants, she’s still this way. Which includes the food I left that wouldn’t fit in my van.

Me: Lennon, honey, eat whatever you want. You only live once.

A few minutes later, I’ve cleared my plate, my cup of coffee is devoured, and there’s nothing left for me to do. I could sit back and enjoy my time on the back patio, except I’ve somehow managed to have ants in my pants about visiting the gateway arch and the zoo. Both are within miles of each other. There’s still a lot of daylight left, so I may as well enjoy it.

Lennie: Yeah, yeah. Have a good day and send pics when you’re in for the night. Love you!

Me: Will do, love you

True to my word, before leaving this cute breakfast place, I head back to the counter to grab two bags of maple coffee, then drop off my plate, silverware, and mug in the drop zone. After asking the cashier if she can grind the beans, I check out. I head back to my van to take in the last couple of sights before I’m back on the road. Tomorrow will be a long haul through Nebraska, which I’ll travel straight through. I also have no plans to make a stop on the way back, unlike Kentucky. Unless something piques my interest, I don’t see a reason to sightsee. The more time I’m able to visit Jackson Hole, Wyoming and the surrounding areas, the better. The cabin is rented for the week of Christmas into the New Year. Other than that, I’m in my van.

“Thank you, we hope to see you again,” one of the restaurant workers says as I’m making my way through the restaurant and toward the door.

“Thanks, you too.” I look at the calendar of events they have on the board. “Bummer,” I mutter under my breath when I notice they have bingo and brunch on Sundays. Missed that by a few days. At least I’m stocked up on their delicious coffee, and while I love the caramel flavor Lennon packed, one can’t have too much of the bean-powered fuel.

The freezing air smacks me right dab in the face, making me realize if I’m going to be outside for most of the day, I’ll need my hat, gloves, and a scarf. Maybe even a thicker jacket since the one I’m currently wearing has the cold settling in deep into my bones. I’m not sure how I’ll manage, but I will. With my plans solidly in place, I get my day started.