Chapter Six
Amanda stared out the window of the tree frog–colored limousine, glad for the blacked-out windows. People were pointing and kids were waving frantically. She’d hate to dash all their Hollywood hopes that someone famous was sitting inside. Just a woman and her two kids.
She looked at her watch. They’d left an hour ago. They were still just about within hiking distance of her house, and the kids were already getting antsy.
“If the storm comes while we’re still driving, can we just go back home?” Jesse asked.
Travis’s eyes lifted to the rearview mirror. “That will not happen,” Amanda reassured them. “Come on. Let’s play some cards.”
They started a game of crazy eights, which turned the complaining into giggles.
As usual, Hailey won four hands in a row. Amanda was pretty sure the girl had a photographic memory.
Traffic was finally moving. She’d never seen this many cars all going in one direction in her life.
Tired of cards, Hailey put a DVD in the player, and she and Jesse stretched out on their bellies on the long plush sofas to watch.
It was a relief not to have to entertain them. At least for a moment.
Travis lowered the window between them to speak to Amanda. “I’m going to stop and fuel up in about twenty minutes when we cross into Virginia if you’d like to get out and stretch or get a snack.”
“Thank you. That’ll be great.”
Hailey and Jesse both popped up. “Are we almost there?” Jesse asked.
“No. Not even close, but we are going to stop and have time to stretch in a bit.”
“He said snacks,” Jesse said.
She looked at them both. They knew Tug had packed them more than enough food, but why deny them something so simple? “One snack each. We need to be mindful not to take too long. We don’t want to hold him up.”
The stretch Hummer pulled into the truck stop, taking up the whole lane at the fuel pump.
Jesse peered out the windows as the vehicle came to a stop. “Look. Everyone is looking at us.”
“Because we’re in a limo.” Hailey was smiling and waving like a superstar.
Travis laughed. “It’ll take a bit to fuel this thirsty beast up. Y’all can get out and stretch and move around.”
“Thanks. Come on, kids.” Amanda, Jesse, and Hailey hopped out of the limousine and headed inside.
Amanda balanced their selected snacks and perused the magazines for something to read.
Hailey walked over and hung on her arm. “The line is forever. Mom, can we go outside and wait for you?”
“All right, but stay right up here by the entrance, and keep Jesse close by. Do not go into the parking lot for any reason. Understood?”
“We’ll be careful. I promise.” Hailey turned to Jesse. “Come on.”
They speed-walked to the door and, just as she asked, stopped to the left of the entrance. They were good kids. Why do I even worry?
She stood in the long line, not any more patient than they were.
Travis was still standing at the pump. That made her feel better until she noticed Hailey and Jesse having a very animated conversation with an older woman out front.
She quickly paid for the snacks, stepped outside, and called to them, but they were too deep in conversation to hear her over the rumbling big rigs at the pumps on this side of the building.
“Excuse me,” Amanda said as she approached.
The woman turned to Amanda and curtseyed. “My goodness. These two are a delight. I’m afraid I’ve never met an actual princess.” She leaned in. “Your secret is safe with me.”
Amanda shot the kids a look.
“We were just explaining our predicament to this fine woman.” Hailey spoke in a not-so-bad British accent and stared wide-eyed at her as if begging her to play along.
“Yes, Mum,” Jesse chimed in.
“Oh my goodness.” She ruffled Jesse’s hair. “These two belong to me. Sorry—they could bend your ear for a week. I’m no princess.”
Hailey gave the woman an exaggerated wink.
“Hailey, stop. We’re just a regular family traveling—”
“In the longest limousine I’ve ever laid eyes on. It’s fine. And these two are delightful.”
Hailey placed a loving arm across Jesse’s shoulders, still playacting and glowing as if she fully expected to win an Emmy. “It’s our secret. It’s been divine meeting you, ma’am.”
Amanda lifted her gaze to the heavens. Oh, Jack, they’ve got your flair for drama! “I’m afraid these two are being mischievous and the long ride has just begun. We’re evacuating for the storm. Headed to Ohio to spend some time with my folks.” She leveled a stare at her little tricksters. “Fess up, you two. In your real voices.”
“Sorry—we were just playing,” Hailey said with a giggle. “You’re really nice, and it was fun. Thanks for talking with us.”
“You two had me completely fooled! I curtseyed, you little boogers.” She was smiling, though. “What a wonderful accent, although I really like this southern lilt even better.”
“Lilt?” Jesse’s brows pulled together. “Like from the dryer?”
“Uh, that would be lint, Jess,” Hailey said.
“Where in the world did you two learn how to talk like that?” The woman turned to Amanda. “They really had me going.”
“ Peppa Pig, ” Jesse said matter-of-factly.
“And Mary Poppins. We watched it again last night.”
“It is one of their favorites,” Amanda said, nodding. “You two are a hot mess. Apologize for tricking this nice lady.”
“We’re sorry.”
“I accept your apology, and it was all quite innocent. A welcome distraction, actually. I’ve been driving all day.” The woman’s blue eyes danced beneath her auburn bangs. “I’m on my way to visit with a high school friend. We haven’t laid eyes on each other since graduation. Why, that’s…I haven’t even done the math.”
