A Turn in the Road (Blossom Street #8)(27)

“Dad’s different,” Annie continued, almost as if she’d been reading Bethanne’s thoughts.

“We both are.”

“Dad’s learned his lesson. He’s humbled. You know that can’t be easy for him.”

What Annie said was true. With Grant’s pride, it had taken a great deal for him to admit he’d made a mistake and seek a reconciliation.

“You don’t mind if I call him, do you?”

“Not at all.”

Annie reached for her cell and punched a couple of buttons. After a moment, she muttered in frustration. “We don’t have coverage here.”

“It can wait. In fact, if you call him now he’ll only worry. Why don’t we call once we’re in Vegas?”

“Okay.”

By the time they returned to the car, Ruth had cleaned up their leftovers and they were ready to go back to the highway.

“I’ll drive,” Annie said.

Bethanne was happy to relinquish the wheel. If she was going to finish the wedding gloves, she’d need time to knit. She’d made progress their first day on the road, but none today. She was counting on the trip to afford her knitting time she didn’t generally have.

Ruth climbed into the back, while Bethanne sat in the passenger seat next to her daughter. Annie inserted the key and the engine turned over once and then quit.

Frowning, Annie looked at Bethanne. “What’s wrong?”

Bethanne’s heart slowed as she remembered what had happened at the gas station in Wells. “Try again.”

Annie did, and the engine caught right away. Bethanne relaxed, giving her daughter a reassuring smile. The last thing they needed now was to get stuck in the middle of nowhere with a broken-down vehicle and no cell coverage.

The car lurched forward and died again.

“Is there a problem?” Ruth asked anxiously from the backseat.

“I’m not sure,” Bethanne said.

Annie tried again. Nothing. When it became apparent that no amount of cranking was going to start the engine, Bethanne placed her hand over her daughter’s.

“Now what?” Annie asked.

Bethanne’s head was spinning. They didn’t have a lot of options. “How far are we from the main road? Isn’t it about five miles?”

“Yup. Farther than I’d want to walk,” Annie said, “especially in this heat.”

“I agree. It’s too far to walk in this heat,” Ruth said emphatically.

“Then we’re stuck until someone comes along.” Annie dropped her hands from the steering wheel. “Does anyone know anything about fixing cars?”

Bethanne shook her head.

“Not me,” Ruth said. “I left all that to Richard. After he died I had to learn how to fill my own gas tank. But that’s about all I can do.”

“We could be here for days,” Annie moaned.

“Why don’t we wait until it cools down and then walk to the highway.”

“This is all my fault,” Ruth wailed. “I was so eager for adventure that I put us in danger.”

“I was the one who suggested we eat lunch by the lake,” Annie said.

“Stop,” Bethanne told them both. “This isn’t anyone’s fault. We’ll be fine. There’s nothing to worry about. Besides, there are worse things than being stuck by a beautiful lake on a summer afternoon.”

“Right,” Annie said, instantly perking up. “Let’s go swimming. We have our swimsuits, don’t we?”

“Uh, I didn’t bring one,” Ruth confessed. “I didn’t want anyone to see my fat thighs.”

“Ruth,” Bethanne said, rolling her eyes. She was on her way to Florida and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world—and she was worried about showing her thighs. “Who’ll even notice?”

“What about you, Mom?” Annie asked.

Bethanne’s smile faded. “I don’t own a suit.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Annie said, staring up at the car ceiling. “Okay, you two, I don’t care if you have your bathing suits or not, we’re going swimming.”

“You can,” Ruth said, “but I’m staying out of the water.”

“Suit yourself, Grandma, but Mom and I are getting in the water.”

Bethanne hesitated. “You go on and I’ll join you later.”

“Mo-om,” Annie groaned. “Okay, if it’ll make you both feel better, I’ll swim in my underwear.”

Annie shucked off her shorts and cotton top, leaving them at the water’s edge, and walked into the lake with her arms raised. “Oh, boy, this is cold.”

Bethanne kept a keen eye on her daughter. The cool water lapped at her bare toes, and she felt the sweat roll down her neck. The sun was even fiercer now. Annie, meanwhile, was floating on her back.

“Are you coming in or not?” she shouted to Bethanne.

“Coming in.” Bethanne carefully removed her own clothes and waded into the water in her bra and underpants. The lake seemed even colder than before and shock made her gasp.

Ruth strolled down to the shore, watching them more intently than a lifeguard at the baby pool.

“Come on, Ruth,” Bethanne said. “You wanted adventure. Well, this is it!”