6
Miranda hoped she hadn’t bitten off more than she could chew as they set out for Tulsa the next day.
Joy had warned it would be a long day. More than six hours of driving—and that was if they were going the speed limit, which they weren’t.
After three hours of driving in the pouring rain, they took a lunch break only to discover they weren’t even halfway to their destination.
And with nothing but more dark clouds ahead, Miranda wasn’t sure she was ready for another four or more hours of driving in this nasty mess.
By midafternoon, in the midst of a deluge that made Miranda wish that the RV was actually a boat, Joy spotted a conveniently located state park, and they decided to pull over and call it a day.
Miranda felt a little uneasy about being the only campers in the soggy and completely deserted state park. “Don’t we look a bit like a sitting duck?” she asked Joy as they peered out the windshield at the pouring rain.
“A very cheerful sitting duck,” Joy said. “We’ll leave the Christmas lights on for a while, but not too long. Don’t want to run down the batteries.”
“Do you want me to go out and do the hookups?” Miranda offered.
“Oh, there aren’t any hookups here,” Joy explained. “We’ll be dry camping.”
“Dry camping?” Miranda frowned at the watery world outside. “Doesn’t feel very dry to me.”
Joy laughed. “Meaning we won’t have running water or electric. We’ll depend on the RV’s batteries and stored water supply for the night. That means no microwave or TV.”
“Will the fridge work?”
“Yes, it works on both propane and electric. Very efficient.”
“And we’ve got the propane stove to cook on,” Miranda pointed out.
“And hot water too.”
“All the comforts of home.” Miranda made a half smile. Actually, she wouldn’t even have any of these meager comforts after the foreclosure this winter. Not to call her own anyway.
“Are you worried about camping here by ourselves?” Joy asked with concern. “Because I really do think it’s safe.”
“No . . . the truth is I was just thinking about where I’ll be after my house is foreclosed in February.” She waved her hand. “Feeling grateful to have a roof over my head right now.”
“Isn’t it good that we only have to deal with one day at a time?” Joy was filling the teakettle at the sink. “Tomorrow will be here soon enough . . . and who knows what it will bring?”
Miranda nodded. “That’s true.”
“You did a marvelous job driving today,” Joy told her. “It’s not easy in weather like this. You were very brave out there.”
“Thanks.” Miranda sighed. How was it that Joy always made her feel better about herself? “Are you making tea?”
“I thought we might like some cocoa. There are some instant packets up there.” Joy pointed to a cabinet. “And candy canes to put in them.”
“Let me get it,” Miranda offered. “You make yourself comfortable. Put your feet up.”
Joy didn’t argue as she made her way to the sofa. “I shouldn’t be this tired,” she said as she pulled the afghan up over her legs. “After all, I did practically nothing but sit all day.”
“Traveling is wearying,” Miranda said as she shook a packet of cocoa into a mug with a Christmas tree on it.
“I suppose it is.”
As Miranda stirred hot water into the mug, she studied Joy from the corner of her eye. Was it her imagination or did Joy look paler than usual? “Are you feeling all right?” Miranda asked as she handed Joy the hot mug, complete with candy cane. “I mean, besides being tired?”
Joy smiled brightly. “I’m just fine, dear.
Honestly, I haven’t had this much fun in ages.
Not since George passed on, I’m sure. No, I’m just a little tired, that’s all.
Nothing a good night’s sleep won’t fix. And it should be very quiet here tonight.
Not like the RV park last night. Goodness, that was a noisy place. ”
Miranda looked out the window to where a grove of trees bordered the camping area.
“Yes, it’s definitely quiet here.” She felt uneasy about the isolation of being the only campers.
Still, she didn’t want to voice her concerns.
No sense worrying Joy. “I’ll take care of dinner if you don’t mind.
” She stirred her own cocoa, then added a candy cane. It really did look very merry.
With her cocoa in hand, Miranda sat down across from Joy. “So what’s on the menu tonight?”
“I noticed the chili was nearly thawed this morning. How does that sound?”