“That had to be a really long time ago,” Jesse said.
“Yes, for sure, but we reconnected on the internet. We’ve talked on the phone a few times the past few months, and we decided to get together.”
Amanda smiled. “That’s so exciting. Isn’t it funny how some people you will just stay connected with forever?”
“Yes. It’s like picking up where you left off, no matter how long it’s been. I used to live in Hawaii and miss beach living. I’m just as excited to see the ocean as I am my old friend.”
“Where are you headed?”
“To Whelk’s Island.”
“That’s where we live!” Hailey said.
“Really? Well, isn’t this a small world!”
Amanda frowned. “It is. Only, you know there’s a hurricane coming up the East Coast, right?”
“I know. My daughter was having a fit about me traveling because of it.”
“Well, there’s still some uncertainty, but they’ve recommended an evacuation. If you’re going to ride out the storm with your friend, go straight there because when the evacuation becomes mandatory, they will divert all roads to be westbound only.”
“Oh dear. That could be a problem.”
“Ready to roll when you are,” Travis called out.
“We’re on our way.” Amanda pressed the bag of treats into Hailey’s arms. “Here, you two walk—don’t run—over to the car and get in.”
“That’s no car, Mum.”
Amanda looked at the woman. “They are pretty good at that. I had no idea.” She gestured to the limo. “Scoot, you two. I’ll be right there.”
“My name is Rosemary,” the woman said. “This has honestly been the highlight of my day.”
“I’m glad they weren’t a bother.”
“Are you kidding? I think most kids have forgotten how to use their imagination to entertain themselves. I’d say you’re doing something right.”
“Well, thank you. You don’t know how much that means, because they’ve had a tough haul of it the last few years. They are my world.”
“I have to ask. Is the prince, Paul, made up too?”
“Paul. He’s not a prince, but he is…he is my knight in shining armor. No, that’s too flashy of a description. He’s humble and kind and giving. You know, he’s like that perfect conch shell you find on the beach, intricately patterned and perfect despite being tossed in the surf for decades.”
“That is special. I’m so happy for you.” Rosemary’s eyes lowered. “Do you think it’s safe for me to go to Whelk’s Island? My friend doesn’t seem worried at all, but running into you like this and your evacuating makes me wonder. I don’t want to be foolish.”
Amanda glanced over at the fancy limo. “This is all Paul’s doing. It’s a very long story, but I lost my husband a few years back. I ran into Paul on the beach. I hadn’t seen him since I’d lost Jack. He and Jack were best friends. He vowed to keep me safe. I think it’ll be fine on Whelk’s Island. Those locals have been through lots of these storms, but it was important to him, and I didn’t want to take any chances with my children, so I appeased him.”
“I understand completely.”
“Let me give you this.” She dug into her purse. “This is Paul’s business card. If things get tricky, you call him. He owns a business in town, and they’ll be weathering the storm there. Tell him you met me. He’ll make room for you, and you couldn’t be in better hands. Oh, and if you end up without electricity and need food, Tug over at Tug’s Diner is your man. He’s lived on that beach his whole life, and he’ll be open no matter what. You couldn’t meet two nicer people than Tug and Paul. Look them up if you need anything.”
“This is so generous of you. Thank you.” She waved the card. “It’s nice how He makes sure we are on the right path, isn’t it?”
“Yes, ma’am. I couldn’t agree more.”
“Why don’t we exchange numbers? If you want to know what’s going on without worrying Paul, I’ve got nothing better to do than to chat with you. Heck, I’ll entertain those two kids of yours on the phone if they are on your nerves.”
“Be careful what you wish for.”
Rosemary took out her phone. “Can I send you my number?”
“Yes. Absolutely.” They exchanged phone numbers. “I’m going to take you up on checking in on the actual situation. Sometimes those newscasters make things out to be so much worse, and I don’t want to worry if that’s not the case. You really wouldn’t mind?”
“I’d be honored. I’ll be your personal on-the-ground reporter.”
“Perfect.” Amanda hated to leave the woman. She was so nice, Amanda was tempted to invite her to come with them, but that was crazy. “We have to get on the road. Be safe.”
“You too.”
Amanda walked over to the limousine and climbed in. She felt a familiar nudge, like on the day she’d met Maeve. She smiled, recalling the delight on Rosemary’s face as she interacted with Jesse and Hailey. How crazy was it they’d crossed paths with this woman heading for Whelk’s Island while they were going in the opposite direction?
She clutched her phone. I’ll be calling to check on you, Rosemary.
“Mum, what’s on your mind, dear?” Hailey’s British accent was quite convincing.
“That you two are always full of surprises!” She leaned over and tickled them. “I love you two to pieces!”
Once they cleared all the evacuation traffic, the trip was a lot smoother, and Amanda helped the kids track where they were on the atlas she’d bought at the truck stop. They were having fun, and it seemed to do the trick on the “how much longer” questions she’d thought she would be fielding by now.
She wasn’t even to her destination, and she was yearning for home. For Paul.