RV There Yet? (39 page)

A shy grin lights Steve's face. “Talk to you soon, Dee.” He turns and walks away.

Lydia, Millie, and I make our way back to Waldo.

“Hmm, that little exchange was interesting. Do I detect a bit of romance in the air?” Millie asks.

“Maybe.” A smile touches my lips, and my feet feel so light, I think I'm floating.

“This from the girl who insisted she would never love again?” Millie pushes.

“I'm surprised too. Like I said, this trip has changed me in more ways than one.” I look at Lydia and Millie. “In fact, I think it's changed all of us.”

Lydia nods. “So true. My little jaunt into the woods got my attention in a real way. The entire trip, I've been rethinking some things, but my time in the woods just made me all the more determined to make some changes.”

I pick up a stray cup from the picnic table at our campsite and throw it in the trash. “How about you, Millie?”

“Well, I've rethought some things. Made a lot of mistakes with Bruce. I'm not in the market for another husband, but I realize if I'm going to enjoy anything in this life, I need to do my part to make it happen.”

“Like maybe considering the new job that might open here at the camp?” Lydia asks.

“Right. I'm going to go back to the library and throw myself into the new computer system, but if we all buy the camp and a position materializes, I'm very open to it. In other words, I'm not running from the library job and the computer stuff. I'm just allowing myself the freedom to change if my dreams take me there.”

“Okay, who are you and what have you done with Millie?” I tease.

A chuckle escapes her. “You know, I was just thinking the same thing.”

My thoughts turn serious. “I'll be praying for you, Millie.” I squeeze her hand.

A look of appreciation shines on her face. “Thanks.”

“Well, it's just about time to take Waldo in for repair. Beverly will pick us up from the shop in a few minutes so we don't have to stay there,” Lydia says, opening Waldo's door. We step inside.

“So where we going next year?” Millie asks. The shock on Lydia's face matches my fear. “I think we should go on a trip together every year, don't you?”

A smile tugs at the corners of Lydia's lips and spreads into a full-scale grin. “And why not?”

“In Waldo?” I can't believe I'm actually calling him that.
Please
say no.

Millie brightens. “I was thinking something a little different next time.”

“Why is it I have this sinking feeling that I don't want to hear this?”

Millie waves her hand. “Oh, DeDe, you'll get used to the idea.”

Uh-huh, that's what they said this time.

Millie leans in, eyes sparkling. “I was thinking a houseboat.”

I gasp.

She steps back and looks at us as though she's just announced the answer to world peace. Trust me on this one. The three of us on a houseboat does not spell world peace.

“You, Lydia, me—us in a houseboat, away from civilization, traveling down some forgotten waterway, in the heart of a thick jungle. Haven't you ever seen
Anaconda
?”

Millie gives me a hard stare. “I was thinking more along the lines of a nice, peaceful river.”

“Leave it with Huckleberry Finn,” I say.

“I think it's a great idea,” Lydia says. “And if Beverly is still traveling with me, she could join us.”

“Right,” Millie says with a snap of her head. The two of them walk down the hall, and I watch after them, wondering what in the world my future will hold.

If I've learned anything on this trip, it's that every day is a journey. And one thing I know for sure, the journey is easier when traveling with friends—well, most of the time.

Still, if I have my way about it, I'll be spending my next vacation at a spa. And call me spoiled, but I have every intention of getting there in less than one day in the comfort of an airplane.

Special thanks to:

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Darrough for allowing my husband and me to tour their beautiful facilities at Camp Timberline in Estes Park, Colorado.

Jim and Daphna Bickerstaff for answering my endless RV questions.

The great folks at DeBrand Fine Chocolates for the world's greatest truffles that constantly feed my inspiration!

My readers for traveling these pages with me. Because of you, I have a job. Thank you!

My husband, Jim, who will, one day, be thrown into jail for forcing my books upon people. Thanks for believing in me, honey. I love you!

My daughter, Amber Zimmerman, and her husband, Kyle, for making sure my books are face out in the bookstores. My son, Aaron Hunt, and his wife, Megan, for selling my book to the lady at the bookstore. I love you all!

My granddaughters, Macy, Micah, and Zoe Zimmerman and Abby Hunt: I pray I will leave you a legacy of laughter.

My writing friends, Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, and Denise Hunter. The journey wouldn't be nearly as fun without you.

My awesome agent, Karen Solem, for her infinite wisdom in the publishing world.

My in-house WestBow editor, Ami McConnell, for her amazing insight and creativity. Thank you for making midlife (well, it is if I live to be one hundred) my best years yet!