“Sounds great. Especially on a damp cool day like this. Should warm us right up.”
“And there’s cheese . . . and crackers.” Joy yawned.
“After you finish your cocoa, you should just lean back and take a little nap,” Miranda told her.
Joy’s eyes sparkled happily. “You are such a blessing to me, dear Miranda. I’m so thankful you accompanied me on this trip.”
Miranda laughed. “You mean after you guilted me into it? But, honestly, I’m glad I came. Thanks for inviting me.”
“I feel God’s hand is definitely on us, Miranda. I can tell.”
They rehashed the fun they’d had visiting the nursing home and diner during the past couple of days. “I think I got as much out of it as the folks we were helping,” Miranda admitted. “Giving is good for the soul.”
“That’s for certain.” Joy nodded as she thumbed through her red and green notebook. “And did you notice that our trip will be half over after tomorrow?”
Miranda checked the date on her phone. “You’re right. Only four more days until the twenty-third. And you plan to be in Phoenix by Christmas Eve, right?”
“That’s right.” Joy let out a tired sigh.
“And you’re happy about that, aren’t you?
” Miranda didn’t like to push, but she was concerned for Joy.
This big move from Chicago to Phoenix had seemed like a bit much for someone her age.
In fact, Miranda had resented Joy’s sons for being so insistent about the whole thing this fall.
Still, she knew it wasn’t her place to question it.
“I’ll be very glad to be around my boys,” Joy said slowly.
“I have missed them so much these last few years. It was hard on me when Robbie got transferred from Chicago to Atlanta. And with Ricky and his family in Phoenix—well, I felt rather stuck in the middle. Then they both invited me to come live nearer to them, but I felt as if I’d have to split myself in two, so I just stayed put. ”
“But then Robbie moved to Phoenix last summer,” Miranda filled in. “That makes it easier, doesn’t it?”
“Oh yes. And then they found the lovely assisted living home.” Joy used her candy cane to stir the cocoa. “It seemed meant to be.”
“I hope you’ll be very happy there.”
Joy looked intently at Miranda now. “And I hope you’ll be happy in your next phase of life too. But I really don’t think we need to dwell on that right now.” Her smile returned. “I would rather just live in the moment. Wouldn’t you?”
Miranda slowly nodded. “Yes. I definitely would.” She took a sip of the sweet cocoa and leaned back, allowing her shoulders to relax.
“You are such good medicine for me, Joy. I honestly don’t know what I’d have done without you.
” Miranda didn’t even want to think of some of the dark ideas that had passed through her brain as she’d driven home from her sister’s last week.
Fortunately there’d been no steep cliffs to drive over.
She hated to admit to such thoughts and could hardly bear to think of them now.
“And you are good medicine for me too. I feel that God directed our paths, converging them so that we could share this journey together.”
Miranda sat up straighter. “I feel the same way, Joy.”
Joy made a tired smile. “I plan to enjoy each step of the way.”
“But let’s not wear you out too much.” Miranda reached down to pull the afghan up higher over Joy’s lap. “I’m glad we decided to stop early. We both needed a break. And I hope you’ll take it easy for the rest of the day.”
“Good thinking. Tomorrow will be a busy day.”
After Joy finished her cocoa, she did lean back and close her eyes and almost immediately fell asleep.
While Joy snoozed, Miranda loaded the diner photos onto the website and then poked around the tiny kitchen, getting things set up for dinner.
As the rain poured down, she glanced out the window from time to time, just to make sure no evil thug was creeping up on them.
Oh, she knew that was probably paranoia on her part, but she felt strangely protective of Joy—almost as a mother would feel for a small child.
As the sky started to get dusky, Miranda went around and closed the blinds, checking the windows and door, making sure all was sound and secure.
And she checked her phone to make sure it was fully charged.
Just in case. Finally, as she was heating the chili on the propane stove, she prayed a little protection prayer, asking God to keep them safe through the night.
After that, she really didn’t feel worried. And that felt good.