someone I really wanted to get to know better like her.” He gasped, then looked at her again. “Do you think it would upset Tom? I don’t want to do anything to hurt his feelings.”
Nevvie couldn’t hold back the laughter. “No, Dad, I’m sure Tommy would be fine with it.” She hugged him. “We’d all be fine with it.”
* * * *
Tyler lost track of time as he drove. The nice thing about being a writer was he could work while he drove, using the time to plot out his next book in his head. Which was a lot more work than he’d done in reality.
The idea he’d gotten in Kansas City hadn’t solved all his problems with the plot. Now if he could just work out the rest of the kinks, maybe he could get the book turned in on time.
When he glanced at the clock on the dash, he realized it’d been thirty minutes since they’d hit the interstate and he had yet to see Nevvie. Usually, she would wait until the kids were engrossed in a movie and then join Tom up front while he drove.
He fought the urge to pout over that. She must be tired. Perhaps she’s napping. She did mention she wanted one. He turned down the radio. “Nevvie,” he called out, “I really am feeling a bit peckish. Could I trouble you for a sandwich and a bottle of water?”
He felt his irritation grow when he called for her again, and then a third time and still no response. He was about to really raise the roof when he heard the door to the bedroom open. Thomas stumbled out, holding on to the galley counter as he made his way up front where he finally dropped into the passenger seat. He looked like he’d just woke up. His hair was disheveled.
“Ty, what in hell are you hollering about out here?”
“Well, I’ve called out for Nevvie to see if I could get a sandwich and she’s ignoring me. Is she really that cross over me driving?” Tyler glanced at Thomas and didn’t understand the odd look on his face. “Thomas, what’s wrong?”
He did look a bit more awake now. “Ty, I’m gonna ask you what might seem to be a really stupid question, but I want an answer anyway, okay?”
“Of course, love. What is it?”
Thomas arched an eyebrow. “Where the hell are Nevvie and Dad?”
* * * *
Nevvie gave the police officer credit. He tried not to laugh. The South Dakota trooper who he called in, however, made no such attempt.
When Captain Delaney finished laughing, he placed a call on the radio to bolo the RV. Then, with a smile, he opened the back door of his cruiser. “Sorry I have to put you back there, folks, but they probably didn’t get too far ahead of us. Watch your head, ma’am.”
“I’m gonna kill Tyler,” Nevvie muttered again as she climbed in.
Andrew joined her in the back on the uncomfortable hard plastic seat meant for suspects. Captain Delaney got behind the wheel and glanced in his rearview mirror. “I’m sorry I laughed, but believe me, you’re not the first person left behind by someone on accident. Although I will admit I’ve never seen two people left behind before.”
“I guarantee you, officer, it’ll be the last time he leaves us behind,” Nevvie assured him.
The trooper laughed as he started the cruiser. “I’m sure it will be. Frankly, I don’t envy him.”
* * * *
Shock engulfed Tyler’s face. “What are you talking about?”
Tom forced himself to maintain a calm tone. “Eyes on the road. Your dad and Nevvie. Please tell me you know something I don’t know.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! They’re in back with you.” Now Tyler looked unsure. “Aren’t they?”
Tom shook his head. “I said eyes on the damn road, Ty. Nevvie and Dad were going to go get a couple of things from the store across the street in Mitchell. I went back to sleep.”
“What? But her purse and cell phone are on the counter.”
Tom got up and made his way back to where her purse and cell phone sat on the galley counter. “Her wallet is gone.” He checked Tyler’s phone. “Fantastic.
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